Oct 19, 2024; Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, USA; Utah Utes extensive receiver Cash Parks (10) celebrates a landing towards the TCU Horned Frogs with tight finish Brant Kuithe (80) through the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Rob Grey-Imagn Photos Preseason Massive 12 favourite Utah can have a brand new offensive coordinator calling performs because it appears to get again on monitor at Houston on Saturday within the groups’ first assembly since 1978.
The Utes (4-3, 1-3 Massive 12) carry a three-game dropping streak that is seen them plummet within the league. The newest setback was a 13-7 loss at residence to TCU final week. Utah, with true freshman Isaac Wilson at quarterback, gained simply 267 yards, by no means reached the pink zone, and both punted or turned the ball over on downs on 13 of their 14 drives.
That efficiency, and the Utes’ general offensive struggles, value longtime offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig his job. Utah introduced Sunday night that Ludwig had stepped down, together with his place stuffed within the interim by Mike Bajakian.
Bajakian is in his first 12 months as an offensive analyst after a stint as offensive coordinator for Northwestern from 2020-23.
“The system is the system — there’ll clearly be tweaks however we’ll handle these as they arrive,” Bajakian mentioned. “We’ll emphasize doing the little issues, from our effort to our physicality, to making an attempt to alter issues with our ardour and power.”
The Cougars (2-5, 1-3) head residence after a 42-14 dismantling by host Kansas final week. Donovan Smith entered the sport within the second quarter after beginning quarterback Zeon Chriss suffered a quad harm and handed for 173 yards and two TDs. However Smith was additionally picked off 3 times.
Smith, who’s been battling a balky throwing shoulder, is anticipated to begin Saturday, with Chriss accessible in an emergency function. Extensive receiver Mekhi Mews produced a breakout efficiency within the loss to Kansas, setting profession highs in receiving yards (99) and receptions (six).
Houston has been outscored 115-44 in its 4 Massive 12 video games and is trying to find an id on offense.
“All people’s pissed off a bit of bit, and there is issues we are able to get higher at,” Cougars coach Willie Fritz mentioned. “I’ve informed the gamers on quite a few events: We obtained to play nicely if we’re gonna win. We simply obtained to play nicely all three phases.”
Saturday’s recreation would be the Cougars’ first at residence since Sept. 28. Houston is 4-0 in its earlier 4 conferences with the Utes.
–Discipline Degree Media
