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How Utah quarterback Travis Wilson finally found his groove

George Schroeder
USA TODAY Sports
Utah quarterback Travis Wilson is having a breakthrough season as a senior.

As he broke free, all that fake green grass opening wide in front of him, Travis Wilson couldn't help himself.

"I hope I don't get 'hawked,' " he thought — and could you blame him?

It seems like the Utah senior quarterback's entire career has been a series of unfortunate circumstances. He'd be racing ahead and — BAM! — here came something unexpected. Injuries. New offenses. Coaching changes. It seems like it was always something. So on that night almost two weeks ago, the Utes led Oregon 20-13 late in the second quarter when Wilson kept on the zone read and found himself all alone, with room to run — and time to worry.

"I felt like sooner or later it was bound to happen," he said, referring to the big hit. "I was just trying to run as fast as I could and make a good play."

Wilson, who has a 6-7, 233-pound frame that makes him a bit of a loping runner, was finally dragged down from behind by two defensive backs — but not until he'd raced 60 yards to the Oregon 6. The run set up a touchdown that contributed to a historic 62-20 onslaught.

Utah is 4-0 and ranked No. 7 in the Amway Coaches Poll because of a very good defense and a stout running game led by Devontae Booker. But the catalyst, the reason Utah makes sense as a sudden darling of various College Football Playoff projections, is a savvy, playmaking quarterback.

"We've got a better football team around him than we've ever had," co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick says. "There's a nice combination of factors allowing him to thrive. But there's no doubt he's driving the train."

Through three games — Wilson watched the Utes' win against Fresno State from the sidelines while nursing a strained left shoulder — he is completing 68% of his passes. Against Oregon, Wilson threw for four touchdowns and ran for another. He accounted for 327 total yards, including 100 rushing, as the Utes did what the Ducks had done so many times to so many opponents.

"He's playing his best football by far since he's been in our program," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham says. "He's playing with a great deal of poise and confidence."

Playoff Projection: Big 12 goes from zero entrants to two

Heading into an unexpected showdown of the last remaining Pac-12 unbeatens, No. 22 California brings the star quality at quarterback. Jared Goff is highly rated by NFL Draft analysts; the junior has essentially been Cal's starter since very early in his first spring practice, a few months after graduating early from high school.

On the other side is Wilson, whose career has been a roller coaster. In the lineup, then out. Healthy, then not. This offense, then a different scheme. One offensive coordinator, then another. But as a senior, Wilson is playing his best football.

"The biggest thing is, I'm just playing with more confidence," he says. "The big thing is being healthy and everything. … Every year I've just gotten a little better. The experience has really helped me grow."

Wilson threw four TD passes and rushed for this score against Oregon.

As a freshman in 2012, Wilson "was thrown into the fire," according to Roderick, after starter Jordan Wynn suffered a season-ending injury. As a sophomore, he was inconsistent — and then he was out of the lineup, maybe for good. A concussion suffered late that season led to a routine test, which led to more tests, which led to the discovery of an enlarged intracranial artery.

It was a preexisting condition, but no one could say for how long — or what might happen if he continued to play. For several months, Wilson's football career was in doubt.

"There was always that little hope he might be back," Roderick says. "None of us fully gave up on him, but we were prepared to move on."

Wilson was unable even to lift weights. He didn't spend much time around the football program. But he says he remained optimistic of a return.

"I was just frustrated and disappointed in what the doctors were saying, that it wouldn't be a great idea for me to keep playing," Wilson says. "It was kind of hard to hear that noise. The biggest thing was staying positive."

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham says of Travis Wilson, "He's our guy."

Wilson was eventually cleared by doctors, who determined that the artery was stable. But a position battle between Wilson and Oklahoma transfer Kendal Thompson went back and forth last season — mostly because neither was consistent — until Thompson suffered a knee injury in early November. Wilson played well in the Utes' final few games. He was named the most valuable player of the Las Vegas Bowl. And although the competition was reopened in August, Wilson was the clear winner.

"He's our guy," Whittingham says. "He's proven that on the field. I think that has allowed him to settle in as well."

Wilson's performances in the Utes' first two games were workmanlike. He injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder, though not badly, in the win over Utah State, and didn't play against Fresno State. But against Oregon, he made plays with his arm and his feet, fueling the Utes' biggest victory since joining the Pac-12. Wilson says he finally feels comfortable, and he should. If he's poised and confident, so are his coaches.

"We've cut him loose," Roderick says. "We're not playing conservatively. … We're allowing him to play football."

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