PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Jason Shelley, a freshman making his third college start in place of the injured Tyler Huntley, threw for 141 yards (completing 19 for 28 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions) against BYU last week. He led Utah in rushing with a career-high 61 yards on 11 carries, including a 33-yard rushing touchdown to seal the win in the fourth quarter. He has three rushing touchdowns this season.
–CB Julian Blackmon scored a touchdown on a 27-yard interception return in the third quarter against BYU, his first interception of the season. It was his fifth career pick, first returned for a TD. It was Utah’s third pick-six this season. Blackmon also had two pass breakups last week, to give him 10 passes defended this season (9 PBUs, 1 INT).
–LB Chase Hansen reached double-digit tackles for the fifth time this season with a career-high tying 13 against BYU. He had three tackles for loss, bringing his season total to 22, which ranks second all-time in a season at Utah. Hansen also had a pass breakup.
–WR Siasi Mariner led Utah in receiving with three catches for 50 yards against BYU, including a season-long 37-yard catch to set up the touchdown that put the Utes up 28-27 in the fourth quarter.
SERIES HISTORY: Utah has struggled in its series with Washington with a 1-11 record, including a 21-7 loss to the Huskies in Salt Lake City on Sept. 15. The Pac-12 championship game in Santa Clara, Calif., is the first neutral site game between the schools. Utah is 0-3 against Washington at home and 1-8 at Seattle.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I did not sense that in practice and preparation. If they did, it is my fault. A rivalry game, why would anyone look past that? It is an intense game and the upperclassmen did not, but you never know.” — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham about his team possibly looking ahead to the Pac-12 title game against Washington during the Utes’ 35-27 win over BYU last week.
