Down 21-0 at halftime, Washington dominated Utah in the second half, outscoring the Utes 24-0 in the second half for a 24-21 win Saturday at Husky Stadium. Huskies quarterback Dylan Morris connected with Cade Otton for a 16-yard go-ahead touchdown with 36 seconds left, completing the comeback.
It’s Utah’s first 0-2 start since 2007.
3 takeaways
Utes dominate in first half...
Besides a Jake Bentley fumble, the first half couldn’t have gone much better for Utah. The Utes raced out to a 21-point lead by halftime and were in complete control of the game. The offensive line, especially in the run game, was much improved from the USC game and the Utes’ defense was imposing its will.
The quarterback Bentley looked to be settling in nicely for the Utes, as he was 9-for-11 for 87 yards passing and one touchdown and rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown, eclipsing the entirety of Washington’s rushing offense after the first quarter. Freshman running back Ty Jordan was making his presence known, rushing for 60 yards.
On defense, Utah was pressuring Morris, forcing two interceptions and holding the Huskies to just 77 passing yards and 127 yards of total offense. Washington was 0 of 6 on third down. At halftime, Utah had played a nearly flawless game and had to be feeling good heading into the locker room.
...Then collapse in second half
The second half was a complete 180 from the first. Washington took all of three minutes to march down the field on a six-play, 72-yard touchdown drive. Utah’s defense suddenly couldn’t get much pressure and Morris looked like a brand-new quarterback. Four of Washington’s six second-half drives ended in scores, and on two drives where Utah stopped the Huskies, the Utes couldn’t take advantage and score any points.
Utah’s offense couldn’t get the job done as it put up a goose egg in the second half for the second consecutive game. The pass protection wasn’t as good in the second half as it had been in the first, Bentley wasn’t as sharp as he had been in the first half, and Utah turned the ball over too many times. Utah’s offense simply did not have what it took to win. The tide really started turning in the Huskies’ favor after Washington stuffed Bentley on a fourth-and-1 from the Huskies’ 41-yard-line, then drove down and scored a touchdown to make it 21-17. Utah’s offense was given the ball three times from that point and could not capitalize.
Utah’s defense couldn’t get the stop it needed to come away with the win as Morris led the Huskies down the field on the final drive, completing four consecutive passes — three to Otten — for the win.
Turnovers, again
For the second straight week, Utah lost the turnover battle, 4-3. Three of those turnovers came in the second half. Bentley threw an interception early in the third quarter, which led to a Washington field goal, making it 21-10.
The killer turnover for the Utes came at the start of the fourth quarter. In the red zone on first down at Washington’s 12-yard-line, up 21-17, Jordan fumbled and Utah’s best chance to score vanished.
Bentley threw his second interception at the end of the game, extinguishing any hopes of a Ute comeback. Simply put, you can’t turn the ball over four times and win against a team like Washington.
End of Game
Washington 24, Utah 21
Trent McDuffie intercepts Jake Bentley and that’s it. Utah falls to 0-2 on the season.
Here’s the final stats:
0:36 4th Quarter
Washington 24, Utah 21
Washington calmly marches 88 yards in 12 plays, taking 3:55 off the clock to take the lead. The Huskies have now scored 24 unanswered points. Morris finds Otton from 16 yards out and leaves Utah with just 36 seconds left.
End of 3rd Quarter
Utah 21, Washington 17
Washington dominated the third quarter. Here are a few notes heading into the final quarter:
- Washington outscored Utah 17-0 in the third quarter.
- The Huskies were great through the air with 109 yards in the third period.
2:49 3rd Quarter
Utah 21, Washington 17
Washington has dominated the second half. The Huskies have scored 17 straight points in the third quarter, the latest touchdown coming on a 21-yard pass from Morris to Cade Otten. Otten had two 21-yard catches on that drive.
7:21 3rd Quarter
Utah 21, Washington 10
Jake Bentley throws an interception, it’s his second turnover of the night. Elijah Molden had the pick and returns it to Utah’s 27-yard-line. Utah’s defense is able to hold in the red zone with a nice hit by Nephi Sewell on third down.
Peyton Henry’s field goal is good from 26 yards.
12:01 3rd Quarter
Utah 21, Washington 7
Washington strikes fast out of halftime on a six-play, 72-yard touchdown drive. On the drive, the Huskies convert their first third down of the game. Kamari Pleasant punches it in from 2 yards out to cut Utah’s lead to 14.
Utah 21, Washington 0
Zemaiah Vaughn intercepts Morris’s end-of-half heave, Utah’s second takeaway of the game. Here are a few notes at halftime:
- Utah is exerting its will on defense. The Utes has 221 yards of offense in the first half, while holding the Huskies to just 127 yards of offense.
- Utah’s offense line is vastly improved from their poor showing last week. The Utes’ front is getting some good push up front in the run game and has improved its pass protection as the game has gone on.
- After a shaky debut against USC, Jake Bentley is settling in. He’s 9-for-11 for 87 yards passing and one touchdown and has rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown.
0:42 2nd Quarter
Utah 21, Washington 0
Utah goes 78 yards for its third touchdown of the game. Bryan Thompson was the key to that drive. He caught a 19-yard pass, then caught a 13-yard touchdown pass, perfectly placed in the corner from Jake Bentley.
7:55 2nd Quarter
Utah 14, Washington 0
Freshman running back Ty Jordan breaks off a 46-yard run to the 3-yard line. Utah’s offensive line got a good push on that play.
Devin Brumfield punches it in from two yards and Utah has a 14-0 lead.
End of 1st Quarter
Utah 7, Washington 0
Utah leads 7-0 after the first quarter. A few notes from the first period of play:
- Utah’s defense has been good so far as Washington hasn’t been in the red zone yet. The Utes picked off Dylan Morris, which led to a touchdown.
- Jake Bentley is looking to run. The Ute quarterback has run five times for 25 yards and a touchdown and is outgaining Washington on the ground.
2:18 1st Quarter
Utah 7, Washington 0
Pressured by Mika Tafua, Washington quarterback Dylan Morris throws an interception to freshman Faybian Marks, who returns it to the Washington 48-yard line. Utah goes for it on fourth-and-4 from Washington’s 42-yard line and quarterback Jake Bentley rushes for the first down.
Bentley ends the drive by rushing seven yards for the touchdown.
15:00 1st Quarter
We’re underway from Seattle. Utah has the ball first.
Pre-game
Here are a few links to stories you may want to read prior to or during the game: