Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — It was all Utah Friday night in a matchup to open up South division competition for the Utes.
Utah scored early and never looked back in a 42-10 win over the visiting Arizona Wildcats that featured several highlight plays from Utah’s offense, including a 58-yard touchdown pass from receiver Britain Covey to a streaking quarterback Tyler Huntley.
Utah jumped out to an early 7-0 lead as Huntley connected with Samson Nacua on an 8-yard touchdown pass on a jump ball throw in the end zone. Nacua, using his size over a shorter defender, leaped up and pulled the ball down to start Utah’s scoring onslaught. The drive milked more than 7 minutes off the clock in a 15-play, 75-yard drive.
The Utes would go on to score 28 unanswered points in the first half as Huntley connected with Demari Simpkins on a 68-yard toss in stride to put distance on the Wildcats. Running back Zack Moss and Huntley contributed touchdown scores in the half, each on short rushing plays in the red zone.
Shyne, who has earned more reps after his last few weeks of play, would score Utah's final touchdown of the game on a 22-yard jaunt up the middle of the field. The backup running back contributed 53 yards on eight carries in the win.
Shyne's score came after punter Mitch Wishnowsky faked a punt, and Arizona was called for a horse-collar penalty to give Utah a new set of downs and great field position late in the game.
Huntley finished the game throwing for 201 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) passing in three quarters of play, contributing big to a near-500 yard total offensive night for the Utes. Huntley was also the team’s second-leading rusher with 64 yards on eight rushing attempts. He also had an interception in the third quarter on a ill-conceived pass into double coverage to Solomon Enis.
Moss led the team in rushing with 68 yards on 11 attempts to average 4.5 yards per carry. Simpkins would lead the team in receptions with 78 yards on three catches.
Arizona’s first score came in the third quarter on a 37-yard made field goal attempt by Josh Pollack. The senior place-kicker missed a 34-yard field goal attempt right before halftime. The Wildcats would find the end zone once Friday on a 42-yard touchdown pass by backup quarterback Rhett Rodriguez to Cedric Peterson in the fourth quarter, capping off a 93-yard, seven-play drive.
Utah improves to 4-2, 2-2 on the season and will welcome USC to town a week from Saturday in another vital South division showdown at 6 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks and on ESPN 700.
Friday night’s matchup at Rice-Eccles Stadium was Utah’s first crack at a South division opponent after playing three straight North division opponents in conference play.
