3 takeaways from Utah’s 35-21 win over No. 18 Arizona State
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Arizona State Sun Devils running back Rachaad White (3) is gang tackled by the Utah Utes defense in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Joe covers University of Utah sports for the Deseret News.
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Utah scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to beat No. 18 Arizona State on Saturday and take control of the Pac-12 South.
Here are three takeaways from the Utes’ win:
A perfect second half
Utah’s second half against Arizona State was perfect.
Up 21-7 heading into the locker room, ASU had all the momentum after intercepting Utah quarterback Cam Rising in field goal range at the end of the second quarter.
But Utah got the ball first in the second half and played a perfect two quarters.
All four of the Utes’ drives in the second half went for touchdowns. Additionally, Utah’s defense held ASU scoreless in the second half and sacked quarterback Jayden Daniels four times.
Rising himself was nearly perfect in the second half, going 13-for-15 with two touchdowns after going 8-for-18 with two interceptions in the first half.
There were no fumbles and no turnovers. Aside from two penalties — one on Britain Covey for flexing over an ASU player — Utah played perfect football.
Utah was 7-for-11 (64%) on third down conversions, 4-for-5 (80%) in the second half.
On Utah’s second touchdown drive of the third quarter, which tied the game, Rising found Covey for a 6-yard completion on third and 4. The next play was a touchdown,
On Utah’s first touchdown drive of the fourth quarter, which made it 28-21, Rising’s pass on third and 2 from the ASU 37 was incomplete, but Kyle Whittingham made the decision to go for it on fourth and 2, and it paid off.
Rising hit Theo Howard for a 14-yard pass to convert, and three plays later, Utah had the lead. That fourth-down conversion was crucial and helped the Utes keep momentum.
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Utah Utes wide receiver Theo Howard (1) runs in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) celebrates his touchdown with Utah Utes offensive lineman Bamidele Olaseni (77) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back TJ Pledger (5) dives for a touchdown in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes take the field in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Arizona State Sun Devils running back Rachaad White (3) is gang tackled by the Utah Utes defense in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham encourages fans to make noise in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) warms up in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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A Ute fan walks with a view of the moon in the background prior to the Utes football game in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes warm up in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Sophomore defensive back Aaron Lowe, who was shot and killed on Sept. 26, is honored in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive end Xavier Carlton (44) rushes the Arizona State Sun Devils in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) dives for a pass and is unable to hang on against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) dives for a pass and is unable to hang on against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham celebrates a touchdown in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) is upended by the Arizona State Sun Devils in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) sacks Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks at the scoreboard near the end of the game in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes safety Kamo'i Latu (13) breaks up a pass for Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Bryan Thompson (22) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back TJ Pledger (5) runs in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Arizona State Sun Devils running back Rachaad White (3) is tackled by Utah Utes cornerback Faybian Marks (23) and Utah Utes linebacker Karene Reid (32) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) dances after his touchdown in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) scrambles in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) runs in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Ute Aaron Lowe is honored in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Ute Aaron Lowe is honored in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive tackle Devin Kaufusi (90) blocks the field goal by Arizona State Sun Devils kicker Logan Tyler (17) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive tackle Hauati Pututau (41) sacks Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) runs after a catch in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) runs after a catch in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) runs after a catch in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Ron McBride and Spencer Eccles talk during a University of Utah football game in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The Ute tribe prepares to perform at halftime in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive tackle Hauati Pututau (41) sacks Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Utah won 35-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The Utah Utes take the field for their game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Theo Howard (1) makes a catch over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Jack Jones (0) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back TJ Pledger (5) runs in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes and Arizona State Sun Devils line up in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Britain Covey (18) runs after a catch in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) makes a throw over Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Merlin Robertson (8) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) makes a tackle on Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans cheer in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes punter Cameron Peasley (33) punts in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) runs for yardage in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes offensive lineman Nick Ford (55) makes the snap in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) runs after a catch in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive end Mika Tafua (42) is held by Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Ben Scott (66) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch over Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Merlin Robertson (8) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Devaughn Vele (17) makes a catch over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Timarcus Davis (7) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) scrambles in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah Utes linebacker Karene Reid (32) tackles Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Ute Aaron Lowe is honored in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Finally, on Utah’s last scoring drive, which sealed the game and ate up nearly seven minutes of time, leaving ASU with just 2:39, the Utes converted two third downs.
On the first, from Utah’s 20-yard line, Rising passed to Brant Kuithe for the first on third and 8. On the second, from the ASU 36-yard line, Rising kept the drive alive with a 6-yard pass to Cole Fotheringham on third and 4.
Two plays later, Utah scored to go up 35-21 and put the game away.
Is ‘Sack Lake City’ back?
Through three nonconference games, Utah’s defensive front, normally a strength for a Whittingham-led team, wasn’t much of a factor. But the defensive front has shown up in a huge way during Utah’s three Pac-12 wins.
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Against Washington State, Utah registered eight sacks, with Van Fillinger leading the way with three. On the road at USC, Mika Tafua recorded two and the Utes’ run defense held the Trojans to just 92 yards rushing.
In the win over Arizona State, the Utes sacked Daniels four times, with Devin Lloyd registering two and Hauati Pututau and Junior Tafuna each getting one. Daniels was a lot more uncomfortable in the backfield in the second half than the first.
After allowing 288 yards in the first half, Utah clamped down and only allowed 97 in the second, including just 17 rushing yards. After finding success in the first half, in the second half, the Sun Devils were trying to get the run game going again, but it was stuffed.
Utah ended the game with seven tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
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