Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 24 Utah’s 38-29 win over Arizona

In a game that was closer than expected, No. 24 Utah beat Arizona 38-29 Saturday to improve to 7-3 overall and 6-1 in Pac-12 play.

Cam Rising threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns and TJ Pledger rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

4th Quarter

Utah 38, Arizona 29

2:10 — Utah seals the game, taking up 8:24, ending in a TJ Pledger touchdown. Jadon Redding’s extra point makes it a 9-point game.

10:34 — Utah’s special teams woes continue. Arizona easily blocks Michael Williams’ punt as the Utes’ blocking effort is nearly nonexistent. Rhedi Shorts scoops the ball for a touchdown. Utah stops the Wildcats’ two-point conversion and the Utes hold a narrow two-point lead.

11:31 — A facemask penalty from the Utes on the Wildcats’ first 3rd down on the game extended the Arizona drive. Arizona converted a 3rd and 19 for a 28-yard gain in that drive. Utah’s coverage broke down a few times, but Utah held strong inside the 10 to force a field goal. Arizona trails by just eight.

3rd Quarter

Utah 31, Arizona 20

2:57 — Utah strikes quick again with a 76-yard touchdown drive that took 2:57. Cam Rising was excellent, completing all three of his passes for 20, 13 and 17 yards. The 17-yard touchdown pass to Kincaid was right on the money as Utah took a 31-20 lead.

6:58 — Cam Rising and TJ Pledger connected on a screen pass for a 43-yard completion, but the Utes couldn’t take advantage, settling for a field goal to take a 24-20 lead.

11:33 — A busted coverage from the Utes’ defense leads to a 45-yard completion for the Wildcats to get deep into Utah territory, but Arizona couldn’t fully cash in. Tyler Loop kicked a 31-yard field goal to cut Utah’s lead to one.

2nd Quarter

Utah 21, Arizona 17

0:02 — Utah with another quick drive, going 75 yards in 1:22. Cam Rising had a 21 yard pass to Micah Bernard and a 29-yard pass to Brant Kuithe on that drive. Rising threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Kuithe, as he motioned out and then came back to the interior and caught a quick pass from Rising. It was a great play design by Andy Ludwig as Utah took a 21-17 lead.

1:24 — A late hit by Cole Bishop on Will Plummer on 3rd and 8 extended the drive. Lucas Havrisik made a 57-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 17-14 lead.

14:55 — Utah strikes back with a quick 75-yard touchdown drive that look just 1:46 off the clock. The Utes responded to Arizona’s uptempo offense with some uptempo offense of their own. Rising started the drive with a 29-yard pass to Britain Covey. TJ Pledger had a 15-yard rushing touchdown to cap the drive.

1st Quarter

Arizona 14, Utah 7

1:41 — Utah’s defense looks lost out there. The Wildcats are playing uptempo and it’s working, with Utah caught off guard. Will Plummer was perfect on that drive. Jamarye Joiner rotated in to quarterback and had two nice plays, including a 14-yard rush.

7:44 — Utah blitzes Arizona quarterback Will Plummer on 4th and 5, but he evades the Utah rush and runs down the middle of the field for a 43-yard touchdown to tie the game.

10:05 — With Tavion Thomas, held out of the game as a precaution, out, Micah Bernard and TJ Pledger were the running backs as the Utes marched down the field on their first possession for a touchdown. Cam Rising rushed 11 yards for the touchdown.

The big play came on a 27-yard pass from Rising to Bernard on 3rd and 5 to keep the drive alive.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for the game.