No. 14 Utah Ends Non-Conference Slate With Blowout Win Over SDSU
Sep 17, 2022, 7:43 PM | Updated: 11:32 pm
Cameron Rising #7 of the Utah Utes throws under pressure from Jonah Tavai #66 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the first half of their game September 17, 2022 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The 14th-ranked Utah Utes ended their non-conference schedule with a blowout 35-7 win over San Diego State at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Utah quarterback Cam Rising completed 18 of his 30 pass attempts for 224 yards and four touchdowns against San Diego State. Of those four touchdowns, three went to wide receivers, including two to Devaughn Vele and one to Solomon Enis.
Pregame
It’s a little early but we’ve got boots on the ground to check out the fun before #SDSUvsUTAH #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/vQ5FwUI6wh
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 17, 2022
Utah fans celebrated the life of a fellow tailgater who lost her life earlier this year by planting a tree in her memory at the Guardsman Lot. #GoUtes #FamilyOnThree pic.twitter.com/06x4oRVDvm
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 17, 2022
Had so much fun visiting #Utes fans in the Guardsman’s Tailgate Lot before kickoff! #GoUtes #UteProud pic.twitter.com/ok37cQw4zE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 18, 2022
Here come the #Utes pic.twitter.com/KyyaPwthrN
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 18, 2022
First Quarter
A lot of punting took place in the opening quarter as both defenses were strong. The first quarter was scoreless.
Second Quarter
With 8:59 remaining in the first half, Utah’s offense finally broke through the San Diego State defense. Cam Rising found Brant Kuithe for a 30-yard touchdown to give the Utes a 7-0 lead.
.@crising7 ➡️ @Brantkuithe14 for the third time this season. 🙌🏈#GoUtes https://t.co/u8pbbOVblE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 18, 2022
Moments later, Utah scored their first touchdown by a wide receiver of the season when Solomon Enis found the end zone. Utah had a 14-0 lead with 2:07 remaining in the half.
The first WR TD of the season for @Utah_Football goes to @SolomonEnis.#GoUtes https://t.co/IY8u05nebK
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 18, 2022
Utah recovered a fumble on special teams and four plays later, Cam Rising found Devaughn Vele for a 15-yard touchdown. The Utes held a 21-0 lead with 20 seconds left in the half.
.@devaughn_vele toe-tapped his way into the end zone for touchdown #⃣1⃣ in 2022.#GoUtes https://t.co/8z0HxY5Pet
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 18, 2022
Third Quarter
San Diego State started the second half with the football and backup QB Kyle Crum threw an interception to Karene Reid. Four plays later, Tavion Thomas ran in an 18-yard touchdown to give the Utes a 28-0 lead with 11:31 remaining in the third.
.@k_reid41 INT ➡️ @thiagoothomas9 TD#GoUtes https://t.co/YvaWXuwkZc
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 18, 2022
The Utes got the ball back and only needed four plays before Cam Rising found Devaughn Vele for a three-yard touchdown, his second TD catch of the night. Utah extended its lead to 35-0 with 7:34 remaining in the third quarter.
.@devaughn_vele x2⃣#GoUtes https://t.co/FzV7t9b3MZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 18, 2022
Fourth Quarter
Cam Rising finished the drive that went into the fourth quarter before being replaced by Bryson Barnes. With Utah inserting their backups, San Diego State was able to get a touchdown with backup Kyle Crum finding Joshua Nicholson for an 18-yard touchdown. The Aztecs trimmed the deficit to 35-7 with 3:56 remaining in the game.
Utah improved their record to 2-1 on the season. They will open Pac-12 play on the road against Arizona State on Saturday, September 24. Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. MT and will be televised on ESPN or ESPN2.
