Kyle Whittingham wants to see more out of Utah’s wide receivers.
Wait. Is there an echo in here?
For four weeks, the Ute head coach has said he wants “explosive plays” from the core of Utah pass catchers. But that hasn’t happened, and the issue reared its ugly head again in the Utes’ 34-10 loss to Texas Tech last Saturday.
“We’ve got to find a way to get a threat at that position,” Whittingham said afterward. “You’re right. We didn’t get much involvement with the wideouts today, but you’ve got to get open. You’ve got to get open to get the ball.”
Utah wide receivers coach Micah Simon, who was hired from New Mexico this offseason alongside offensive coordinator Jason Beck, said he’s actively looking for more playmakers
“Guys are going to earn their plays in practice and earn their time on the field on Saturdays and then we just keep trying to find ways to move the ball and give this team a chance to win,” Simon said this week.
And that will have to happen sooner rather than later if the Utes want to get back on track offensively.
So far, only New Mexico transfer redshirt senior Ryan Davis has been the only consistent threat at the position. In four games, he’s pulled in 29 catches for 241 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Other targets like Tobias Merriweather and Larry Simmons have yet to get involved in Utah’s offense. Merriweather was — and has been — lauded as a potential No. 1 wide receiver, but he’s only caught 5 passes for 88 receiving yards this season.
Ute quarterback Devon Dampier missed Merriweather on a deep route against the Red Raiders last weekend. If the duo had been able to connect, the Utes probably would’ve scored.
Those kinds of missed opportunities caught up with Utah’s offense against Texas Tech.
“Sometimes things don’t always click,” Merriweather said this week. “Football, especially at receiver, is a game where you’re relying on so many different things. It has to be perfect. But, we’re working toward perfection on every single play, which is obviously impossible, but it’s something that we’re always striving for.”
Up next
Utah (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) will take on West Virginia (2-2, 0-1) at 1:30 p.m. MT on Saturday in Morgantown, West Virginia.
You can watch the game on FOX.