Redshirt Freshman QB Shelley Struggled Against Washington

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Utah redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Shelley struggled on the big stage as the Utes lost to Washington in the Pac-12 Championship game 10-3.

Shelley completed 17 of his 27 pass attempts for 137 yards and three interceptions.

Two of those picks were by the Pac-12 Championship game Most Valuable Player Byron Murphy.

Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies celebrates on the stage after the Huskies beat the Utah Utes to win the Pac 12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on November 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. Murphy was named the MVP for the game. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“He struggled, it was tough. To do what he did to get us here (title game), I am very proud of him,” said head coach Kyle Whittingham about Shelley after the game. “Maybe the redshirt freshman inexperience caught up to him tonight.”

Shelley’s first interception of the night was on a crazy sequence that involved Shelley throwing to wide receiver Siaosi Mariner but as he was falling on the ground, the ball hit Mariner’s leg and deflected into the hands of Byron Murphy who returned the ball 66-yards for a touchdown.

JUGGLED & PICKED@UW_Football‘s defense steps up with a BIG touchdown! pic.twitter.com/vXggjtOMyI

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 1, 2018

The second interception came off of a deep throw to wide receiver Solomon Enis but Washington defensive back Jordan Miller was able to get in front of Enis and intercept the pass.

😤😤😤

JORDAN. MILLER. #PurpleReign

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/Xz8LFnYklE

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) December 1, 2018

Shelley’s third interception was taken by Murphy once again late in the fourth quarter. He threw three interceptions in a span of just five pass attempts.

😤😤😤

JORDAN. MILLER. #PurpleReign

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/Xz8LFnYklE

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) December 1, 2018

The loss to Washington was Shelley’s first loss as the starter for the Utes.