You can lose any week. So you can’t really dwell on one game too long. – Tim Patrick
BERKELEY, Calif. — After opening Pac-12 play with a victory for the second consecutive season, the 18th-ranked Utah Utes are determined to keep their collective feet on the accelerator. Looking in the rearview mirror isn’t an option.
“It’s focus on whatever’s next and it’s Cal Berkeley right now,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “What’s behind us is done. We don’t even refer to that.”
As pleasing as last week’s 31-27 win over USC was, the Utes (4-0, 1-0) have moved on to the pass-happy Bears (2-2, 0-1) and a first conference visit to the renovated California Memorial Stadium.
Utah quarterback Troy Williams said it’s all about looking straight ahead after USC.
“It was a great win, a great confidence booster,” he explained. “But we’re on to the next week now.”
Williams added that it’s an approach the team will continue to take over the final eight games.
“You can’t dwell on the past,” Williams said. “You have to stay focused and stay hungry.”
Wide receiver Tim Patrick noted that there’s still so many opponents to face.
“So you never know what could happen,” he said. “You’ve just got to stay focused.”
Cal will present some challenges. The Bears average 459.3 yards per game in the air. Quarterback Davis Webb leads the nation with 1,837 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. Receiver Chad Hansen is first in receptions per game with a 12.5 average.
“We have our work cut out for us,” Whittingham said.
Utah counters with a defense that ranks second in the Pac-12, allowing 314.3 yards per game. The Utes also have an offense on the upswing (427.8 ypg).
Then there’s the focus they have after opening Pac-12 play on the right foot.
Whittingham said it's “tunnel vision” on the task at hand. The Utes are focused on the Bears and nothing else.
“Period,” he concluded.
It’s part of a big picture associated with Utah’s second successful start in six seasons of Pac-12 membership. Last year’s 1-0 start, featuring a 62-20 win at Oregon, set the tone for the program’s first share of a South Division title. A head-to-head loss to USC, though, kept the Utes out of the Pac-12 championship game.
After defeating the Trojans this year, the wheels are in motion — albeit extremely early — to take the next step.
Even so, Patrick acknowledged every game is a big game in the Pac-12.
“You can lose any week,” he said. “So you can’t really dwell on one game too long.”
Same goes for moments to savor. Patrick said scoring the game-winning touchdown against USC was cool, but the main focus is on the team.
“The reward is the Rose Bowl,” Patrick said. “It’s the Rose Bowl or bust, honestly.”
EXTRA POINTS: The series is tied at 5-5. Cal holds a 4-1 advantage in Berkeley. … Utah has finished with more passing yards than the opposition in its first four games. … Defensive end Hunter Dimick leads the Pac-12 with six tackles for loss and four sacks. … Mitch Wishnowsky leads the nation with a punt average of 52.1 yards. … Former Utah All-American quarterback Lee Grosscup has hosted Cal’s postgame radio show since 2004.
No. 18 Utah (4-0, 1-0) at California (2-2, 0-1)
Saturday, 4 p.m. MDT
TV: Pac-12 Networks
Radio: ESPN 700AM
Email: dirk@deseretnews.com
Twitter: @DirkFacer