Travis has had some ups and downs this year and it was great to see him end on a big positive. I’m very happy for him. – Head coach Kyle Whittingham
LAS VEGAS — After what he’s been through the last couple of years, Travis Wilson had to feel some sweet redemption Saturday afternoon in leading Utah to a comfortable victory in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Wilson didn’t even know if he would be able to play this year after being diagnosed with a brain injury late last season. Then, after beginning the season as the starting quarterback, he was jerked in and out of the lineup following some inconsistent play.
In Saturday’s 45-10 win over Colorado State, Wilson didn’t have his best day passing the ball, but he threw well enough, completing 17 of 26 passes, including one touchdown. However, Wilson was particularly dangerous with his legs as he ran for a career-high three touchdowns and 91 yards.
Afterward, Wilson was awarded the MVP trophy after accounting for four of Utah’s six touchdowns and leading the offense to 548 yards, the highest total since the Utes' opening game against Idaho State nearly four months ago.
“I’m definitely happy with how we played,’’ he said. “I missed on a couple of deep balls, but I was seeing that the running was really working for me so I was taking advantage of it.’’
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was thrilled his junior played so well after his struggles earlier in the year.
“Travis has had some ups and downs this year and it was great to see him end on a big positive,’’ he said. “I’m very happy for him.’’
Wilson scored Utah’s first touchdown with a run up the middle off a fake handoff to Devontae Booker less than three minutes into the game. Four minutes later he hit DelShawn McClellon with a 16-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to give the Utes a quick 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
In the third quarter, Wilson faked a handoff to Booker going right, held the ball and cut upfield, sprinting past several defenders and diving into the end zone to put the Utes up 31-10.
Then after a CSU fumble early in the fourth quarter, Wilson did it again, faking a handoff to Booker going left and running up the middle for his third score.
“On a lot of those runs I was able to read it,’’ Wilson said. “The line did a good job of blocking and having Booker helped open it up for me.’’
Offensive coordinator Dave Christensen praised Wilson’s performance and particularly his ability to run the ball.
“He really played well today and really managed the offense well,’’ Christensen said. “They were taking Devontae and they didn’t mind if we ran the quarterback — they wanted us to run the quarterback. Travis did a great on the reads. He’s finished the last two games really great for us.’’
It wasn’t surprising to Whittingham that Wilson ran as well as his did after not rushing for more than 44 yards in a game this year.
“He’s been a productive runner for us ever since he got on campus,’’ Whittingham said. “He’s a very capable runner and he made some big runs today with three touchdowns on the ground. He’s deceptive and he’s moving much faster and a lot more ground than it looks.’’
There’s been some talk of late that Wilson might not return next year because he will graduate in the summer. But he made it clear he plans to be back in 2015.
“I’m not going anywhere else,’’ he said. “I’ve been with this team for three years and don’t plan on going anywhere else.’’