Weber State @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2008 ) Weber State 21, Utah 37

Utah has never lost to a Big Sky opponent and seeks to stretch the streak to 36 consecutive victories when it hosts nearby Weber State on Saturday. The Utes defeated in-state rival Utah State in their season opener and now the Wildcats make the trip southward from Ogden hoping to snap a 25-game skid against major-conference programs. Weber State is just 3-48 all-time against FBS schools with the wins coming against Utah State (1978) and Nevada (1992, 1993).

Utes sophomore quarterback Travis Wilson had the second-best yardage day of his career by completing 17 of 28 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns in the opener. Utah’s hopes of returning to being a bowl-caliber program – the Utes were 5-7 last season to halt a streak of nine consecutive bowl seasons – depend on the 19-year-old Wilson continuing to progress and the offensive line keeping him healthy. Weber State notched a 50-40 victory over Stephen F. Austin in its opener and is entering a tough stretch in which it plays at Utah and Utah State on consecutive Saturdays.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: None.

ABOUT WEBER STATE (1-0, 0-0 Big Sky): The Wildcats rolled up 484 offensive yards in their opener but the defensive performance was problematic (564 yards allowed) and could be exposed further by the Utes. Senior Jordan Adamczyk saw most of the action at quarterback and was just 14-of-29 passing for 118 yards, while senior receiver Erik Walker was the offensive star with two touchdowns – one on a 39-yard reverse – and compiling seven receptions for a career-best 127 yards. Senior middle linebacker Anthony Morales racked up 13 tackles, junior free safety D.J. Bush had a 70-yard interception return and junior running back Bo Bolen had a 100-yard kickoff return score while rolling up 220 all-purpose yards.

ABOUT UTAH (1-0, 0-0 Pac-12): The status of starting running back Kelvin York is unclear after he missed the second half against Utah State with an injury that head coach Kyle Whittingham declined to reveal so sophomore James Poole (47 yards on 12 carries) and senior Karl Williams (45 yards on 12 attempts) could split time. Senior receiver Anthony Denham stepped up with six receptions for a career-best 113 yards for Utah’s first 100-yard receiving game since 2011. Junior free safety Eric Rowe had 10 tackles in the opener to headline a defense that is led by senior rush end/outside linebacker Trevor Reilly (11.5 career sacks).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Utah has won all three previous meetings – the most recent being a 37-21 victory in 2008.

2. Weber State RB Oran Maxwell has been suspended for the contest after leaving the bench to throw a punch in the final minutes of the win over Stephen F. Austin.

3. Utes WR Kenneth Scott was lost for the season with a lower-leg injury against Utah State.

PREDICTION: Utah 34, Weber State 16