Saturday, October 14
Salt Lake City, UT
1:00 PM
University of Utah
5-1 , 2-1
34
vs
14
California
3-4 , 1-3
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Utah | 0 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 34 |
#16 Utah Football Produces Season Highs On Offense In 34-14 Win Over Cal
10/14/2023 5:47 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – The "next man up" mentality for the No. 16 University of Utah Football team was front and center in its 34-14 win against the California Golden Bears today for Rice-Eccles Stadium's 80th straight sellout as the Utes walked away with a complete team win. Utah improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Pac-12 play.
Utah produced a season-high 445 yards on offense, holding Cal to just 254, including 66 rushing yards to mark the fourth time this season Utah has held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing. Utah's 445 yards on offense included a season-high 317 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns with the Utes holding the ball for 37:53 of the game compared to California's 22:07.
Utah averaged 5.9 yards per play on offense including 8.5 per completion and 6.0 per rush, also going 10-of-17 on third downs while producing 21 first downs to Cal's 16. On defense, the Utes racked up 5.0 sacks with Utah's offensive line keeping the Bears sackless.
GAME LEADERS
It was an offensive explosion from a defensive player today against Cal with safety Sione Vaki playing both ways, recording a career-high 15 carries for 158 yards and two rushing touchdowns. It was the most rushing yards in a game by a Utah defensive back since at least 1996 with the last defensive back scoring a rushing touchdown in a game being Eric Weddle in 2006.
Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson also put up 94 rushing yards on 22 carries, scoring his first touchdown of the season. Bryson Barnes earned the start at quarterback, finishing the game 15-of-21 for 128 yards, targeting freshman wide receiver Mikey Matthews seven times with Matthews catching each one.
On defense, safety Cole Bishop and linebacker Karene Reid led the team with six tackles each with Bishop adding a fumble recovery while Van Fillinger add four tackles that included a team-high 2.0 sacks. Jonah Elliss was once again outstanding on the edge, grabbing four stops with 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble while linebacker Lander Barton had four stops and his second interception of the season.
FIRST QUARTER BREAKDOWN
For the second straight game, Utah found itself behind early with its opponent getting on the scoreboard first. With 5:41 to go in the first quarter, Cal finished an 82-yard drive that ended in a 48-yard passing touchdown to take the 7-0 lead.
The Utes were unable to get points on the board in the first quarter, despite producing 79 yards of offense that included 67 yards on the ground. Utah held the Bears to just 32 rushing yards to begin the game, but Cal found success through the air with 94 yards with an average of 9.7 yards per play.
SECOND QUARTER BREAKDOWN
With 13:29 on the clock in the second quarter, linebacker Lander Barton picked off the Bears to get the ball back in Utah's hands with the Utes setting up on the Cal 48-yard line. Barnes marched the Utes down field 48 yards to even the score, contributing two third down conversions with his legs and his arm with the drive ending on a three-yard rushing touchdown from Jackson.
After Utah's defense forced a three-and-out on Cal's next drive, the Utes would take over on their own 11-yard line with 6:39 to go in the half. It would be Barnes and Vaki once again extending the drive, both converting third and fourth downs with rushes as the 15-play scoring drive ended in Vaki's first career rushing touchdown to give the Utes a 14-7 lead with 26 seconds remaining in the half.
The Utes finished the quarter with 131 yards of total offense, producing 92 on the ground and 39 through the air, also going 3-for-4 on third down conversions. On the other side of the ball, Utah held the Bears to just 17 yards on offense with Cal only averaging 2.1 yards per play.
THIRD QUARTER BREAKDOWN
Utah continued to add points to its line, opening the third quarter with a 23-yard field goal from Cole Becker to give the Utes a 17-7 advantage. The scoring drive included a 17-yard completion to Devaughn Vele and a 41-yard catch from Munir McClain to put the Utes in scoring territory, eventually settling for the three points.
