No. 9 Utes Get Statement Road Win Over Washington Huskies
Nov 2, 2019, 5:54 PM | Updated: 8:18 pm
SEATTLE, Wash. – The ninth ranked University of Utah football team made a statement in the Pac-12 after getting a big 33-28 win over the Washington Huskies in Seattle.
It was Utah’s fifth straight win.
It’s a statement because if Utah wants to achieve their goal and win the Pac-12 title, they had to win a game on the road against a good football team in a hostile environment and they did just that.
The Huskies have had the Utes number since joining the Pac-12 in 2011, holding a 6-1 record entering Saturday’s contest. Washington was the more well-rested team, coming off of a bye week and Utah knocking off Cal last week, 35-0.
Another Saturday.
Another @Utah_Football victory. 🙌 #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/4XnZNWEhbh
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 2, 2019
It’s also a statement because it took big plays from both sides of the ball to get a win over a tough and physical Washington side.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley was injured and not 100 percent healthy against the Huskies after suffering a knee injury two weeks ago against Arizona State. The senior completed 19 of their 24 passing attempts for 284 yards and one touchdown through the air, as well as a rushing touchdown.
Running back Zack Moss racked up 100 yards on 27 carries and one touchdown. He also caught five passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Utah’s defense was tested but they made big plays when they mattered the most. In the first half, John Penisini forced a fumble and Utah recovered and settled for a field goal. The second half was the game changer when cornerback Jaylon Johnson shifted the momentum with an interception returned for a touchdown to bring Utah within two points.
Washington head coach Chris Petersen was 14-0 in games after a bye week in his career, Utah gave him his first loss. The Huskies have lost two straight games for the first time since 2015, which coincidentally is the other time that Utah knocked off the Huskies in this series.
The Utes and USC are tied for first place in the Pac-12 South, but the Trojans currently hold the tiebreaker after beating Utah on September 20. USC has a big game on Saturday, hosting No. 7 Oregon.
Utah will have a bye this next week before returning to Rice-Eccles Stadium to face the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, November 16. The game and broadcast information will be announced on Monday.
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