Utah Utes use familiar formula in humbling BYU Cougars in opener
Utah returned two interceptions for touchdowns in racing past sluggish Cougars.
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson shrugs after a snap sailed over his head on a two-point conversion try during second half action in the University of Utah at BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. Steve Griffin
PROVO — Here are the things learned in this classic and historic opener between No. 14 Utah and unranked BYU.
Some we knew, others we certainly found out as Utah extended its win streak to a series-tying nine with a 30-12 win early Friday morning.
Utah did exactly what it should have done against BYU. An undefeated season is still a possibility. Favored, Utah delivered. BYU may never beat Kyle Whittingham, who owns them stitch and button.
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Ute pile driver Zack Moss is a beast and as a go-to guy, more than welcomed a rebuilt Utah offensive line. He was fast, strong, tough to bring down and motored with consistency and power. He took over the game on Utah’s first scoring drive of the second half with his 102nd-yard rushing and with Utah leading 16-6. He finished with 29 carries for 181 yards.
BYU QB Zach Wilson made all kinds of plays but did he try to do too much? His arm is not 100 percent and for the second time in facing the Utes, a pick-six proved crucial in a huge change of momentum for the Utes, which the Cougars definitely had in the first half. Utah’s defense pressured him as expected, despite a bigger, stronger and improved BYU offensive line. Wilson needs to find more playmakers besides Matt Bushman. Wilson was 21 of 33 for 208 yards before the lightning delay went into effect. Two pick-sixes in a game? Killers.
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Utah Utes defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) and linebacker Francis Bernard (13) celebrate a pick-six from Bernard during the first half of an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) outruns a pair of Utah Utes defensemen during the first half of an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Alex Miskela (39) makes a field goal during the first half of an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) throws an interception under pressure from Utah Utes defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) during the first half of an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes linebacker Francis Bernard (13) runs in an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Gunner Romney (18) hauls in a pass from quarterback Zach Wilson (1), not pictured, while defended by Utah Utes defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) during the first half of an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah linebacker Francis Bernard (13) intercepts a pass from BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (1) and runs it back for a touchdown during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) gets dragged down as he tries to throw a pass that is intercepted Utah Utes linebacker Francis Bernard who ran it back for a touchdown during the University of Utah at BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Lightning and rain force a delay during second half in the University of Utah at BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Lightning and rain force a delay during the second half in the University of Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin
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Utah punter Ben Lennon (33) follows through on a punt during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU tight end Matt Bushman (89) gets tackled by the Utah defense during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU quarterback Zach Wilson fires a pass during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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The BYU defense celebrates a fourth-down stop during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) tries to scramble out of trouble during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah's Britain Covey (18) heads upfield after fielding a punt during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah's Britain Covey (18) heads upfield after fielding a punt during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah defensive backs Julian Blackmon (23) and Javelin Guidry (28) team up to bring down BYU wide receiver Aleva Hifo (15) during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU linebacker Jackson Kaufusi (38) brings down Utah wide receiver Samson Nacua (45) during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah tight end Brant Kuithe (80) gets upended by BYU linebacker Zayne Anderson (23) during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU players celebrate a defensive stop during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah running back Zack Moss (2) avoids a safety after being hit by BYU linebacker Zayne Anderson (23) during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kalani Sitake applauds his team during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU quarterback Zach Wilson looks downfield during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) makes a diving stop of BYU running back Ty'Son Williams (5) during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU running back Ty'Son Williams (5) gets to the outside during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah running back Zack Moss (2) gets flipped into the air by the BYU defense during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah defensive back Josh Nurse (14) celebrates a Utah defensive stop during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah running back Zack Moss (2) heads upfield during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) throws an interception under pressure from Utah Utes defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) during the first half of an NCAA football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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BYU wide receiver Dax Milne (82) can’t make a catch in the end zone as Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) applies the defensive pressure during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU quarterback Zach Wilson shrugs after a snap sailed over his head on a two-point conversion try during second-half action in the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) pushes running back Ty'Son Williams (5) over the goal line for a touchdown during second-half action in the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham watches his defense during second-half action in the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU wide receiver Aleva Hifo (15) is tackled during the second half of the Utah-BYU game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) celebrates after running back a pick-six during the second half of the Utah-BYU game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) runs an interception back for a touchdown during the second half of the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) makes an interception on a pass intended for BYU wide receiver Micah Simon (13) during the second half of the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. Blackmon returned the pick for a touchdown. