GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Utah’s game against Washington figures to be another defensive struggle after the Huskies limited the Utes to a touchdown in the win earlier in the season. Utah had only 261 yards of total offense in its 21-7 loss to Washington in Salt Lake City on Sept. 15. Washington leads the Pac-12 in total defense (311.3 yards allowed a game) and Utah is second (315.8 yards a game). Both offenses have average production, with Washington’s slightly better than Utah (421.3 yards a game to 413.0). Expect Washington’s defense to be aggressive against Utah’s Jason Shelley, a true freshman who will be starting only his fourth game since starter Tyler Huntley broke his collarbone last month.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Chase Hansen, a converted strong safety, 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.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Tyler Huntley is out for the rest of the regular season because of a broken collarbone suffered last month at ASU. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Huntley might be able to play in a bowl game.
–RB Zack Moss (knee) is lost for the season after suffering an injury in a freak accident at home. He told coaches his knee locked on him when he climbed into bed.
–LB Donovan Thompson suffered an undisclosed injury at Colorado two weeks ago, forcing him to leave the game early. He did not play last week against BYU and his status for Friday’s game against Washington is uncertain.
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