SALT LAKE CITY — Utah wide receiver Dres Anderson’s college career is over. The senior, who injured his knee in the final drive of the Utes’ 24-21 win over USC on Saturday, underwent successful surgery Wednesday morning and faces three to four months of rehab.
“We feel bad for Dres. It’s heartbreaking for that kid. He’s a fifth-year senior. He’s poured everything he had into this program for five years,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “Nobody’s outworked him. Nobody’s done more for us than Dres during that period of time. He’s taken care of business on and off the field. He’s got his degree already in hand.”
Whittingham noted that Anderson was injured on a deep cross dig route on the final drive — the ball didn’t go to him — and he remained in the game for several more plays.
“He’s a tough kid,” Whittingham said. “He finished out.”
Anderson wasn’t feeling quite right on Sunday but didn’t think much of it. On Monday, however, Whittingham said things were a little bit worse. Team trainers then put Anderson through the procedure and an MRI and discovered that he needed surgery.
“The positive news is he should have a full recovery and should be ready to work our for the scouts when that time rolls around and I believe he’s got a future playing this game,” Whittingham continued. “So we’ll miss him and we feel bad for Dres but as far as the team, itself, we’ve got to move forward and keep going and the next guy has got to step up.”
Anderson, who is a team captain, finishes his Utah career with 2,077 receiving yards — one of just five players in team history to reach the 2,000-yard milestone. He played in 44 games, making 134 catches and scoring 17 touchdowns.
“It’s definitely a heartbreak and I’m definitely going to miss him out on the field,” said quarterback Travis Wilson. “Definitely a tough loss, but it gives a chance to a lot of other wide receivers to step up and to really perform.”
As the 18th-ranked Utes (6-1, 3-1) prepare for Saturday’s game at 14th-ranked Arizona State (6-1, 4-1), they’ll have big shoes to fill. Anderson was leading the team with 355 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. His 22 receptions were second to Kenneth Scott’s 25 after seven games.
Scott, who has been Anderson’s best friend since high school, said losing Anderson is definitely hard. Anderson, however, is doing well.
“He’s handling it good. I talked to him. He’s still got that smile and stuff,” Scott said. “He’s still the same Dres. I just told him to keep his head up. You know, this injury is just a little bump in his road.”
Scott added that Anderson is eager to begin his rehab and progress to the NFL.
Besides Scott and Anderson, the other Utah receivers with double-digit catches this season include Kaelin Clay (16), tight end Westlee Tonga (15) and Tim Patrick (10).
“It’s all about the wide receivers just stepping up and taking over (Anderson’s) role,” said Wilson, who added that they’ve done a good job of that in practice.
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