Highlights, key plays and photos from Utah’s 28-14 win over UCF

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

Final score

Utah 28, UCF 14

The Utes wrapped up the year with their best effort since September, beating UCF in the season finale in a game where Utah’s defense had an excellent night.

Zemaiah Vaughn and Smith Snowden each had a pick-six for Utah, while Luke Bottari threw his first career touchdown as Utah scored 18 unanswered points after the game was 10-7 late in the first half, and before UCF scored a last-minute touchdown.

While the Knights had 379 yards of total offense to 196 for Utah, the Utes came up with three straight fourth-down stops against a desperate UCF offense to help Utah eventually pull away for the victory that snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Utes.

Fourth quarter

Utah 28, UCF 14

0:19 — UCF scored one final time, as RJ Harvey caught a 6-yard pass on third and goal to give him two touchdowns on the night where he became the Knights’ all-time touchdowns leader. Utah 28, UCF 14.

3:34 — The Utah defense scored again, as Smith Snowden stepped in front of an EJ Colson pass where he stared down the defender, and it led to a 13-yard pick-six. Utah 28, UCF 7.

In the second half, UCF has punted once, turned it over on three straight drives and now given up a second defensive touchdown.

4:17 — Utah came up with its third straight stop on a fourth down after UCF again reached Utes territory.

This game should be over soon.

14:46 — Luke Bottari threw his first career touchdown pass, finding Landen King for a 15-yard score in the corner of the end zone on third and 12.

Utah went for two, and Bottari underhanded a pass to Micah Bernard, who fought his way past the goal line to make it a 14-point game. Utah 21, UCF 7.

The Utes went 49 yards in nine plays to score, after coming up with a fourth-down stop on UCF after the Knights reached the Utah 36.

Third quarter

Utah 13, UCF 7

0:00 — Neither team scored in the third quarter — UCF had a promising drive into Utah territory end on a fourth-down stop, while the Utes are driving inside the Knights red zone heading into the final quarter.

Halftime

Utah 13, UCF 7

The Utes have a one-score lead on the road in the season finale.

Utah used a pick-six and a pair of field goals to take a six-point lead into halftime over UCF.

Neither team has done much offensively — the Utes have 125 yards, while the Knights have 191.

Zemaiah Vaughn’s 60-yard pick-six in the second quarter is the difference right now.

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Second quarter

Utah 13, UCF 7

1:17 — Backup kicker Trey Coleman finished off a Utah scoring drive by hitting a 24-yard field goal. Utah 13, UCF 7.

The Utes moved the ball 61 yards to get an additional three points on the board before halftime. Three Micah Bernard runs got, following a 35-yard kickoff return from Bernard, got the Utes into UCF territory, then Luke Bottari hit Zacharyus Williams for a 33-yard pass to get the Utes in the red zone.

3:25 — UCF is on the board, with an RJ Harvey 5-yard touchdown run. Utah 10, UCF 7.

Harvey converted a fourth and 1 play with a 23-yard run that moved the ball down to the Utah 10, then two plays later, Harvey scored.

7:45 — Utah’s defense led to another score — this time directly, as Zemaiah Vaughn intercepted an errant Dylan Rizk pass and took it 60 yards to the house. Utah 10, UCF 0.

That is the second pick-six in as many weeks after Utah didn’t have any during the first 10 games of the season.

First quarter

Utah 3, UCF 0

6:52 — The Utes scored first, on a 37-yard Cole Becker field goal. Utah 3, UCF 0.

Utah moved the ball 27 yards in six plays after a UCF turnover. The Utes were lined up to go for it on fourth and inches, but a false start forced the field goal try.

9:32 — Utah will start its first possession of the game in UCF territory after a Knights turnover.

With UCF facing third down but in field goal territory, Lander Barton stripped Dylan Rizk of the football and it bounced backward for a 25-yard loss before Logan Fano fell on the ball at the UCF 46.

How to watch the game

Utah’s game against UCF at FBC Mortgage Stadium will be televised on Fox, with kickoff at 6 p.m. MST.

The game will be streamed at foxsports.com/live.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for the game between Utah and UCF.