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SALT LAKE CITY — Coming off a road loss to USC, No. 19 Utah bounced back big with a 38-13 win over the visiting Washington State Cougars Saturday.
The Utes (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) put up 526 yards of total offense while holding the pass-heavy Cougars to only 313 total yards, including 252 from Mike Leach's vaunted Air Raid offense.
“They wanted redemption this week because we didn't play well (at USC) last week, and we know we're better than that,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said after his team’s win. “This week they came out with a purpose.”
Utah was led by senior quarterback Tyler Huntley, who finished the night with 334 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-30 passing, and added 31 rushing yards and 2 more scores in the win. Huntley added the final dagger of the night on a 2-yard rushing touchdown with a shade under 90 seconds remaining in the game, capping a 17-0 second half.
“I thought Tyler was outstanding again,” Whittingham said. “He's playing by far his best football since he's been a Ute, and he's one of the best quarterbacks in the country right now, in my opinion.”
Washington State (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) would make it a 1-point game late in the second quarter, but Utah never allowed them to get back into the game by outpacing the Cougars 24-0 the rest of the way, controlling the time of possession for much of the second half to limit a comeback.
Utah held the Cougars scoreless and limited their time with the ball in the second half, which gave Washington State little time to make its mark and cut into the Utes' lead. Washington State would only possess the ball for 9:46 of the second half, while Utah finished the second half possessing the ball for 20:14.
On the defensive side of the ball, Utah limited Washington State’s ability to get into the end zone on multiple stops in the red zone. Already trailing 31-13 late in the fourth quarter, Utah’s defense held Washington State on their 3-yard line to avoid a score. Senior safety Julian Blackmon held onto the touchdown-saving tackle to force a turnover on downs.
On Washington State’s ensuing drive, Utah linebacker Francis Bernard picked off Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon, who last week threw nine passing touchdowns in a loss to UCLA, for his second interception of the night. Gordon finished the night throwing for 252 yards and one touchdown and two interceptions on 30-of-49 passing.
Tyler Huntley put up more total yards tonight (365) than WSU’s Air Raid offense (313). #goutes#Pac12FBpic.twitter.com/IQMd1Z7FR3
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 29, 2019
“I was watching film all week and as soon as I saw both dudes go in, I was like, 'Oh yeah, this is coming right to me,' and so I bailed out,” Bernard said. ‘The quarterback was looking at me and I was like, 'Yup.' I was making the most of my opportunity.”
Utah held the pass-heavy Washington State defense to only 190 yards at the halftime break, while totaling 325 yards of their own. Huntley threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-21 passing in the first two quarters and added 32 rushing yards — including a 15-yard touchdown scramble at the end of the half to give the Utes an 8-point lead at the break.
Utah started out the game a little rough after Huntley connected with receiver Bryan Thompson for a 54-yard strike to set up a go-ahead touchdown pass to Demari Simpkins. But Simpkins dropped the wide-open 20-yard pass to force a 33-yard field goal attempt that was missed by placekicker Jadon Redding.
But Utah bounced back on its ensuing series with an 11-yard strike from Huntley to running back Devonta’e Henry-Cole, who needed only a few more yards to pick up the score in the front corner of the end zone. Utah would go on to score two more times in the first half, including a 52-yard bomb to a streaking Samson Nacua for the score right out of the quarter break.
Utah would add 17 more points in the second half despite missing starting running back Zack Moss, who left the game early last week against USC with an apparent shoulder injury. Utah was also without starting slot receiver Britain Covey, who is still rehabilitating from an ACL injury last season.
Whittingham said after the game they expect to have Moss back in two weeks against Oregon State on the road when the Utes resume play after the bye week. But Covey could potentially redshirt the season as he heals up from his injury and looks to get back to 100%.
