Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 24 Utah’s 31-point win over No. 17 Cincinnati

The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between No. 24 Utah and No. 17 Cincinnati. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final score

No. 24 Utah 45, No. 17 Cincinnati 14

What looked like it might be a competitive top 25 matchup turned into a laugher Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

No. 24 Utah rolled to the victory over No. 17 Cincinnati, which had won seven straight heading into the contest.

The Utes (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) controlled the game in all three facets, as they finished with 480 yards of total offense while giving up 427.

Utah scored at least 10 points in each of the first three quarters to build a 38-14 lead going into the final period, and the Utes defense frustrated Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby early and often.

The Utes ran for 267 yards, including 104 yards and one touchdown for Wayshawn Parker, while Devon Dampier completed 16 of 31 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

Sorsby, meanwhile, completed just 11 of 33 passes for 221 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He also had a costly fumble in the first half inside the Utah 25 that ended a promising drive when both offenses were moving the ball well.

That helped Utah take a 24-7 lead into halftime.

Fourth quarter

Utah 45, Cincinnati 14

3:25 — Utah turned another Cincinnati turnover into points, as Byrd Ficklin scored on a 2-yard run for the first score of the final period. Utah 45, Cincinnati 14.

The 26-yard drive was set up by a Bearcats fumble that was forced by Kash Dillon, recovered by Levani Damuni and returned 6 yards.

Third quarter

Utah 38, Cincinnati 14

1:36 — What a huge play for the freshman.

Mana Carvalho, who has had some learning moments this year as a punt returner for the Utes, followed up his 23-yard return with an electric 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. Utah 38, Cincinnati 14.

2:26 — Creed Whittemore has his first touchdown as a Ute, scoring on an 11-yard touchdown where he shook off three Cincinnati defenders to punch it into the end zone. Utah 31, Cincinnati 14.

The 52-yard drive was set up by a 23-yard punt return from Mana Carvalho.

That gives Utah some more breathing room as the third quarter nears it end.

10:35 — The Bearcats got a much-needed score, as Cyrus Allen caught an 88-yard touchdown on a beautiful deep pass from Brendan Sorsby. Utah 24, Cincinnati 14.

Cincinnati got a defensive stop on Utah’s opening possession of the second half, then scored the long touchdown on the Bearcats’ second offensive play of the half.

Halftime

Utah 24, Cincinnati 7

The Utes dominated the first half for the second straight week and took a 17-point lead into the break.

Utah scored on four of its five first-half possessions, including three touchdowns, as the Utes piled up 313 yards of total offense.

Cincinnati had 244 yards of offense, but the Bearcats’ mistakes, including two turnovers from quarterback Brendan Sorsby and a missed field goal, have been costly.

The Utes had the ball for 11 more minutes than Cincinnati in the first half, not a surprise considering the Bearcats are last in the country in time of possession.

Given the Bearcats’ sloppiness, though, it’s led to Utah controlling the game.

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Second quarter

Utah 24, Cincinnati 7

1:19 — Utah is in complete control, after NaQuari Rogers scored on a 1-yard run to give the Utes a 17-point lead. Utah 24, Cincinnati 7.

The latest drive covered 70 yards in six plays. Utah has 313 yards of total offense and has scored on four of its five drives.

4:23 — Utah capitalized on Cincinnati’s fumble, as Dillon Curtis nailed a 33-yard field goal. Utah 17, Cincinnati 7.

The Utes moved the ball 66 yards (their shortest scoring possession of the game) in 13 plays to take a two-score lead.

10:16 — The first turnover of the game goes the Utes’ way, as Utah stopped another long Cincinnati drive.

Johnathan Hall forced a fumble on a Brendan Sorsby run and Jonah Lea’ea made the recovery at the Utah 19 on Cincinnati’s fourth possession.

14:10 — The Utes came up with a stop deep in their territory after giving up a 41-yard run to Tawee Walker. A promising Bearcats drive ended with a missed 42-yard field goal from Stephen Rusnak.

First quarter

Utah 14, Cincinnati 7

1:01 — The Utes’ offense is off to a hot start against Cincinnati.

Utah responded to the Bearcats’ first score with another one of its own, as Wayshawn Parker scored on a 39-yard direct snap run over the right side on a third-and-1. Utah 14, Cincinnati 7.

The Utes have 94 rushing yards and 174 yards of total offense through two drives.

3:53 — We’ve got a tie game, as Brendan Sorsby scored on a 22-yard run for the Bearcats. Utah 7, Cincinnati 7.

Cincinnati moved the ball primarily on the ground on an eight-play, 75-yard drive that knotted the score at one touchdown a piece.

7:05 — The Utes are on the board first, as Ryan Davis caught a rollout pass from Devon Dampier and picked up over 20 yards of YAC on a 34-yard touchdown catch. Utah 7, Cincinnati 0.

After forcing a three and out, Utah went 94 yards in 16 plays and converted two fourth downs on its opening possession.

How to watch the game

The game between Utah and Cincinnati will be televised on ESPN and will be live streamed on Watch ESPN. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. MDT.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for the rivalry game between the Utes and Bearcats.