Kyle Whittingham clapped his hands as the sounds of the Ute band filled the night air. Standing on the green turf, he reflected on the disappointing reality of witnessing his team endure a seventh consecutive loss. Just moments earlier, Utah kicker Cole Becker’s 53-yard field goal attempt to tie the game was unsuccessful, resulting in a crushing 31-28 defeat to No. 22 Iowa State during Utah’s senior night. This loss dashed the Utes’ hopes of achieving bowl eligibility for the season.
Whittingham expressed his disappointment for the seniors, stating, “They deserved better this season. Tough loss. The team battled from start to finish.” He noted that a lack of offensive production had plagued Utah throughout the year, emphasizing that they managed to score only once offensively.
Once viewed as the preseason favorite to win their conference, the Utes have faced unforeseen challenges in 2024. Senior defensive end Connor O’Toole reflected on the season’s struggles, shedding tears as he acknowledged the team’s hardships, stating, “Things haven’t fallen our way this year… you get back up tomorrow, and the sun still rises.”
The Utes, who will miss a bowl game for the first time since the 2013 season, faced significant setbacks throughout the year, including injuries to key players, controversial calls in crucial moments, and a consistently underperforming offense.
In this latest game, true freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson struggled in his seventh consecutive start, completing only 8 of 18 passes for 74 yards and committing a fumble before sustaining an injury to his left leg. His departure left senior quarterback Luke Bottari to take charge, who managed to uplift the offense with a team-high 47 rushing yards, including a critical 40-yard run that set up a touchdown. Despite Bottari’s efforts, the Cyclones ultimately clinched the win.
Whittingham praised Bottari’s resilience and indicated that he is likely to start in their upcoming season finale due to Wilson’s injury. The coach remained optimistic, hoping Wilson’s injury was not severe.
Looking ahead, the Utes may need to evaluate their quarterback situation as they contemplate potential new recruits and possibly seek a veteran quarterback via the transfer portal. Whittingham acknowledged the necessity for improvements and emphasized the importance of evaluating the entire team’s performance.
As the Utes prepare to face UCF in their final game, Whittingham is eager to find a new offensive coordinator following Andy Ludwig’s resignation. He has stated that an extensive search is underway to secure the right candidate.
Amidst the challenges, Bottari remains optimistic about the team’s spirit and determination. He believes the players will come out fighting for their last game, aiming to finish the season on a high note.
This season has certainly been a rollercoaster for Utah, but with the final game approaching, they have the opportunity to end strong and build momentum for the next year. The team’s resilience and camaraderie may serve them well as they regroup and refocus for the challenges that lie ahead.