The Utah Utes ended their 2024 football season on a high note, snapping a seven-game losing streak with a 28-14 victory over the UCF Knights in Orlando. The Utes, known for their defensive prowess, leaned heavily on their defense, scoring two touchdowns off turnovers, including a game-defining 60-yard pick-six by Zemaiah Vaughn in the second quarter. The win improved Utah’s record to 5-7 overall and 2-7 in Big 12 play, though the team fell short of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2020.

The Utes’ defense set the tone early, recovering a fumble by UCF quarterback Dylan Rizk on the game’s opening drive. This led to a 37-yard field goal by Cole Becker, giving Utah an early lead. Midway through the second quarter, Vaughn intercepted Rizk and returned it for a touchdown, putting Utah ahead 10-0. While UCF responded with an 89-yard touchdown drive capped by RJ Harvey’s 5-yard run, Utah managed to maintain momentum. A 24-yard field goal by Trey Coleman extended their lead to 13-7 at halftime.

In the second half, Utah’s offense showed flashes of life. Luke Bottari, Utah’s fourth starting quarterback of the season, connected with Landen King for a 15-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, making it 21-7. Bottari finished the game completing 13 of 20 passes for 111 yards. Micah Bernard contributed significantly to the offense as well, rushing for 87 yards on 22 carries. However, the Utes’ defense ultimately sealed the win. Smith Snowden intercepted a pass by UCF backup quarterback EJ Colson and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, extending Utah’s lead to 28-7.

Despite being outgained 379-198 in total yards, Utah capitalized on UCF’s mistakes, forcing three turnovers and turning them into 21 points. Meanwhile, RJ Harvey was a bright spot for UCF, rushing for 119 yards and breaking the program record for career touchdowns with his 47th. UCF, however, closed their season on a sour note, losing eight of their final nine games to finish 4-8.

The win provided Utah a small silver lining in an otherwise challenging season plagued by injuries, particularly at quarterback. As the Utes look toward the offseason, questions loom about the future of head coach Kyle Whittingham, who has hinted at retirement after 20 seasons with the program.

ORLANDO — Before the season started, a nationally televised Utah-UCF showdown on Black Friday had the makings of a potentially decisive game in the Big 12 race between teams with championship dreams. However, both teams stumble into their respective finales without so much as a shot at bowl eligibility. Keep scrolling for the latest game updates and highlights.

Utah and UCF have identical 4-7 records, with the host Knights one win ahead in the conference standings. The Utes last missed the postseason in 2013, while UCF had reached a bowl game in the previous eight seasons.

Quarterback woes have plagued both teams in slightly different ways. Utah lost Cameron Rising, Brandon Rose, Sam Huard and, most recently, Isaac Wilson to injury. Meanwhile, UCF’s four quarterbacks are all healthy. KJ Jefferson was benched after five inconsistent games, while EJ Colson, Jacurri Brown and Dylan Rizk each took their respective turns behind center.

Nearly two-dozen Knights are set to take part in their final college games, including running back RJ Harvey, wide receiver Kobe Hudson, linebacker Ethan Barr and cornerback BJ Adams. Harvey needs one touchdown to take sole possession of the program’s all-time career record.

UCF vs Utah score updates

UCF football highlights vs Utah

UCF vs Utah time today

• Date: Friday, November 29
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: FBC Mortgage Stadium (Orlando, Florida)

Watch UCF vs Utah live on Fubo (free trial)

What channel is UCF vs Utah game on today?

• TV channel: Fox
• Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

UCF vs. Utah will broadcast nationally on Fox in Week 14 of the 2024 college football season. Trent Rush and Robert Smith will call the game from the booth at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

The Knights began the 2024 season led by quarterback KJ Jefferson, an Arkansas transfer who was named preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Freshman Dylan Rizk has taken over as starting QB. Running back RJ Harvey is tied for third in the nation with 1,328 rushing yards and tied for fifth with 19 touchdowns. UCF boasts two also preseason All-Big 12 selections: receiver Kobe Hudson (first team) and defensive lineman Lee Hunter (second team).

The Utes entered the 2024 with senior Cameron Rising as their quarterback, but he is out for the season after a lower leg injury Oct. 11. Their top offensive player has been running back Micah Bernard, whose 922 rushing yards are seventh in the Big 12.

UCF vs Utah history

This is the first meeting between UCF and Utah.

Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF 24, Utah 21

“It’s a matchup pitting UCF’s fourth-string quarterback (Dylan Rizk) against Utah’s fifth-stringer (Luke Bottari). Bottari took over for Isaac Wilson late in the third quarter of Saturday’s loss to Iowa State when the latter sustained a left knee injury. RJ Harvey will produce a few more lasting memories in his final Knights game, break the school’s all-time record for total touchdowns and give UCF just enough of an edge to win this bowl-ineligible battle.”

Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF 28, Utah 21

“This season has been more Knightmare than fairytale for UCF, but it should end on a high note. Utah has scored 28 points only one time since Sept. 14 — last week vs. Iowa State. One of their four touchdowns came on a punt return, and the first two scoring drives were led by Wilson before he got hurt. New starter Bottari is a senior with 21 career FBS pass attempts.”

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday:

• Spread: UCF (-9½)
• Over/under: 47½ points
• Money line: Utah +280, UCF -350

UCF vs Utah injury report

UCF has no injuries to report.

Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson is out with a leg injury suffered last week vs. Iowa State. Luke Bottari is expected to start. Receiver Munir McClain is questionable.

UCF vs Utah weather updates

Weather.com predicts a low of 50 degrees with partly cloudy skies tonight in Orlando. Winds are expected to blow out of the north at 5-10 mph. There is about a 5% chance of rain.

• August 29: vs. New Hampshire (W 57-3)
• September 7: vs. Sam Houston (W 45-14)
• September 14: at TCU* (W 35-34)
• September 21: Open
• September 28: vs. Colorado* (L 48-21)
• October 5: at Florida (L 24-13)
• October 12: vs. Cincinnati* (L 19-13)
• October 19: at Iowa State* (L 38-35)
• October 26: vs. BYU* (L 37-24)
• November 2: vs. Arizona* (W 56-12)
• November 9: at Arizona State* (L 35-31)
• November 16: Open
• November 23: at West Virginia* (L 31-21)
• November 29: vs. Utah*, 8 p.m.
• Record: 4-7 (2-6 in Big 12)

*- Big 12 game

Utah football schedule 2024

• August 29: vs. Southern Utah (W 49-0)
• September 7: vs. Baylor* (W 23-12)
• September 14: at Utah State (W 38-21)
• September 21: at Oklahoma State* (W 22-19)
• September 28: vs. Arizona* (L 23-10)
• October 5: Open
• October 11: at Arizona State* (L 27-19)
• October 19: vs. TCU* (L 13-7)
• October 26: at Houston* (L 17-14)
• November 2: Open
• November 9: vs. BYU* (L 22-21)
• November 16: at Colorado* (L 49-24)
• November 23: vs. Iowa State* (L 31-28)
• November 29: at UCF*, 8 p.m.
• Record: 4-7 (1-7 in Big 12)

*- Big 12 game

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It’s your turn, Luke Bottari.

With Cam Rising, Brandon Rose, Sam Huard and now Isaac Wilson all injured and done for the season, the Utes will put the ball in the hands of their fifth-string senior on Friday evening against UCF.

Bottari has been in this position before, leading the team to a win against Colorado last season. And it was Bottari, not Wilson, who led Utah’s best drives last week against Iowa State.

“Luke Bottari came in and really provided a spark,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “For a guy that started the season as the fifth-string guy and didn’t have a whole lot of chance to play, he continued to keep himself ready every single week in case. Last week was the week that he got his opportunity. He really did some good things, came in and provided a spark for us.”

Neither the Utes (4-7, 1-7) nor the Knights (4-7, 2-7) will have anything to play for besides pride with the possibility of playing in a bowl game now gone.

Whittingham expects UCF to test Utah’s defense.

“Central Florida is really potent on offense, leading the conference offensively,” the coach said. “They’re running the ball exceptionally well, as is the case with any Gus Malzahn team.”

But it’s the future that currently poses the biggest questions for the Utes.

This week, Whittingham said he will soon evaluate whether to return for his 21st season as Utah’s head coach.

Rising, meanwhile, is expected to announce whether he’ll be returning for an eighth season of college football in the coming days.

Whittingham emphasized the importance of figuring out the team’s quarterback situation this offseason.

“We’ve got to solve our quarterback problems, I can tell you that. That has been a difficult thing this year,” he said. “Quarterback, as I’ve said over and over, is the most important position in football and in team sports period. You better be good there if you want to have a chance to win. So we’ve got to evaluate; just like I’ve got to evaluate my situation, we’ve got to evaluate the quarterback situation and make sure we have ourselves covered for next year.”

On Friday, Bottari will be backed up by junior Dallen Engemann, a Timpview High product who previously played for Santa Ana College.

“That’s all she wrote after those two,” Whittingham said. “I don’t have a good answer. I hope it doesn’t come to beyond that.”