Early Deficit Dooms No. 22 Utah Football As They Drop To No. 17 Arizona
Nov 18, 2023, 3:57 PM | Updated: 3:57 pm
TUCSON, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Bryson Barnes #16 of the Utah Utes prepares for the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Utah Utes football team went down big in the first half and couldn’t put together a comeback as they dropped to Arizona in week 12.
Heading into the matchup, the Wildcats were ranked 17th in the AP College Football Playoff Rankings while the Utes held the No. 22 spot.
With both sides holding a 7-3 record, bowl eligibility was on the line in Arizona Stadium on Saturday.
Utah v. Arizona Pregame
A little over an hour till kickoff.#UTAHvsAZ #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/hmh4NCzY4t
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
📍 Arizona Stadium pic.twitter.com/b19KZZKQ3D
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 18, 2023
📍Arizona Stadium pic.twitter.com/pdZEbxFK1H
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 18, 2023
First Half
First Quarter
Utah won the toss and deferred. Defense is up first in this one.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Nice PBU for Zemaiah Vaughn on a long ball from Noah Fifita. #GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
🚨 PASSING TD FOR MCMILLAN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/7goaEQHLvz
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 18, 2023
Arizona is on the board first after several nice throws from Noah Fifita to move the chains.#UTAH 0 | #ARIZONA 7
10:33 Q1#UTAHvsAZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
First offensive possession for Utah was short and rough.
Jack Bouwmeester out to punt which was blocked and returned for a touchdown…#UTAHvsAZ
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
✅ Block
✅ Scoop
✅ ScoreAnthony Ward puts the Wildcats up by 14 😼 pic.twitter.com/QvHbqUw67z
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 18, 2023
Arizona extends their lead quickly off a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown.#UTAH 0 | #ARIZONA 14
8:32 Q1#UTAHvsAZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
Flag was picked up for unnecessary roughness, Utah to punt away instead. It gets off this time.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Arizona is moving the chains with little problem at the moment. Whatever they try has mostly worked.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
TOUCHDOWN. CATS. @Montana_L_Craig pic.twitter.com/ZhCMYBMr8N
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) November 18, 2023
Arizona is rolling early in this game. The Wildcats extended their lead on a 32-yard touchdown pass.#UTAH 0 | #ARIZONA 21
4:06 Q1#UTAHvsAZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
Another three and out for the Utah offense. Jack Bouwmeester gets the punt off.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Arizona taking a time out on 3rd and 8 on their own 47.
31 seconds left to play in the first quarter.#UTAHvsAZ
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
END OF QUARTER
Arizona with a 21-0 lead over the #Utes.
The Wildcats have amassed 196 offensive yards to Utah’s 23.
Utah is 0-3 on third down.
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Second Quarter
Arizona has extended their lead once again.#UTAH 0 | #ARIZONA 28
14:53 Q2#UTAHvsAZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
Michael Wiley goes 31 yards untouched to put Arizona up 28-0 👀 pic.twitter.com/KuUEZN6ju1
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 18, 2023
Utah offense seems to have found a rhythm this go-around. 2nd and 3 on the Arizona 40 after the injury timeout for Arizona.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Sione Vaki with the circus catch. A little slow to get up. Bryson Barnes goes to Ja’Quinden Jackson on the following play on 3rd and 9.
Utah knocking on the door.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
And interception. No points for Utah.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Utah defense got a stop. Arizona to punt away.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Ja’Quinden Jackson bursts through for a first down.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Arizona gets hit with the offside making it 3rd and 1 for Utah.
Bryson Barnes keeps and moves the chains.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Bryson Barnes connects again with Devaughn Vele for 24 yards.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Bryson Barnes lobs it up as he gets hit and Devaughn Vele caught it for the Utes’ first touchdown.
Desert weirdness at its finest.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Incredible pass and catch to get the Utes on the board 🙌 pic.twitter.com/A4rUoi6DrR
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 18, 2023
Utah gets on the board after Bryson Barnes connects 20 yards for the touchdown with receiver Devaughn Vele.#UTAH 7 | #ARIZONA 28
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
RELATED: Bryson Barnes Finds Devaughn Vele To Put Utah On Board
Arizona takes their last timeout of the half on 3rd and 3 on the Utah 20. There is three seconds left to play.#UTAHvsAZ
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
HALFTIME
Arizona misses their field goal as time expires. Looks like Utah got a hand on it.
Wildcats still lead 28-7.#UTAHvsAZ
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Utah 7 – Arizona 28 at the half
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 18, 2023
Second Half
Third Quarter
Utah gets the ball to start the second half. Lets see what happens now.#UTAHvsAZ
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Utah getting the run game going in this half. Ja’Quinden Jackson, Sione Vaki and Jaylon Glover all with big runs.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Big 3rd and 16 for Utah deep in Arizona territory.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Cole Becker puts a 36-yard field goal through the uprights to cut into Arizona’s lead. Still a lot of work to do to catch up.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Bryson Barnes and the Utah offense move the chains enough to start the second half to set up a 36-yard Cole Becker field goal.#UTAH 10 | #ARIZONA 28
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
Every time it looks like Utah’s defense has Arizona’s offense contained, the Wildcats pull something out of their hats.
1st and 10 on the Utah 33.
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Utah defense forces the field goal and Arizona doinks it.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Utah decides to stay out on the field on 4th and 8. Arizona jumps giving the Utes five free yards. 4th and 3.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Bryson Barnes tried to connect with Landen King down the field on 4th and 3, but no cigar.
Turn over on downs.
Arizona takes over on their own 40.
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Utah defense does it’s job and forces a punt. Utes offense needs to get something going in another downpour here in Tucson. Easier said than done.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Fourth Quarter
Ja’Quinden Jackson running angry there to push through for the first down.
Timeout for injured Arizona player.#UTAHvsAZ
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Sione Vaki looked like he was on skates there and not in a good way.#Utes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Very nice catch there for Devaughn Vele. Utah has struggled as a whole, but Vele has had a pretty nice game.#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Interception on 3rd and 12. Woof.
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
Arizona on the board again. Just not Utah’s day.
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 18, 2023
.@jonahcoleman8 PUNCHES IT IN FOR ANOTHER ARIZONA TD. 💥
AZ 35 – Utah 10
📺: Pac-12 Network pic.twitter.com/JHiVL3uHrT
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) November 18, 2023
Arizona extends their lead again.#UTAH 10 | #ARIZONA 35
7:57 Q4#UTAHvsAZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
On the final offensive drive of the game for Utah, they were able to tack on eight with a wide-open pass to Munir McClain and a two-point conversion by Bryson Barnes.
Munir McClain gets into the endzone for the #Utes. pic.twitter.com/WyjL16dfQv
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
Bryson Barnes follows it up with the 2-point conversion.#UTAH 28 | #ARIZONA 35 pic.twitter.com/pPT4gdChdh
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
Arizona answered with a deep ball touchdown to pass the 40-point mark.
TMAC.
THAT’S IT, THAT’S THE TWEET.
📺: Pac-12 Network pic.twitter.com/Mkxb4Zi7br
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) November 18, 2023
Arizona answers right back though.#UTAH 18 | #ARIZONA 42
And :32 seconds left at that.#UTAHvsAZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 18, 2023
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Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on X, Instagram, and Threads: @BodkinKSLsports
Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
