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SALT LAKE CITY— Seven minutes and 13 seconds. That’s how long it took for the Utah football team to set the tone for its 42-10 slaughter against south rival Arizona on a chilly Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“The first thing that kept them on the field was, I think in the first series. They completed three third-and-longs,” Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin said.
The Utes started the game out on offense and took that opportunity, swallowed 7:13 off the clock, and scored the first of many touchdowns for a lead they’d never give up.
The defense equally showcased its talent in its first outing on the field. The unit kept Arizona’s offense on the field for only five plays for seven yards in 1:37.
With a short break on the sidelines, Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley and the offense worked two big pass plays, including a 20-yard pass to Britain Covey on third-and-8, and an ensuing 39-yard pass to Jaylen Dixon to set up another touchdown. With 2:40 left on the clock in the first quarter, the Utes were up 14-0.
“That kind of set the tone for the rest of the game,” Sumlin said.
The Utes went on to score 35 points before the Wildcats put points on the board from a 37-yard field goal in the middle of the third quarter. By the time Arizona scored its first touchdown, it was the fourth quarter and Utah answered with yet another touchdown.
Utah had so much confidence throughout the game that the team pulled off some trick plays, including a play from Covey, former Timpview High School quarterback, throwing a pass to Huntley for a 58-yard score. The Utes finished with 495 total yards of offense and converted all three of their fourth-down attempts for their second-straight win scoring 40 points or more.
“Give Utah credit for how they approached it and how we didn’t,” Sumlin said.
Next for Utah is a home date with USC on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. MT.
