Utah's 21 points were its most in the first half since scoring 28 points in the first half against UCLA in 2019 (Nov. 16)
Utah held the Washington Huskies to their largest first-half deficit in five seasons. UW trailed by 24 points against Oklahoma State in the Cactus Bowl on Jan. 2, 2015. Â
Part of the disparity in the two halves was displayed in third-down conversion percentage and first downs earned
Utah was 4-7 (57%) on third down in the first half, while UW was 0-6. In the second half Utah was 2-7 (29%) while UW was 4-7 (57%).
Washington had 14 first downs in the second half to Utah's 7, after Utah had a 12-6 advantage in the first half.
Utah outgained UW 221-127 in the first half, but was outgained 233-138 in the second half.
Senior quarterback Jake Bentley made his first start for Utah and finished the game against Washington 16-of-23 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 33 yards on 10 carries with one rushing score. It marked the second consecutive week a Utah QB was making his first start as a Ute after sophomore Cameron Rising started last week's season opener against USC.
He rushed for a seven-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give Utah a 7-0 lead. It was his ninth-career rushing touchdown (8 at South Carolina) and his first since Nov. 10, 2018 when he scored a one-yard rushing touchdown against Florida.
His seven-yard touchdown tied for the third longest rushing touchdown of his career, rushing for a 19 and 11-yard rushing TDs against Vanderbilt on Oct. 28, 2017.
The last time Bentley rushed and threw for a touchdown in the same game was against Florida on Nov. 10, 2018 when he threw two touchdowns and rushed for one.
He threw his second touchdown of the season in the second quarter, linking up with Bryan Thompson for 13 yards. He has 57 career passing touchdowns (55 at South Carolina, 2 at Utah).
Freshman running back Ty Jordan got his first collegiate start, in a two-back alignment with Jordan Wilmore, against the Huskies, finishing the game with 10 carries for 97 yards (9.7 ypc).
His 46-yard rush in the second quarter was the longest rush for the Utes this season.
The last time a freshman ran for 90+ yards in a game was against San Jose State on Sept. 17, 2016 when Zack Moss rushed for 95 (12 carries, 1 TD).
Jordan also had four receptions for 31 yards, giving him 128 all-purpose yards for his first 100-yard all-purpose game as a Ute.
Junior running back Devin Brumfield finished the game against Washington with 10 carriers for 39 yards and one touchdown.
His two-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter was his third career rushing touchdown.
Junior wide receiver Bryan Thompson led the Utes in receiving yards with 65 on three catches, with one touchdown.
He averaged 21.7 yards per catch, the second time this year he has averaged 20+ yards per catch (24.0 ypc vs. USC).
It is the sixth time in his career that he has averaged over 15 yards per catch in a game with two or more receptions.
Utah finished the game with three interceptions against the Huskies. Freshmen Faybian Marks and Zemaiah Vaughn both recorded their first collegiate interceptions in the first and second quarters, respectively, with senior safety Vonte Davis notching his first interception as a Ute in the fourth quarter.
Marks finished the game with two tackles and the interception with a 28-yard return. Vaughn returned his interception 73 yards before being forced out of bounds as the first-half clock expired, while Davis recorded three tackles and his 18-yard interception return.
The Utes had a combined 119 interception return yards, the most since Utah had two interceptions for 127 return yards against San Diego State on Nov. 1, 2008.
The last time the Utes had three interceptions in a game was against Arizona on Nov. 22, 2017 (Safety Corrion Ballard, Nickle Back Javelin Guidry, Safety Chase Hansen).
The last time a freshman had an interception in a game was against Idaho State in 2019 when JaTravis Broughton came away with his first collegiate pick.
It is the first time since the Utes joined the Pac-12 that two true freshmen have recorded an interception in the same game.
Junior linebacker Devin Lloydled the Utes for the second-straight game in tackles with 11, tying his career-high that he set against USC this season.
He has three career double-digit games and has either led or tied for the lead in total tackles for the Utes in seven-career games.
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Eric WeddleCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Eric Weddle
Wednesday, October 01
Utah: 48 West Virginia: 14 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCEUtah: 48 West Virginia: 14 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Sunday, September 28
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Tony Caridi, voice of the West Virginia MountaineersCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Tony Caridi, voice of the West Virginia Mountaineers