It didn't take long for the Utes to get the ball back in their hands; Elliss strip-sacked the Bears on the first play of their drive with Bishop recovering the ball on the Cal 13-yard line. Three plays later, Barnes would take it into the end zone himself, rushing in for four yards and the touchdown to make it 24-7 with 9:11 to go in the quarter.
The Bears cut the Utah lead with 4:21 on the clock with a 24-yard passing touchdown on the backend of a six-play, 65-yard drive, making it 24-14. It would be the final points of the period with the Utes holding Cal to just 56 yards of offense in the third quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER BREAKDOWN
Cal took over with 12:54 on the clock, driving down field to the Utah 12-yard line with a threat to score, but Zemaiah Vaughn came away with a key pass breakup in the end zone, forcing the Bears to go for a field goal.
The Bears missed the 30-yard attempt, turning the ball over on downs with 7:49 to go, giving Utah possession on its own 20-yard line. After an eight-yard completion to Matthews, Vaki once again showed his explosive ability, breaking free off a huge block from Jaylon Glover for a 72-yard rushing touchdown with 6:51 remaining, putting the Utes up 31-14.
Utah's final points of the game would come with 1:57 to go in the game as Cole Becker connected on a 38-yard field goal, giving Utah its final score of 34-14.
UP NEXT
The Utes will hit the road to take on the USC Trojans on Saturday, Oct. 21 in Los Angeles. The game will air on FOX, kicking off at 6 p.m. MT.
Utah produced a season-high 445 yards on offense, holding Cal to just 254, including 66 rushing yards to mark the fourth time this season Utah has held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing. Utah's 445 yards on offense included a season-high 317 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns with the Utes holding the ball for 37:53 of the game compared to California's 22:07.
Utah averaged 5.9 yards per play on offense including 8.5 per completion and 6.0 per rush, also going 10-of-17 on third downs while producing 21 first downs to Cal's 16. On defense, the Utes racked up 5.0 sacks with Utah's offensive line keeping the Bears sackless.
GAME LEADERS
It was an offensive explosion from a defensive player today against Cal with safety Sione Vaki playing both ways, recording a career-high 15 carries for 158 yards and two rushing touchdowns. It was the most rushing yards in a game by a Utah defensive back since at least 1996 with the last defensive back scoring a rushing touchdown in a game being Eric Weddle in 2006.
Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson also put up 94 rushing yards on 22 carries, scoring his first touchdown of the season. Bryson Barnes earned the start at quarterback, finishing the game 15-of-21 for 128 yards, targeting freshman wide receiver Mikey Matthews seven times with Matthews catching each one.
On defense, safety Cole Bishop and linebacker Karene Reid led the team with six tackles each with Bishop adding a fumble recovery while Van Fillinger add four tackles that included a team-high 2.0 sacks. Jonah Elliss was once again outstanding on the edge, grabbing four stops with 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble while linebacker Lander Barton had four stops and his second interception of the season.
FIRST QUARTER BREAKDOWN
For the second straight game, Utah found itself behind early with its opponent getting on the scoreboard first. With 5:41 to go in the first quarter, Cal finished an 82-yard drive that ended in a 48-yard passing touchdown to take the 7-0 lead.
The Utes were unable to get points on the board in the first quarter, despite producing 79 yards of offense that included 67 yards on the ground. Utah held the Bears to just 32 rushing yards to begin the game, but Cal found success through the air with 94 yards with an average of 9.7 yards per play.
SECOND QUARTER BREAKDOWN
With 13:29 on the clock in the second quarter, linebacker Lander Barton picked off the Bears to get the ball back in Utah's hands with the Utes setting up on the Cal 48-yard line. Barnes marched the Utes down field 48 yards to even the score, contributing two third down conversions with his legs and his arm with the drive ending on a three-yard rushing touchdown from Jackson.
After Utah's defense forced a three-and-out on Cal's next drive, the Utes would take over on their own 11-yard line with 6:39 to go in the half. It would be Barnes and Vaki once again extending the drive, both converting third and fourth downs with rushes as the 15-play scoring drive ended in Vaki's first career rushing touchdown to give the Utes a 14-7 lead with 26 seconds remaining in the half.
