This wasn’t the Southern California matchup Utah football fans circled on the schedule.
But undefeated UCLA forced the issue, making this a top-25 matchup that could help decide the Pac-12 title chase.
In the end, Cam Rising and the No. 11 Utes didn’t have enough answers for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the No. 18 Bruins in Pasadena. Final score: UCLA 42, Utah 32.
Clark Phillips gets another house call
The star cornerback adds another pick-6 to his resume, but it won’t change the outcome of this one.
UCLA 42, Utah 32.
Quick strikes
All UCLA needed was 15 seconds to push the lead back to 10. The Bruins have racked up 460 yards of offense this afternoon with 11:17 still on the clock.
And it would get worse for Utah from there.
On 4th and 1, Rising fumbled the ball setting the Bruins up for a 1-yard touchdown run that likely puts this one way away for good.
It’s 42-25 with 9:26 to play.
Here come the Utes
Rising’s second rushing touchdown of the game has Utah back within a field goal.
Utah went 75 yards on 10 plays and now trails 28-25 with 11:39 to play.
Can the defense get the stop it needs?
UCLA 28, Utah 18
Rising does it himself
Cam Rising continues to have success running the football. The Utes QB is averaging better 8 yards per rush this season. His 6-yard TD keeper and subsequent 2-point conversion make this 21-18 with 5 minutes left in the third.
UCLA’s lead grows
The Bruins have another score via Thompson-Robinson’s arm, a 5-yard strike to Kam Brown.
But it’s UCLA’s running game — and Utah’s struggling run defense — that has might be the bigger concern for the Utes. The Bruins are averaging 7.3 yards per run, 167 yards in all.
It’s UCLA 21, Utah 10 early in the third quarter.
Halftime
A Jordan Noyes field goal and a Tavion Thomas touchdown have helped make this a 14-10 game at intermission.
Thomas, who has found himself on the sidelines more than anyone would have anticipated at the start of the year, is having one of his best games of the season. The running back has carried 14 times for 79 yards and a score.
Halftime stats
Utah
Cam Rising — 11-of-17, 151 yards, 1 interception
Devaughn Vele — 4 catches, 58 yards
Dalton Kincaid — 3 catches, 51 yards
Tavion Thomas — 14 rushes, 79 yards, 1 TD
UCLA
Dorian Thompson-Robinson — 10-of-12, 130 yards, 1 passing TD; 6 rushes, 17 yards, 1 rushing TD
Zach Charbonett — 10 carries, 125 yards
UCLA scores first, but loses a key defender
Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s 7-yard run capped a seven-play, 95-yard drive to give the Bruins a 7-0 lead in the late seconds of the opening quarter.
A Cam Rising interception gave UCLA the ball to start the drive — a play that also saw a targeting penalty that resulted in the ejection of Bruin defensive back Stephan Blaylock.
Who does ESPN like?
The GameDay crew favors the Bruins today. Only former NFL punter Pat McAfee picked the Utes to win on the road.
Pregame storylines
• The Utes are coming off a win over Oregon State, but Kyle Whittingham has some concerns about the running game.
• With Brant Kuithe done for the year, the Utes have needed others to step up. Enter Jaylen Dixon and Devaughn Vele.
• Whittingham had some thoughts on midseason firings.
• Does Utah have the same attitude as a season ago? You asked, we answered in the Utes mailbag.
