Utah Utes running back Micah Bernard (2) runs the ball for a touchdown, putting the Utes up 52-7 after the PAT in the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
Everything clicked for the Utah Utes in their 52-7 win over Stanford on Friday night.
The Utes’ offense and defense were both fantastic. Utah’s offense gained 581 yards, while the defense held the Cardinal to only 167 total yards.
Utah improved to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in Pac-12 play.
Here are three takeaways from the Utes’ win:
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Utah Utes running back Micah Bernard (2) runs the ball for a touchdown, putting the Utes up 52-7 after the PAT in the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) and teammates finish warmups before the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee (18) uses a crutch on the field before the game against the Utah Utes in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) warms up before the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham walks on the field as players warm up before the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes warm up before the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) runs the ball in for his fourth touchdown, putting Utah up 28-0 over the Stanford Cardinal after the PAT, in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) runs the ball in for his fourth touchdown, putting Utah up 28-0 over the Stanford Cardinal after the PAT, in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham works the sideline during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Bryson Reeves (19) and linebacker Jonah Elliss (83) tackle Stanford Cardinal running back Nathaniel Peat (8) on a punt return in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back TJ Pledger (5) evades the tackle from Stanford Cardinal cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (17) to score on a 96-yard run, putting the Utes up 35-0, in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) hands the ball off the running back Tavion Thomas (9) during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) runs in for his second touchdown, putting the Utes up 14-0 over the Stanford Cardinal after the PAT, in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Jack West (10) hands the ball off during the game against the Utah Utes in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) runs the ball in for a touchdown, putting the Utes up 7-0 over the Stanford Cardinal after the PAT, in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) gets past Stanford Cardinal center Drake Nugent (60) to score after Lloyd intercepted a pass from Stanford Cardinal quarterback Jack West (10) in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Isaiah Sanders (0) gets into the end zone ahead of Utah Utes defensive end Xavier Carlton (44) to score the Cardinal’s one-and-only touchdown of the game in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham flashes the “U” at fans after the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Isaiah Sanders (0) is forced to throw the ball away under pressure from Utah Utes defensive end Van Fillinger (7) in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw works during a time out during the game against the Utah Utes in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Jack West (10) passes under pressure from Utah Utes linebacker Karene Reid (32) in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans cheer as Utah Utes offensive lineman Nick Ford (55) lifts wide receiver Britain Covey (18) after the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Micah Bernard (2) and teammates leave the field after beating the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) and teammates leave the field after beating the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw and Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham shake hands at the end of the game in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes fans cheer during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) leaps over Stanford Cardinal cornerback Ethan Bonner (13) in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) gets ahead of Stanford Cardinal safety Kendall Williamson (21) in Stanford, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
Utah run game, offensive line put on a masterclass
Each game, it seems as if Utah’s offensive line and run game get better. The offensive line of Bam Olaseni, Nick Ford, Paul Maile, Sataoa Laumea and Braeden Daniels was fantastic again for a second consecutive game.
Especially in the first half, Utah’s offensive front was manhandling Stanford’s defensive line, with multiple pancake blocks and huge holes for the Ute running backs to run through. Ford, in particular, had a great game.
Utah rushed for 441 total yards, with 336 of those coming in the first half. It was just too easy for the Utes when they ran the ball.
The Utes knew they had a good opportunity to gain a lot of rushing yards coming into the game due to Stanford’s worst-in-the-conference rush defense, but Utah exceeded all expectations.
Tavion Thomas had a monster night, rushing for 177 yards and four touchdowns. Thomas now has eight touchdowns in his last three games. Complementing Thomas was Micah Bernard, who had 110 yards and a touchdown, and TJ Pledger, who had 107 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time that Utah has had three 100-yard rushers in a game.
Thomas’ most impressive run of the night came on a 58-yard touchdown when he evaded two tacklers in the backfield and found the hole, running free to the end zone.
We are out of breath just watching this clip! @Utah_Football is on 🔥🔥🔥
It was a fantastic night for the Utes’ run game, which just keeps getting better.
Utah’s defense stifles Stanford
Stanford’s offense, which ranked third in the Pac-12 in passing yards, took a blow pregame as the team announced that starting quarterback Tanner McKee was out with an injury. McKee has led the Cardinal’s pass-heavy offense, and without him, Stanford was lost.
Jack West took the majority of snaps at quarterback for the Cardinal, as he passed 18 times (Stanford passed 23 times in total), He went 12-for-18 for only 59 yards, with some of that coming in garbage time.
Utah’s defensive line was disruptive all game, sacking West five times, including a strip sack that caused a fumble. Devin Lloyd also picked West off and dived into the end zone for a touchdown.
Without McKee, Stanford turned to the run game, and the Cardinal was stuffed all night. The Utes held the Cardinal to 82 total yards. In the first half, the Utes were even more dominant, as Stanford only gained five rushing yards.
The Utes had 15 tackles for loss, which encapsulates their incredible performance.
Devin Lloyd’s decision to come back for his senior season is paying off
Devin Lloyd elected to return to Utah for his senior season, and that decision is paying off.
NFL scouts have been at every Utah home game, and Lloyd has performed well in front of them.
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Lloyd was excellent on Friday, leading the Utes in tackles with nine. He had five tackles for loss (three more than Stanford’s entire team), an interception which was returned for a touchdown, a pass breakup and a sack.
Lloyd can drop into coverage or get after the quarterback, and he displayed both of those skillsets on Friday.
Lloyd’s best play of the night came when he picked off West in the fourth quarter. With Stanford at its own 4-yard line, Lloyd leaped high to pick off West’s pass from point-blank range and dove into the end zone as the Utes went up 45-7.
