Estimated read time: 10-11 minutes
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FINAL THOUGHTS
No. 22 Utah 58, Utah State 10 There was a loud cheer from the crowd, but it wasn't a spectacular play they were cheering for. Utah's Brent Casteel successfully fielded a punt mid-way though the 3rd quarter, something the Utes were unsuccessful at the entire first half.
For the night, of 8 Utah State punts, 4 were fumbled by Ute return men.
But that barely slowed down the efficient Ute offense, as they racked up 459 total yards (213 pass, 246 rush) and scored 7 touchdowns and 3 field goals.
Utah's defense was equally as prolific, holding the Aggies to 117 total yards (90 pass, 27 rush). It seemed as though whenever the Aggies finally got things rolling, costly penalties prevented the drives from moving forward.
Aggie Coach Brent Guy tried to utilize a two quarterback system, but neither Sean Setzer or Diondre Borel could consistently move the ball downfield. Combined, they threw 9-24 for only 90 yards.
Utah QB Brian Johnson finished with over 200 yards on 22-31 passing, throwing 2 TDs and 1 INT.
However, it was Utah's running game that controlled the game, helping Utah to nearly a 2:1 advantage in time of possession. Anytime the defense is on the field for nearly 40 minutes in a game, fatigue is going to set in. Darrell Mack lead the way with the Utes, racking up 75 yards in 14 carries. His counterpart, Matt Asiata, racked up 56 yards on 11 carries, but scored 3 times.
Final
Utah State got some momentum with a 31 yard pass play from Borel to Curis Marsh, then 15 more yards from a pass interference penalty, but Borel's next pass was interceped by Deshawn Richard.
Utes run out the clock and capture their first 3-0 start since 2004, while the Aggies fall to 0-3.
FINAL: Utah 51, Utah State 10
3:19 4th Quarter
Utah has put in their 2nd string offense. Chad Manis is in at QB, with Ray Stowers in at running back. Up 41 points there is no need for the first offense to be out on the field. Stowers and Eddie Wide trade off running back duties, and Ray Stowers finished the drive with a 2 yard run.
Score: Utah 58 Utah State 10
8:31 4th Quarter
Utah methodically went on a 13 play, 79 yard drive that took 7:03 off the clock. The Utes are having success running the ball to the outside, and the key play on the drive was a nice 18 yard end around run by Eddie Wide. Again, Matt Asiata puts it in the end zone, this time from 3 yards out.
Score: Utah 51, Utah State 10
End 3rd Quarter
After the Aggies got the ball near midfield, Borel showed off his athleticism by scrambling for 14 yards on 2nd down. But the Aggies can't get keep the momentum rolling and are forced to punt. Utah chooses to not field the punt, but it gets a Utah bounce and goes out of bounds near the 20.
Score: Utah 44, Utah State 10
2:42 3rd Quarter
Brent Casteel is now fielding the punts... he fair caught it and didn't fumble!
Utah State is now shooting themselves in the foot. A 15 yard late hit was tacked on a run by Brian Johnson, giving the Utes great field position. Asiata punched it in from 4 yards out.
The last 2 possesions for Utah State have seen rotating QB's for the Aggies (Setzer, then Borel)
Another fumbled punt, this time by Brent Casteel. Great field position for the Aggies near midfield.
Score: Utah 44, Utah State 10
8:11 3rd Quarter
Utah's first play from scrimmage in the 2nd half is a interception by Butkus Watch List LB Paul Igboeli. Igobeli made a great play on the ball. With the short field, the Aggies utilized a nice screen pass to counteract the Ute blitz. Peter Caldwell then hit a 20 yard field goal.
Utah answers by marching down the field in 9 plays, covering 75 yards, capped off by a 8 yard TD pass to Tight End Colt Sampson... thats 2 games in a row were a Utah Tight End has caught a touchdown pass (Utah typically uses the tight end as a blocker...)
Score: Utah 37, Utah State 10
Halftime Thoughts
The Utes punt return team needs a pep talk, desperately! 2 different returnmen (Brown and Peel), 4 Aggie punts (3 of them fielded) and 3 fumbles. The sun has not been a factor as both of Peel's fumbles occurred in the shadow of the press box, while Brown's fumble happened with the sun well behind the upper deck of the west side of the stadium. Sean Setzer has only played 3 drives for the Aggies, while Borel has played 4. Quick stats: Setzer 3-6 50 yards TD, Borel 2-4 12 yards pass 6 carries 3 yards rushing... keeping Borel in the game for his running ability is not paying off for Coach Guy. I predict him to go back to Setzer in the 2nd half.
Utah quick stats: Brian Johnson 16-23 149 yards TD, Darrell Mack 6 carries 43 yards, Matt Asiata 5 carries 21 yards TD (*team total 60 yards rushing).
The Aggie linebacking core is keeping Utah's run game in check, with the exception of a few outside runs by Mack. Look for the Utes to pound the football in the 2nd half.
End 2nd Quarter
The Utes were able to cap off a 74 yard drive with a 10 yard TD pass from Brian Johnson to Freddie Brown... The Aggie corner was in great position to make a play but slipped right before the catch... another bad break for the Aggies.
