Instant Takeaways: Special Defensive Effort Fuels Utah’s 28-14 Win Over UCF
Nov 29, 2024, 9:35 PM | Updated: Dec 2, 2024, 2:13 pm
SALT LAKE CITY— Utah Football was on the road for its 2024 season finale. After a valiant effort, the Utes left Orlando with a 28-14 win over the UCF Knights.
In a lot of ways, this was a Kyle Whittingham signature game. Down and out, beaten down by injury, no one expecting them to win, and the Utes find a way.
The Knights outgained the Utes, 352-198, but Utah’s defensive havoc plays led to more points on the scoreboard.
Led by a special defensive effort, the Utes did enough good on offense and special to complement each phase of the game.
Finished the season on a high note 🙌#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/rzvsxXIDOe
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 30, 2024
The Defensive Havoc Plays
The Utes started the game on defense, and the defense got things going on the first series. After UCF entered Utah territory, star linebacker Lander Barton got to the quarterback for a strip sack. The fumbled ball was nearly hauled in by Logan Fano on the run, but he bobbled it and had to fall on it around midfield.
Later in the second quarter, UCF was 3rd and 8 from their own 38-yard line. Dylan Rizk threw a pass to deep down the right sideline, right into the mits of Zemaiah Vaughn. He then took it the other way, 60 yards for a pick-six, which gave Utah a 10-0 lead.
60 YARD INT TO THE HOUSE FOR @VaughnZemaiah!! 🙌
📺: FOX#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/FZ6ksrbCSw
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 30, 2024
In the third quarter, UCF drove all the way to the Utah 36-yard line. Then, on 4th and 10, Morgan Scalley dialed up a corner blitz, and Vaughn got to the quarterback to force a fumble, which launched up into the air and backward. It landed out of bounds at the UCF 49, and Utah took over in plus territory.
In the fourth quarter, after giving up a 38-yard run, the defense locked in. Vaughn had a timely PBU on second down, which put UCF into third and long. After an incomplete pass on third down, the Knights went for it on fourth down. For a moment, it looked like UCF would complete a pass, but Tao Johnson came flying in to break up the pass and force the turnover on downs.
Late in the fourth, Utah up 21-7, UCF was driving and in desperate need of a touchdown score. The Knights were able to get into Utah territory after a defensive pass interference penalty. However, on 1st down, Barton blitzed up the middle and sacked EJ Colson for a loss of 11 yards. After a big gain on 3rd down, UCF was 4th and 9, but Karene Reid bltized up the middle and ended the drive with a sack of his own.
Lastly, Smith Snowden delivered the final blow with a pick-six of his own late in the fourth quarter. It was an incredible effort, as he showed off his instincts and playmaking. He came across the formation to pick off the pass and he high-stepped his way into the endzone.
OUR SECOND PICK 6 ON THE NIGHT‼️
📺: FOX#GoUtes | @SnowdenSmith pic.twitter.com/SoioZtGGxK
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 30, 2024
All in all, Utah won the turnover battle 3-0, and finished the game with 5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. More importantly, they scored two defensive touchdowns.
Micah Bernard Joins The 1,000 Yard Club
Beyond getting the win, Utah’s next most important task in this game seemed to be getting Bernard to the 1,000-yard mark. He came into the game 922 rushing yards on the season, which meant he need 78 to get get to quadruple digits.
In the first half, Bernard ran for 57 yards, which left him with just 21 yards to go. Late in the 3rd quarter, Utah was driving into UCF territory. Bernard took a handoff and gained a yard, which gave him 78 yards on the night and 1,000 yards on the season.
As Utah tried to put together drives in the 4th quarter, Bernard continued to add to his total on the night. He finished the game with 87 yards on 22 carries, rather fitting for him.
It’s been quite the ride for Bernard. The young man joined the program as a 17-year-old. He became a contributor in 2020, and his role continued to grow each and every season after that. He was never pegged as a workhorse type but more of a scat back. Yet, in his final season, he proved he was more than capable of handling RB1 duties.
The 3rd-4th Quarter Touchdown Drive
After the forced fumble that set Utah up at the UCF 49-yard line halfway through the 3rd quarter, it felt like an incredibly important possession for the Utes. They had to capitalize on the defensive play and the positive field position.
On the drive, Zacharyus Williams made a couple of plays, Dorian Singer made an impressive one-handed grab, and Micah Bernard joined the 1,000 yard club.
Then, on 3rd and 12 from the 15-yard line, Bottari threw one to the deep corner of the end zone. Tight end Landen King went up and hauled it in for the touchdown, an impressive grab and his first touchdown of the season.
Utah then converted the 2-point conversion with a shovel pass to Bernard up the middle. That touchdown and 2-point conversion put Utah up 21-7 early in the 4th quarter.
👑 for 6️⃣!!
📺: FOX#GoUtes | @Landen_King3 pic.twitter.com/SBjy4uNt9N
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 30, 2024
True Freshman WR Zacharyus Williams Showed Out
Utah coaches raved about him during fall camp but a redshirt season was always the plan for him. However, Williams has proven to be a promising receiver over the last four contests.
Tonight, he showed out in a big way. Williams led the team with 72 receiving yards and added 11 yards on two carries as well. More valuable than just the yardage, he converted five 1st downs for Utah tonight.
All in all, Williams showcased good athleticism, hands, and playmaking. This month was about getting a better look at some of the young guys of Utah football. After tonight, Williams looks to be a prominent piece to the future of the offense.
