Troy Williams and Tim Patrick took the unconventional route of getting to Salt Lake City. They both played at junior colleges prior to joining the Utes — Patrick at Grossmont College and Williams at Santa Monica College — and they think it makes them respect the game a lot more than most people do. And it also makes them appreciate where they are now looking back at where they started.
Since Williams was sidelined during most of spring camp due to an injury in his throwing arm, him and Patrick were not able to gel as much as they would have liked heading into the summer. However, that hasn’t seemed to stop the duo from producing in the regular season.
Patrick and Williams did get to know each other on more of a personal level through the spring. Then the pair got to play with each other a bit of the summer, and as soon as fall camp started it was as if the two hadn’t missed a beat, and both Patrick and Williams are convinced that it is because they have the same JUCO mentality.
“We went through the same struggle so we know exactly what it’s like to have that want, that desire to get back to the Division I level, so it plays a huge role in our work ethic and how bad we want to win,” Williams said.
A lot of people thought Patrick would be the star of the receiving corps last year after the bit of noise he made in 2014 — he suffered a season-ending injury four games into that season — but Patrick was also sidelined in ‘15 with an injury, and at the time, the senior was noticeably frustrated. It was supposed to be “his year,” but as head coach Kyle Whittingham would put it, that injury has probably worked out for the best.
“A little blessing in disguise when [Patrick] wasn’t able to play at all last year,” Whittingham said. “He’s our go-to-guy. He’s making tough catches, he’s making good plays. He’s been a big reason why the pass offense has been playing like it is.”
The game has slowed down a lot of Patrick. He has been able to watch and observe his teammates for almost two years, and Patrick thinks he has a better understanding of the game, and he is a better player because of it.
And if the game is on the line, just as it was against USC in the final moments, Patrick is confident in his abilities to come through for his teammates.
“I noticed [the injury] was a blessing in disguise when I graduated, got my degree, put on some weight, got stronger, watched film [and] got smarter,” Patrick said. “Last year I was too antsy, too hyped, but this year going into games and I’m positive. I’m more calm, and I’m not trying to force the game to come to me. Just playing my game and worrying about me.”
Patrick could care less about rankings, the Utes were ranked No. 24 after beating San Jose State and then No. 18 after beating USC, but all that matters to him is winning a game in the Pac-12, and he wants to end the season with a win the Rose Bowl, and he’s not afraid to shy away from any competition.
“Only thing that matters is what your record is at the end of the season,” Patrick said. “We have a long way to go. Reward is the Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl or bust.”
As for Williams, Whittingham loves how he has been commanding the offense, and Whittingham is excited to see where Williams can lead the team. Williams was at the forefront of that game winning drive agaisnt USC, so Whittingham has high expectations of his quarterback for the rest of the season.
“For Troy to have demonstrated and become the leader he has in such a short period of time really speaks to his maturity and how he handles himself,” Whittingham said.
The Utes will face the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday Oct. 8 at 8:00 p.m.
@kbrenneisen