Jackson, No. 12 Utah run past Arizona in 45-20 win

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Utah ran throughout Arizona for 60 minutes and the Wildcats have been powerless to do something to cease it.

The Twelfth-ranked Utes tallied a season-high 306 yards dashing in a 45-20 win over Arizona on Saturday night time. 9 completely different gamers had at the very least one carry, and Ja’Quinden Jackson led the best way with a career-high 97 yards and a landing.

“We have been in a position to run the ball downhill all night time,” junior quarterback Cam Rising stated.

Utah averaged 5.6 yards per rush whereas ending with its highest single-game dashing yardage whole since racking up 441 in opposition to Stanford final season.

Utes coach Kyle Whittingham credited his offensive line for keying the outburst by persistently creating holes and maintaining the Arizona line of defense on its heels.

“The operating backs ran laborious, and so they did some good issues on their very own, however no one rushes for over 300 yards with out the offensive line controlling the road of scrimmage,” Whittingham stated.

Rising threw for 151 yards and a landing in his return following a one-game absence. Utah (No. 14 CFP, 7-2, 5-1 Pac-12) compelled seven fumbles and recovered 4.

Jayden de Laura had 159 yards passing and ran for a landing to guide Arizona (3-6, 1-5). The Wildcats totaled 387 yards however gained solely 138 yards after halftime.

“We simply couldn’t get any momentum,” Arizona coach Jedd Fisch stated. “We might transfer the ball previous the 40 however didn’t find yourself going additional and turned it over a few occasions after I thought we had landing alternatives.”

Utah took management of the sport within the second quarter behind an imposing operating assault. The Utes racked up 153 yards and 4 touchdowns on the bottom within the first half whereas averaging 7.0 yards per carry. Three of the scores got here within the second quarter.

Arizona received its solely landing earlier than halftime when Michael Wiley gained 57 yards on a jet sweep to arrange de Laura’s 3-yard scoring run two performs later to tie the rating 7-7.

Third string QB Nate Johnson scored touchdowns on his first two profession carries to assist Utah draw back earlier than halftime. His first landing, an 8-yard run, put the Utes up 14-7. After Zemaiah Vaughn recovered a muffed punt return on the Arizona 9, Johnson punched it in on his second run one play later to increase the result in 28-7.

“Ball safety is the primary factor,” Wiley stated. “Can’t win video games with numerous turnovers.”

The Utes drove deep into Arizona territory twice within the third quarter, however fumbles ended each drives. Utah lastly scored its fifth landing early within the fourth on Rising’s landing move. He linked with Thomas Yassmin on a 12-yard strike to increase the Utes’ result in 38-10.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arizona: The Wildcats got here into the sport with nation’s third-ranked passing offense however struggled to generate a lot by means of the air in opposition to Utah. Arizona was held to 231 yards passing after averaging 340.1 yards by means of the air in its earlier contests.

Utah: Taking a operating back-by-committee method labored properly for the Utes. 9 completely different gamers carried the ball for Utah and 5 averaged at the very least seven yards per carry.

DAZZLING DEBUT

Utah could have gotten a sneak peak at its quarterback of the longer term. Johnson made an instantaneous affect along with his velocity, imaginative and prescient, and playmaking potential. The true freshman knew he would get an opportunity to indicate off his talents when Utah coaches put in a Wildcat package deal within the offense for him in observe on Monday.

“It provides me numerous confidence,” Johnson stated. “Most true freshman quarterbacks don’t actually play. They intend on redshirting, so (being concerned) actually gave me a giant confidence booster.”

Whittingham stated the teen has solely scratched the floor in what he can do within the Utah offense.

“Nate’s received a ton of potential. He’s received a really excessive ceiling,” Whittingham stated. “He additionally throws the ball very properly. We see it in observe day-after-day.”

TURNOVER TROUBLES

Arizona has given up at the very least 45 factors 5 occasions in six Pac-12 video games this season. The Wildcats’ protection did have one silver lining round one other darkish cloud. For the simply the second time this season, they compelled takeaways in opposition to a league opponent.

The Wildcats had gone three straight video games with out producing a turnover earlier than recovering two Utah fumbles within the third quarter. Arizona has totaled three takeaways in six league video games to this point.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Utah might transfer up within the AP Prime 25 with one other dominant residence win over a Pac-12 foe.

UP NEXT

Arizona visits UCLA on Saturday.

Utah hosts Stanford on Saturday.

Extra school soccer