Utah Utes Move on to Washington Huskies, Seek First Pac-12 Conference Win

After a productive bye week to rest up a bit and prepare for the remainder of their season, the Utes will host the (3-1) Washington Huskies on Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City.

The game vs. Washington will mark the beginning of a nine-game stretch in that same amount of weeks for Utah and the game Saturday will commemorate Utah's first PAC-12 home game.

Let's see who the Huskies are and what each respective Husky unit (offense, defense, special teams) will bring to Rice-Eccles' field against the Utes this Saturday.

Utah (2-1, 0-1) vs. Washington (3-1, 1-0): What Did Coach Whit and the Utes Say?

In Monday's press conference, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham pointed out the strengths of Washington's offense and noted quarterback Keith Price and running back Chris Polk.

Whittingham said that Price is playing exceptionally well, making a lot plays for them [Washington], that his efficiency rating is excellent and that he is the catalyst for what they're doing offensively.

Whittingham called Price a playmaker and that he has a knack for finding receivers in a non-rhythmic play when things break down. He also said that Polk is very good, has gained a lot of yards, and is well on track to gaining over 1,000 yards this season. 

He also mentioned that the Utes will need to account for Husky tight end, Austin Jenkins, who is their fourth leading receiver. Whittingham also said that Jenkins is a guy the Utes definitely have to be aware of and that he's been productive for the Huskies and that Utah will need to do their best to slow him down.

Defensively, Whittingham mentioned that the Huskies have given up a few yards, but that they run well and that they play fast and with motors, and that even though some things haven't gone their way so far this season, they have good players on defense.

He also said it should be an electric atmosphere and that the Utes need to come out with the same type of focus they had against BYU two Saturday's ago in their Holy War 54-10 rout of the Cougars in Provo.

Concerning the Utes' players, Whittingham was asked about John White IV and his running back duties and classified him as solid back that fits in the long line of solid, productive backs the Utes have had in the last two decades.

Washington's Offense: Price, Polk, Kearse and Jenkins

Washington's offense is averaging 386.3 yards per game, and ranked 50th and 68th in the nation in passing and rushing, respectively. They are averaging 34.8 points per game, ranking 40th in the NCAA.

Husky notable performers are:

QB Keith Price (No. 17)

Washington's 6'1", 195 lb. sophomore quarterback, Keith Price, leads the nation in touchdown tosses thus far this season, with 14 TD passes, with just three interceptions.

Price has also thrown for just under 1,000 yards, with 983 yards to his credit. He has completed 67 percent of his passes on 75 completions on 112 attempts. He averages 8.78 yards per attempt with his longest completion having been a 70-yard strike.

His passer efficiency rating is 176.6 and he has been sacked nine times in four games. His biggest passing game, yards-wise, came against Hawaii in a 40-32 win for the Huskies when Price passed for 315 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, completing 18-of-25 passes.

RB Chris Polk (No. 1)

Polk, a 5'11", 222 lb. running back from Redlands, California has rushed for 422 yards on 87 carries so far this season. He has averaged 4.9 yards per game, with a long of 26 yards, and has three touchdowns.

Polk is averaging 105.5 yards per game. His biggest running output this season was against Nebraska on the road in Lincoln, in a 51-38 loss, where he rushed for 130 yards and one touchdown.

WR Jermaine Kearse (No. 15)

Kearse, a 6'2", 208 lb. senior out of Lakewood, Washington, leads the Huskies in touchdown catches with four. He has 11 receptions for 130 yards with an 11.8 yards per catch average. His longest reception was for 38 yards. His biggest game was at Nebraska where he had five receptions for 69 yards receiving.

TE Austin Jenkins (No. 88)

Jenkins, a 6'6", 258 lb. freshman out of Fox Island, Washington, has three touchdown receptions this season on nine catches for 170 yards. He had two touchdown catches in the Huskies' 31-23 win last Saturday.

Washington's Defense and Special Teams

Defense

The Huskies defense has not been too solid, ranking 104th in the points against category, allowing their opponents 33.3 points per game on average.

Special Teams

Kicker Erik Folk has connected on 17-for-17 PATs and is 6-for-7 on field goals. His long is a 53-yarder and he is 1-for-1 on 30-39 yard FGs, 4-for-4 on 40-49 yard FGs, and 1-for-2 on 50-plus yard kicks.