He struggled some his Jr year but not unexpectedly after transferring from a JC and starting immediately. He did set BYU's career completion percentage mark which was due primarily to his Sr year (until Zach beat it this year).
As for the utah game, I felt it wasn't so much taking the ball out of his hands as it was utah not being able to stop McKenzie and Jenkins. BYU rushed for over 350 yds that game at about 6 yds/carry. Would have be stupid to throw the ball more.
Just my opinion. He did lead arguably BYU's best team ever.