This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utes released a new depth chart on Thursday, and we have our answer at quarterback.
The starting quarterback against Oregon State will be Kendal Thompson … or Travis Wilson.
He said earlier this week that he wouldn't tip his hand, and Kyle Whittingham was true to his word, listing both juniors as starters after Thompson relieved Wilson in the first quarter and led Utah to a 30-28 upset victory in the Rose Bowl.
"Why would you tip your hand if you don't need to?" Whittingham said Thursday. "It doesn't make sense to let anybody know what you've got. It's just a small advantage, but that's what we've decided to do."
Some other notes from the two-deep:
• Junior college transfer Tim Patrick is listed as a co-starter with Kenneth Scott, who is known for his sure-handedness but made two untimely drops against the Bruins.
"Timmy is really starting to come on," Whittingham said. "We still believe in Kenneth, but there's been a few drops in the last couple games. We want to create competition at that position so we can get the best guys on the field. Both guys will play, I can tell you that."
Scott is the team's second leading receiver with 22 grabs for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Patrick, who has just six receptions this season, won raves during fall camp for his speed and size (6-foot-5, 190 pounds).
• True freshman Lowell Lotulelei and redshirt freshman Filipo Mokofisi are listed as starters at the defensive tackle spots, a departure from their co-starter status with Clint Shepard at nose tackle. Shepard is now backup nose tackle and Viliseni Fauonuku backs up Lotulelei at the other tackle spot.
"Lowell in particular played really well against UCLA," Whittingham said. "With those guys playing well, we're trying to get our best players to play. It doesn't matter if you're a true freshman or a senior, it's about who is giving us the best chance to win."
• Senior Junior Salt is listed as the starting left guard, with sophomore Isaac Asiata starting at right guard and backed up by redshirt freshman Salesi Uhatafe. This is not a change from the prior depth chart, but it is different from the lineup against UCLA, which was Uhatafe starting at right guard and Salt and Asiata switching series on the left side.
• With sophomore linebacker Uaea Masina lost for the season due to a hand injury, and Jason Whittingham and Jacoby Hale already ailing, freshman walk-on Christian Drews is listed as backup to Jared Norris. Asked if Hale might be ready to go against the Beavers, Whittingham said that he's practicing.
"This week, that might be a little bit optimistic, but certainly in the next few weeks, we'd like to have him back."
— Matthew Piper and Kyle Goon
Twitter: @matthew_piper, @kylegoon