Utah Grinds Out Road Win Over Arizona After Strong Second Half Performance
Nov 13, 2021, 11:59 AM | Updated: 3:40 pm
The Utah Utes warm up before the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Utah had to scratch and claw their way to a 38-29 win on the road over Arizona to keep control of the Pac-12 South Division.
It was a physical game full of penalties but Utah’s offense posted 468 yards of total offense in their win over Arizona. Kyle Whittingham picked up win No. 141 as the head coach of the Utes which is tied for the program record with Ike Armstrong.
Cam Rising completed 19 of his 30 pass attempts for 294 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 22 yards and another score. T.J. Pledger led the run game with 25 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s Utah’s third straight win and six of their last seven.
Pregame
Pac-12 teams have been supportive of the Utah football program after losing Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe tragically in the last year. Arizona put roses on their 22-yard line before kickoff.
.@ArizonaFBall put these roses at the 22-yard line. #LLTJ #LLAL #22forever pic.twitter.com/V1aqnKpSa0
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
Utah RB Micah Bernard was having fun during the pregame warmups.
.@ctb_mb is a vibe. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/CFtcea4ZEW
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
The offensive line has been a critical part to Utah’s success. You can see in the photo below how close this group is.
These guys have been tremendous for Utah. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/lheBgRfGjf
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
It sounds like Tavion Thomas is being held out of the Arizona game for precautionary reasons. He was not warming up with the running backs in Tucson.
Tavion Thomas is not with the RB’s during warmups. #GoUtes @kslsports pic.twitter.com/gmj1m2Sx69
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) November 13, 2021
Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid have been a big part of Utah’s success on offense this season.
Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid putting in work. #GoUtes
🎥: @NateDowdle pic.twitter.com/Do9ToMPCkb
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
Captain and star linebacker Devin Lloyd knows all of the handshakes.
.@DevinLloyd_ knows all the handshakes. #GoUtes
🎥: @NateDowdle pic.twitter.com/0MCfEhu7Ig
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
First Quarter
Utah won the coin toss and once again elected to receive. They stormed down the field in nine plays that resulted in an 11-yard TD run by Cam Rising. Utah was up 7-0 with 10:05 to play in the first.
.@crising7 showing off his wheels. 💨#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZ https://t.co/pxEx0a1fNb
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
Arizona was facing fourth down with five yards to go when Will Plummer ran up the middle for a 43-yard TD. The Wildcats tied the game at seven with 7:44 remaining in the first quarter.
Utah was forced to punt on their next possession and Arizona went down the field with little to no difficulty. Michael Wiley ran in a touchdown to give AZ a 14-7 lead with 1:41 remaining in the opening quarter.
Utah's defense is making it easy for Arizona's offense. They went down the field with little to no difficulty and Michael Wiley finds the end zone.
Wildcats up 14-7 with 1:41 left in the first.#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZ @kslsports
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) November 13, 2021
At the end of the first quarter:@Utah_Football is in the red zone to start the 2nd.#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZ pic.twitter.com/HjIvS1ngnP
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
Second Quarter
Utah was on the Arizona 15-yard line to start the second quarter. T.J. Pledger ran into the end zone on the first play of the period to tie the game with 14:48 remaining in the first half.
.@uno_tj finds pay dirt for the fourth time this season. 🙌#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZhttps://t.co/NXcyyvjelx
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
Arizona took the lead back late in the second half as Lucas Havrisik nails a 57-yard field goal to put the Wildcats ahead 17-14 with 1:24 until halftime.
The Utes needed another nine plays to go 75 yards down the field. With five seconds left in the half, Rising found Brant Kuithe for a quick two-yard TD pass to put them up 21-17 at the break.
.@crising7 ➡️ @Brantkuithe14 6️⃣#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZhttps://t.co/RVV0NuceJc
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
HALFTIME@Utah_Football gets the late TD to head into the locker room with the lead.#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZ pic.twitter.com/EKT9WkUpOq
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
Third Quarter
Arizona started the second half with the ball but was stopped on third down in Utah territory. They settled for a 31-yard field goal to trim the deficit to one, 21-20 with 11:33 left in the third.
Utah had a similar situation happen by getting down the field but settling for a 30-yard field goal to extend their lead to 24-20 with 6:58 to play in the quarter. After Arizona punted the ball away, the Utes stormed down the field in just six plays and Rising found Dalton Kincaid for a 17-yard touchdown. Utah had their biggest lead of the game to that point, 31-20 with 2:57 remaining in the third.
Another tight end touchdown on a toss by @crising7. 🙌#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZhttps://t.co/kPcl1UBAnk
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
15 minutes away from @Utah_Football's third straight win.#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZ pic.twitter.com/CmYeCp67bm
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
Fourth Quarter
After a ton of flags, Arizona finally had to settle for a 22-yard field goal. Utah’s lead was trimmed to 31-23 with 11:31 to play in the game.
I know roughing the passer has been used heavily in this game but that was the right call on Devin Kaufusi.#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZ @kslsports
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) November 13, 2021
Vonte Davis gets flagged for targeting but after review it was not. Play on.#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZ @kslsports
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) November 13, 2021
Utah was forced to punt but Michael Williams’ punt was blocked by Nazar Bombata and recovered by Ari Short for a three-yard TD. They didn’t get the two-point conversion so Utah’s lead was 31-29 with under 11 minutes to play in the game.
Punting problems is baffling to say the least.#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZ @kslsports
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) November 13, 2021
On Utah’s next drive of the game, they ran 15 plays for 75 yards and chewed 8:24 off the clock. T.J. Pledger ran in his second touchdown of the game from two-yards out. The Utes held a 38-29 lead with 2:10 to play in the game.
TJ Pledger is TOUGH 💪#GoUtes #UTAHvsAZhttps://t.co/MizcyAGwkv
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 13, 2021
Arizona turned the ball over on downs and that sealed the win.
Utah improved their record to 7-3 overall and 6-1 in Pac-12 play. They will return home to face No. 3 Oregon on Saturday, November 20. The kickoff time and television network will be announced either on Saturday night or Sunday.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
