This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Do you have running back experience? Do you have two healthy legs?
Utah (5-1, 2-1) may not be doing an open search for running backs yet, but it could be coming close: Leading rusher Armand Shyne is out for the season with an ACL tear and walk-on Jordan Howard is out for the week with an unspecified injury. Trying to remain atop of the Pac-12's South Division, the No. 21 Utes are potentially down to their sixth-string back this week heading for a Saturday road game at Oregon State (2-3, 1-1).
Whittingham, fresh off his 100th career win at home over Arizona, looked downcast as he gave the latest report on his dwindling list of healthy running backs — the latest headache in an injury-riddled season.
"This is the worst I can remember and I've been here a lot of years," he said. "I can't remember this many injuries."
Utah is hoping that freshman Zack Moss, with 309 rushing yards and two touchdowns, can get healthy in time for a start in Corvallis, Ore., as the team anticipates junior Troy McCormick won't be able to heal for the game. If not, Utah will be down to scholarship backs Marcel Manalo, who redshirted last season after getting shot, and true freshman Devonta'e Henry-Cole, who has been redshirting so far.
The Utes are also taking a look at other players who have running back experience. While coach Kyle Whittingham didn't mention specific candidates, that could include receiver Cory Butler-Byrd, linebacker Marcus Sanders-Williams and cornerback Tavaris Williams who have all played some running back in high school or college.
"We are going to look at any and all available options because we are in a pretty desperate situation," he said.
Utah is also unsure at center, where fourth-stringer Nick Nowakowski started last week and "didn't play poorly," but with whom Utah struggled with false starts. While Whittingham claimed that problem was due to Arizona's defensive line calling out Utah's cadence, he said he was disappointed that the team wasn't able to adjust sooner.
Going forward, the Utes are also taking looks at Isaac Asiata and Sam Tevi at center, in order to "get the best five guys out there."
The issues likely put more pressure on quarterback Troy Williams and the receiving corps this week. Williams has thrown for 240 yards or more each of the last four games, even without leading receiver Tim Patrick for most of the last two contests. Patrick is expected to return this week, adding to Utah's weapons.
Whittingham and Williams also both talked about the possibility that the quarterback could run the ball more, after picking up 73 yards against Arizona on the ground.
"There's been talks here and there," Williams said. "I'm not really sure what the designated plan's gonna be. I'm thinking I might have to run it a little bit more than usual, but whatever the game plan may be, whether we throw it more or run it more, it doesn't matter. I'm sure our guys will be ready to take up the task."
Utah's run offense will miss Shyne, who had 373 yards and four touchdowns in five games this season, and became Utah's first 100-yard rusher this season on his final run against the Wildcats when he was injured. Whittingham said the staff has talked about bringing back senior Joe Williams, who abruptly retired from football after Week 2, but said "there's nothing to it now."
Oregon State's own running game is robust: The Beavers rolled up a school-record 474 yards against Cal in a 47-44 overtime win, capped by a 16-yard touchdown run by quarterback Darell Garretson (a former Utah State player). Ryan Nall, a 6-foot-2 sophomore back, pounded for 221 yards against the Golden Bears, who beat Utah on Oct. 1.
Whittingham said he called Oregon State coach Gary Andersen, his former assistant, after the game to congratulate him on his first Pac-12 win. But there's unlikely to be a lot of friendly warmth on Saturday, as Utah aims to stay ahead in the South currently tied with Colorado and Arizona State.
Injuries, dire though they may be, are no excuse, the Utes said.
"It sucks when it happens, but at the same time when everyone starts going down, it's like the point in the season where everyone's feeling it," sophomore safety Chase Hansen said. "You start going into games saying, 'Dang, I'm hurt. This hurts, that hurts.' But everyone's hurt, so it's just something that you gotta play through."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
No. 21 Utah at Oregon State
P Saturday 2 p.m. MDT
TV • TBD