It was a cool and hazy day in Pasadena, Calif. when young and inexperienced freshman Travis Wilson took to the field for the first time in his college career against UCLA. That was three years ago — when the Utes were still considered a little fish in the big pond that is the Pac-12. Now in 2015, Wilson faces the Bruins for the final time in what could be his most important game as a Ute.
In order for the Utes to claim glory in the form of a Pac-12 championship, they need to win their next two games, while USC needs to lose to Oregon or UCLA. A season that has been considered the best in Utah’s short tenure in the Pac-12 could turn to ashes if it crashes and burns on Saturday.
Wilson is not willing to let that happen.
“We’ve got to make sure we go out this Saturday and be effective with our offense,” said Wilson. “We have to handle any adversity that happens during the game.”
Wilson’s first season as a Ute in 2012 was not a good year. Utah finished with a dismal 5-7 record and finished fifth in the Pac-12 South standings. It was a difficult year for everyone who fought for dear old crimson — especially in the quarterback position.
Senior quarterback Jordan Wynn, who was the planned starter for the campaign, was carted off during the second game of the season against Utah State to a career-ending injury. Then, backup Jon Hays took the spotlight, only to lead the Utes to one win in four games.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham knew his team had to start looking toward the future of the program. Enter true freshman Wilson against UCLA. He was excited and full of happiness to be named starter.
“I was definitely happy that I got the start [against UCLA],” said Wilson. “A big reason why I graduated high school early and [decided] to come here [to Utah] was that I wanted to play early and get my chance. Obviously, the game didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but I was just happy that I got that chance to start.”
The tall, lanky quarterback, who hails from southern California, started the game against the Bruins well — leading the offense with a 90-yard drive until backup and close friend Hays finished the job. Though Wilson passed for over 220 yards in his first start, the Utes couldn’t overcome fellow Bruin freshman Brett Hundley, as the Bruins won the game 21-14.
For Wilson, his freshman season was trying but rewarding.
“[2012] was a weird season,” he said. “It was hard to see Jordan go down and end his career like that. I knew it was tough for him. Jon and I were always good friends, and we’re still super close. They made coaching changes during that season, and it was their decision to start me over Jon, but between him and myself there was always a great relationship and friendship.”
As time dragged on, and after a few ups and downs due to injuries and under-achieving performances, Wilson improved his game and has been one of the major impacts on Utah’s successful seasons the past two years. Wilson now ranks second among the all-time Utah quarterback lists in wins and is the all-time leader in starts and total touchdowns.
Even though Wilson has claimed many records and stats that will be etched in Utah football history, his career still depends on whether the Utes get a win against the Bruins on Saturday afternoon.
A win, if everything goes according to plan, can mean success in the Pac-12 for the first time since Utah jumped on-board in 2011. Wilson can be credited for assisting in the building process that took a small-time BCS buster team from the Mountain West to Pac-12 giants and, potentially, a Rose Bowl berth.
However, a loss could also bring Wilson’s story to the wrong side of Utah football history. Fans don’t remember the records — they remember the big-time wins. If Wilson can’t pull it off, he will be blamed for ruining the season of what could have been for the Utes.
Through all the pressure, Whittingham knows Wilson and his team have to go out with an ‘every game is the biggest game’ mentality. He also knows many of his players based from California are edging to play the Bruins.
“Every game is big,” said Whittingham. “Whatever the next game is the biggest game for us. I don’t know about Travis and his contacts are that are connected to UCLA, but all of the Southern California guys [on our team] know each other, including Wilson. It’s a big game for each of them.”
But no matter the game, Wilson is ready and excited. Like the freshman three years ago in his first start at the Rose Bowl, he hopes to get the win against the first team he’s ever played in college football.
@chad_marquez