Utah operating again Tavion Thomas carries the ball throughout recreation towards Southern Utah in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
Utah operating again Jaylon Glover appears for yardage throughout recreation towards San Diego State in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
With Chris Curry out for the season as a consequence of an ankle damage, Utah’s operating backs room must modify.
Curry suffered the damage within the third quarter of the No. 13 Utes’ 35-7 walloping of San Diego State final Saturday evening at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The depth chart launched Monday morning featured Tavion Thomas, Micah Bernard and Jaylon Glover as Utah will get set for its Pac-12 opener towards Arizona State Saturday (8:30 p.m. MDT, ESPN).
Coach Kyle Whittingham confirmed Monday that Thomas remains to be Utah’s No. 1 operating again.
Thomas rushed 16 occasions for 59 yards and a landing towards SDSU however he did so with a heavy coronary heart as he's coping with a loss of life in his household.
“Tavion’s had a extremely emotional time this final week. It’s been a battle for him,” Whittingham mentioned. “We’re supporting him all that we will and we’re doing all the pieces we will to assist him via it. Anytime you lose a really, very shut member of your loved ones, somebody that primarily raised you, it’s powerful. Traumatic.”
Regardless of the tragedy in his household, Thomas determined to play final Saturday.
“He’s a man that’s dedicated to the crew. He was grieving and it was powerful. He did choose to play,” Whittingham mentioned. “He wasn’t fairly his ordinary self. You possibly can inform that he wasn’t himself so far as his character.”
Whittingham mentioned had Thomas determined to not play, he “undoubtedly would have allowed him to skip it if that’s what he needed to do. However he didn’t wish to try this. He needed to play and be a part of the crew. He felt like that was going to be what was greatest for him.”
In the meantime, Glover is predicted to see a rise in taking part in time whereas the Utes are searching for a fourth again — seemingly Ricky Parks or Charlie Vincent. The crew usually travels with 4 operating backs.
Utah operating again Jaylon Glover appears for yardage throughout recreation towards San Diego State in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.
Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
“It does change the dynamic slightly bit at operating again. Tavion’s nonetheless the lead man however Jaylon Glover turns into extra distinguished,” Whittingham mentioned. “Additionally it elevates Ricky Parks and Charlie Vincent. Definitely it places Jaylon Glover extra within the forefront.”
Glover made his Utah debut within the second half of the 73-7 win over Southern Utah. He ran 9 occasions for 53 yards and a landing.
“It was a surreal second. You’ve acquired to behave such as you’ve been there earlier than. The primary of many and I’m excited to maintain going,” Glover mentioned after the sport. “In the end, I do know I’m a younger man and I’ve acquired numerous years forward of me, so my job is to remain wholesome and keep prepared.”
At the moment, Whittingham talked about that Glover would get his alternative to shine.
“Jaylon Glover is a proficient child. Proper now, he’s our fourth again. We’re blessed at that place. We have now a very good room with the operating backs,” he mentioned. “He didn’t get any snaps (within the Florida recreation) however he made probably the most of his snaps this week. … Jaylon’s a man that we have now numerous perception in. Chris Curry and Tavion Thomas are clearly forward of him proper now, however Jaylon, his time will come.”
Now that Curry is sidelined for the season, Thomas shall be counted on much more. He’s carried the ball 50 occasions for 222 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2022.
“Tavion’s going to should turn out to be extra of an element,” Whittingham mentioned.
The coach added that Curry is predicted to make a full restoration and play subsequent season.
“It’s too unhealthy about Chris. He’s an important teammate and an important child,” Whittingham mentioned. “The silver lining, I assume, is that he’ll be again subsequent yr. Oddly sufficient, he had the identical damage in highschool on the opposite ankle. We count on a full return to well being and to be 100% able to play soccer once more.”
Utes on the air
No. 13 Utah (2-1) at Arizona State (1-2)
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. MDT
Solar Satan Stadium
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN 700