Playing For His Teammates Was The Priority For Utah QB Isaac Wilson
Nov 19, 2024, 12:36 PM
SALT LAKE CITY—The Utes have had a difficult campaign this season. Coming off a tough loss, Utah looks to move forward to the new challenge this week.
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🆚 Iowa State
🏟️ Rice-Eccles Stadium
⏰ SAT 11.23 | 5:30PM MT
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Quarterback Isaac Wilson has been thrust into a role that he probably wasn’t fully prepared for. Previously, Kyle Whittingham shared that the plan for Wilson was to receive sporadic playing time behind their veteran signal-caller, Cam Rising.
Unfortunately, Rising’s injuries forced the true freshman into action. It hasn’t been the easiest experience so far, however, the experience he’s gaining will benefit him down the road.
Isaac Wilson wanted to be out there for his teammates
Wilson had a unique experience last week dealing with an illness that nearly kept him out of the Colorado game.
“I was definitely going through it last week, not the best stomach problems, but Colorado doesn’t care,” Wilson said of his experience last week. “The main priority is my teammates; I love my boys; I can’t let them hang out to dry. Our quarterback situation has included a few injuries. I can’t just lie down with a little sickness and miss the game.”
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As a true freshman, knowing exactly how to step into a leadership role is difficult. This was probably even more difficult, considering it wasn’t the plan, and he’s had to step up in the loss of a veteran quarterback.
Wilson’s willingness to put himself on the field for his teammates speaks to the leadership he is attempting to take on. It was probably a difficult experience, but Wilson knows that just being out there isn’t enough.
“They’re my boys, they love me, but they need me to perform,” Wilson said. “So, it was a little rough on my part, but I need to stay level-headed and get through the game plan.”
A promising stretch for the Utah offense
After throwing his second interception of the game, Wilson seemingly flipped a switch, if but for a brief stretch. Still, it was his best stretch of football all season long.
Wilson completed 12-of-15 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns, which came on consecutive possessions in that third quarter.
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It featured a 40-yard touchdown throw to Dorian Singer— his first touchdown reception of the season. Then Wilson orchestrated a 75-yard scoring drive, which included three completions for 58 yards to Carsen Ryan and a touchdown throw to Caleb Lohner.
“I just started seeing the defense a lot better and started getting to my check down more often,” Wilson said. “I started hooking up with Carsen Ryan a little bit; he was getting open downfield, and he’s sure-handed, but yeah, I’m just seeing the field better.”
Despite the loss, that stretch of positive play has to be something the team builds on. Utah has to hope it serves as a confidence boost to Wilson and the offense.
Looking ahead to Iowa State, Senior Day
With last week’s difficulties behind him, Wilson is focused on what’s to come this weekend with the Cyclones.
“I don’t have to worry about this sickness now, so it’s full steam ahead,” Wilson said.
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Matt Campbell’s Iowa State squad is a hard-nosed football team. After starting the season 7-0, the Cyclones dropped two straight games to Texas Tech and Kansas. However, they got back in the win column last week after a 34-17 win over Cincinnati.
“Iowa State is a really good football team, I’ve been watching a lot of film on them,” Wilson said. “They like to do what they do, some big guys are in the middle, and they like to play coverage. They’re one of the top coverage teams in the Big 12 right now.”
Saturday’s contest is going to be tough, but Utah will have plenty of internal motivation. It is Senior Day for Utah, and Wilson wants to do all that he can to send the seniors off on a positive note in their last home game.
“It would mean the world to them; I really want to step up for them; the whole team does,” Wilson said.
