Utah Football Stumbles Against Sun Devils, Falls 27-19

Game Recap: Football | 10/12/2024 1:04 AM

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TEMPE, Ariz. – Utah Football's redzone woes continued this week as they took on the Arizona State Sun Devils on the road, falling 27-19. Utah is 4-2 overall this season and 1-2 in Big 12 play.

Utah was 3-for-4 in the red zone, but was forced to settle for four field goals and a touchdown, giving the advantage to ASU. Utah won the first down battle with 22 compared to ASU's 15, in addition to holding the ball for 32:29 with ASU only having possession for 27:31.

After only recording 43 yards of total offense in the first quarter, Utah found some rhythm in the second quarter with 105 yards, but was still unable to find the end zone. Trailing 13-9 at halftime, the Utes came into the third quarter with a spark, averaging 6.5 yards per play with running back Micah Bernard punching in a six-yard rushing score with 3:19 on the clock to give Utah a three-point lead.

Unfortunately for the Utes, Arizona State would score its third touchdown of the game with less than two minutes to go in the quarter, giving them the lead back. Cole Becker's fourth field goal would make it a one-point game with 5:42 remaining, but the Sun Devils would once again strike, scoring with a few minutes remaining to seal the win.

GAME LEADERS Bernard ended the night with 190 all-purpose yards, leading the team in rushing with 21 carries for 125 yards (1 TD), also recording five catches for 61 yards. It was his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season.

Senior Dorian Singer also led the Utes in receiving yards with 75, bringing in four catches to average 18.8 yards per reception. In his return to the gridiron, senior Cameron Rising went 16-of-37 passing (0 TD, 3 INT) for 209 yards.

On defense, Utah was led by linebacker Lander Barton and safety Rabbit Evans, who both had nine tackles with Barton adding a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry. Defensive end Logan Fano and safety Tao Johnson added seven stops each with linebacker Johnathan Hall adding five tackles and his first-career sack.

Becker was 4-for-4 on the field goals (48, 40, 29, 46), including his season-long 48-yarder in the first quarter. He is the first Utah kicker since 2018 to have multiple games with multiple 40-yard field goals made in a season.

STANDOUT STAT Bernard is the first Ute to have four 100-yard rushing games in a season since 2021 (TJ Pledger and Tavion Thomas). He is also the first Ute to have three straight 100-yard rushing games on the road since Zack Moss in 2019.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Becker is the first Utah kicker to connect on four field goals since Matt Gay hit six against Oregon on Nov. 10, 2018.
• Junior Tafuna made an interception on ASU's third offensive play of the game, his second pick as a Ute and first since the Southern Utah game on Sept. 10, 2022. It was the first interception by a Utah defensive lineman since that SUU game as well.
• The 7 minute, 5 second scoring drive on Bernard's third-quarter touchdown was the longest TOP for a Utah scoring drive this season.

UP NEXTThe Utes return to Rice-Eccles Stadium for its annual Ute Proud game on Saturday, Oct. 19, taking on the TCU Horned Frogs. The game is set for an 8:30 p.m. MT kick on ESPN.