Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 10 Utah’s 23-10 loss to Arizona

The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between Utah and Arizona. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final

Arizona 23, Utah 10

The Utes were handed their first loss of the season by visiting Arizona on a night where Utah struggled to finish and the Wildcats made them pay.

Utah turned the ball over on downs four times, including on both of its first two possessions of the game.

Those missing early points forced the Utes to abandon the run in the second half and try to rally with true freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson making his third straight start.

The Wildcats, who hit a pair of field goals in the third quarter to turn a 10-3 halftime lead into a 16-3 edge, then put the game away with a 35-yard Keyan Burnett touchdown with 8:13 to play.

Wilson completed 20 of 40 passes for 280 yards, one touchdown and two second-half interceptions. Dorian Singer was the main recipient of his passes, catching nine passes for 155 yards.

Noah Fifita completed 19 of 31 passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Up next for Utah (4-1) is a bye, followed by a game at Arizona State in two weeks.

Fourth quarter

Arizona 23, Utah 10

2:26 — Isaac Wilson threw his second interception of the game, as Gunner Maldanado picked off a pass downfield at the Arizona 23.

That should about do it.

2:54 — Arizona missed a 56-yard field goal that would have made it a 16-point game.

Still, Utah needs a couple quick answers with under three minutes to play.

8:13 — Arizona had a response to Utah’s first touchdown of the game, and it was a big one.

The Wildcats twice converted third and 11 plays with long passes, the second of which was a 35-yard touchdown pass to Keyan Burnett. Arizona 23, Utah 10.

Three plays before that, Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita hung in the pocket and delivered a beautiful pass downfield that was caught by Devin Hyatt for a 41-yard gain on third and 11.

11:54 — We’ve got a ball game.

Caleb Lohner caught his third touchdown of the season, this one a 20-yarder, to cap a six-play, 80-yard drive that brings Utah back within six. Arizona 16, Utah 10.

The scoring play was set up by a 37-yard leaping grab by Dorian Singer that moved the ball to the Arizona 20.

The touchdown drive started after Tao Johnson intercepted Arizona in the end zone — a potential 14-point swing that got Utah back in this one.

14:53 — There’s still some life for Utah.

Tao Johnson intercepted a Noah Fifita pass in the end zone, giving the Utes the ball back down two scores — and as importantly, squelching a scoring chance for the Wildcats.

Third quarter

Arizona 16, Utah 3

1:22 — For the third time tonight, the Utes gave up the ball with a turnover in downs in Arizona territory.

Facing a third and 6 at the Wildcats 44, Isaac Wilson threw to Dorian Singer, but the pass was broken up by Tacario Davis.

6:33 — The Wildcats capitalized on a Utah turnover, as Tyler Loop hit a 33-yard field goal for his third field goal of the night. Arizona 16, Utah 3.

Isaac Wilson threw an interception to Genesis Smith on the first play of Utah’s last drive, and Smith returned it 12 yards to the Utah 18 to set up the short field. The Utes defense held, though, on three plays to force the field goal.

7:36 — Arizona has added to its lead, as Tyler Loop hit a 53-yard field goal on the Wildcats’ second possession of the second half. Arizona 13, Utah 3.

The Wildcats had runs of 18 and 12 yards that helped set them up with a 58-yard scoring drive to make this a two-score game. Arizona also converted a third and 7 deep in its own territory with a 21-yard catch by Keyan Burnett along the sideline.

Halftime

Arizona 10, Utah 3

The Utes have outgained the visiting Wildcats in total yards, but they only have three points to show for it.

Utah put up 219 yards in the first half, while Arizona had 169.

The Utes, though, turned three red-zone trips into just one field goal. Utah failed to convert a fourth down in the red zone on its first two drives.

The Wildcats averaged 11.6 yards per rush in the first half while rushing for 93 yards, helping set up their quarterback Noah Fifita, who completed 13 of 16 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Isaac Wilson has completed 12 of 20 passes for 165 yards in his third straight start. Dorian Singer has been the main recipient of his passes, catching seven for 104 yards.

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Second quarter

Arizona 10, Utah 3

3:17 — We’ve got our first touchdown.

Arizona marched 75 yards on seven plays — aided greatly by a 36-yard run from Kedrick Reescano up the middle — before scoring on a 3-yard pass from Noah Fifita to Jeremiah Patterson. Arizona 10, Utah 3.

6:56 — Finally, Utah got some points after driving into the red zone for its third straight drive to start the game. Cole Becker hit a 23-yard field goal to give the Utes their first points. Utah 3, Arizona 3.

The Utes — behind catches of 28 and 14 yards for Dorian Singer, who already has 101 receiving yards — moved the ball 48 yards in six plays.

11:27 — Utah drove deep into Arizona territory on its second drive, just like the first, but again the Wildcats came up with a big stop on fourth down.

This time, Isaac Wilson tried to hit Caleb Lohner in the end zone on fourth and goal from the 2, but Arizona’s Tacario Davis broke up the pass.

First quarter

Arizona 3, Utah 0

1:48 — The Wildcats struck first, scoring on a 47-yard Tyler Loop field goal. Arizona 3, Utah 0.

Arizona moved the ball effortlessly on its first five plays of a 60-yard drive before stalling out around the Utah 30, forcing the field goal.

An excellent tackle by Utah safety Alaka’i Gilman on third down prevented any serious threat Arizona might convert.

6:39 — The Utes moved the ball 64 yards and ate up move than eight minutes off the clock on their first drive, but Mike Mitchell was stopped for a 1-yard loss on a fourth and 1 run at the Arizona 10, turning the ball over on downs.

How to watch the game

Utah’s game against Arizona will be televised on Fox, with kickoff at 8:15 p.m. MDT.

The game will also be streamed at espn.com/watch.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for Utah’s game against Arizona.