Utah tight end Brant Kuithe named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week

Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Huntley, not pictured, during the first half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Another week, another Pac-12 football award for the Utah football program.

Not surprisingly, Ute tight end Brant Kuithe has been named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after playing a key role in Utah’s 45-15 win over Colorado at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday night.

Kuithe becomes the 12th conference player of the week selection for the fifth-ranked Utes this season.

The dynamic sophomore has scored nine touchdowns this season, including six in the past three games and three in a victory that clinched Utah a spot against Oregon in Friday’s Pac-12 championship game (6 p.m., ABC) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. He is tied for first among FBS tight ends for total touchdowns and is tied for first among Pac-12 tight ends with six TD receptions.

Kuithe led Utah with 122 all-purpose yards (63 yards receiving, 59 yards rushing) and scored three touchdowns against the Buffaloes.

Kuithe came on strong for the slow-starting Utes. He made two of Utah’s first downs on their first scoring drive, including a 38-yard TD reception and an 18-yard grab on a third-and-13 situation. He then had a 44-yard jet sweep that set Utah up for his 7-yard TD reception and a 14-7 lead.

A Katy, Texas, native, Kuithe ranks 23rd in the FBS and third in the Pac-12 by averaging 19.0 yards per reception. Thirteen of his 26 receptions have gone for 20 yards or longer, including four of his six receiving touchdowns.

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