Khalil Tate is on track to make the first college start of his career Saturday, and he’ll battle with an old rival in Utah quarterback Troy Williams.
There’s an alternate universe where that alignment looks quite different.
Back in 2012, Williams, a four-star talent out of Los Angeles’ Narbonne High School, narrowed down his college choices to Washington and Arizona. Spoiler: He didn’t pick the Wildcats.
Williams started with Washington before leaving. He spent time at Santa Monica College before transferring to Utah. He’s now the Utes’ starting quarterback.
If things had been different, maybe Williams would be with the Wildcats on Saturday.
“He’s a good player,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said. “He’s throwing the ball well, he’s an athletic guy, he’s got a great command of their offense.”
Tate played high school ball at Junipero Serra in Gardena, California. So, it’s Narbonne vs. Serra again, one of the top high school football rivalries in Southern California.
“It’s pretty cool because we played each other in high school,” Tate said. “I was an underclassman. It’s pretty unique to play each other now in college.”
They only played once, back in 2012 when Williams was a senior and Tate a freshman.
Williams’ Gauchos won 22-9, with the quarterback passing for 166 yards and a touchdown.
Tate — and Serra — would have their revenge. Tate was 3-0 against Narbonne as a starter, the last one a 41-40 overtime victory.
In that game, Tate rushed for 295 yards and six touchdowns. UA receiver DeVaughn Cooper played too, finishing with 233 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Tate’s goal for his latest “matchup” with Williams? Win.
“I like to win,” Tate said. “I come from a winning high school at Serra, so I always win. To lose (last week), it hurts a lot, but I know with a full game I can do better.”
