Utes’ Second Half Adjustments Lead To Dominant Rivalry Win
Aug 30, 2019, 2:01 AM | Updated: 8:58 am
Members of the Utah Utes sing their fight song after winning their game against the BYU Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on August 29, in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – It took the University of Utah two quarters to shake off the rust offensively, but in the second half, they turned it on to beat the BYU Cougars 30-12 for their ninth straight win in the rivalry.
The Utes held a 9-6 at the half off of a 41-yard field goal by Andrew Strauch and a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown by Francis Bernard. BYU’s three points came from a 32-yard field goal by Jake Oldroyd.
The Utes outscored the Cougars 21-6 in the second half.
Here is the “Three Point Stance,” the three takeaways from Utah’s win over BYU in the rivalry game.
— Kyle Whittingham (@UtahCoachWhitt) August 30, 2019
1. Utah’s Defense Took Over In Second Half
The Utes forced three turnovers in the game with all three turning into touchdowns. Two of the three turnovers were returned for touchdowns without the defense having to take the field.
Bernard’s interception that he took to the end zone was the momentum swinging play for the Utes because the offense produced just 125 yards in the opening half with BYU racking up 196.
That Utes defense showing up tonight.
Two pick-6️⃣s help lead @Utah_Football to victory over rival BYU. pic.twitter.com/Za5LGM4W0t
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) August 30, 2019
Once the second half started, Utah jumped out to a 16-6 lead on a touchdown run by wide receiver Jaylen Dixon. Utah forced a fumble on BYU’s next possession that was recovered by defensive end Mika Tafua. Three plays later, running back Zack Moss ran in a four yard touchdown.
BYU had the ball back, trailing 23-6, quarterback Zach Wilson threw an interception to Julian Blackmon, who ran the ball back 39 yards for a touchdown.
2. Zack Moss Is Back
He racked up 187 yards on the ground in the Utes 30-12 win over the BYU Cougars in the season opener.
Moss rushed for just 58 yards in the first half but posted 129 yards in the second half.
With the performance, Moss has passed former Ute Devontae Booker for third all-time in school history in rushing yards.
He is 383 yards away from passing Eddie Johnson for the all-time leader in school history.
Moss made his first start since injuring his knee last season and missed the final five games of the season, including the Pac-12 Championship game and the Holiday Bowl against Northwestern.
3. Lightning Delay Didn’t Affect Utes
With 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the game went into a lightning delay for 54 minutes before play resumed.
Utah was ahead 30-12 when the delay happened. When play resumed, Utah chewed up the clock by running the ball with Moss and Jordan Wilmore.
After the game, Tyler Huntley told the media what they did to pass time during the delay.
“I had Rice Krispy’s and some oranges and then we came out and Zack Moss ran it down their throat,” Huntley said.
