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SALT LAKE CITY β Both teams had the Pac-12 South title on the line Saturday.
Utah needed to win its last two games and have USC lose. UCLA needed to win its last two games. In Utah's favor, USC lost, but the Utes fell short to the Bruins 17-9 and are now waving the Pac-12 Championship goodbye.
The Utes started off looking rough. Not only did they allow UCLA to score early points and fumble when they were close to the end zone, but injuries also caused adversity. In the first quarter, receiver Britain Covey went down. He walked himself off the field but didn't return. Defensive back Tevin Carter also suffered a game-ending injury later.
Not Covey! π©π©π©π©π©π©π© β Ute Central (@utecentral) November 21, 2015
> WE CANNOT HAVE A COVEY INJURY. NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE. THIS IS HORRIBLE > > β Taylor Cella (@Taylor\_McKell97) [November 21, 2015](https://twitter.com/Taylor_McKell97/status/668169092872835072)
Running back Joe Williams made his first start, replacing the injured Devontae Booker, who underwent season-ending meniscus surgery earlier this week. Williams finished the game with 121 yards on 26 carries. He also had four catches for 31 receiving yards. Williams' 152 all-purpose yards led the team.
Joe Williams is a stud. β TheJazzyUte (@TheJazzyUte) November 21, 2015
> Dang Joe Williams is fast. > > β SouthJordanUte (@SouthJordanUte) [November 21, 2015](https://twitter.com/SouthJordanUte/status/668174308741541888)
In the second quarter, Utah quarterback Travis Wilson completed a 42-yard pass to receiver Kenneth Scott. Scott tangled with a defender, caught the ball and gave Rice-Eccles Stadium a reason to cheer. Instead, a holding penalty on Utah's Bubba Poole brought the ball back and the Utes settled for a 39-yard field goal. The controversial call fired up the stadium and social media.
That's a terrible call β Dear Old Crimson (@DearOldCrimson) November 21, 2015
> That "hold" on Bubba Poole is the worst call I've ever seen a Pac-12 official make. And that's saying a lot. > > β Dan Sorensen (@DSorensen) [November 21, 2015](https://twitter.com/DSorensen/status/668179233634566144)
Cornerback Brian Allen almost had an interception that would've turned into an easy pick 6. Instead, he dropped the ball that went straight to his chest. UCLA ended up scoring on the drive, putting the Bruins up 17-9 with 5:17 left in the third quarter.
That Brian Allen-almost pick 6 is gonna haunt us β Dear Old Crimson (@DearOldCrimson) November 21, 2015
That wasn't the only call that put fans in a salty mood. Tight end Harrison Handley, who led the Utes with 32 receiving yards, caught the ball on a third-and-5, but the officials said he bobbled the catch before he was pushed out-of-bounds, forcing the Utes to punt.
How do you not challenge that?!? β :( (@JS_Ute14) November 21, 2015
> How did they not at least review that? Wow. [\#Pac12refs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pac12refs?src=hash) [\#GoUtes](https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoUtes?src=hash) > > β Fareed (@tagfareed) [November 21, 2015](https://twitter.com/tagfareed/status/668200439112863744)
Utah had a chance to take the lead near the end of the game. Halfway through the fourth quarter, UCLA missed a 49-yard field goal. All the Utes had to do was score their first touchdown of the night and complete a two-point conversion.
I get the feeling this drive is for the Pac12 South title. β Ute Steve (@UtahUtesSteve) November 21, 2015
Unfortunately, things didn't add up. Wilson was left to make plays himself as receivers couldn't get open, thanks to UCLA's defense coverage. The game leaves coaches, players and fans disappointed as Utah gets ready for a senior game against Colorado next week.
pic.twitter.com/1ZhXnLvHIP β Avery Mills (@alynn422) November 22, 2015
