Following a tough loss to No. 11 UCLA last week, the Utes’ won a close game against undefeated No. 7 USC to keep its conference title hopes alive.
First half
The Trojans started hot, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives while the Utes missed a field goal on their first drive.
After the Trojans scored in their second drive, the Utes marched down the field to get on the board with a touchdown. The scoring went back and forth throughout the rest of the first half, the Trojans ending the first half with a 28-21 lead on the Utes.
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Second half
Utah came into the second half blazing, scoring a touchdown on their first drive back from the break. USC fired back, with Caleb Williams throwing his fourth passing touchdown just under a minute later.
Down 35-28, the Utes struggled to put any points on the board during the rest of the third quarter, which ended with the Trojans still up by a touchdown.
Cam Rising then scored a rushing touchdown less than five minutes into the fourth quarter, tying the game at 35. On their next drive, the Trojans scored yet again, taking a 42-35 lead.
Then, during the third drive of the quarter, another touchdown was scored. Running the clock down to under a minute, Cam Rising rushed for his third touchdown of the game on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line – his fifth total touchdown – to put the Utes in position to tie the game and force overtime.
However, Kyle Whittingham had other plans.
Going for the lead, Whittingham had his star quarterback drop back to pass. Finding nothing, Rising ran the ball into the end zone, putting the Utes up 43-42. The Trojans weren’t able to get down the field in time to get a field goal off, and the Utes upset the Trojans, with no extra time necessary.
Following Tennessee’s upset of Alabama earlier in the day, the Top 10 is sure to change in the upcoming rankings. Both Rising and Caleb Williams were responsible for five touchdowns on the night, while neither turned the ball over.
What does this win mean for Utah?
Following this win, the Utes are now likely to leapfrog multiple ranked opponents who lost today.
After taking down the 7th-ranked team in college football, one can’t help but think that the Utes are likely to not be ranked outside of the Top 15. With No. 11 UCLA facing No. 12 Oregon next week, there’s likely to be a lot of mixup in the Pac-12 standings in the weeks to come. As it sits today, however, the Utes are currently fourth in the Pac-12, behind UCLA, Oregon, and USC in that order. Utes fans are likely to want to cheer for UCLA next week against Oregon, as that will benefit the Utes the most.
Up next
The Utes will have a bye week before traveling to Washington State on Thursday, Oct. 27. The game can be seen on FS1.
All stats, unless otherwise noted, are via www.ESPN.com.
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