Update: This story has been updated with the news that Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has stepped down from his position.
After the throng of Utah coaches and players had shuffled into the tunnel of Rice-Eccles Stadium, Andy Ludwig followed slowly behind.
Utah’s offensive coordinator was alone, clearly downcast in the wake of Utah’s third straight defeat.
The Utes (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) were defeated by TCU (3-3, 2-2) 13-7 on Saturday night in Salt Lake City. For the third straight game, their offense was abysmal. They punted on 11 out of their 14 total drives. They were 2 for 15 on third downs. Freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson was sacked four times and completed 52% of his passes.
And after another miserable offensive showing, Ludwig’s boss was clear that something must change.
“Everything’s up in the air right now,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Everything’s up for evaluation, and we will evaluate.”
On Sunday night, Ludwig had stepped down from the role he’d held since 2019.
“Assistant coach Andy Ludwig has made the decision to step down from his position with Utah Football,” Whittingham said in a statement. “Andy is the consummate professional and we want to thank him for his complete dedication to our program during his 10 total seasons with us. Coach Ludwig has been instrumental to our success here at Utah and personally, I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Andy as both a coach and a person. We wish him nothing but the best in all of his future endeavors.”
Ludwig was in his second stint as Utah’s offensive coordinator, a job he also held from 2005-08.
Utah offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian, a former offensive coordinator at Northwestern, is the most likely candidate to fill in for the Utes.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Isaac Wilson (11) as the Utes host the TCU Horned Frogs, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
And Utah has plenty of offensive issues to address.
“There’s no there’s no mystery as to what our issues are,” Whittingham said on Friday night. “It’s been showing for three weeks in a row now. We’ve got to, look at everything really hard in the next 24-48 hours, make some tough decisions and then see where we’re at.”
Utah’s offense ranked second to last in the Pac-12 last season, as the Utes played without quarterback Cam Rising. History has seemingly repeated itself in 2024. Utah’s offense ranks near the bottom of the Big 12 in total offense. They lead the conference in interceptions thrown. Utah’s offense has eclipsed 30 points only two times (against Southern Utah and Utah State) this season.
Something, clearly, isn’t working.
It caused Wilson to issue an apology to Utah’s defense, which rebounded from back-to-back poor performances on Saturday night.
“As the whole offensive unit, we want to apologize to the defense,” Wilson said. “It’s a team game, but they played their butts off. We need need to step up with up more than seven points a game.”
Something clearly had to give.
“I guess we’re fine, other than, you know, scoring points, making first downs, running the ball, throwing the ball efficiently or making a conversion on third or fourth downs,” Whittingham deadpanned. “Other than that, I think we’re OK.”
Defense the lone bright spot in the loss
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes safety Tao Johnson (15) stretches out to block a field goal attempt as they host the TCU Horned Frogs, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
After struggling for two consecutive weeks, the Utes’ defense got back on track against TCU.
They held the Horned Frogs to a season-low 13 points on Saturday night. Utah also forced one turnover and blocked a field goal. TCU quarterback Josh Hoover finished the contest 22 of 41 with 263 passing yards and one rushing touchdown.
“Very proud of our defense,” Whittingham said. “To hold that crew to 13 points, and what they’ve been doing this year with really, essentially no help field position wise, or staying off the field, I’m very proud of the defenders.”
Last week ASU running back Cam Skattebo rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns on Utah’s defense. The Horned Frogs were held to 133 rushing yards and an average of four yards per carry, a major improvement from a week ago.
“We played good defense,” Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa said. “We played our butts off, and I’m very proud of my defense, our defense. But, we didn’t get it done tonight. We’re not a team that folds, and we’re not a team that quits. We’re going to find a way to go get next week.”
Whittingham responds boos from Utes fans
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Moment of Loudness as the Utah Utes host the TCU Horned Frogs, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
It’s not often that the Utes get booed on their home field.
But, due to a sluggish offensive outing and a third-straight loss, Utah fans let them hear it Saturday night.
Whittingham responded to the jeers from fans after the game.
“They have a right to do whatever they want,” he said. “They paid money for the tickets. If they’re not happy, and that’s the way they want to react, (that’s OK). We have played a lot of good football through the years and gave them a lot of positive things to be excited about, but certainly in the last few games there has not been anything to be excited about.”
Next, Utah will take on Houston (2-5, 1-3) on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Houston, Texas.
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