The Utes are still reeling from the unexpected news regarding team captain Travis Wilson. The sudden loss of their starting quarterback to serious injury weighs heavily on the minds of every member of the Utah football squad. Even so, with two games left to play, the team turns its collective focus to one thing — making a bowl game.
In order to achieve the goal that eluded them last year, the Utes must win their final two Pac-12 matchups, which starts with this week’s road contest against Washington State. Utah’s success in Pullman this Saturday will depend largely upon the play of Adam Schulz, who has exactly one game’s worth of experience as starting QB.
Schulz’s first start came last week against then-No. 6 ranked Oregon. Starting your career with a road game against one of the nation’s best isn’t an easy task, but it seems this week Schulz might just be going from the frying pan into the fire.
Although the Cougars aren’t nearly as talented as the Ducks, this game carries much more weight for the Utes, who are in a must-win situation to keep their bowl hopes alive.
“This game is the most important game I’ve ever played in since I’ve been here,” said tight end Jake Murphy, whose unexpected return to the lineup is a big positive for an offense that has struggled as of late. “Players who weren’t here last year don’t know the heartache that a 5-7 season caused a lot of us. For the players who were here, we remember that.”
The importance of getting a win is not lost on Schulz, but in preparing for the game he feels more confidence than pressure.
“I’m taking it one game at a time,” Schulz said. “I know what’s at stake. We have to win. Seniors deserve a bowl game. It’s not more pressure, I don’t think. At first I did think about [the circumstances] more, but at the end of the day, I think you just have to play your normal game.”
Utah dominated Washington State in last year’s matchup in Rice-Eccles, winning 49-6, but this year’s Wazzu team is much improved. At 5-5, Washington State is just one win shy of qualifying for a bowl game, something the Cougars haven’t done since 2003.
“Their defense is markedly improved over last year,” said head coach Kyle Whittingham. “Another year putting in Coach Leach’s system, they’re executing better on offense. Essentially they’re doing everything better, but their defense has really stepped up.”
Whittingham feels that for Schulz to excel against the Cougar defense, Utah must have solid production from its running backs.
“The first thing we can do to help Adam is to get the running game going,” Whittingham said. “If they have to respect the run, then Adam can throw the ball when he wants to throw it instead of when he has to throw it … that’s a lot easier.”
Schulz finished with 181 yards on 13-for-30 passing against Oregon. He threw one touchdown, one interception and added a rushing touchdown. Although the numbers weren’t bad — especially for his first career start — Schulz wasn’t personally satisfied with his decision-making and looks to improve his mental game moving forward.
“I have to make the right decisions,” Schulz said. “I don’t need to force a big play — when it’s there, it will be there.”