Game Balls for Utah’s win over UCLA

Offense - Tyler Huntley

Tyler Huntley had a performance so incredibly impressive that it kicked start a Heisman campaign by the University of Utah.

Huntley had what you could argue was the most efficient game of his career in the Utes’ win over the UCLA Bruins. The senior QB threw for an astonishing 335 yards on just 18 pass attempts to go along with two touchdowns. Huntley, known for having an incredibly high quarterback rating, finished with a QBR of 270.8, the highest of his career with multiple passing attempts.

Huntley also set a season-high in passing yards with his 335 yards through the air, while also adding a score of his own on the ground. While I still believe that Zack Moss is the most talented player on this Utah offense, Huntley has proven to be an invaluable part of this Utah offense, evident by the recent #HuntleyForHeisman campaign, and could prove to be the key to making a push for the College Football Playoffs.

Defense - Mika Tafua

On a day where the Utah defense looked as dominant as it ever has, it was a fumble recovery taken back 68-yards for a score that was the crowning moment for the Utah defense.

Mike Tafua isn’t the most well-known player along this Utah defense, oftentimes being forgotten among the likes Leki Fotu, Bradlee Anae, Jaylon Johnson and Julian Blackmon. But while those players may be the bigger stars, Tafua has put together a solid season for this Utah defense.

Tafua has racked up 14 solo tackles to go along with 13 assisted tackles and four tackles for a loss. But perhaps the most impressive number of all of them is that Tafua has seemed to always find himself in the right spot, recovering four fumbles this season. His 68-yard fumble return for a touchdown just being the latest.

Special Teams - Jadon Redding

When the offense and defense is clicking like they were on Saturday night there really isn’t much left for special teams players to do to make a significant impact. It’s not as if the Utes relied on Redding to come in a knock through some 50-yard field goals like they did with Matt Gay last season.

But Redding’s 7-for-7 extra point attempts was as much as Redding could do because it was all he was asked to do.