Instant Takeaways: Victory snatched from Utah, fall to BYU 22-21
Nov 10, 2024, 12:39 AM | Updated: Nov 11, 2024, 2:09 pm
SALT LAKE CITY— After holding onto a lead for most of the game, a questionable holding penalty ultimately cost the Utes the win.
Still, Utah was unable to score any second-half points, and the Cougars clawed their way back to ultimately snatch victory from the Utes.
The Cougars leave Rice-Eccles Stadium with a 22-21 victory, after Utah went into halftime with a 21-10 lead.
A holding penalty?
Karene Reid had Jake Retzlaff sacked on 4th down. Utah celebrated like they had won.
Then a penalty was called. Holding on Zemaiah Vaughn. The call was questionable to say the least and it preserved BYU’s chance at a comeback.
Here’s the penalty that extended the eventual game-winning drive for BYU
This was a 4th down sack to end the game, but called defensive holding
Announcers say “really good call” but that is very debatable pic.twitter.com/RGpw9Qy8nA
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) November 10, 2024
It was the sort of penalty that sent Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan to the podium with a message to the Big 12 and its Commissioner.
A message from Utah AD Mark Harlan: pic.twitter.com/thI9hNRdbY
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) November 10, 2024
The Last Few Defensive Series
After giving up a touchdown to start the quarter, Utah’s defense got stops that had eluded them in previous games.
On three consecutive possessions, the Cougars were pinned deep into their own territory, which played a big role in the defense’s success.
One possession included an incompletion with Smith Snowden in tight coverage, a Lander Barton tackle for loss, and a bad snap that led to a loss of 10 yards.
The second possession, the Utes got the havoc plays. Zemaiah Vaughn had a big sack and then Karene Reid broke up a pass on 3rd down.
On the final BYU possession of the game, the Cougars started again at their own 9-yard line.
Snowden had a big pass breakup on 1st down. Utah was able to get pressure on Retzlaff on 2nd down and forced him to throw it away. The Utes brought the blitz again and nearly got to Retzlaff in the end zone and forced another throw away on 3rd down.
On 4th down, Karene Reid got to Retzlaff and had him sacked. The crowd erupted and it seemed Utah secured the win buuuuut… a holding penalty on Utah gave the Cougars a 1st down and renewed life.
After a couple of incompletions, Retzlaff completed two big passes to get the Cougars into Utah territory. Another run set them up at the 25-yard line before a false start had 1st and 10 at the 30.
After chewing the clock, the Cougars were to knock a 44-yard field goal through the uprights. Unfortunately, the defense was unable to get the last stop they needed.
The holding penalty on the 4th down sack is going to be a play that will haunt Utah.
Breakdowns In Zone Coverage
Late in the 3rd quarter, BYU marched nearly the entire field as Retzlaff found open receiver after open receiver after open receiver. In three completions to three different receivers, BYU went 78 yards and put themselves in scoring position to start the half.
These weren’t difficult decisions or throws; each receiver was wide open. For the first completion, Retzlaff simply threw to where the blitz came from, he attacked the vacated area.
The next two completions were breakdowns in coverage. In zone, communication is crucial and these seemed to be issues where passing off from one zone defender to another were not communicated properly.
BYU would later punch it into the endzone to make it 21-19.
Utah’s 1st Half Offense
The offense looked fantastic in the first half with Brandon Rose at the helm. There wasn’t a drastic change in the volume of offensive production but Utah sustained multiple drives. There was some improvement in the passing game numbers but Rose using his legs was a noticeable difference.
Rose first ran for 27 yards on a quarterback draw. Later he escaped pressure in the pocket to pick up 8 yards and another first down. Then another 9 yard gain to setup Utah with 3rd and 1 in the red zone.
Rose only attempted two passes before he threw a dart to Brant Kuithe in the front of the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. It was an impressive throw, especially given the fact that it was his third attempt of the game.
He connected with Dorian Singer over the middle deep of the field. He made a confident throw that just snuck past Raider Damuni and Singer hauled it in. He connected with Singer a couple more times before throwing to Micah Bernard in the flat and scored another touchdown. It was a simple completion, but more importantly, it was a quick decision with defenders bearing down on him and the sort of decision that had been missing in previous weeks.
He finished the half 8-of-11 for 87 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 44 yards on 3 carries. It seemed like Utah had finally found the offensive answers they needed.
The 2nd Half Offense
The second half was a completely different story. Utah was unable to sustain drives. Rose threw an interception in the 3rd quarter, which led to a BYU field goal.
Rose was less efficient and decisive. Utah strayed from the run game for a series or two. They generated just 79 yards on 25 plays, and ultimately, the offense was unable to put together another scoring drive.
For as questionable as the holding penalty may have been, Utah had 30 second-half minutes to put another couple of points on the board and were unable to.
