Utes Play Role Of Spoiler With Win Over No. 21 Colorado

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utes played the role of spoiler in their 38-21 win over the 21st ranked Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder.

Utah faced some challenges throughout the game but prevailed in the end to hand the Buffaloes their first loss of the 2020 season. Utes quarterback Jake Bentley went 20-of-32 passing for 240 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Running back Ty Jordan had another outstanding performance, racking up 147 yards on 17 carries for two touchdowns.

Wide receiver Britain Covey hauled in a career-high 9 receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown. For Colorado, the No. 2 rusher in the nation Jarek Broussard was held in check with just 80 rushing yards on 14 attempts. Sam Noyer threw for 16-of-34 passes for 258 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

With the loss to Utah, Colorado is eliminated from the Pac-12 South Division title race. They needed a win over the Utes and a USC loss to UCLA in order to play in next week’s conference title game.

FINAL#GoUtes #UTAHvsCU pic.twitter.com/FCZ6NrIKPX

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 12, 2020

28 Unanswered Points In Second Half

Utah scored a touchdown on their first drive of the game as Jake Bentley found Solomon Enis for a 7-yard strike. Colorado didn’t get in the end zone until the second quarter when Noyer threw a TD pass to Maurice Bell. With 1:30 left until halftime, Brenden Rice returned a punt for an 81-yard touchdown. Fortunately for Utah, they recovered a fumble and was able to get a field goal before the halftime break, trailing 14-10.

Things didn’t look promising to start the second half as Rice had a 61-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the second half. Brenden is a freshman and the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. That TD gave the Buffaloes a 21-10 lead.

That was the last time that Colorado would score as Utah responded with 28 unanswered points. They began that run with a three-play drive for 60-yards that resulted in an 18-yard TD from Ty Jordan. He had a 35-yard run before he found the end zone.

After Utah forced CU to punt, Jake Bentley facilitated a nice drive that ended with a 20-yard throw to Britain Covey in the end zone. That gave the Utes a 24-21 lead. Jadon Redding then made a 43-yard field goal with 9:19 left in the game to extend the lead to six points.

With 4:43 left, Jordan put the game away with a 66-yard touchdown. Redding made another field goal before the final whistle.

💨 HE GONE!@_ylfotyt with the long TD to put @Utah_Football up 35-21! pic.twitter.com/ZaINiRbXXY

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 12, 2020

Utes’ Defense Steps Up

After allowing a long 61-yard touchdown right out of the gates in the second half, Utah hunkered down and held the Buffaloes scoreless for the rest of the game. Colorado had two punts, an interception and three turnover on downs after the TD in third quarter.

Nephi Sewell led all defenders with 10 solo tackles, along with one tackle for loss, one interception, a pass breakup and one forced fumble. Devin Lloyd had 9 total tackles, one TFL and a quarterback hit. Nate Ritchie added 6 tackles, including a sack.

PICKED OFF BY @jungleboii02! pic.twitter.com/e2VoOvpyEz

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 12, 2020

Utah improved their record to 2-2 on the season. They will find out their opponent for their regular season finale either late Saturday or on Sunday, December 12. Location, kickoff time and broadcast information is to be determined.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.