Utah QB Travis Wilson Suffers Shoulder Injury in 24-14 Win over Utah State

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

An in-state battle for the fans between No. 24 Utah (2-0) and Utah State (1-1) ended with the Utes getting the win but losing key player personnel ahead of a demanding Pac-12 schedule. In the second quarter of a 24-14 win for Utah, the Utes starting quarterback Travis Wilson went down in the second quarter with a shoulder injury after a 38-yard run.

Wilson got the Utes on the board in the first quarter with a 12-yard touchdown run. Early in the second quarter the Aggies responded with a Chuckie Keeton to LaJuan Hunt 8-yard touchdown pass pulling the score to 7-all.

Midway through the second quarter, Wilson set up the Utes second scoring drive with a long run punctuated by a Devontae Booker 4-yard score. Keeton responded just before halftime with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Zach Van Leeuwen setting up a tied ball game at intermission.

The second half belonged to Utah defensive coordinator John Pease and his unit keeping Utah State off the board. For the game, Utah State edged the Utes in total yards 373 to 327 but Utah forced three turnovers including two Keeton interceptions.

In Wilson’s absence, former Oklahoma transfer Kendal Thompson stepped in to complete 8-of-10 passes for 56 yards. Thompson led a scoring drive midway through the third quarter picking up a 2-yard touchdown run. Early in the fourth quarter Andy Phillips connected on a 37-yard field goal for the final score of the game.

Wilson was on pace for a strong game having completed 9-of-12 passes for 76 yards before his injury. He was the team’s second leading rusher with 49 yards. Devontae Booker was the MVP for Utah, as to be expected from last season, rushing 31 times for 120 yards with a score.

The potential good news about Wilson’s injury is it is to his non-throwing shoulder. The bad news for Utah is defensive lineman Hunter Dimick also suffered an injury in the second quarter. Head coach Kyle Whittingham did not update the status of either player but did note that he did not believe either injury was season ending.

Keeton was a one-man show for State connecting on 22-of-35 passes for 256 with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. Keeton also lead the Aggies in rushing with 46 yards on 12 carries. LaJuan Hunt was held to 37 yards on 14 carries.

Keeton’s primary receiver, Devonte Robinson, had a great game pulling in six passes for 119 yards. Zach Van Leeuwen had four receptions for 31 yards with one score. Britain Covey led the Utes with six receptions for 61 yards.

Ball security was a problem for Utah State all night coughing the ball up four times turning it over once. Utah had two fumbles but recovered both mishaps.

Utah goes on the road to face Fresno State next week while Utah State travels to Washington.

Photo credit: Rick Bowmer; Travis Wilson scores on a touchdown run in the first half.