#16 Football Travels to Arizona State

Saturday, November 3

Tempe, AZ

2:00 PM

University of Utah

Arizona State

10/29/2018 11:30 AM | Football

Game Notes Press Conference Quotes

The Game
No. 16 Utah (6-2, 4-2 Pac-12) visits Arizona State (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12) in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT in Sun Devil Stadium. Pac-12 Networks will televise the game. Search #UTAHvsASU for conversation and follow @utahathletics for live updates.

Polls & Bowls
> Utah jumped seven places in the AP and eight places in the Coaches polls, moving to No. 16 in both polls this week. It is Utah's second week in the rankings this season and its highest ranking since Nov. 13, 2016 when the Utes were ranked No. 11 in the AP and Coaches polls and were No. 12 in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
> The first CFP rankings of the season will be released on Tuesday, Oct. 30.
> At 6-2, Utah is bowl eligible for the 13th time under coach Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham has the best bowl win percentage in NCAA history (92%) and his 11 bowl wins (11-1) is tied for second among active coaches.
> The Utes are 2-1 when ranked in games against ASU and 1-1 in Tempe. The No. 4 Utes beat ASU in 2015 in Salt Lake City and No. 13 Utah beat the Sun Devils in Tempe in 2016. The No.18 Utes lost to No. 15 ASU in 2014 in Tempe.

Quick Hits
> With its 41-10 win over UCLA last week, Utah has taken sole possession of the Pac-12 South Division lead with a 4-2 league mark.
> The Utes are 3-0 against Pac-12 South Division teams and 1-2 against the North.
> Utah went 4-0 in October for the first time as members of the Pac-12. Utah last went undefeated in October in its final season in the Mountain West in 2010.
> Utah's four-game win streak includes a sweep of its 2018 California foes (No. 14 Stanford, USC and UCLA), as well as a win against Arizona. It is Utah's longest win streak against Pac-12 opponents since 2011, when the Utes won four straight before losing to Colorado in the regular-season finale.
> Utah has scored 40 points in four straight games for the first time since its undefeated Fiesta Bowl season in 2004. The Utes have scored 40 points in five games total this season.
> Utah has nearly doubled its point production from the first to the second half of the season. The Utes averaged 22 points in their first four games and 41 points in their last four.
> Utah's 2016 victory in Tempe was its first road win against ASU in 40 years. The Utes trail 14-4 in Tempe.
> The Sun Devils snapped a two-game Utah win streak with last year's 30-10 win in Salt Lake City to take a 21-8 series lead. See page 2 for complete series results.

Statchat
> Utah is No. 1 in the nation in red zone defense (54.5, 12-of-22).
> Utah is No. 3 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in rushing defense (81.1).
> Utah is No. 7 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in total defense (287.0).
> Utah is No. 7 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in net punting (41.87).
> Utah is No. 10 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in pass efficiency defense (103.76).
> Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 (No. 12 nationally) in opponent third-down conversion percentage (30.3).
> Utah is No. 1 Pac-12 (No. 15T nationally) in first down defense (129).
> Utah is No. 1T in the Pac-12 in field goals made (12).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 14 nationally) in scoring defense (16.8).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in time of possession (31.53).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in fewest passes intercepted (4).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in rushing offense (205.0).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in interceptions (9).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in red zone offense (0.893, 25-of-28).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in punt return defense (5.14).
> Utah is No. 3T in the Pac-12 in sacks (2.63).
> Utah is No. 3T in the Pac-12 in turnovers gained (13).
> Utah is No. 3T in the Pac-12 (No. 19T nationally) in defensive touchdowns (2).
See sidebar on page 3 for more Utah rankings.

In the Huddle
True freshman Soloman Enis (Phoenix/North Canyon HS) and redshirt freshman running back TJ Green (Chandler HS) are both from Arizona. Enis has played in every game with one start and Green has played in six games … True freshman Paul Maile, who moved to the offensive line a few weeks ago, saw his first action as a Ute in last week's 41-10 win at UCLA … Safety Marquise Blair won't start for the first time of the season after a second-half targeting call against UCLA … Running back Zack Moss has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award as the Collegiate Player of the Year … Based on his performance last week against UCLA, Britain Covey made the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll. The Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, honors the most versatile player in major college football … 13 players have started every game: Chase Hansen, Tyler Huntley, Zack Moss, Jackson Barton, Jordan Agasiva, Demari Simpkins, Jake Jackson, Bradlee Anae, Cody Barton, Jaylon Johnson, Julian Blackmon, Corrion Ballard and Marquise Blair … Nine true freshmen have played: Solomon Enis, Cole Fotheringham, Brant Kuithe, Devin Brumfield, Braeden E. Daniels, Maddie Golden, R.J. Hubert and Malone Mataele … Five true or redshirt freshmen have started: Solomon Enis, Bronson Boyd, Jaylen Dixon, Cole Fotheringham, Brant Kuithe and Nick Ford … Utah has 41 players of Polynesian descent on its roster.

Two Minute Drill
Utah leads the nation in red zone defense (54.5%, 12-22). The Utes have scored on 89% of their trips inside the red zone (22-28) … Utah is 0-1 in day games and 2-0 on natural grass … The Utes are 4-0 when they have more passing yards than their opponent … Utah's best offensive quarter is the second (75 points) and its best defensive quarter is the third (27 points) … The Utes are 5-0 when they lead at halftime and 6-1 when they lead after three quarters.