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SALT LAKE CITY — In a North-South showdown of two of the Pac-12’s best teams, No. 4 Washington and No. 17 Utah battled to the end, leaving social media users on the edge of their seats.
Washington (8-0, 5-0 Pac-12) returned a punt for 58 yards with 3:25 left in the game to hold off Utah (7-2, 4-2) 31-24. During the return, the Huskies committed three blocks in the back penalties, but none were called by officials. Ute fans were left typing their frustrations while the 47,801 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium fell silent.
Utah had a chance to tie the score after Washington’s punt return. Quarterback Troy Williams, who finished 14-for-31 and 163 yards with three touchdowns, led the Utes to the Huskies’ 26-yard line. However, on second-and-6, the Utes tried a trick play, having receiver Demari Simpkins throw the ball to intended receiver Raelon Singleton. Simpkins’ pass was incomplete and Williams was sacked, then threw an incompletion on the following downs to finish Utah’s day.
Utah’s defense came out strong to start the game. It forced Washington to go three-and-out on its first drive. The Huskies, who have the league’s best scoring offense, didn’t score until the end of the first quarter. Thirty-one points is also the fewest points Washington has scored all season.
Safety Chase Hansen clocked in his second interception of the season. He returned it for 30 yards, setting up a Utah touchdown.
Running back Joe Williams rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries. He’s averaging 227.7 yards per game since he returned from retirement.
With receiver Cory Butler-Byrd out for the game, the Utes relied on Tim Patrick, who has missed game time from an injury, to haul in passes. He finished as Utah’s leading receiver with 72 yards on five catches.
Utah now enters its bye week before finishing its season on the road at Arizona State, a home finale versus Oregon and a likely South division title game at Colorado.
