Estimated read time: 15-16 minutes
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FINAL
Score: (21) Utah 38, San Diego State 7
SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah (9-2, 6-1 MWC) scored 38 points in the first half and cruised to a 38-7 win over San Diego State.
Eddie Wide ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns as the Utes won their 17th straight home game.
The Utes dominated the Aztecs (4-7, 2-5) defensively, holding them to only 91 yards of total offense in the first half.
Jordan Wynn finished with 195 yards passing and a touchdown.
Time Remaining: 0:30 Fourth Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 38, San Diego State 7
The Utes run all but 30 seconds off the clock, turning the ball over on downs rather than kicking a field goal to run up the score.
Time Remaining: 7:32 Fourth Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 38, San Diego State 7
SDSU has made the adjustments to shut down this Utah offense here in the second half. Utah has been unable to get anything to work. Another stalled drive and another punt. Utah's first 5 drives: 4 TDs, 1 punt. Last 5 drives: 4 punts, 1 field goal.
After forcing an Aztec punt, Terrance Cain comes into the game to finish this game off.
Time Remaining: 11:44 Fourth Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 38, San Diego State 7
Aztecs on the move once again, again in Utah territory, this time on the 40 yard line. A roughing the passer penalty puts the ball down at the Utah 25 yard line. Aztecs finally get points on the board as Lindley connects with Dominique Sandifer from 17 yards out. Utah's lead is now 38-7. (SDSU scoring drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2 minutes 16 seconds)
Time Remaining: 2:16 Third Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 38, San Diego State 0
The Utes force a Aztec punt, the seventh on the day. The Utes will take over on their own 19 yard line.
Time Remaining: 4:21 Third Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 38, San Diego State 0
Preston King gets clobbered by the Ute punt coverage team. The Aztecs will start on their own 29 after the punt and great coverage by the Utes.
Time Remaining: 7:32 Third Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 38, San Diego State 0
Utah starts the 3rd quarter on offense, but are unable to get a first down and will be forced to punt. SDSU will take over on their own 21 yard line following Sellwood's 47 yard punt.
A side note on attendance - this turns out to be the 2nd highest season average attendance in Utah history.
SDSU putting a nice drive together, converting twice on third down and now have the ball on the Utah 39 yard line. A 36 yard pass from Lindley to DeMarco Sampson sets the Aztecs up with first and goal inside the 3 yard line. Robert Johnson was just a hair late on deflecting the pass. Aztecs go for it on fourth and goal from the 4 and the Utah defense holds. Great stand for the Utes, who will now take over on offense.
Halftime
Score: (21) Utah 38, San Diego State 0
Eddie Wide scored two first half touchdowns, and Shaky Smithson added another as the Utes lead the San Diego State Aztecs 38-0 at the half.
Jordan Wynn connected with Jereme Brooks from 24 yards out for the score, and Joe Dale returned an interception for a score. Joe Phillips added a 47 yard field goal at the end of the half.
Defensively, the Utes have dominated the Aztecs, holding them to only 91 total yards and six first downs.
The Utes have been efficient on offense, racking up 267 yards and 16 first downs. Jordan Wynn is 12-20 for 178 yards and a touchdown.
Update on the Keys to the Game for Utah
- Come out swinging - Check. The Utes scored on their opening drive and have dominated this game.
- Its not Christmas yet - Check. Zero turnovers for the Utes.
Update on the Keys to the Game for San Diego State
- Air it out - Fail. SDSU only has 52 yards passing.
- Special Teams play - Fail. The Aztecs' special teams have yet to provide any sort of spark.
Key Match-up update
San Diego State's passing offense vs. Utah's pass defense: Utes have held Lindley to only 52 yards passing and have an interception for a touchdown.
Time Remaining: 3:44 Second Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 35, San Diego State 0
Joe Dale intercepts a Ryan Lindley pass and returns it 30 yards for a touchdown. 35-0 Utah.
Utah's defensive pressure is causing Lindley to throw on the run, which is not his strength. Lindley throws two more incompletions and the Aztecs are again forced to punt.
Time Remaining: 5:54 Second Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 28, San Diego State 0
Stevenson Sylvester sacks Ryan Lindley on third down, and the Aztecs will again be forced to punt. SDSU only has six first downs so far this game. The Utes will take over on their own 46 yard line. Shaky Smithson is doing a fantastic job returning punts today - he already has returns of 20 and 10 yards.
