Utah Moves Up In AP Top 25 Following Victory Over USC

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah football team moved up the AP Top 25 rankings following a big victory over the previously undefeated USC Trojans.

The Utes took down the Trojans on Saturday, October 15.

A day later, Utah moved up five spots in the AP Poll.

AP Top 25 Poll: Week 8

Week of October 16, 2022

1. Georgia (7-0)
2. Ohio State (6-0)
3. Tennessee (6-0)
4. Michigan (7-0)
5. Clemson (7-0)
6. Alabama (6-1)
7. Ole Miss (7-0)
8. TCU (6-0)
9. UCLA (6-0)
10. Oregon (5-1)
11. Oklahoma State (5-1)
12. USC (6-1)
13. Wake Forest (5-1)
14. Syracuse (6-0)
15. Utah (5-2)
16. Penn State (5-1)
17. Kansas State (5-1)
18. Illinois (6-1)
19. Kentucky (5-2)
20. Texas (5-2)
21. Cincinnati (5-1)
22. North Carolina (6-1)
23. N.C. State (5-2)
24. Mississippi State (5-2)
25. Tulane (6-1)

15 in the AP Poll pic.twitter.com/PjORaG9mDd

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 16, 2022

Utah shocks USC in SLC

It was another classic showdown between Utah and USC where Cam Rising lifted the Utes to a 43-42 win over the Trojans on Saturday.

Utah ran down the clock trailing by seven points when Cam Rising ran in a one-yard touchdown with 48 seconds left in the game. Rather than going for the tie, Kyle Whittingham elected to go for two and the win. Rising ran in the two-point conversion to put the Utes up 43-42. That left the Trojans with 48 seconds to try and get in field goal range.

They were unable to get down the field and the Utes pulled off the upset and handed USC their first loss of the season.

Rising finished the game by completing 29 of his 43 pass attempts for 415 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 11 times for 60 yards and three touchdowns. Dalton Kincaid also had a career night with 15 catches for 217 yards and one touchdown. Devaughn Vele and Micah Bernard each added five catches.

Utah’s offense finished with 562 yards of total offense, including 424 passing, and 138 rushing.

USC’s offense was tremendous in the loss with 556 of total offense, including 381 passing, and 175 rushing. Caleb Williams made a case to be a Heisman Trophy Finalist with 381 yards passing and five touchdowns. He also had eight carries for 57 yards and one touchdown.

The Trojans had two players with over 100 yards receiving, including Jordan Addison with seven receptions for 106 yards and one touchdown, and Mario Williams with four catches for 145 yards.

USC’s offense could not be stopped as they scored 14 points in each of the first two quarters to take a 28-21 lead at the break. Each team added one touchdown in the third quarter. USC had a lead with six minutes left but Utah’s last drive was 15 plays for 75 yards and took 5:27 off the clock.

Utah improved its record to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Pac-12 play. They will have a bye next week before heading to Pullman to face the Washington State Cougars on Thursday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m. MT on FS1.