by By Rich Winter
Coming off a 30-28 road-upset over UCLA last week, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is keeping the decision of who is his starting quarterback vs. Oregon State tonight pretty close to his vest.
The team knows, the quarterbacks know…the only people that don’t know are Oregon State and everyone who is interested in watching the game tonight.
I like it!
There will be no formal announcement. Whittingham explained that the public will find out on game-day when a guy trots out and takes the first snap.
While the incumbent has always been junior-starter Travis Wilson, the 3-year starter has come under fire for some reckless running and some not-so pin-point passing (Washington State 18-38). After three drives against UCLA, Whittingham pulled the plug on Wilson and went with Kendal Thompson, the transfer from the University of Oklahoma.
And the team responded.
Thompson (Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma) completed 10 of 13 passes for 95 yards against UCLA. He also rushed for 83 yards. The performance reopened a tight battle that existed in preseason camp.
It was that 83 yards of tough running that gave the Utes a completely different dimension, one that kept UCLA off guard all night. Thompson is a better athlete than Wilson, more of a natural runner and someone that brings a little shot of enthusiasm into the Ute lineup.
His “IT” factor is off the charts.
But, he may not be the starter.
The Utes are 4-1 and ranked No. 24 in this week’s Associated Press, college football poll.
Playing at Oregon State is no easy task, especially since the Beavers are also 4-1 and coming off a thrilling 35-31 road win at Colorado. The Beavers lost on the road @ USC the week before, 35-10 in a game a porous OSU defense gave up well over 200 yards rushing.
With quarterback Sean Mannion capable of lighting it up, I expect the Utes to apply a lethal dose of Devontae Booker.
Booker, a junior, is averaging 5.8 yards per carry and has rumbled for 513 yards and four scores. He’s been lights out the past two weeks, including gouging UCLA for 156 yards on 33 carries.
Whoever starts at quarterback will be doing a lot of turning and handing the ball to one of the best backs in the Pac-12. That said, in an attempt to keep Oregon State off the field, I see Thompson getting the call tonight. His athleticism and toughness from the QB position is just what the doctor ordered for offensive coordinator, Dave Christensen’s duel-threat offense.
With a week to dial up some plays more suited to Thompson’s ability, I expect the Utes to be sharp today, and I expect Thompson to get the call from this point forward.
Follow me @panicgalore.
