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SALT LAKE CITY — Call it the Sione Vaki breakout game, or his best Eric Weddle impression game.
Whatever it could be called, the star Utah safety transitioned into a two-way player for the Utes Saturday afternoon and became a pivotal asset on the offensive side of the ball en route to a 34-14 win over California at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
No. 16 Utah (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) used Vaki in a multitude of ways on offense, which included lining him up in Wildcat situations for the direct snap to make a play with a lead blocker, as well as in designed runs as the lone running back to give Ja'Quinden Jackson, who returned to the lineup after a week off, occasional plays to rest.
"It's a big help," Jackson said of Vaki. "I'm glad he's actually doing his thing and helped us come out with a win."
And it worked for Vaki, who had a 1-yard rushing touchdown at the end of the first half to give Utah a 14-7 lead — the first defensive back rushing touchdown since Weddle did it for Utah in 2006 in the Armed Forces Bowl — as well as a 32-yard run to put Utah deep in California (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12) territory in the first half.
Vaki capped off his day with a 72-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Utes.
"It was good," Vaki said. "I was trying to act like I wasn't tired, but I was tired. But it was good overall."
In all, Vaki finished with 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 attempts on offense, while adding four total tackles in his traditional role as a safety for a Utah defense that held Cal to 66 rushing yards, including 46 rushing yards from dynamic running back Jaydn Ott, and 254 total yards. Utah's defense also managed four sacks against the Golden Bears.
"Sione Vaki really added to what we were doing on offense," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He provided a spark, we saw his speed on that breakaway run there at the end, also had another big gainer — 30-plus yards — converted some big third downs with some tough runs. He was a big positive."
Bryson Barnes got the start for Utah Saturday two weeks after sustaining an injury, which he later described as bruised ribs, that sent him to the hospital. Barnes handled the start well and helped a relatively stagnant offense over the last couple weeks move the ball against the Golden Bears.
Barnes finished the day throwing 128 yards on 15-of-21 passing, including a 41-yard pass to Munir McClain to open up the offense in the third quarter. Barnes also added a 4-yard rushing touchdown on a designed QB run three plays after Jonah Elliss sacked California quarterback Fernando Mendoza to force a fumble that was recovered by Cole Bishop on Cal's 13-yard line.
"I thought Bryson Barnes was very efficient," Whittingham said. "Didn't throw for a bunch of yards, but his completion percentage is very high, took care of the football."
Whittingham said Barnes got the start over Nate Johnson based on how ineffective the offense had been recently, though it was questionable based on his injury. The bye week helped, Whittingham said, and allowed Barnes to take No. 1 reps all week in preparation for the game.
"It's actually great to be out there," Barnes said. 'I wasn't expecting to be back as soon as I was, but you've got to stay in that training room and make sure you're getting right with your trainers, and I was able to get back within a week, so I'm happy to be back out there."
California struck first on the Golden Bears' second drive of the game when Mendoza connected with Ott down the sideline as the freshman was pressured for a 48-yard touchdown strike on third down.
It was a missed opportunity for Utah's defense, but one that forced the offense to become more aggressive to score points.
Mendoza finished the day with 149 yards and two touchdowns on 10-of-17 passing, including a 24-yard strike up the seam in the third quarter to Taj Davis for a touchdown to make it a 10-point game. Mendoza left the game early in the fourth quarter due to injury and was replaced by Ben Finley, who threw for 39 yards on 5-of-14 passing.
Though Utah got the win, all-conference safety Cole Bishop was called for a questionable targeting penalty that will hold him out of the first half against USC next week. The call, which on the surface didn't meet the standard targeting requirements, was reviewed by the refs and upheld.
Whittingham said the team has already begun the process to appeal the targeting ruling, with hopes that Bishop can be available for the full game next week.
"We are appealing it. I think that's already in motion," Whittingham said. "I've got to look at it on tape. I did see it on the board; I don't know. I've just got to look at it. It was a call that was interesting. ... We are taking the steps to at least get some more clarification on it and why was it targeted."
