SALT LAKE CITY — Despite missing the fourth quarter of Utah’s 21-3 win over Arizona State with an unspecified leg injury, starting quarterback Tyler Huntley insists he’ll be ready to go Saturday when the 12th-ranked Utes host California.
“I’m playing,” Huntley said. “Yeah.”
The senior was a man of few words on the situation, declining to discuss any specifics on his injury. However, Huntley said that he felt “good” on Monday — adding that being able to walk on the injured leg indicated that it was nothing too serious.
Huntley completed 12-of-19 passes for 171 yards against ASU. The senior also rushed for 32 yards. He was replaced by Drew Lisk for a couple of minutes late in the second quarter after suffering an apparent leg injury. The leg was hit again on Utah’s final possession in the third quarter, and Jason Shelley finished the game at quarterback.
The second removal, Huntley explained, was precautionary so he could get out of the game “partially healthy.” Huntley was also dinged up in the USC game on Sept. 20 but returned the following week against Washington State.
Huntley wouldn’t say if he has a similar mindset.
“I’m playing,” he said with a laugh. “That’s it.”
Earlier in the day, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told reporters that the Utes did not suffer any season-ending injuries in the win over ASU. Besides Huntley, starting left tackle Darrin Paulo was also sidelined in the game.
“That’s the only statement we’ll have about that,” said Whittingham, who in keeping with team policy declined to elaborate on any injury not deemed to be season-ending.
Both Huntley and Paulo are listed as starters on the latest depth chart.
Following Saturday’s game, Whittingham praised Huntley for being a competitive kid and a fierce competitor, explaining that “he was bound and determined to go out and finish.”
Huntley is having a stellar season, having thrown for 1,546 yards and rushing for 229. He leads the Pac-12 and is ranked in the top seven nationally in pass completion percentage (.740) and pass efficiency (180.1 rating).
Co-backups Lisk and Shelley haven’t seen a lot of playing time this season. Lisk has appeared in three games, completing 7-of-9 passes for 52 yards. Shelley, who started five times last season when Huntley was injured, has played in four games this year — throwing for 6 yards on one completion and rushing for 12 yards on eight carries.
Whittingham said that the competition for the No. 2 spot between Lisk and Shelley is “pretty much a week-to-week thing” and the duo have “jockeyed back and forth.” As for last week’s pecking order, Whittingham explained that offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig felt that Lisk was better in practice.
“So he got the nod when Tyler went down and then later in the game when we wanted to up the QB run game because we were trying to take some clock off, Jason is the better quarterback run guy,” Whittingham said.
If Huntley isn’t able to go against Cal, Whittingham noted that it would be a competition, as it is every week, between the backups for playing time.
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California (4-3, 1-3) at No. 12 Utah (6-1, 3-1)
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Saturday, 8 p.m.
TV: FS1
Radio: ESPN 700AM