Utah was finally able to overcome its losing streak against ASU and beat the Sun Devils in Rice Eccles Stadium 34-18.
A late fumble recovery by Tevin Carter lead to an Andy Phillips field goal to make the score 27-18. Then, Devontae Booker broke out with only a few minutes game for a 62-yard rushing touchdown that secured the win for the Utes.
Things weren’t really going in either team’s direction early in the game. Neither team was able to get a first down on their first two possessions, but that changed on both third possessions. Utah looked like it was going to get another three-and-out when ASU’s linebackers nearly got to Travis Wilson for the sack, but instead found Tyronne Smith to keep the play alive. Wilson made a couple more 20-yard throws and then found Harrison Handley for the touchdown to put the Utes up 7-0. However, ASU answered back quickly. On the ensuing kick-off, the Sun Devils returned the ball back 100 yards for a touchdown of their own to even the score.
On the Utes’ next possession, they were forced to punt again, but were called for holding making them replay fourth down. Instead of ASU starting on its own 25 yard line, it started on Utah’s 13 yard line because of the penalty. The Utah defense was able to stop the Sun Devils from going any further and held them to a field goal.
Opening up the second quarter with the Utes down 10-3, Wilson hit Kenneth Scott for a 42 yard gain on a one-handed grab, then again on the next play for the touchdown, the final score of the half, which gave the Utes the 14-10 lead.
The second half started out much like the first with a couple of three-and-outs for both teams. Jared Norris did record his first sack of the season to force ASU to punt again. On Utah’s next drive Wilson again found Scott, this time for 35 yards, but it was to no use as Wilson was sacked later which forced the Utes to punt.
On the Sun Devils’ next possession, they got rolling. After a missed tackle by Utah, ASU gained 28 yards on a pass, then went deep and caught the ball on the 10 yard line. The Utah defense stood its ground once more and held the Sun Devils to another field goal, score 14-13, then the unthinkable happened.
On the ensuing kick-off, Britain Covey received a penalty for attempting to throw an illegal forward pass. This resulted in a safety for the Sun Devils, who took the lead 15-14. ASU then scored another field goal to increase its lead to 18-14.
In the fourth quarter, Hackett had a punt downed at the five yard line and despite Utah being called for offsides, ASU did not do anything with this and botched a punt. This kick landed on its own 32 yard line and the Utes took full advantage of the field position. Wilson found Devontae Booker for his third touchdown of the game to make the score 21-18.
ASU again had to punt on its next possession, and again it did not go very far. There was also a penalty which moved the ball up to ASU’s 33 yard line. Utah found its way to its first field goal of the game to extend its lead to 24-18.