Just to cap off the half, Borel was sacked again, this time by Ute defensive end Paul Krueger.
HALFTIME SCORE: Utah 30, Utah State 7
2:08 2nd Quarter
Coach Guy is deciding to keep Borel in the game. He is only 2-4 for 12 yards so far, while Setzer is 3-6 for 30 yards and a TD. When the Aggies finally got a good offensive play it was called back for chop block. On third and long Borel tries to make a play with his feet- he was able to avoid one set of tacklers but got wrapped up after a short gain.
Another fumbled punt return for the Utes! This time it is Jeremy Brooks, but he is able to fall on the ball.
Utah gets a gift first down with a personal foul late hit... from my view in the press box it looked like incidental contact... bad break for the Aggies.
Utah is unable to move the ball after the penalty, and looked like it was forced to punt near midfield. However, Sakoda completes a pass on 4th down out of the punt formation to RJ Stanford for 8 yards and keeps the Utah drive alive. What position does Sakoda not play?? This guy is for real.
Score: Utah 23 Utah State 7
8:47 2nd Quarter
Aggies are sending the house after Brian Johnson, but he is finding ways to pick apart the secondary.
Borel looks lost as QB. Don't be suprised to see Setzer back in the game soon.
Utah doesn't even try to field the Aggie punt after fumbling their first two. Utah methodically drives down the field in 12 plays and Sakoda hits a 35 yard field goal.
On the next possession, Utah sacked Borel and forced a fumble. The Utes recovered, and 3 plays later Louie Sakoda hit another field goal, this time from 24 yards.
Utah 23 Utah State 7
End 1st Quarter
Punt returns are definately a problem for the Utes. Peel fumbled another Aggie punt, but he recovered it. The sun is not an issue as he has been in the shade for both punts...
Ute offense capitalized on the good field position with Louie Sakoda hitting a 48 yard field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, Aggie returner Curtis Marsh fumbled the ball and Elijah Wesson returned it 22 yards for the TD.
QB Change: Aggies switch to Diondre Borel, a a more effective runner but not as accurate as Setzer in on the throws. Coach Guy is trying to counteract the pressure the Utes have been putting on Setzer.
Score Utah 17 Utah State 7
7:56 First Quarter
Mental mistakes are already haunting the Utes and paying huge dividends for Utah State. After the Utes forced the Aggies to a 3-out on their first possession John Peal fumbled the punt and the Aggies recovered on Utah's 24 yard line. 4 plays later, Sean Setzer throws a beautiful 9 yard TD pass to the back corner of the end zone... looks like Coach Guy picked the right guy for QB.
Utah got the ball and took it 80 yards in 10 plays, capped off with Matt Asiata taking the direct snap in for a TD from 4 yards out on 4th down.
Score Utah 7 Utah State 7
15:00 First Quarter
Utes look fired up for this game. Utah wins the toss and elects to kick to the Aggies. Brent Guy elects to have Sean Setzer play QB for the Aggies. Setzer is more of a drop back passer so expect the Utes to send a lot of pressure. Lets see how this decision pays off.
Keys to the Game
Utah
- The Utes need to run the ball effectively. Matt Asiata and Darrell Mack combined need to have 100 plus yards rushing.
- Control field position - Louie Sakoda needs to pin the Aggies deep in their own territory
- No mental letdowns - The Utes are known for having one letdown game per year (SDSU 2005, Wyoming 2006, UNLV 2007). Utah needs to come out early with high energy, and put the game away by halftime.
Utah State
- Run up the middle - Utah's biggest defensive weakness is at defensive tackle with 2 starters injured.
- Keep Utah's offense off the field - The Aggies need to slow down and control the tempo of the game. A low scoring game will favor the Aggies far more as I don't see the offensive weapons needed to compete in a shootout.
- Pressure Brian Johnson and force turnovers - the Aggies have one of the best linebacking corps in the west. Don't be afraid to utilize them in zone blitzes.
Pregame thoughts and questions
Brent Guy should have named a starter earlier this week. I don't see the whole "buy a ticket and come see who is starting" gimmick paying off. Quarterbacks need all the confidence they can get, and playing rotating QBs almost never pays off. Can Kyle Whittingham get his team up for a game where they are favored by more than 20 points? Traditionally, the Utes have one game a year where they melt down in all aspects of the game (SDSU 2005, Wyoming 2006, UNLV 2007). The Utes haven't gone 3-0 to start a season since Kyle became head coach (last season Utes started 3-0 was Urban Meyer's Fiesta Bowl team).
My prediction: Utah 38 Utah State 20 Let me know what you think. Post your questions/predictions in the comments section and I'll respond.
Utah Injury Report
Player | Position | Injury | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin Louks | QB | Shoulder | doubtful |
| Lei Talamaivao | DT | Right Fibula | out for season |
| Brad Clifford | TE | Hip | 6-8 weeks |
| Zach Wade | WR | Knee | Indefinate |
| Zane Beadles | LT | Knee | doubtful |
| Robert Johnson | FS | Hamstring | probable |
| Kenape Elipo | DT | Right Fibula | 5-7 weeks |
