Utah (4-3, 3-1 Pac-12) vs. UCLA (5-3, 3-2 Pac-12)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m. MDT
- Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium (51,444 capacity)
- TV: ESPN
- Livestream: WatchESPN
- Radio: ESPN 700 AM
- Series: UCLA leads, 11-7
- Weather: Cloudy with temperatures in the mid 50s at kickoff.
THE TRENDS
For UCLA: UCLA is coming off of a 34-31 loss to No. 7 Oregon. The Bruins were driving late to win or tie, but quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was injured on the drive, and backup quarterback Ethan Garbers threw an interception. UCLA needs a win to stay alive in the Pac-12 South race.
For Utah: Utah is coming off of a 42-34 loss against Oregon State. It’s an important game for the Utes, as a win would drop them to two Pac-12 losses and make the Pac-12 South a three-horse race between Utah, Arizona State and UCLA.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Just like the Oregon State game, this contest will come down to Utah stopping the run. UCLA is second in the Pac-12 in rushing yards, with 206 per game. The Bruins’ passing attack is in the bottom half of the conference — 210 yards per game — and Utah’s No. 1 priority will be stopping the run, as UCLA has a trio of talented rushers.
Running back Zach Charbonnet (6-foot-1, 220-pounds) leads the UCLA rush attack, rushing for 732 yards (5.9 average yards per carry) and has scored seven touchdowns. Brittain Brown has rushed for 513 yards (6 average yards per carry) and six touchdowns. Thompson-Robinson rounds out the trio and has rushed for 364 yards and six touchdowns.
KEY PLAYER
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA: UCLA head coach Chip Kelly said Thompson-Robinson has been practicing this week, and Kyle Whittingham says that the Utes expect Thompson-Robinson to play after an injury sustained near the end of the Oregon game. If he does play, how will Thompson-Robinson look coming off of an injury?
Thompson-Robinson is a four-year starter for the Bruins. In 2021, he’s thrown for 1,639 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. He is a good runner and has rushed for 364 yards and six touchdowns so far this season.
QUOTABLE
“A big one this week, as they all are, against UCLA. They’re running the football well, second only to Oregon State in the conference as far as rushing production. They’re playing the run extremely tough. Their defense is allowing less than 100 yards per game rushing, which is leading the league. They’ve got dynamic players, the quarterback is a dynamic player, he’s talented. Two good running backs. And the way the quarterback runs the ball, they’ve got three really good runners. (Wide receiver Kyle Philips) is a great player. Like I mentioned, defensively they’re pretty stingy against the run. They’re scoring 33 points or thereabouts a game offensively. They’re very productive. They’re a good team. Chip (Kelly) is always hard to defend. He’s going to have some things you haven’t seen. Every single week, he’s got things that you haven’t practiced and you’ve got to be able to adjust to during the course of the game.”
— Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham on UCLA
“(Cam Rising is) a dynamic player. ... He can beat you with his arm or his legs. He seems like he’s a really accurate passer. He’s got a good grasp on what Andy Ludwig is asking him to do in that offense. Once they inserted him into the lineup, they’ve taken off offensively.
— UCLA head coach Chip Kelly on Utah quarterback Rising
NEXT UP
Utah travels to Stanford on Nov. 5; UCLA has a bye before hosting Colorado on Nov. 13
UTAH SCHEDULE
Sept. 2 — Utah 40, Weber State 17
Sept. 11 — BYU 26, Utah 17
Sept. 18 — San Diego State 33, Utah 31 (3OT)
Sept. 25 — Washington State (12:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network)
Oct. 2 — Utah 24, Washington State 13
Oct. 9 — Utah 42, USC 26
Oct. 16 — Utah 35, Arizona State 21
Oct. 23 — Oregon State 42, Utah 34
Oct. 30 — UCLA (8 p.m., ESPN)
Nov. 5 — at Stanford (8:30 p.m., FS1)
Nov. 13 — at Arizona
Nov. 20 — Oregon
Nov. 26 — Colorado
All times MT