On a thrilling Friday night in Tempe, Arizona, the unranked Arizona State Sun Devils pulled off a major upset, defeating the No. 16 Utah Utes 27-19 in a tightly contested Big 12 conference matchup. This victory propels Arizona State to 5-1 on the season, while Utah falls to a surprising 4-2 record.
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Early Field Goals Set the Tone
The first half was dominated by field goals, with neither team finding the end zone. Utah's Cole Becker connected on a 30-yard field goal late in the second quarter to give the Utes a narrow 3-0 lead heading into halftime. The defensive units for both sides were impressive, forcing punts and disrupting plays throughout the opening two quarters.
Second Half Offensive Explosion
The second half saw a shift in momentum as both offenses finally found their rhythm. Just three minutes into the third quarter, Utah's Micah Bernard punched in a six-yard touchdown run, capping off a long drive and giving the Utes a 10-0 lead. However, Arizona State responded quickly. Running back Cam Skattebo broke free for a game-changing 50-yard touchdown run, bringing the Sun Devils within three points at 10-7.
Trading Blows Down the Stretch
The fourth quarter became a tense back-and-forth affair. Utah's Becker answered with a clutch 46-yard field goal to extend their lead to 13-7. But Arizona State refused to go down without a fight. Their quarterback, Trenton Bourguet, orchestrated a crucial drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones, giving the Sun Devils their first lead of the game at 14-13 with just over eight minutes remaining.
Skattebo Seals the Deal
Arizona State wasn't done yet. Skattebo, who was a thorn in Utah's side all night, emerged once again. This time, he found a gap in the Utes' defense and scampered for another touchdown, this one from 25 yards out. The Sun Devils successfully converted the two-point conversion, extending their lead to 22-13 with under five minutes left.
Late Utah Rally Falls Short
Utah desperately tried to mount a comeback. Quarterback Cam Rising, returning from injury, led the Utes on a drive that resulted in another Becker field goal, this one from 42 yards out. However, the Sun Devils recovered the onside kick attempt, effectively sealing the victory. Arizona State added a final field goal to solidify the upset win at 27-19.
Key Stats and Player Performances
Arizona State's Skattebo was the undisputed star of the game. He rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries, proving to be a constant threat for the Utes' defense. Bourguet finished the game with 185 yards passing and a touchdown, while Seals-Jones hauled in five receptions for 72 yards and a score.
For Utah, Rising completed 18 of his 32 passes for 158 yards, but his interception late in the game proved costly. Bernard was the bright spot on offense, rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Utah struggled to contain Skattebo and the Sun Devils' running attack, which amassed 182 yards on the ground.
Upset Implications and What's Next
This win is a significant statement for Arizona State, who were picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason poll. Head coach Shaun Aguano deserves credit for rallying his team to victory, putting them in contention for a possible bowl berth. They will look to build on this momentum next week as they face another conference opponent.
For Utah, this loss is a major setback. Their hopes of contending for a Big 12 championship took a significant hit, and they will likely tumble in the national rankings. They need to regroup quickly and address the offensive struggles that contributed to their defeat. Their next game will be a crucial test as they aim to get back on track and salvage their season.
This Arizona State victory is sure to be one of the biggest upsets of the college football season so far. It will be interesting to see how both teams respond moving forward with the Big 12 conference race wide open.