Utah’s Kyle Whittingham reveals Isaac Wilson is playing injured

Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham discussed the team’s 17-14 loss to Houstonwhich offers insight into the challenges he faced and his decision to switch quarterbacks midway through the game. Whittingham’s comments focused primarily on the quarterback situation, which has become increasingly complex with the Utes’ recent struggles on offense.

During Tuesday’s press conference, Whittingham explained that he replaced Isaac Wilson with Brandon Rose in the third quarter trying to change the momentum of the game. However, he also noted that even if kicker Cole Becker had converted two field goal attempts in the first half, he likely would have made the same decision. The missed field goals contributed to the tight score, but Whittingham suggested his focus was more on adjusting the team’s energy and tactics.

Whittingham acknowledged Wilson’s determination and pointed out that he has been playing with an injury for much of the season. Despite the physical setback, Wilson has shown resilience, which Whittingham respects. Wilson had initially put in an admirable performance with Cam Rising sidelined by his own injury, providing the necessary spark for the attack. However, Whittingham admitted that Wilson’s stint as starter had its ups and downs, partly due to his struggle to find consistency on the field.

“He’s been pretty messed up this year,” Whittingham told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s a tough kid and he wants to be there. So if you’re there, you have to play against him.”

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A recurring problem with the offense, Whittingham noted, is the amount of time Wilson holds the ball. This has led to increased pressure on the offensive line, which has struggled to protect him effectively. While he acknowledged that other factors contribute to the offensive line’s performance, Whittingham indicated that the quarterback’s decision-making under pressure is an area that needs improvement.

In preparation for next week high-stakes matchup with No. 9 BYUWhittingham stated that Wilson and Rose will split the practice reps evenly. The coaching staff will closely evaluate their performances throughout the week, hoping to find a more stable solution at quarterback that can help the Utes overcome their offensive woes and find more success against top-tier opponents.