Utah goes deep into the play book, having Terrance Cain lineup as a wideout, and Shaky Smithson taking the direct snap. Smithson handed the ball off to Cain, who then pitched it to Jereme Brooks on a reverse, who then pitched it back to Smithson, who tried to throw it to David Reed. The pass was incomplete, but the Aztecs were called for pass interference, giving the Utes 15 yards and a first down. Utah gets another touchdown on the board as Jordan Wynn hooks up with Jereme Brooks from 24 yards out. Brooks' catch was ruled incomplete on the field, but the officials overturned the call after further review. Utah now leads 28-0. (Utah scoring drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 2 minutes 24 seconds)
Time Remaining: 10:08 Second Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 21, San Diego State 0
Facing third and six, Lindley's pass intended for DeMarco Sampson is deflected by Robert Johnson. It looked like it would be a completion, but a great defensive play by Johnson forces a SDSU punt.
The Utes will start on their own 31 yard line. On third and nine from the Utah 46 yard line, Wynn completes a 14 yard pass to David Reed. 15 yards is added to the play for leading with the helmet, and the Utes now have the ball on the Aztec 25 yard line. Six plays later, Shaky Smithson takes the direct snap in for the score from 4 yards out to extend the Utah lead to 21-0. (Utah scoring drive: 11 plays, 69 yards 4 minutes 30 seconds)
Time Remaining: 2:24 First Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 14, San Diego State 0
Perfect play call for the Aztecs as the run a screen pass against a very aggressive Ute defense, and the play goes for 16 yards. However, Ryan Lindley gets called for intentional grounding two plays later, forcing third and 20. The Ute defense stuffs the run, and the Aztecs will punt the ball away. First and ten for the Utes on their own 32 following a 20 yard return by Shaky Smithson.
Jordan Wynn again looks deep, this time connecting with Jereme Brooks for 44 yards down to the SDSU 24 yard line. His deep passes are right on the money. Three plays later, Eddie Wide takes the pitch right 2 yards in for the score. The Utes now lead 14-0. (Utah scoring drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2 minutes 10 seconds)
Time Remaining: 7:12 First Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 7, San Diego State 0
Utah's defense stuffs a SDSU reverse attempt. Great job by Joe Dale and Koa Misi to stay at home and play their assignment on defense. After Ryan Lindley completed a playaction pass to Dominique Sandifer for a first down, the Utes buckle down and force a Aztec punt. Utah will take over on their own 20 following the punt.
On third and four, Wynn missed a wide open Aiona Key that would have given the Utes a first down. SDSU will take over on their own 30 following Sean Sellwood's punt.
Time Remaining: 11:28 First Quarter
Score: (21) Utah 7, San Diego State 0
San Diego State will start the game on offense, starting from their own 20 following a touchback on the kickoff. After a good leftside offtackle run by Brandon Sullivan for 12 yards, it looked like Utah was able to get a stop, but an offside penalty gives the Aztecs another chance and moves them 5 yards closer, which SDSU converts. SDSU put together a decent looking drive, moving down to the Utah 41 yard line, but Ute corner LaMar Champman tips up Lindley's pass and intercepts it.
First Ute play goes for 44 yards as Jordan Wynn goes deep to David Reed. The next play, Eddie Wide finishes the drive from 8 yards out to put the Utes up 7-0. (Utah scoring drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 18 seconds) Great start for the Utes.
- Come out swinging - After last week's blowout loss to TCU, the Utes can get back on track by putting up a few scores early on to set the tone for this game
- Its not Christmas yet - The Utes can't put the ball on the turf, especially against a very aggressive Rocky Long coached defense.
Keys to the Game for San Diego State
- Air it out - Test Utah's corners with deep routes. Ryan Lindley is certainly a capable quarterback.
- Special Teams play - Block a punt, return a kickoff for a touchdown and that may be just enough momentum to help the Aztecs knock off one of the MWC "Big Three"
Key Match-up
San Diego State's passing offense (#29 NCAA, 261.5 YPG) vs. Utah's pass defense (#14 NCAA, 173.3 YPG). Ryan Lindley and Co. vs. R.J. Stanford, Robert Johnson and Brandon Burton.
