SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – University of Utah tight end Brant Kuithe has been named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after his performance in Utah’s Pac-12 South championship win over Colorado. Kuithe is Utah’s 12th conference player of the week selection this season.
Kuithe put his versatility as an offensive weapon on full display against the Buffaloes, finishing the game with 122 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. Kuithe had three catches for 63 yards (21.0 ypc) with 38 and 7-yard receiving touchdowns, adding two rushes for 59 yards (29.5 ypc) that included a career-long 44-yard rush and a 15-yard rushing touchdown.
The sophomore accounted for two first downs in Utah’s first scoring drive, converting on a third-and-13 on an 18-yard reception to extend the drive, finishing it off with his 38-yard touchdown reception to tie the game 7-7 in the second quarter. On Utah’s next scoring drive, he accounted for 51 of the 84 yards in the drive, including his 44-yard rush and his seven-yard receiving score to give Utah the lead for good.
His final touchdown put an exclamation point on his performance and on the game, punching in his 15-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter for the last points of the game, giving Utah their 45-15 win and a spot in the Pac-12 Championship game.
Kuithe has nine total touchdowns this season, scoring six of them in the last three games. He is tied for first in the FBS among tight ends in total touchdowns and his six receiving scores is tied for first in the Pac-12 among his position.
He is averaging 19.0 yards per reception this season, which ranks 23rd in the FBS and third in the Pac-12, also ranking first in the FBS and in the conference among tight ends. Thirteen of his 26 receptions this season have been for 20 yards or longer with four of his six receiving touchdowns being for 20+ yards as well.
Kuithe and the Utes will return to action on Friday, Dec. 6 when they take on the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The game is set to kick off at 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT on ABC. Tickets are available here.
