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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Utes wanted to end their regular season with a home win against Colorado. They did just that, honoring the seniors with a 20-14 victory Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Utah's (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) play wasn't the prettiest, but there are positives to take away from the Rumble in the Rockies, especially from the defense.
Until they entered the red zone, the Buffs (4-9, 1-8) looked good on their first drive. Buffs quarterback Cade Apsay got sacked by right defensive tackle Viliseni Fauonuku for a loss of 6 yards, setting up a field goal, but the Utes denied their opponent points.
Defensive end Kylie Fitts, who finished the game with four tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup, blocked Colorado's field-goal attempt. It was his first career block and Utah's second of the season — cornerback Cory Butler-Byrd blocked a punt against USC.
It's blocked!!!! It's blocked. Kylie Fitts with the block!!!! — Ute Central (@utecentral) November 28, 2015
> A FG block!!! Crazy things happen in rivalries... > > — Dustin Tate (@dustintate) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/dustintate/status/670689955044192256)
Senior receiver Kenneth Scott, who went out with an injured foot later in the game, scored Utah's first touchdown of the day. Senior quarterback Travis Wilson threw a 16-yard pass to Scott to give Utah a lead it wouldn't give up.
Wilson to Scott, YEE HAW!!! #CUvsUtah#TOUCHDOWN — Nick Park (@sput_nick) November 28, 2015
> So happy for [@Kscott\_2](https://twitter.com/Kscott_2) to get that TD! > > — Chris Howard (@utahckh) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/utahckh/status/670693080060686336)
> How cool is that a TW to [@Kscott\_2](https://twitter.com/Kscott_2) for the first TD of the game. Gunna miss those studs. [\#Seniorday](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Seniorday?src=hash) [@Utah\_Football](https://twitter.com/Utah_Football) [\#TrueUTES](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrueUTES?src=hash) > > — Christian Cox (@ChristianCox94) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/ChristianCox94/status/670693410869768192)
The offense's success mostly came in the run game. Running back Joe Williams started last week in place of injured Devontae Booker and finally broke free from defenders with a 64-yard rush. He finished the day with a career-high 187 rushing yards on 34 carries and a touchdown.
Williams going #BookMode on that play. #Utes — Ben Gillis (@bsgillis) November 28, 2015
> Joe Williams isn't slow. [\#GoUtes](https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoUtes?src=hash) > > — Casey Packard (@CaseyPackard) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/CaseyPackard/status/670709924276469760)
> [\#JoeWheels](https://twitter.com/hashtag/JoeWheels?src=hash) > > — MUSS Emeritus (@MUSSEmeritus) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/MUSSEmeritus/status/670720799402127360)
When the Buffs tried to score again, safety Marcus Williams got his team-leading fifth interception of the year. He also tipped the ball later in the game, setting up a 29-yard return on Butler-Byrd's interception.
Tipped pick! That's five INTs for Marcus Williams this year. #goutes#CUvsUTAHhttps://t.co/lREMbEP0ke — Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 28, 2015
> WOW! Butler-Byrd with a great pick! > > — Andrew Fronce (@fronce14) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/fronce14/status/670706881569034240)
Success on the defense continued. Linebacker Gionni Paul got his fourth pick of the season — the eighth takeaway he's been involved with this season. He also had a pass breakup and led the team with 13 tackles. > Gionni is a stud. Will get an NFL shot > > — Big Weezy (@Jeffrey\_Hatch) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Hatch/status/670720708666769408)
> Gionni Paul is one of the best, if not best, LBs to have played at Utah. He will be missed. > > — Steve Tate (@tate28) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/tate28/status/670722514272718849)
But it was Fauonuku who stamped Rice-Eccles Stadium with arguably the best performance. The senior had a career-high seven tackles, tied Utah's school record with four sacks in a game and forced a fumble on Colorado's final drive of the game, securing a Utes win.
The strip-sack that clinched a @utah_football victory is clearly the #CUvsUTAH#12Best moment! https://t.co/NaUtwAqd20 — Pac-12 Networks (@Pac12Networks) November 28, 2015
> Seni BALLED OUT today > > — FrustratedHawksFan (@alsup\_steve) [November 28, 2015](https://twitter.com/alsup_steve/status/670738704525225984)
The seniors get one more chance to play Utah football in an unannounced bowl game in hopes it will finish the season with 10 wins. ![](http://beacon.deseretconnect.com/beacon.gif?cid=343485&pid=4)