This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah junior Jon Hays had nowhere to go when Nebraska-Omaha suddenly dropped its football program, so the junior viewed Norm Chow's offer to come to Utah as a backup quarterback as a chance for salvation for his college career.
Now, the salvation for Utah's season is in his hands, at least for the near future.
Hays is Utah's starting quarterback for the next two or three weeks while junior Jordan Wynn recovers from a shoulder injury suffered in Saturday's 31-14 loss to Washington.
Wynn hurt his nonthrowing shoulder at the end of the first half and didn't return to the game. He will be evaluated to see if he can return after a recovery period of two to three weeks.
The injury to Wynn means Hays, who previously played at Butte College, will quarterback the Utes (2-2, 0-2) through one of their most difficult stretches of the season, starting with Saturday's home game against No. 22 Arizona State (4-1, 2-0).
Hays was 10-of-16 for 156 yards and a touchdown in the second half against Washington. While he couldn't orchestrate a second-half comeback, Hays handled the situation well, said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham and Hays' teammates.
"Even though he takes reps with the twos, he comes in and demands we follow his offense," fullback Luke Matthews said. "He does a good job with that. He is a great leader."
Hays led the Utes on a 72-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Dallin Rogers with seven seconds to go against the Huskies.
"Jordan is a phenomenal leader and tremendous worker," Rogers said. "Jon shows those attributes, too. He is a good quarterback."
The touchdown didn't affect the outcome, but it did give Hays and the Utes a boost, Whittingham said.
"You can say the last drive was irrelevant, but he had good execution nonetheless," Whittingham said. "We saw a lot of positives. He has a strong arm and played with a lot of poise."
The biggest challenge for Utah this week is crafting a game plan to fit Hays. At 6-foot, 212 pounds, Hays is more of a running quarterback. His style would have fit Utah's past offenses, but the Utes went to more of a pro-style system this year since Wynn is more comfortable in the pocket.
Now the Utes have to rework the offense again.
"We'll do some different things, more shotgun, spread, but I can't give you all the details right now," Whittingham said. "The offensive staff is still working through that."
Following Saturday's game, Hays said he was ready to start for the Utes if he had to do so. He didn't wait until Monday's update on Wynn's injury to begin preparing for the Sun Devils as he started film work early, Whittingham said.
"The guy studies relentlessly," Whittingham said. "He's not a guy you have to coax into the film room; he is very conscientious about that. He has great work habits, a great attitude and is very competitive."
Hays' first start will be a test of that competitiveness, considering the Sun Devils have a good defense and the Utes managed just two touchdowns against Washington's defense, which is one of the worst in the country.
The Sun Devils are giving up 20.6 points a game. Opponents are averaging 119.4 rushing yards and 235.4 passing yards.
Beating the Sun Devils with a healthy Wynn would have been tough for the Utes. Now, it is an even bigger challenge. But the Utes have no plans for a pity party.
"We have no time to pout and think about what could have been," Rogers said. "It's a serious situation, but we're comfortable with Jon Hays. He is a great quarterback."
Twitter: @lyawodraska —
Jon Hays bio
Stats • 6-0, 212, Jr.
Hometown • Paradise, Calif.
Of note • Last played at Butte College and signed with Nebraska-Omaha, but that school dropped its football program. Connections to Norm Chow led to Hays' arrival at Utah. … Led Butte College to a 9-2 record and an OT win in the ASBG Bowl. … 118-for-218 passing for 1,823 yards and 10 TDs as a sophomore, and also rushed for five TDs. —
Saturday's game
P No. 22 Arizona State (4-1, 2-0) at Utah (2-2, 0-2), 1:30 p.m.
TV • ROOT