Utes Win In Colorado Thanks To Big Third Quarter

BOULDER, Colo. – The Utah Utes endured snowy conditions and the loss of a star player early in the game to win their final Pac-12 regular season game of the year in a 30-7 victory over Colorado.

The Utes suffered a major setback towards the end of the first quarter when star linebacker Chase Hansen was disqualified for the remainder of the game due to a targeting penalty. Without arguably their best defensive player, the Utes struggled to keep Colorado out of the end zone on that drive as Steven Montez connected with Travon McMillian for a 13-yard strike to Colorado the early lead.

Utah LB Chase Hansen is ejected for targeting on a play that was neither targeting nor roughing the passer, as both were called after the hit on #CUBuffs QB Steven Montez. Completely clean hit, Hansen’s helmet to the side. #Pac12

— Kyle Newman (@KyleNewmanDP) November 17, 2018

Utes Fight Back Without Hansen

However, from that point on it was all Utah. An interception by Marquise Blair gave Utah the ball back on the next Colorado possession. The Utes then quickly scored on a 10-yard pass from Jason Shelley to Samson Nacua, who made an incredible one-handed catch to tie things up. The first half ended with the score tied 7-all.

In the second half, Utah scored on their first five possessions to pull away from Colorado. The scoring began with a 33 yard field goal by Matt Gay to give Utah their first lead of the game. After a quick three and out by the Buffaloes, it took the Utes just two plays to expand the lead on a 47 yard strike from Shelley to Jaylen Dixon. Another Colorado three and out preceded a Utah drive that ended with a goal line punch-in by Armand Shyne to Utah a 24-7 lead. Gay kicked two more field goals, the first from 31 yards and the second from 51 yards to complete the scoring for Utah.

Best field goal kicker in the land.
Matt Gay drills one from 51 yards and the Utes go up 30-7 with 8:09 left.#goutes #UTAHvsCU pic.twitter.com/FDNTpGN9aG

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 17, 2018

No Hansen, No Problem

Even though they lost Hansen early in the game, the Utes mounted a stingy defensive effort. They allowed just Colorado to pick up just 196 total yards in the snowy conditions, including just 34 yards on the ground. They also forced three takeaways, one interception and two fumbles.

Defense! Defense!#goutes #UTAHvsCU pic.twitter.com/mgnlpsFj3Y

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 17, 2018

Go Ducks, Say Ute Fans

Now that they’ve done their part to lock up the Pac-12 south division, the Utes will be rooting for Oregon to defeat Arizona State later in the evening on Saturday to secure a place in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The Oregon-ASU game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network at 8:30 p.m.

That’s the game! @Utah_Football with an emphatic 30-7 victory and finishes conference play at 6-3. And now we wait! #goutes #UTAHvsCU pic.twitter.com/BlLs620VxE

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 17, 2018

Showdown With BYU Up Next

The Utes will finish up their regular reason with the rivalry game against BYU next Saturday at 8 p.m. The game will be shown on FS1.