Utah’s shorthanded defense showed off its depth against Washington State
Utah was down three defensive starters, but that didn’t matter much as the replacements stepped up in the Utes’ 24-13 victory.
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Washington State quarterback Jarrett Guarantano’s (18) helmet comes off while he’s tackled by Utah defenders during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
Going into Saturday’s Pac-12 opener against Washington State, Utah’s defense was short-handed. Three starters — linebacker Nephi Sewell, cornerback JaTravis Broughton and defensive lineman Viane Moala — were all sidelined due to injuries.
Fortunately for Utah, their backups stepped up and played key roles in the Utes’ 24-13 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“I thought the defense played outstanding,” said coach Kyle Whittingham.
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Utah linebacker Karene Reid (32) intercepts a pass from Washington State during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III (8) and others celebrate while running for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Washington State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah’s Solomon Enis (21), Cameron Rising (7) and Britain Covey celebrates their win against Washington State after an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah fans celebrate their victory against Washington State uring an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III (8) celebrates is his touchdown with his teammates during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Washington State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III (8) celebrates is his touchdown with his teammates during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Washington State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah fans celebrate their victory against Washington State uring an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah tight end Brant Kuithe (80) gets tackled by Washington State linebacker Justus Rogers while running for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah wide receiver Munir McClain (13) and Utah linebacker Karene Reid (32) celebrates the victory against Washington State during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III (8) looks while celebrating for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Washington State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah running back TJ Pledger, left, gets tackled by Washington State defensive back Jaylen Watson during a touchdown of an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah running back TJ Pledger, right, runs past Washington State defenders while getting pressured during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Washington State quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (18) gets tackled by Utah quarterback Cameron Rising, bottom, during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah’s linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) celebrates with this teammates after an intercept against Washington State during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. Utah won the game 24-13. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna (58) tackles Washington State quarterback Jarrett Guarantano during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah quarterback Ja'Quinden Jackson, left, celebrates with his teammates after their first touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Washington State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah and Washington State compete during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) gets pressured Washington State defense compete during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah safety Brandon McKinney, right, tackles Washington State running back Deon McIntosh (3) during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna celebrates after an intercept during an NCAA college football game against Washington State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah running back Micah Bernard (2) gets tackled by Washington State defensive back Jaylen Watson during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Washington State quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (18) gets pressured by Utah defense during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah linebacker Karene Reid (32) intercepts a pass from Washington State during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah football team warms-up before they compete against Washington State before an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Washington State warms-up before they compete against Utah during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah football team warms-up before they compete against Washington State before an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Utah football team warms-up before they compete against Washington State before an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
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Washington State warms-up before they compete against Utah during an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake City. | Shafkat Anowar, Deseret News
Freshman linebacker Karene Reid picked off WSU quarterback Jarrett Guarantano late in the first quarter and he ended up recording 15 tackles and a sack.
“It was great. I think it started with the D-line,” said Reid, a Timpview High product. “It enabled us ‘backers to come up and make tackles.”
“Karene played very well,” Whittingham said. “We were down three defensive starters with Viane, JT and Nephi Sewell. Their replacements picked up the slack.”
Junior Tafuna, playing in place of Moala, who has been lost for the season, recorded a seven-yard sack on the final play of the first quarter.
Meanwhile, the Utes put the heat on Cougar quarterbacks all day long, recording eight sacks, and cornerback Clark Phillips had a 54-yard pick-six with 2:19 remaining that closed out the game.
“It’s special. You film study, you prepare, you game-plan every week like it’s going to come to you like a pick-six,” Phillips said of that play. “So when it happens, you take advantage of it and you celebrate with your guys.”
“Clark is a dynamic playmaker. He’s got a ton of ability. He’s only got eight games under his belt but he’s playing like a seasoned vet,” Whittingham said. “He had a nice return and showed some real moves in the open field and returned the football.”
Clark Phillips takes a Pick Six 54 yards to give the Utes a 24-13 win over WSU
Utah’s TJ Pledger contributed 117 yards on the ground
