What We Learned About Utah against Arizona State

The Utah Utes took care of business in a 49-26 blowout road victory at Sun Devil Stadium against Arizona State. Here are three things we learned about the Utes in week eleven.

1. Passing Game

The Utah offense started out the first half against Arizona State just about as dreadful as the worst game of your nightmares. On the first play of the game the football was snapped before the Utes were set and smacked Troy Williams in the helmet for a fumble and loss. During the second possession for the Utes, once again a fumble turned the ball over to the Sun Devils and this time they capitalized by putting a field goal through the uprights. Two punts for Utah and ten points for ASU later, the Utes started the second quarter with a touchdown in less than two minutes. Once the second quarter began the Utes offense looked like a different crowd. Quarterback Troy Williams played the best game of his Utah career thus far connecting with seven different receivers for 296 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver, Raelon Singleton also had a breakout game with four receptions, 116 yards and three touchdowns. Even with a slow start the Utah offense gave us the performance we have been waiting for this season.

2. Eleven

It was like watching Oprah’s Christmas television special “Oprah’s Favorite Things” when the defense took the field against Arizona State last week. “You get a sack. And you get a sack. Everybodyyyyyyyy gets a sack.” Six defensive players combined for eleven tackles and a total of 80 yards for loss. Senior Hunter Dimick racked up six sacks on his own, Pita Taumoepenu accounted for three and Lowell Lotulelei and Bradlee Anae each had one. After giving up 20 points in the first half the defense returned to the field with extreme focus and showcased one of their most complete games.

3. Healthy Players

If there was ever any question how much of a bearing injuries have had on the Utes this season it was more than evident in the return of several impact players against the Sun Devils. Senior wide receiver, Cory Butler-Byrd, returned and completed seven passes for 72 yards. Also on offense a healthy, Tim Patrick, connected for 47 yards on three passes. Junior Marcus Williams returned on the defensive side of the ball at defensive back and led the team in solo tackles with nine. Williams also accounted for an interception on Arizona State’s first possession of the game. Several other previously injured players were back against Arizona State, including Zach Moss and Harrison Hadley, who paved the way for a Utah victory.

After putting away the Sun Devils, Utah has two more games left in the regular season. The Utes will take on the 3-7 Oregon Ducks in an early afternoon matchup at Rice Eccles Stadium for the senior game.