Johnson to start again for Utah

if he hasn’t completely recovered, Brian Johnson is Utah’s starting quarterback again.

Coach Kyle Whittingham said Monday that Johnson, a junior, will start Saturday against Utah State as the Utes try to keep a bad beginning from getting worse.

“This Saturday, Brian’s the guy. That’s just how it is and will be if we can keep him healthy,” said Whittingham, whose third season has gone from one of the highest points of his tenure to one of the lowest.

Utah is 1-3 after being shut out by Nevada Las Vegas, 27-0, Saturday, only the second time the Utes have lost to the Rebels. A week earlier, the Utes beat then-No. 11 UCLA by 38 points with Tommy Grady at quarterback.

Johnson, who sat out two games after separating a shoulder in the season opener, played in the second half against Las Vegas.

Indiana State fired Coach Lou West and hired Dennis Raetz, who led the Sycamores to their last winning season more than a decade ago, as interim coach. West was 1-25 since taking over the Sycamores in 2005. His only win was against Missouri State last year. Indiana State (0-4) lost to Eastern Illinois, 54-20, Saturday.

South Carolina star linebacker Jasper Brinkley will sit out the rest of the season because of a knee injury that will require surgery.

Colorado State junior safety Klint Kubiak was released from a Houston hospital after tests showed he had low blood pressure and a bleeding ulcer. Kubiak, whose father, Gary, is coach of the Houston Texans, dropped to a knee after warmups before the Rams’ game against the University of Houston on Saturday.

Michigan receiver LaTerryal Savoy has been reinstated to the team after being acquitted of an indecent exposure charge, Coach Lloyd Carr said.