The Utes finished the quarter with 131 yards of total offense, producing 92 on the ground and 39 through the air, also going 3-for-4 on third down conversions. On the other side of the ball, Utah held the Bears to just 17 yards on offense with Cal only averaging 2.1 yards per play.
THIRD QUARTER BREAKDOWN
Utah continued to add points to its line, opening the third quarter with a 23-yard field goal from Cole Becker to give the Utes a 17-7 advantage. The scoring drive included a 17-yard completion to Devaughn Vele and a 41-yard catch from Munir McClain to put the Utes in scoring territory, eventually settling for the three points.
It didn't take long for the Utes to get the ball back in their hands; Elliss strip-sacked the Bears on the first play of their drive with Bishop recovering the ball on the Cal 13-yard line. Three plays later, Barnes would take it into the end zone himself, rushing in for four yards and the touchdown to make it 24-7 with 9:11 to go in the quarter.
The Bears cut the Utah lead with 4:21 on the clock with a 24-yard passing touchdown on the backend of a six-play, 65-yard drive, making it 24-14. It would be the final points of the period with the Utes holding Cal to just 56 yards of offense in the third quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER BREAKDOWN
Cal took over with 12:54 on the clock, driving down field to the Utah 12-yard line with a threat to score, but Zemaiah Vaughn came away with a key pass breakup in the end zone, forcing the Bears to go for a field goal.
The Bears missed the 30-yard attempt, turning the ball over on downs with 7:49 to go, giving Utah possession on its own 20-yard line. After an eight-yard completion to Matthews, Vaki once again showed his explosive ability, breaking free off a huge block from Jaylon Glover for a 72-yard rushing touchdown with 6:51 remaining, putting the Utes up 31-14.
Utah's final points of the game would come with 1:57 to go in the game as Cole Becker connected on a 38-yard field goal, giving Utah its final score of 34-14.
UP NEXT
The Utes will hit the road to take on the USC Trojans on Saturday, Oct. 21 in Los Angeles. The game will air on FOX, kicking off at 6 p.m. MT.
Players Mentioned
QB
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LB
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K
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S
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DE
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DE
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RB
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RB
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WR
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WR
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S
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CB
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/ FootballTeam Stats
Cal
Ute
Total Yards
254
445
Pass Yards
188
128
Rushing Yards
66
317
Penalty Yards
44
38
1st Downs
16
21
3rd Downs
4
10
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
22:07
37:53
1st Quarter
Cal 7, Ute 0
Cal - Ott,Jaydn 48 yd pass from Mendoza,Fernando (Bhaghani,Mateen kick) 7 plays, 82 yards, TOP 04:23
2nd Quarter
Cal 7, Ute 7
Ute - Jackson,Ja'Quinden 3 yd run (Becker,Cole kick), 10 plays, 48 yards, TOP 05:33
Cal 7, Ute 14
Ute - Vaki,Sione 1 yd run (Becker,Cole kick), 15 plays, 89 yards, TOP 06:13
3rd Quarter
Cal 7, Ute 17
Ute - Becker,Cole 23 yd field goal 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 04:25
Cal 7, Ute 24
Ute - Barnes,Bryson 4 yd run (Becker,Cole kick), 3 plays, 13 yards, TOP 01:16
Cal 14, Ute 24
Cal - Davis,Taj 24 yd pass from Mendoza,Fernando (Bhaghani,Mateen kick) 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 01:37
4th Quarter
Cal 14, Ute 31
Ute - Vaki,Sione 72 yd run (Becker,Cole kick), 2 plays, 80 yards, TOP 00:58
Cal 14, Ute 34
Ute - Becker,Cole 38 yd field goal 7 plays, 19 yards, TOP 02:35
Game Leaders
CMP
15
TD
0
YDS
128
INT
0
CMP
0
TD
0
YDS
0
INT
0
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