No. 7 Utah’s Offense, Defense Dominate In Blowout Win Over UCLA
Nov 16, 2019, 10:46 PM | Updated: Nov 17, 2019, 12:39 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The seventh ranked Utah Utes had a fantastic performance from both the offense and the defense in their 49-3 win over UCLA.
It was a somewhat slow start when UCLA appeared in the red zone and the Utes had two sacks to force the Bruins to kick a field goal. That was the last time that UCLA would score.
“Outstanding performance by our guys tonight,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Proud of them. Offense and defense really both played well. That’s a good football team too in that other locker room. They have got a lot of playmakers, the quarterback is special and we just played well tonight. Give them some credit because they have some guys out there that are talented and athletic.”
Explosive Offense
Insert quarterback Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss, who both had rushing touchdowns in the first and second quarters to start the run of scoring 49 unanswered points.
Huntley finished with 335 passing yards on 14-of-18 attempts and two touchdowns through the air as well as a score on the ground.
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📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Z6vrByYbZW
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 17, 2019
Moss recorded 200 yards of total offense, 127 rushing and 73 receiving and two touchdowns.
Utah also took advantage of the long ball that UCLA presented as a weakness in their defense as Huntley threw a 69-yard touchdown to tight end Brant Kuithe, who finished with a career-high 132 receiving yards on 5 catches. Huntley also connected with Samson Nacua in the fourth quarter for an 83-yard touchdown.
Stifling Defense
The Utes had the consistent play of their elite defense, who came up big once again. Defensive end Mika Tafua recovered a fumble and returned it 68-yards for a touchdown, the first of his career.
Safety Julian Blackmon was all over the field with a game-high 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and an interception.
HE COULD. GO. ALL. THE. WAY!
Mika Tafua with the 68 yard scoop and score and Utah's defense strikes again!#goutes #BigManTD
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/3UiOhOJTw8— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 17, 2019
Defensive end Bradlee Anae picked up two sacks, he now has 10 on the season and 27 for his career.
They held UCLA’s offense to 269 yards of total offense, 219 passing and 50 rushing. Utah limited UCLA’s star running back Joshua Kelley to 78 yards on 19 carries.
Utah has held four opponents to zero touchdowns this season.
The Utes improved to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in Pac-12 play and have won six straight games. They will travel to Arizona to face the Wildcats in the final road game of the regular season. The start time and broadcast information is to be determined.
