The Utes didn’t have much issue in their game against the Arizona Wildcats this week, winning in a dominant 45-20 showing. Ja’Quinden Jackson had a strong showing for the Utes, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts.
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First half
Utah’s defense started strong, forcing a fumble on Arizona’s fourth play of the game. Following a punt that pinned Arizona at their own 2-yard line, the Utah defense stepped up again, forcing a 3 and out and getting Utah the ball at the Arizona 37-yard line.
Five plays later, Utah’s Jaylen Glover scored a 7-yard touchdown, the first touchdown of six for the Utes. On the second play of Arizona’s next drive, RB Michael Wiley took a handoff for 57 yards to the Utah 1-yard line, leading to a touchdown two plays later, tying the game up for the Wildcats.
This would prove to be the closest the Wildcats ever got to Utah’s lead, as the Utes scored touchdowns on two straight drives. Up 21-7, the Utes lined up for their second punt of the game. However, the punt was muffed at Arizona’s 9-yard line, leading to a 28-7 Utes lead one play later. After Arizona scored a field goal on their last drive before the half, the Utes led, 28-10 at halftime.
Arizona turnover leads to a @Utah_Football touchdown!
📺: Pac-12 Network
📱: https://t.co/Tp02fMfegU #GoUtes | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/Eq9SnziP0a— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 6, 2022
Second half
The Utes didn’t run into any trouble during the second half, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal in the second half.
On Arizona’s last possession, they punted the ball to Utah, leading to a safety. Following the safety, Arizona scored their second touchdown of the game and successfully completed a two-point conversion. This didn’t have much effect on the outcome of the game, however, as Utah won 45-20.
Game notes
Utah is good at running the football
Once claiming the lead, the Utes pounded the ball almost exclusively on the ground, rushing 55 times for 306 yards.
The Utes also controlled the ball for almost 38 minutes, a surefire sign of a smart and successful football team. If Utah keeps dominating in the games they are supposed to win, they have a legitimate shot at a PAC-12 championship.
Fumbling issue needs some resolving
The Utes lost two fumbles in the game while losing the ball three times in total. While Arizona had more of an issue (4 fumbles lost) and the rainy weather makes Utah’s fumbling issues seem less of a problem, the Utes can’t afford to lose two fumbles against a top-tier talent like Oregon later in the season.
Up next
The Utes (7-2) face Stanford (3-6) in their final home game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Kickoff time and the channel have yet to be announced.
