Instant Takeaways: Utah Comes Up Just Short In Upset Bid, Lose 31-28 To Iowa State
Nov 23, 2024, 9:04 PM | Updated: 10:35 pm
Utah Football Junior Tafuna, Logan Fano. PHOTO by Joel Davidson
SALT LAKE CITY – On a cold November night, at the tail end of a difficult season, Utah football provided a valiant effort but came up just short in the end. Kyle Whittingham’s squad fell to No. 22 Iowa State, 31-28.
The offense showed no signs of life for most of the game. Then, Luke Bottari, filling in for an injured Isaac Wilson marched Utah 91 yards for the go-ahead touchdown score with 5:51 left in the game.
With a defensive and special teams score, the Utes held onto a 28-24 lead over Matt Campbell’s squad. Unfortunately, the defense was unable to get the last stop they needed and Iowa State punched in the go-ahead touchdown with 1:31 left in the game.
Bottari led Utah to about midfield after two quick completions. However, an intentional grounding call a few plays later ultimately cost Utah their chance at an upset bid or tie to send it to overtime. Cole Becker missed a 53-yard field goal and Iowa State escaped Rice Eccles with the win.
Indecisiveness, Lack Of Progress Throwing The Ball
Utah’s offensive struggles are at the core of the team’s losing streak. The offense has been unable to sustain much success in the last seven games.
At the half, Utah had 50 passing yards on five completions; 46 of those yards came on one completion.
Isaac Wilson is a true freshman, and the leap from high school to college is significant. However, the lack of progress this season is very concerning.
Compared to previous games, Wilson had ample time in the pocket. However, his indecisiveness hurt him and the passing attack tonight.
Wilson could not identify open receivers, but receivers were getting open throughout the game. At times, it seemed that Wilson was big-play hunting, as he missed numerous opportunities for quick, easy completions.
This has been Wilson’s most consistent problem and the lack of improvement in this regard is the greatest concern.
The fact that Luke Bottari nearly matched Wilson’s production in three possessions. Bottari took the easy completions and finished 5-of-9 for 55 yards, he also ran for 47 yards on 4 carries.
Utah’s Loss Of The Bully Identity
Utah earned the reputation of “bully” in the Pac-12 conference. Utah not only out-physical’d teams, but players played to and through the whistle with that physicality.
There were moments, mostly on offense, when the Iowa State players displayed more physicality and toughness than Utah. They consistently played to and through the whistle and did so with a swagger that Utah’s offense was unable to match.
Given the struggles, Utah’s offense has little to be confident about right now. However, it has to find a way to maintain that bully mentality.
Total Plays
A crazy statistic: Iowa State nearly doubled Utah in total plays ran, the Cyclones finished with 78 compared to Utah’s 45.
The last two offensive possessions help Utah to close that gap. Iowa State doubled up Utah for most of the game. Their offense was on the field a lot, while Utah struggled to put together offensive drives.
The Cyclones dominated time of possession, 35:54 to 24:06. The Utah defense put up a valiant effort but was clearly worn down by the end of the game.
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht made a living off of short completions, which opened up opportunities for deeper connections.
Utah finally was able to put together drives when they started taking the easy completions.
The Pick-Six Streak Lives On
In the second quarter, Lander Barton intercepted a pass that bounced off the hands of the intended target.
The interception took place at Utah’s own 13-yard line, and after making a couple of Iowa State players miss, Barton streaked down the sideline. It took one last block by Zemaiah Vaughn to get Barton into the end zone, but he took it back all 87 yards.
His interception preserved and extended Utah’s streak of at least one pick-six to 21 seasons.
With regard to Barton individually, he’s made impact plays over the last few weeks. After a difficult injury last year that lingered throughout the offseason, it seems he’s finally regaining his groove as a playmaker.
Punt Block Touchdown
For the first time since 2008, Utah blocked a punt and scored a touchdown. Jackson Bennee was the player to block the punt. He had a great jump at the snap and got by everyone off the edge.
After a mad scramble for the ball, David Washington was able to fall on it in the end zone for the touchdown. The score made it 24-21 and gave Utah a defensive and special teams score.
Given the offensive struggles, it was good to see these two units come through big tonight.
