Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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It was a tough-luck loss for Utes. Being down 13-3 at the half, Utah came all the way back and tied it up at 20 to go into overtime just to lose it 27-20 on a Chuckie Keeton touchdown and a play in the endzone for Utah that could have been called pass interference on Utah State.
It shouldn't be a surprise, though, to Ute fans as they underperformed in a game in which they were the favorites.
QUARTERBACK: Jordan Wynn looked very uncomfortable in the pocket. There were so many under and overthrown balls in this game. He only went 6-for-11 for 47 yards before leaving the game with an injury. Jon Hays stepped in to take over the Utes offense and ended the game going 12-for-26 for 154 yards and a touchdown. Travis Wilson also threw for a touchdown on the prettiest play of the night, but it wasn't enough because of their dismal start to the game. GRADE: C-
RUNNING BACKS: Underwhelming is the word that comes to mind in defining the Utah running backs. John White was held at bay by the USU defense as he only ran for 96 yards. He didn't score a touchdown either. With great power comes great responsibility and White couldn't step up. He only averaged for 3.6 yards a carry. GRADE: C
RECEIVERS: Kenneth Scott takes the cake here with two touchdowns and 82 yards on three catches. DeVonte Christopher also had a decent game with 56 yards on six catches. The wide outs were open but couldn't bring in the ball on a lot of throws though. It's tough to catch the ball when it's 10 feet above you. GRADE: B+
OFFENSIVE LINE: The quarterbacks were pressured the entire night.Wynn was sacked three times and was tackled after a throw to cause him to be taken out of the game. The line did not protect its quarterback or its running backs. The line was just being bulldozed over. GRADE: F
OFFENSE: There were a lot of miscalls and miscues, but it eventually got into a rhythm that allowed it to stay in the game. The Utes had 325 yards of total offense and two touchdowns. They couldn't get their running game going like they're used to but overall, not too shabby. GRADE: C-
DEFENSIVE LINE: The two halves seemed to be two completely different games. The D-line could not get to the quarterback in the first half, but in the second half finally provided some pressure and sacked the quarterback twice. Unfortunately for the Utes, USU rushed for 164 yards behind Keeton and Williams. GRADE: B
LINEBACKERS: The linebackers did an above=average job in trying to limit the Utah State offense. GRADE: B-
SECONDARY: The Utes held the Aggies offense to 216 passing yards, but still allowed two touchdowns including one in overtime. Their coverage was decent though it seemed like USU was throwing all over the field to confuse Utah, and it worked with four receivers having over 20 yards. They weren't able to pick off the ball, but they were close a few times. GRADE: B
DEFENSE: They held USU to 13 points in the first half, while not allowing any points in the second or third quarter, but they collapsed in the fourth and overtime to lose the game. The allowed way too many yards (380) to a USU defense that were distributing the ball. But the Utes defense was able to keep the game close throughout the game to keep the match interesting. GRADE: B
SPECIAL TEAMS: Sloppy special teams. They missed a game-winning 52-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to send it into overtime. The Utes need to fix their special teams to help their offense a little bit, especially when it comes to these close games. There will be more in the season. GRADE: C-
Alex Rivera is the Assistant Sports Editor of the UVU Review. You can contact him at arivera.2011@hotmail.com or through his Twitter account @A_River_Uh
