Utes in the Pros: Conference Championships

SALT LAKE CITY – We're down to four teams remaining in the chase for the Lombardi Trophy, and both games during the NFL's Conference Championship Weekend will have a connection to the Utah Football program.

The NFC Championship sends the San Francisco 49ers to Philadelphia for a meeting with the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. It'll be a 1 p.m. MT kickoff on FOX; while several NFL games this season have matched up former Utah teammates against each other, it'll reach a new level this weekend with San Francisco punter Mitch Wishnowsky going against Britain Covey -- whom the Eagles have primarily used on punt returns.

Covey and Wishnowsky spent the 2018 season together at Utah, helping the Utes reach the program's first Pac-12 Championship Game. It was a year that saw Wishnowsky named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award and Covey tabbed All-Pac-12 First Team as a returner.

Following the NFC Championship Game, switch over to CBS as Kansas City hosts Cincinnati for the AFC title. That game is slated for a 4:30 p.m. MT start and features former Ute Alex Whittingham on the Chiefs' staff as defensive quality control coach. It's Whittingham's fifth season with the team and fourth year in the quality control role.

Looking Back at the Divisional Round
Round two of the NFL's postseason saw three Utes on active rosters with playoff teams.

While the Jaguars fell in Kansas City, it marked the close of an outstanding rookie season for linebacker Devin Lloyd. Lloyd--named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team on Wednesday—made 115 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries during the regular season. In his first five games, Lloyd had three performances with double-digit stops.

Wishnowsky was clutch with the boot, helping the 49ers to a 19-12 home win over Dallas. Two of his four punts landed inside the 20-yard line, perhaps none more crucial than when he pinned the Cowboys at their own six with just 45 seconds to play in regulation and Wishnowsky's squad ahead by a touchdown. He also held on PATs and field goals, including Robbie Gould's 50-yard make as the second quarter clock expired.

Mitch Wishnowsky 43-yd punt .. KaVontae Turpin fair catch at the DAL 6 with 0:45 left#DallasCowboys 12 #49ers 19 4?? pic.twitter.com/LnYI8WS0ya

— S????s 24/7? (@Sports_24x7_) January 23, 2023

Covey saw action for the Eagles in their dominant win over the New York Giants, making four fair catches on punts.

Divisional Round Recap

UTES IN THE NFL (23)
Updated 1.25.23

Offensive Line (4)
Jackson Barton......................... Las Vegas
Garett Bolles.......................... Denver (IR)
Darrin Paulo............................. Detroit (F)
Hunter Thedford........................ Denver (F)

Quarterbacks (1)
Tyler Huntley............................ Baltimore

Running Backs (1)
Zack Moss............................ Indianapolis

Wide Receivers (2)
Britain Covey........................ Philadelphia
Tim Patrick............................ Denver (IR)
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Tight Ends (1)
Cole Fotheringham................ Las Vegas (F)

Defensive Line (2)
Bradlee Anae................................ NY Jets
Leki Fotu..................................... Arizona

Linebackers (4)
Cody Barton................................... Seattle
Chase Hansen....................... New Orleans
Devin Lloyd.......................... Jacksonville
Nephi Sewell................... New Orleans (F)

Defensive Backs (6)
Julian Blackmon.................... Indianapolis
Terrell Burgess................. NY Giants (PS)
Javelin Guidry............................... Atlanta
Jaylon Johnson..................... Chicago (IR)
Eric Rowe...................................... Miami
Marcus Williams....................... Baltimore

Special Teams (2)
Matt Gay................................... LA Rams
Mitch Wishnowsky............. San Francisco

IR = Injured/Reserve
F = Futures
PS = Practice Squad