Tavion Thomas Shows Gratitude To Fans After Utah’s Win Over Arizona
Nov 6, 2022, 10:14 AM
Tavion Thomas #9 of the Utah Utes rushes the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes during their game November 26, 2021 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City , Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- It’s no secret that 2022 hasn’t gone the way running back Tavion Thomas would have hoped it would.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has been mum as to exactly why Thomas hasn’t been as much of a force and missed games, opting instead to keep it in house. However, what we do know is that Thomas has been asked to work on things outside of football. It appears whatever Thomas was asked to do was to Utah’s satisfaction Saturday night as fans got to see the T-Train in action for the first time in several weeks.
Thomas largely played on special teams as Utah ran away with a win over Arizona, 45-20, recording his first ever collegiate tackle in the process. Later in the game, Thomas was called into the action as a running back when Jaylon Glover and Ja’Quinden Jackson left early with apparent injuries. The crowd let Thomas know how excited they were to see him carry the rock again the only way Rice-Eccles knows how- thunderous applause and cheering that didn’t go unnoticed by Thomas.
Go*
— Tavion.Thomas (@thiagoothomas9) November 6, 2022
Thomas’ Night At Running Back
It wasn’t Thomas’ biggest night as a Ute, but fans appreciated seeing the running back out on the field and contributing for the team, especially when they needed him most. Thomas finished the night with eight carries for 38 yards and averaging 4.8 yards per carry as the Utes bled the clock.
Whittingham seemed optimistic about Thomas’ future going forward with the Utes in his post-game press conference noting the running back is in a much better place than he was earlier in the year.
“We think so, we hope so,” Whittingham said. “He’s in a good situation right now and so we hope we can continue to keep him integrated and contributing.”
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports
