Like the orca Willy from the famous ‘90’s movie “Free Willy,” all T-Willy wants to do is be free.
There’s only one way Travis Wilson knows how to play the game of football, and it’s physical. We’ve seen it a number of times since the quarterback walked into the program. Whether he is hurdling over defenders for touchdowns or laying down vicious blocks, Wilson has not backed down from a physical challenge in his days as a Ute.
Against the Wolverines on Saturday afternoon, Wilson took the football and decided to play Superman yet again. After turning the corner in front of the Michigan sideline, the Utah slinger leaped through the air, his flight ending in what seemed like a never-ending fall to the ground after he was hit by a couple Wolverine defenders.
At first sight, the crash landing looked disgusting. Wilson’s head slid against the ground while his body almost snapped in half due to the impact. It didn’t look pretty, and as the game went on, rumors were flying that the San Clemente native had a laceration on his nose, forcing him to sit out the rest of the first half.
In my head, I was thinking Utah was downplaying the injury and that Wilson was in fact more hurt than the team was making it seem. As the backup Kendal Thompson came in and made mistake after mistake, I couldn’t help but think that the promising season Utah could have had was dashed thanks to the awkward fall.
However, after many stitches, the second half began with Wilson coming in, and he proceeded to finish off Michigan in its own house. The quarterback remained cool and collective, possession after possession, as he finished with 172 yards while completing 80 percent of his throws.
Despite not throwing for an insane amount of yards, the most important statistic came in the interception column – zero.
The phase of the game that Wilson has struggled with in his career at Utah has been his decision making. After throwing for the same amount of interceptions as touchdowns last season with 16, Wilson has shown through the first three games of 2014 that he has vastly improved in that area of his game.
Wilson has also made great decisions throwing the football thus far in the young season and looks as if he’s poised to put together his best season to date.
For Utah fans, you want T-Willy to continue playing like a superhero, but even Superman needs a break from flying every once in a while. Keep throwing touchdowns, Wilson, but for your sake and the sake of Utah fanatics everywhere, keep your feet on the ground.
 
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