Mistakes, turnovers doom Arizona Football vs No. 12 Utah

SALT LAKE, UT – Facing inclement weather and taking on a tough team in No. 12 Utah, Arizona Football (3-6, 1-5) could not hang with the Utes, falling 45-20. 

Facing inclement weather, Arizona Football looked all out of sorts from the start as they took on a tough and physical Utah team. Surrendering 457 yards of offense and turning the ball over four times, the Wildcats fell to No. 12 Utah, 45-20 in Salt Lake City.

Arizona competed early in the first quarter, but after the mistakes began to pile up, the Utes took full advantage, pouring it on the Wildcats at will.

Utes quarterback Cam Rising had a solid game in his first game back from injury as he threw for 151 yards and a touchdown on 13-25 passing.

However, it was the Utes’ running game that was the difference in this one as Utah had six different running backs with at least three carries or more. Utah finished with 306 yards rushing and five touchdowns.

Despite being held to a three-and-out, Utah got the ball back quickly, driving 37 yards on six plays to take the early, 7-0 lead.

A few plays later, Arizona struck as they drove 75 yards on four plays to score. A big run by Michael Wiley set up Jayden de Laura to scramble into the end zone from three yards out to make it 7-7.

Unfortunately, that is the closest that this one would get as Utah scored on its next three straight drives to take a commanding, 28-7 lead with 3:23 to play in the half.

Luckily, Arizona was able to sustain an offensive drive just before the half, driving 62 yards on eight plays before settling for a field goal to make it 28-10 before the half.

Trailing big, unfortunately, Arizona Football was unable to come back in this one, eventually losing 45-20 to No. 12 Utah.

Starting a bit slow in the second half, Utah would be the ones to strike first, scoring a field goal with 4:31 to play in the third quarter to make it 31-10.

However, back-to-back scoring drives by the Utes in the fourth quarter made it 45-10 with 4:10 left to play.

Needing to show some kind of life, finally, the Wildcats would score again, this time it was a safety as Arizona was able to cut the lead to 45-12.

Getting the ball right back, the offense finally showed some life at the end, driving 58 yards on five plays as Noah Fifita connected with former high school teammate Tetairoa McMillan to make it 45-18. The two would connect again on the two-point conversion to make it 45-20.

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 3-6 (1-4) on the season and now have lost four straight. Arizona will return to action next week against No. 10 UCLA in Pasadena. The Bruins are coming off a 50-36 win over Arizona State.

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