Grading out the Utes win over Arizona State

Offense - B-

The Utah offense looked slow and sloppy to start the game with two fumbles on their opening two drives and added another fumble and an interception later on in the game, not something you want to do against anybody but especially against a ranked conference rival. But eventually, the Utah offense settled in and were able to make enough plays to come out with a big-time win.

Tyler Huntley was banged up and threw his first interception of the season, but still had 171 passing yards in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Jaylen Dixon got the game started with a rushing score, and of course, Zack Moss entered the Utah record books after a 99-yard, 2 touchdown performance. Considering the weather that the Utah offense had to play in, the game could have gone much worse for the Utes.

Defense - A+

This may have been the most impressive game for the Utah offense to this point in the season. I won’t even do a lot of the explaining here, but rather let these upsurd stats speak for themselves.

Bradlee Anae finished the game with three sacks. Jaylon Johnson held one of the top receivers in the Pac-12 to one catch for 7 yards. ASU finished the game with 8 first downs, the fewest in the Pac-12 era, and were only 2-of-13 on third down. The Sun Devils averaged 2.7 yards per play. ASU only scored 3 points, the first time they’ve been held without double-digit points in 126 games. ASU had 25 passing yards, the lowest in the Pac-12 era. ASU had 136 total yards, the 15th fewest yards in Utah opponent history. And finally, 3 points is the lowest amount of points the Utah defense has given up to a conference opponent since joining the Pac-12. Not a bad day.

Special Teams - A

It wasn’t an overly impressive day for the Utah special teams but they didn’t do anything to hurt this Utah team either. The Utah special teams came in and did their job and that’s really all you could ask for out of them considering the wind and the rain. Ben Lennon did a good job of not giving ASU ideal field position, punting the ball 5 times for 199 yards. And Jadon Redding converted on all three of his point-after attempts - he did not attempt a field goal. Overall a solid performance by the kickers in the cold, wind and rain.