Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Sophomore quarterback Travis Wilson was named this week's Pac-12 Player of the Week on offense, leading his team to a 20-13 victory over in-state rival BYU.
Wilson completed 24 of 35 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns. The game's biggest play came when Wilson connected with receiver Dres Anderson in the second quarter for a 74-yard gain, setting the Utes up for their first touchdown of the game. Wilson found receiver Anthony Denham for a 1-yard touchdown to give the Utes a 13-0 lead.
In the second half, Wilson led the team on a 12-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to running back Karl Williams to give the Utes a 20-6 lead in the fourth quarter.
"Travis did another great game tonight," Dres Anderson said following the game. "He got hit a couple of time, but he just did his thing. That's what he's been doing every week for us out there."
Wilson has already thrown for 1,118 yards this season, completing 64.3 percent of his passes and averaging 9.72 yards per attempt. Last season, Wilson completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 1,311 yards.
"He's come miles," head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "You talk about where he was when he first played — I think it was against UCLA — the first time he had experience playing Division 1 football. He had a little bit of a deer in the headlights look. But now, he's got complete command of the offense.
Travis did another great game tonight. He got hit a couple of time, but he just did his thing. That's what he's been doing every week for us out there.
–Dres Anderson
"He's a big, strong kid and can take the punishment and he does a good job leading our team, offensively," Whittingham added.
Wilson ranks 11th in the nation in passing yards and 13th in the nation in passing yards per attempt. One big difference from last year is Wilson's ability to hit his receivers for a deep pass. Saturday's game was the fifth time this season Wilson has completed a pass for more than 50 yards.
Wilson was also named the Athlon Sports National Player of the Week.
"Travis Wilson was excellent against a stingy Cougars defense, completing 24 of 35 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over in a hostile environment," a statement from Athlon Sports said. "The 6-foot-6, 240-pound sophomore also rushed the ball eight times as well. While Taysom Hill threw 30 incomplete passes and an interception, Wilson played flawlessly on the road for Utah's third win of the season."
Wilson has been nominated previously this year as an offensive Player of the Week from the Pac-12. Also nominated this week was defensive back Michael Walker.