My Prediction
Utah should be fired up for this one, trying to get back on the winning track after last week's big loss at #4 TCU. The Utes won't be able to win the MWC Championship, but they still can get to 11 wins if they beat SDSU, BYU and their bowl opponent.
Brady Hoke has things heading in the right direction for the Aztecs. QB Ryan Lindley has looked impressive at times this season, and since he is only a sophomore, the future looks bright for this SDSU team.
Defensively, Rocky Long has brought his 3-3-5 defense from New Mexico. This defense has caused Utah fits in the past (Utes only put up 13 on the Lobos last year). What is a 3-3-5 defense?
Teams that run the 3-3-5 generally use it because they are a relatively fast but smaller unit compared to the opposing offense, and they want to cause blocking assignment issues for that offense. Utah's offensive line will face a tough test against this defense, both in run and pass blocking. Expect the Aztecs to send the house, trying to rattle freshman QB Jordan Wynn.
Although the Aztecs have their program heading in the right direction, this Utah team is hungry for a win and should come out ready to get back on track.
MY PREDICTION: Utah 45, San Diego State 17. Let me know what you think. Post your predictions/questions in the comment board.
- Utah ranks third in the MWC in all four major offensive categories: scoring (29.0), rushing (174.7), passing (223.9) and total offense (398.6). The Utes are also third in the league in pass efficiency (138.0).
- Junior Eddie Wide ranks second in the MWC and 47th in the nation in rushing, averaging 83.4 yards per game. He leads the league in rushing in conference games, averaging 106.3 ypg.
- Utah is ranked seventh in the nation (third in the conference) in opponent third down conversions with a 30.1% rate (44-of-146 attempts)
- The Utes rank in the top 25 in the nation (top three in the league) in these defensive categories: 14th in pass defense (173.3), 18th in pass efficiency defense (102.05), 24th in scoring defense (20.3) and 18th in tackles for loss (7.20)
- Utah has lost starting end Derrick Shelby for the year (knee). He is the second starting defensive lineman out for the season. The other is tackle Kenape Eliapo (eye condition)
- Preseason all-conference safety and All-America candidate Robert Johnson leads the MWC and is tied for seventh in the nation in interceptions with five.
- Utah has won 16 straight home games since losing to Air Force on Sept. 8, 2007.
- Utah's 24 seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony. They are Matt Asiata (who may seek a medical hardship extension), Zane Beadles, Joe Dale, Tatum Drecksel, Kenape Eliapo, Junior Fonua, Kepa Gaison, Ben Hendy, Robert Johnson, Justin Jones, Chris Joppru, Aiona Key, Koa Misi, Trevor Moss, Viliamu Nau, John Peel, David Reed, R.J. Stanford, Ray Stowers, Stevenson Sylvester, Ben Vroman, Elijah Wesson, Tyler Williams and Mike Wright.
San Diego State Miscellaneous Stats
- San Diego State has committed 10 turnovers in its last three games against Utah.
- Sophomore quarterback Ryan Lindley has played exceptionally well of late. In last five games, the sophomore is 106-of-177 (59.9 percent), for 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions.
- Of the 22 new coaches in the FBS this season, only four have already led their team to at least two more victories in 2009 than last season. They are San Diego State's Brady Hoke (2 to 4), Iowa State's Paul Rhodes (2 to 5), Washington's Steve Sarkisian (0 to 3) and Auburn's Gene Chizik (5 to 7). Hoke has also helped the Aztecs, just nine games into the season, match or surpass their win total in seven of the last nine seasons.
- In the six conference games in 2009, San Diego State has posted a 2-4 record and has been outscored by 51 points (146-197) after going 0-6 and being outscored by 180 points (80-260) against those same MWC opponents last season. The 129 total-point improvement averages out to 21.5 points per game.
- The Aztec offense has shown remarkable improvement over the last five games since the bye week. In the last five outings (against 18th-ranked Brigham Young, at Colorado State, vs. New Mexico, vs. 6th-ranked TCU and vs. Wyoming), SDSU has scored 132 points and compiled 1,812 yards of total offense.
- Under new defensive coordinator Rocky Long, the Aztecs already 17 sacks on the season with two games to go. They only had 13 sacks last season.
