If needed, Utah can beat UCLA through the air

Emergence of Bryan Thompson leads new-look Utes offense

 Scouting the pass offense: What’s typically been the Achilles heel of Utah’s offense has emerged as no slouch this season with the development and improvement of quarterback Tyler Huntley.

Huntley leads the Pac-12 in QBR (182.46, which ranks 5th nationally), completion percentage (73.8-percent, which ranks 5th nationally) and yards per attempt (10.8, which ranks 3rd nationally). Also, his 11:1 TD-to-INT ration is second in the Pac-12, behind Herbert's 12:1. It should also be noted that Huntley's current QBR would set the conference single-season record, beating Oregon's Marcus Mariota during his Heisman season in 2014.

“Tyler has done a great job all season long as far as taking care of the football,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “The turnovers have been kept to a minimum. He has done a nice job with his read progression while the offensive line plays a part in that too, giving him time.”

Oct 12, 2019; Corvallis, OR, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham and quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) walk on the field after a game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. The Utes beat the Beavers 52-7. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Huntley’s emergence has also given rise to wide receiver Bryan Thompson as the team’s No. 1 wideout.

“He’s what we expected him to be and he’s finally healthy to do his thing,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said of Thompson. “We know he’s a really good player. He’s got a great skill set, he’s big, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he can run, he’s got great hands. It didn’t surprise me, because he’s a really good player.

With Britain Covey electing to redshirt this season after coming off a serious knee injury sustained last year, Thompson has become Huntley’s new top target, catching 16 balls for 471 yards and three scores.

“He’s doing a great job of getting open and making big plays down the field,” Huntley said of Thompson. “He brings another element to the team. … I love having him out there.”

Thompson isn’t the only receiver stepping up this season in Covey’s absence, as Demari Simpkins leads the team with 22 catches while Brant Kuithe is tied with Thompson for the team lead in touchdowns at three.

Oct 12, 2019; Corvallis, OR, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Demari Simpkins (3) catches a pass for a first down during the first half against Oregon State Beavers defensive back Isaiah Dunn (23) at Reser Stadium. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

With UCLA’s rush defense being fifth in the conference, it’s the pass defense where weakness has shown through as the Bruins are 10, surrendering 294.3 passing yards per game. Not very opportunistic, UCLA has just four interceptions while giving up 25 touchdowns, the worst ratio in the Pac-12.

This is a battle, that if Zack Moss and the running game struggle in, Huntley can take control and win it for the Utes through the air.

“I feel like the receiver corps, we’re just winning,” Thompson said. “I don’t think it’s on them getting the ball to us. We’ve had our opportunities but haven’t made them in the past. This year as you can tell, Tyler, he just throws it at the spot, and we make the plays no matter if it’s on the point or not. Any ball in our area is ours and we practice like that.”