Pac 12 Football Teams Arizona State – Utah
FACTS & STATS: Site: Sun Devil Stadium (71,706) — Tempe, Arizona. Television: Pac-12 Network. Home Record: Utah 2-0, Arizona State 2-0. Away Record: Utah 0-1, Arizona State 0-1. Neutral Record: Utah 0-0, Arizona State 0-0. Conference Record: Utah 0-0, Arizona State 0-0. Series Record: Arizona State leads 17-6.
GAME NOTES: In a weekend filled with Pac-12 season openers, the Utah Utes will travel to Sun Devil Stadium to begin conference play against the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Arizona State will be playing its third home game of the season in this matchup but will be returning from the first road trip. The Sun Devils lost to Missouri 24-20 in Columbia last weekend, spoiling a 2-0 start to the season. The Sun Devils had scored 108 total points in those two wins but were slowed up by the Tigers. Arizona State was also 4-5 in conference play last season.
These squads have met 23 previous times despite this being the only the second season in which they are both members of the Pac-12. Thus far, Arizona State has dominated in the all-time series with a 17-6 record against Utah, including a 43-22 win last season.
Utah defeated BYU despite having to make adjustments offensively with the retirement of former starting quarterback Jordan Wynn in the week leading up to the game. Jon Hays filled in admirably, completing 18-of-27 passes for 196 yards and a pair of scores. Hays didn’t let the pressure get to him in the game even though he was constantly under pressure and fell victim to four sacks.
In a game in which Utah really could have used a strong running game the Utes’ ground attack fell flat finishing with only 49 yards. Partially to blame was the loss of another important part of the offense in running back John White, who was a late scratch due to an ankle injury suffered against Utah State. White had rushed for 215 yards through the first two games which is still good enough for sixth in the Pac-12 this season.
With the offense missing several key players it was vital that the Utah defense perform well against BYU and the unit answered that call. Despite allowing 312 total yards in the game, the Utes limited the Cougars to a 6- for-17 effort on third down, collected four sacks and forced a pair of turnovers.
The defense also helped with the scoring with Moe Lee’s 47-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown proving to be a key score late in the third quarter. That was especially important as the offense managed only three points itself in the second half, while the defense itself struggled in the fourth quarter, allowing BYU to score 14 unanswered points in the period. Read more Pac 12 Football Teams
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