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah running back Zack Moss (2) runs into the end zone during the second half of the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) hands off to running back Zack Moss (2) during the second half of the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. Moss scored on the play. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah running back Zack Moss (2) runs the ball near the goal line during the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. Moss scored on the next play. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah defensive end Mika Tafua (42) runs out of the pile with a recovered fumble giving the Utes possession in BYU territory during the second half of the Utah-BYU game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) leans back to pass during the first half of the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah wide receiver Britain Covey (18) is tripped up by BYU defensive back Austin Kafentzis (24) during the second half of the utah-BYU game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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A young child is held by a BYU fan in the stands during the first half of the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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A fan brandishes a pink guerrilla mask during the first half of the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. Three fans were dressed as guerrillas with two being pink. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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BYU quarterback Jaren Hall (3) fumbles the ball during the first half of the Utah-BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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The Utes sing with the crowd after they defeated BYU 30-12 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Fans stretch to high-five Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham after the Utes defeated BYU 30-12 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah tight end Brant Kuithe (80) slaps hands with Ute fans after Utah defeated BYU 30-12 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham congratulate each other after Utah defeated BYU 30-12 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
Utah’s defensive frontfour lived up to all its lofty billing. All-America candidate Bradlee Anae’s shoestring tackle as Wilson threw his first pick-six is just the kind of play that changes games and produces wins. Quick to react and recover and chase, they were impressive. Three forced turnovers led to 14 Utah points. They were the 27th, 28th and 29th BYU turnovers in the last nine meetings. The Utes have had 13 in that span and has had nine defensive touchdowns after this one.
The return of Andy Ludwig is a work in progress. If the Utes are to chase Washington or Oregon to the Rose Bowl, the progression wheels will need some jet fuel. Tyler Huntley looked better when he settled down and went through progressions but had happy feet early. Ludwig did settle him down. Typical Whittingham win, let defense set the tone and keep the offense out of the way.
BYU punter Jake Oldroyd may just be what Utah’s had for a decade, a field-changing artist. With nine minutes to play he had three punts for 147 yards, a long of 58 with a 49-yard average.
Utah kicking? This historic stellar Ute kicking game has a tremendous opportunity for growth, with a missed PAT and whiffed gimme field goal. Is that positive enough?
Not all hits on QBs are equal, inbounds or out of bounds.
BYU’s graduate transfer Ty’Son Williams averaged nine yards per carry through half the game. He looked promising, broke tackles and should have been targeted by more passes, especially early. His fourth-quarter fumble led to a quick and easy Utah touchdown in the fourth to go up 23-6. Williams’ 10-yard TD, his first as a Cougar, came late when the game was out of reach. But he went in standing up. He had a long run of 18 yards and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Didn’t get enough attention. Underutilized when the game was competitive, leaving Wilson trying to do too much.
BYU middle linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi stepped in as an emotional big-play leader for the Cougars, who showed a decent defense for a long stretch and simply wore down when Moss began to catch his rhythm and Ludwig didn’t need anything fancy since BYU was serving up possessions like Cougareat brownies.
Suspension of a game at 11:11 p.m. in Provo due to lightning is as rare as a hurricane warning. This isn’t Florida. Game resumed at 12:05.
Number of BYU face mask penalties? Too many to count. Half a dozen?
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Francis Bernard can wrestle with Moss for MVP of this Ute win. His 58-yard touchdown in the first half was more yards than the Ute offense had gained to that point and set up the Pac-12 favorites to the races in LaVell Edwards Stadium. Bernard had a triumphant return to Provo, the stuff that makes great reading and a highlight video he’ll cherish for all time.
BYU’s offense showed diversity and there was chunk yardage from beginning to end to eight receivers. Considering who they faced across the the line, the best front four they’ll see all year, Jeff Grimes will need to build some confidence and find far more firepower and organization inside the red zone if they are to have any success against Tennessee, USC and Washington this coming September. Two overhead snaps in the red zone? Very familiar scene in this Utah 9-0 run.
Utah’s offensive line faced a decent BYU defensive front seven and fared well. Huntley had time to set his feet and make reads. Moss found holes and creases. This new bunch will break down film and learn and get better by league play.
Bottom line? No big surprises, outcome predicted and delivered.
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