Pretty much nothing worked for Utah in last week’s loss to Oregon.
Pretty much everything worked for Utah in Saturday’s win over Arizona State.
The Utes dominated from the outset and never let up — to the extent of tacking on an insult-to-injury TD with 8 seconds remaining. In the final tally, Utah crushed the Sun Devils 55-3 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, their biggest margin of victory ever in a Pac-12 game.
Quarterback Bryson Barnes threw for a career-best four touchdowns, Utah rushed for more than 300 yards for the second time this season, and the defense held ASU below 100 yards of offense.
Yeah, easy.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) finds his play as the Utah Utes host the Arizona State Sun Devils in NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
Even head coach Kyle Whittingham couldn’t find much to nitpick in the aftermath.
“What can I complain about? Pretty good day, we’ll keep it at that,” he said.
With the blowout victory, the No. 18-ranked Utes improved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in Pac-12 Conference play.
ASU fell to 2-7 overall and 1-5 in league play.
It was the kind of good-vibes victory Utah needed after getting worked over by the Ducks just seven days prior.
While the Sun Devils clearly are on an altogether different talent level, the Utes’ coaches and players all resolved not to let the sting of the defeat linger.
“Regardless of how the outcome comes out on Saturday, you’ve got to be able to put that in the rearview,” said Barnes. “So coming in Monday, the talk that was around the [practice] facility was, ‘Don’t let a team beat you twice.’ And I feel like that really rang true with a lot of the players, that was able to keep the mojo up and [help us] regain our energy.”
Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for 111 yards on just 13 carries before going out with an ankle injury. Receiver Devaughn Vele had his first two touchdown receptions of the season — both in the opening quarter, which set the tone for Utah’s quick start.
Backup QB Nate Johnson had a stellar outing, too, scoring a 59-yard touchdown run on his second play from scrimmage. The Utes totaled 352 yards on the ground.
Meanwhile, star defensive end Jonah Elliss — who came into the game ranked third nationally with 10 sacks — added 1.5 more to his total.
“We just kept it really simple — we play our best when we keep it simple,” Elliss said postgame. “Just do your assignment, and know that every other guy is going to do his assignment. It’s just that trust factor that we’ve built together, that’s why we were so successful.
Utah wound up outgaining ASU 513-83 for the game.
The Utes have two regular-season games remaining, with next week’s matchup in Seattle vs. unbeaten Washington a chance to redeem themselves against a high-level opponent.
And one that happened to struggle in its own game against this same ASU team, at that.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Munir McClain (4) catches a touchdown pass over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Ro Torrence (9) in NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
Nate Johnson enters, goes 59 yards for a TD on his second snap
Bryson Barnes’ day was done after throwing for a career-best four touchdowns and spotting the Utes a 41-3 lead.
It didn’t take backup Nate Johnson long to get in on the action.
On his first play, he handed off to Charlie Vincent, who gained one yard. On his second play, he kept it himself, ran to the left, and outraced everyone to the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown.
And with 11:04 remaining, the Utes went up 48-3.
On to Washington.
Jackson makes it 31-3, but goes out with an injury
It’s been a star-crossed season for Utah running back Ja’Quinden Jackson.
The converted QB who took over as the team’s primary RB last season owing to injuries figured to be their bell cow in the 2023 season. And he has been — when he’s healthy.
But a nagging right ankle injury has made it difficult for him to be consistently productive.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Coach Kyle Whittingham as the Utah Utes host the Arizona State Sun Devils in NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
He was having one of his best games of the season Saturday vs. Arizona State — right up until he got injured again.
A 54-yard touchdown run in the third quarter not only put the Utes up 31-3, but gave him 111 rushing yards on just 13 carries.
However, he was tackled as he crossed the goal line, and went down awkwardly.
He stayed down for a time, before being helped off the field by a few teammates. After a few minutes of examination on the sideline, he eventually limped back to the locker room.
Given the injury and Utah’s lead, he should be presumed as doubtful to return.
Utes lead 24-3 at halftime
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah fans cheer on the team as the Utah Utes host the Arizona State Sun Devils in NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
Utah is dominating on offense and defense.
Saturday’s game vs. Arizona State would be even more of a rout if the Utes had been a bit better on special teams.
As it stands, Utah leads 24-3 at the break.
Utah outgained ASU 299-27 through the first 30 minutes.
Both Sun Devils QBs — Trenton Bourget and Jacob Conover — were under siege for most of the opening half, as Arizona State did not achieve positive passing yardage until 48 seconds remained before halftime.
Utah brought a balanced offense to the table — 169 rushing yards (57 apiece by running back Ja’Quinden Jackson and quarterback Bryson Barnes, plus 48 more by RB Jaylon Glover), plus 130 passing (as Barnes completed 15 of 23 passes).
After Devaughn Vele caught two first-quarter TDs, Munir McClain added one in the second, out leaping his ASU defender on a jump ball in the end zone for a 20-yard score.
As for the special teams …
The Sun Devils’ meager bit of offense came as a result of a 78-yard kickoff return setting them up with good field position before Utah’s defense took over.
Meanwhile, one other Utes drive bogged down as a result of a personal foul penalty, and an ensuing 37-yard field goal try by Cole Becker missed.
Utes lead 14-3 after first quarter
After an anemic offensive showing last week against Oregon, the Utah football team has looked much better so far this Saturday against Arizona State.
Perhaps no surprise considering the change in the level of competition, but the Utes’ opening 15 minutes of play were nevertheless encouraging, as they surged to a 14-3 lead at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) scores a touchdown as the Utah Utes host the Arizona State Sun Devils in NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
Utah moved the ball down the field with ease on its first two drives of the game, both of which culminated with touchdown passes from Bryson Barnes to receiver Devaughn Vele.
They were Vele’s first two TDs of the season.
All told, the Utes outgained ASU 120-11 in the first quarter.
The Sun Devils’ offensive prospects took a literal hit when starting quarterback Trenton Bourget absorbed a blow from Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss and left the game.
Bourget began the season as ASU’s third-stringer, but the two QBs ahead of him have already gone out injured. Former BYU player Jacob Conover took over under center.
The Devils only got on the board thanks to good field position generated from a long kickoff return following Utah’s second touchdown.
Meanwhile, Barnes went 8 for 11 for 72 yards.
