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Show KEEPING THE "FIGHTING SPIRIT" BY DOMINIC GARCIA PHOTO BY ERIN BURNS /STAFF WRITER t the beginning of the 2014 season, Utah handed out scarves to celebrate its 20th season as a team. Throughout those years, there have been both good times and bad times for the Utes. Head coach Rich Manning has had the privilege to witness 13 of those 20 years firsthand and has noticed a change in the sport. "The game of soccer has evolved': Manning said. "So we're getting players with more experience and more skills. They've watched a higher level of soccer He has watched the program grow and change with time, and even the current players know how important it is to be part of such a program. Manning can recall many memories as if they happened yesterday. Manning's first and favorite memory is of his very first game as the head coach in 2002 when he faced highly-ranked Portland. In a tough match, Utah came away with a victory, an accomplishment made even better by the fact that Portland would go on to win the national championship that year. Another favorite memory was the Colorado game a season ago. The Utes were able to come back from an early deficit to win the game, which helped them earn a spot in the NCAA tournament. "God, it was great, so happy for those kids': Manning said of that game against the Buffaloes in 2013. Along with the good times Utah has had, there have also been some rough patches. The memory that stings the most was a game against Idaho State in 2003. The Utes had 16 shots on goal while allowing zero shots on their own in the second half, but somehow lost the game in a penalty shootout. Despite the bad times, Utah's players feel privileged to be involved in the history. Senior Avery Jenkins was two years old when the U started its women's team. "I feel blessed being a part of it;' Jenkins said. "The alums that played before me — I look up to them so much:' Jenkins and her teammates have made this season even more special by having the best start in team history. The Utes went undefeated in their first 10 games this season before a loss to No. 1 UCLA. This bested the former record start of the 2002 squad, which went seven games without a loss. Utah's best season came in 2003 when it finished with a record of 16-2-2. That season, the team won a conference championship and earned a spot in the national tournament. If the current Utes want a chance at touching that record, they will have to win the rest of their games without another draw. When the program began, Utah started competing in the Mountain West Conference. It was a competitive conference but was passed off as a weak contender when it came to talk of national championships. However, the Utes made it to the NCAA tournament a few times while in the Mountain West. As Utah became a front runner in the MWC, the school decided to switch over to the Pac-12, a conference that Manning calls the best when it comes to women's soccer. After the change, the interest and desire to play for the Utes rose significantly. "I definitely think it is high on the list;' Jenkins said. The program has seen a lot of change during its time at the U. Many players have come and gone, and conferences have Pick him, and stick with him A GRIFFIN ADAMS efore the 2014 campaign kicked off, the new system offensive coordinator Dave Christensen was bringing to Utah's offense was a big deal. Despite talk of a quarterback battle, it always seemed like junior Travis Wilson had the upper hand. However, after two underwhelming performances from Wilson, Oklahoma transfer Kendal Thompson was given the opportunity to showcase his talents. Saturday night against UCLA, Thompson looked calm, efficient and poised in the backfield. If there wasn't a QB battle before, there is now. Both Wilson and Thompson have performed well enough at times this season to deserve consideration for the starting quarterback position, but the Utes need to act fast, pick a starter and stick with him. The two-quarterback system is enticing, especially when you have two capable quarterbacks, but it hardly ever works. There's always an exception, such as when Tim Tebow was a freshman at Florida, sharing snaps with then-senior Chris Leak. Those two went on to win a national championship, but that speaks more of the talent of the Gators than it does the success of the two-quarterback system. Utah will not get anywhere if it keeps switching between TWilly and Thompson. The two quarterbacks are just different, and depending on who is in the game, different plays will be called. With Wilson in the game, Utah becomes more of a passing team as we've seen the San Clemente native throw some dimes in his time here in Salt Lake City. When Thompson is playing, the read option takes over, something that he is very good at executing. This was evident against the Bruins last weekend when Thompson kept moving the chains by reading the defense correctly. The Utes are playing a dangerous game. Having two quarterbacks not only changes the style of play, but it also shows a lack of confidence in both of the signal callers. You can't tell me that being benched three drives into the game didn't irk Wilson just a little bit. He knows he no longer has a firm grasp on the starting position, and it'll show on the field. Instead of throwing the ball with poise and confidence, the junior will question his throws and whether or not he is making the right decisions. Competition is good, especially in football. During spring and fall camps, a quarterback controversy is somewhat of a good thing. It pushes the players harder to compete and prove they want a starting gig. But when you're already six weeks in and have a shot at a magical season, you don't mess around. If Utah wants to keep this momentum moving forward into the hardest part of the schedule, Whittingham and company need to pick a quarterback and an offense and stick with them. g.adams@chronicle.utah.edu @GriffDoug B changed, but there is one thing that remains the same. "I think the common thread has always been a hard-working group that's ambitious, passionate, works well together and will take on anyone:' Manning said. Manning is a coach who likes to focus on the very next game and keep the past where it belongs. But he can't help but think about where this program will be in the future. "The main thing is that we want to keep the fighting spirit;' 8 { THECHRONY I NEWS I OPINION I ARTS I SPORTS I WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 2014 } Manning said. "It represents loving the sport you're doing and competing at the highest level. I think if we are able to continue and grow in that, then the accomplishments will come. Whether it be a championship in the Pac-12 or advancing in the NCAA tournament" d.garcia@chronicle.utah.edu @dominic2295 PHOTO BY CHRIS SAMUELS 9 |