SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah loss to Oregon did not only hurt their record, it hurt their roster.
With the loss of quarterback Kendal Thompson and wide receiver Tim Patrick to season-ending injuries, less experienced Utes are expected to pick up the slack and one player’s responsibilities are expanding.
"Kenneth Scott has got to step up. Kendrick Young, Andre Lewis, Kaelin Clay, just the guys we've got left," said Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham. "We've got about four guys left and so they've got to get it done for us."
Junior running back Devontae Booker passed the 1,000 rushing yard mark Saturday night and played a larger role in the receiving game.
Booker had eight catches for 110 yards against the Ducks. With less receivers Booker could be looking at a lot more passes the rest of this season.
"This week we'll probably put in a good game plan to catch the ball out the backfield," Booker said about the passing game. "I'm taking on a big role since them guys are out and I think I'll see the ball more receiving it this week."
Even though they might be out of the race for winner of the Pac-12 south division, the Utes are looking to win out the rest of the season.
"Five wins last year to already six wins this year, at this point we just want to make that number as high as we can," said senior defensive back Brian Blechen about the season. "We wanted to get to a bowl game and now it's just get to the best bowl game we can and so we want to finish the season right."
Utah will take on the Stanford Cardinals on Saturday in Stanford, Calif. at 4 p.m. mountaintime.
