Utah Falls 31-20 Against Northwestern In Holiday Bowl

Monday, December 31

San Diego, CA

5:00 PM

University of Utah

9-5

Northwestern

9-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Northwestern

Utah

Photo by: Steve C. Wilson

Utah Falls 31-20 Against Northwestern In Holiday Bowl

12/31/2018 9:00 PM | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The University of Utah football program jumped out to a 17-point lead in the first half against Northwestern today, but after a second half scoring run by the Wildcats, the Utes fell 31-20. The Utes finished the season 9-5 overall.

The Utes had 393 total yards on offense and held Northwestern to just 81 yards rushing, but it wasn't enough when the Wildcats scored 28 straight points to take control of the game.

Jason Shelley finished the game 27-of-35 passing for a career-high 302 yards and two touchdowns, but also had two interceptions in the game. With the rushing game struggling in the game, Jaylen Dixon stepped up for a career-high nine receptions, going for 114 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Corrion Ballard had a stellar game, racking up 10 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss (1.0 sack). Marquise Blair added nine tackles with Cody Barton chipping in eight.

The Utes got going on offense in the first quarter after driving down field 62 yards, thanks in large part to big plays from Solomon Enis, Shelley and Dixon. A 12-yard rush down the middle from Shelley put Utah on the Northwestern 27-yard-line with the redshirt freshman quarterback capping it off with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Dixon to give Utah a 7-0 lead.

After a big fourth down stop by John Penisini, Shelley kept the offensive tempo in Utah's favor as he drove down field, connecting with Jake Jackson for a 21-yard pass to the Northwestern five-yard-line. Jackson wasn't done yet, linking up with Shelley once more for a four-yard pass to the end zone to put the Utes up 14-0 with 1:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Northwestern was able to get on the scoreboard with 8:42 on the clock in the second quarter after driving to the Utah three-yard-line. The Utes put up a strong defensive stand with Ballard and Blaire making key stops at the goal line, forcing the Wildcats to a 21-yard field goal to make it 14-3.

Utah's All-American kicker Matt Gay countered with a field goal of his own though with 3:57 left in the quarter, knocking in a 32-yarder to make it 17-3. It put an end to an 11-play, 57-yard drive that burned 4:39 off the game clock.

Gay punched in a 20-yard field goal with five seconds left in the second quarter to give the Utes a 20-3 lead heading into halftime, but the tides turned as the third quarter got underway. Northwestern went on to score 28 unanswered points in the third to take a 31-20 lead.

Northwestern's first score of the streak came at the heels of a Utah interception, finishing the drive off with a four-yard passing touchdown to make it a 10-point game. After three-and-outs by both teams, the Utes got the ball back and put together a strong drive to the Northwestern six-yard-line, but Utah fumbled the ball in the red zone with the Wildcats recovering the ball and running it back for an 82-yard touchdown.

The Wildcats didn't let up as they scored again with 4:39 on the clock after another Utah fumble gave them possession of the ball. Northwestern scored on a 20-yard pass, making it 24-20 to end a two-play, 31-yard drive.

The scoring frenzy continued as Utah continued to struggle to get going on offense in the second half, going for another three-and-out to give the ball back to Northwestern. The Wildcats drove down field for 67 yards, finishing the drive with an eight-yard rushing touchdown to give them an 11-point lead with 1:40 left in the quarter.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth quarter, but turnover woes continued for the Utes on offense, keeping them away from the end zone. The Utes fumbled the ball on their final possession, allowing Northwestern to run out the final two minutes of the game for the win.