Utes Blast Arizona For Second Straight Win

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah football team handled the Arizona Wildcats, 42-10 in a game that Utah controlled for most of the contest.

Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley had a dynamic performance, completing 14-of-19 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception through the air. He used his legs as well, piling up 67 yards and one score.

Running back Zack Moss didn’t carry as heavy of a load this week, rushing the ball 15 times for 68 yards and one touchdown. Backup tailback Armand Shyne had eight rushes for 53 yards and one touchdown.

Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate left the game early in the second quarter and never returned with an apparent ankle injury. Before his injury, he recorded just 3 yards passing, completing one of his four pass attempts. He also rushed twice for three yards.

After Tate exited the game, Jamarye Joiner entered and wasn’t productive. He collected 17 yards on three pass completions.

Late in the first half, Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin elected to go with Rhett Rodriguez at quarterback. He was able to get the Wildcats down the field, finishing with 226 yards and one touchdown.

Utah’s Offense Firing In First Half

It all started with Huntley hittingh wide receiver Samson Nacua for an eight yard touchdown on Utah’s first drive. That scoring drive included the Utes converting on three third-and-long situations.

Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) runs the ball in for a touchdown, putting the Utes up 28-0 over the Arizona Wildcats after the PAT, during the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018.
(Spenser Heaps/ Deseret News)

The Utes would score touchdowns on three of their next four drives and forcing Arizona to punt on three first half drives, turned the ball over on downs and missed a field goal. Utah took a 28-0 halftime lead.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham was pleased with the first half performance.

“Execution was outstanding, defense did a lot of good things as well,” said Whittingham.

Second Half Tricks From Utah

On just the second play of their first drive in the second half, Utah scored a 58 yard touchdown on a trick play. Huntley handed the ball to Moss, who reversed it to wide receiver and former Timpview high school quarterback Britain Covey, who hit Huntley on a pass for the touchdown.

Covey was happy to get a glimpse of his high school days on that play.

“I loved it. I may be pushing for a quarterback package in the next couple of weeks,” he said jokingly.

Kyle Whittingham didn’t seem to flinch at the thought of giving Covey some quarterback plays.

“It’s an idea, we have thought about that,” he added. “He is a tremendous player and we will continue to use in a multitude of ways.”

Utah with the reverse ⏪and the shot down field 🎯 pic.twitter.com/yGWC4qfhjW

— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) October 13, 2018

Utah scored one more touchdown in the second half on a 22 yard run by running back Armand Shyne. That run was set up by a fake punt by Mitch Wishnowsky, who gained 28 yards on the play.

Coach Whittingham explained the call for the fake punt in the late stages of the game, holding a big lead.

“For the record, that wasn’t a called fake punt,” Whittingham said. “It’s built into the scheme when we rugby punt and they don’t cover it right, Mitch has the greenlight to run it,” he added.

The Utes Rolling On Offense

Winning their second straight game, Utah seems to have found a rhythm and the ability to sustain drives and move the ball down field. The Utes played balanced football on Friday night posting 230 rushing yards and 265 passing yards.

Britain Covey is happy that the Utah offense have found their strides.

“I think it is confidence and relief, because we knew what we were capable of all along,” he said. “We are a great football team,” Covey added.

Kevin Sumlin talked about his team’s performance after the loss to the Utes.

“Everybody has to take ownership and responsibility,” he said. “That starts with me, in situations like this, the little things can turn into big things,” Sumlin added.

Whittingham Wins No. 200

Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham won his 200th game as a member of the University of Utah as a head coach and assistant. Whittingham is in his 25th season on staff and 14th season as head coach of the Utes.

Utah improved to 4-2, 2-2 in the Pac-12 and they will return to Rice Eccles Stadium on Saturday, October 20, hosting the USC Trojans at 6 p.m.