Bryson Barnes Expected to Return for Utah's Upcoming Bowl Game

Bryson Barnes' ascent to the starting quarterback of the Utah football team was arguably the team’s most captivating storyline of the season.

With performances filled with charming highs and dismal lows, the “Pig Farmer” became somewhat of a local celebrity within the Salt Lake region while leading Utah to a respectable 8-4 record.

With the team’s regular season coming to a close and bowl season on the horizon, it remains to be seen if Barnes will make one final appearance with the team.

Utah’s quarterback room is currently in shambles entering their final contest of the season; a bowl game that is currently unnamed, but most likely between the Las Vegas Bowl, Holiday Bowl, or Sun Bowl.

With Nate Johnson entering the transfer portal, Brandon Rose trying to preserve a medical redshirt, and Barnes out with an injury during the final regular season game of the year, the Utes were forced to turn to JUCO transfer Luke Bottari in their game against Colorado. Bottari left the game with the victory, but only threw for 10 passes in the game, completing six.

It’s no secret that the Utes desire for Barnes to be healthy enough to return for their looming bowl game. Barnes leads the entire Utah team in passing attempts (229), yards (1,517), and passing touchdowns (12). Additionally, Barnes' experience far surpasses that of any of the Utes’ other serviceable signal-callers.

While Barnes has been nursing an injury that kept him out of Utah’s game against Colorado, it’s been reported that Coach Kyle Whittingham expects Barnes to be ready to play Utah’s bowl game.

Initially reported by Josh Furlong on X.com, Whittingham was noted saying, "he doesn't expect Barnes to be out long-term,” and “...he expects Barnes to play in the bowl game.”

By playing in the Utes’ upcoming bowl game, Barnes would extend his current streak of bowl appearances to three. Some may have forgotten, but the Pig Farmer had taken snaps in both of Utah’s Rose Bowl losses, coming in to provide relief for injuries suffered by Cam Rising.

Utah answers!

Backup QB Bryson Barnes finds Dalton Kincaid for the 15-yard TD to tie the Rose Bowl at 45-45! 🤯

🎥: @espn
pic.twitter.com/CYmAiUCd4E
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) January 2, 2022

Unlike his two previous appearances entering the game in relief due to an injury to Cam Rising, Barnes could make this year’s contest the first bowl game of his career where he’s gotten the start.

Hopefully giving Barnes a full game will be enough to break the curse, as the Utes have not won a bowl game since 2017, when they defeated West Virginia in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

In late December, the Utes will find out if the Pig Farmer can provide one last stroke of genius and break the Utes bowl game slump.

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