Blackmon INT Leads To Utah TD; NIU Player Ejected For Targeting

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – With a needed touchdown for Northern Illinois to stay in the game, Utah safety Julian Blackmon intercepted a pass from quarterback Ross Bowers.

Blackmon’s second interception of the season led to a pass completion from quarterback Tyler Huntley to Bryan Thompson, who was hit by the crown of the helmet by NIU safety Mykelti Williams. The hit forced Thompson to fumble the ball and was scooped up by the Huskies.

The officials threw a penalty flag on the play for targeting. Once a targeting call is made, the officials go to instant replay to confirm the call, which was confirmed and Williams was ejected from the game. The ball was given back to the Utes.

Jaylen Dixon went 🆙 to catch this TD.

The Utes are rolling.

Watch @Utah_Football: https://t.co/DAbHOL77gu pic.twitter.com/A0i1V7q8A4

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 7, 2019

One play later, Huntley found wide receiver Jaylen Dixon for a 14-yard touchdown, giving the Utes a 35-17 lead in the early stages of the third quarter.

Blackmon’s first interception came at the start of the fourth quarter last week in the Utes 30-12 win over BYU in the season opener. Blackmon returned the interception for a touchdown, the second time the Utah safety has done so against their rivals in consecutive games.