I guess Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham decided no more of that last play of the game to try and win crap as they completely demolished Southern Utah 73-7. The Thunderbirds held their own through the 1st Qtr, tying the score up 7-7 on a 28 yard run by their back-up Freshman QB Grady Robison with 2:22 left to play. But after that it was all Utah, scoring on nine consecutive drives including an incredible 38 points in the 2nd Qtr to lead 45-7 at the half and then adding another 14 a piece in each quarter after the break—all while holding Southern Utah scoreless. The Utes amassed one tick shy of 600 total yards in the game compared to just 85 for the Thunderbirds—42 in the air and 43 on the ground. Utah’s Junior QB Cameron Rising connected on over 70% of his passes for 254 yards, 3 TD’s, and no interceptions with Senior TE Dalton Kincaid the recipient of 7 of those for 107 yards and two of the scores.
With Whittingham resting his starters late in the game Rising’s backup, Sophomore QB Bryson Barnes, got a chance to play and was perfect on the day—connecting on 6-of-6 for 98 yards and another TD. On the ground they gained less yards but scored more, rushing 42 times for 247 yards and 5 TD’s with Freshman RB Jaylon Glover and Junior RB Tavion Thomas accounting for two a piece. Utah led in every statistical category: 31-to-4 in First Downs; 352-to-42 in Passing Yards; 247-to-43 in rushing yards; and had possession of ball for almost an extra quarter’s worth of time. In addition, Utah logged two sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and picked off two passes, one that went for a TD by Senior Safety R.J. Hubert. Utah stays home to host San Diego State this next Saturday.