The University of Utah have a problem on the offensive side of the ball. Over the last 8 quarters, the Utes have managed just 17 offensive points, including only seven tonight against the Washington Huskies.
Despite twice starting drives in Washington territory, including one drive at the 11 yard line, the Utes managed just one touchdown at Rice Eccles Stadium on Saturday night. Zack Moss is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered against Northern Illinois, which he appeared to re-injure early against Washington, and finished the game with just 13 carries, 67 yards, and a touchdown.
But beyond Moss, the Utes offensive struggles this week resembled many of the problems against NIU. Most notably, the Utes are struggling to catch the ball. Several players had drops against the Huskies, including Demari Simpkins, Jaylen Dixon, Bronson Boyd, Cole Fotheringham and Connor Haller. Haller’s drop on the goal line might have been most costly, though Tyler Huntley deserves some of the blame for the drop, throwing a fast ball to the tight end on what could have been a simple pitch and catch for an easy touchdown on fourth down.
Huntley forced a terrible throw at the end of the first half that should have been throw out of bounds to set up a field goal attempt for Lou Groza award winner Matt Gay. Gay didn’t get a single field goal attempt in the game.
Despite the Utes loss, they still appear to have a chance to compete in the PAC-12 South. Through three games, only Colorado is undefeated (and is yet to play a conference game), but their lone head turning win, at Nebraska, took a major hit today as the Cornhuskers lost at home to Troy.
USC fell for the second straight week, this time at Texas, like Utah, having only recorded 17 offensive points over the last two weeks.
Arizona State suffered the first loss of the Herm Edwards era on the road at San Diego State, while UCLA fell to 0-3 with a loss to Fresno State.
Arizona recorded their first win over the season against SUU, who lost to a PAC-12 team for the second straight week, having lost to Oregon State last weekend.
The Utes will have to find an offense during their bye week before facing Washington State on the road in two weeks.
