Though they came up short as team, the Utah Utes were in the game for the most part thanks to a stellar effort by the defense in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Utah had an opportunity to play in their first ever Rose Bowl, all that they had to do was beat No.11 Washington in the Pac-12 Championship game. No. 17 Utah lost 10-3 in a defensive battle.
With 5:10 remaining in the game, the Washington Huskies had a chance to kick a field goal and go up two possessions in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Utah defensive lineman John Penisini had other plans.
The Pac-12 Championship Game’s first touchdown came towards the end of the third quarter on a 66-yard interception return by Washington defensive back Byron Murphy.
Utah kicker Matt Gay tied up the Pac-12 Championship game at 3-all midway through the third quarter with a 53-yard field that just barely sailed over the top of the crossbar.
Utah defensive back Javelin Guidry’s interception at the beginning of the second quarter highlighted what was a mostly uneventful first half in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
The University of Utah couldn't get a lot going on offense in the first 30 minutes of play, putting up just 61 yards of total offense. Washington had a 3-0 lead at halftime.
The University of Utah and the University of Washington face off for the Pac-12 Championship. Utah won the Pac-12 south division while Washington was crown north division champions. KSL Sports is updating the game.
A statistic that hasn't been mentioned much is how the Utes have performed against Pac-12 opponents coming off of a grueling, emotional and physical battle with their rival BYU.
It’s no secret that the University of Utah is widely considered the underdog in the upcoming Pac 12 Championship game where they will take on the University of Washington.
The Pac-12 Championship game will be the second time this season that Washington and Utah have met. Washington won the first meeting 21-7 on September 15 in Salt Lake City.
When Utah and Washington face each other in the Pac-12 Championship in Santa Clara, California, there will be a lot of match ups to watch for on the field.
Is it possible for both Utes and Cougars fans to chalk up Saturday’s rivalry game as a win even though the final score was 35-27 in favor of the Utah? KSL Sports' Scott Mitchell made that argument in his recent Helmets Off podcast.
The Utah Utes will head into uncharted waters when they meet Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game Friday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.