Utah coach Kyle Whittingham appears to be like towards Oregon throughout Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. The Utes fell to the Geese however nonetheless have a crack on the Pac-12 title recreation if all the things had been to fall into place. Andy Nelson, Related Press
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, left, and Utah quarterback Cameron Rising shake fingers after recreation Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon beat Utah 20-17. Andy Nelson, Related Press
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham spent a part of his 63rd birthday Monday morning doing considered one of his favourite issues — fielding questions from reporters days after a disappointing loss.
The Utes fell 20-17 Saturday at Oregon.
“Mathematically, we nonetheless have a pathway to the championship. However all we are able to fear about is our a part of that equation. That’s the place our focus lies.” — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham
Whittingham acknowledged that his staff nonetheless has a shot to seize a spot within the Pac-12 championship recreation towards No. 7 USC.
For starters, Utah should beat Colorado Saturday (2 p.m. MST, Pac-12 Community).
In addition to that, No. 17 Washington must win at Washington State; No. 12 Oregon must lose at No. 23 Oregon State; and No. 16 UCLA must win at California.
If that situation performs out, there can be a three-way tie between the Utes, the Geese and Huskies. Utah would win with the best mixed win proportion in convention video games of convention opponents between Oregon and Washington and would attain the championship recreation in Las Vegas on Dec. 2.
“Mathematically, we nonetheless have a pathway to the championship,” Whittingham mentioned throughout his weekly information convention. “However all we are able to fear about is our a part of that equation. That’s the place our focus lies. We now have to complete the season the precise method and simply be involved with ourselves after which see what else transpires.”
Whittingham additionally regarded again at what went proper, and mistaken, towards Oregon.
“I assumed we performed exceptionally nicely on protection. We performed the run robust,” he mentioned. “(Giving up) 20 factors must be adequate to win the sport. It wasn’t on this case.”
The Utes’ protection had three takeways and scored a landing — on linebacker Karene Reid’s scoop-and-score within the third quarter.
However quarterback Cam Rising threw for under 170 yards and had three interceptions. The offense scored just one landing.
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, left, and Utah quarterback Cameron Rising shake fingers after recreation Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon beat Utah 20-17.
Andy Nelson, Related Press
“The problematic space was we weren’t our normal self on offense. We weren’t productive sufficient with 10 factors and 325 yards (of offense),” Whittingham mentioned. “All that being mentioned, we had our possibilities and we didn’t capitalize. Give Oregon credit score. They made the performs they wanted to make.”
Is there a motive why the offense wasn’t in sync?
“We didn’t do a lot within the throw recreation. That was in all probability our greatest deficiency. We ran for an honest quantity (156 yards),” he mentioned. “We weren’t as sharp or as environment friendly within the throw recreation as we would have liked to be. All three of the turnovers got here within the throw recreation. That was probably the most problematic space for us.”
Rising suffered an damage towards USC on Oct. 15 and was sidelined for the subsequent recreation at Washington State. Rising performed however he wasn’t as efficient as normal towards Arizona and Stanford.
Of Rising’s well being, Whittingham mentioned, “He was on the market. If you happen to’re on the market, you’re good to go. Like (Oregon QB) Bo Nix. Bo Nix was on the market so he was good to go. … If you happen to’re on the sector, you’re anticipated to make performs and produce.”
Coming into the sport, Oregon’s secondary had given up numerous large performs via the air. The Utes’ longest play from scrimmage was simply 18 yards.
Does Whittingham remorse not taking extra pictures towards the Geese?
He mentioned the “three greatest points” for the offense had been the turnovers, “the shortage of chunk yardage; the shortage of manufacturing within the purple zone.”
The Utes had been simply 1 of three within the purple zone. Oregon, then again, was 3 of three within the purple zone.
Utes on the air
No. 10 Utah (8-3, 6-2)
at Colorado (1-7, 1-10)
Saturday, 2 p.m. MST
Folsom Subject
TV: Pac-12 Community
Radio: ESPN 700