Arizona State’s offense had a combined 88 yards total. ASU’s defense allowed 522 total yards. That is the story of this game as the Sun Devils lose 55-3 to the 18th-ranked Utah Utes.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It started rough for the Sun Devils and didn’t get better. They allowed Utah’s offense, led by Bryson Barnes, to drive the field twice on their first two possessions and throw TD’s both times to Devaughn Vele. A decent Arizona State drive led to a Dario Longhetto field goal, and it was 14-3 after the first quarter.
DeVaughn Vele finds pay-dirt for the first time in 2023 and the Utes take an early lead!@Utah_Football | @pac12 pic.twitter.com/HwdIXv32To
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) November 4, 2023
The injuries continued to pile up as both Prince Dorbah and Trenton Bourguet got hurt in this game. Bourguet got hurt in the first quarter. He returned but left the game again at halftime. Jacob Conover went 5/22 and only had 41 yards passing. Conover also threw one interception.
Jacob Conover after stepping in to replace the injured Trenton Bourguet:
• 5/22 (22.7%)
• 41 yards
• 1 interception
• Sacked 3 timesUtah’s defense was dominant today pic.twitter.com/zCU1gsgGZH
— Ensign Gridiron (@EnsignGridiron) November 4, 2023
The second quarter was a lot better for the defense. They stopped Utah twice in the red zone and only allowed a late touchdown when Barnes found receiver Munir McClain for a posterizing touchdown grab. That made the score 24-3 at halftime.
Munir McClain from Bryson Barnes! The transfer WR gets his first score of the season to give Utah a 24-3 at the half!@Utah_Football | @pac12 pic.twitter.com/rt1eYKrM7t
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) November 4, 2023
From halftime on, it was all Utah. Ja’Quindon Jackson started the second half with a 55-yard touchdown run. The Utes added a field goal late in the half. The score was now 34-3.
The Arizona State Sun Devils finally gave up in the fourth quarter as Utah cruised down the field three times. Those drives all ended in touchdowns. The first one was another Barnes TD pass. This time to Tight End Landen King. The Backup QB Nate Johnson ran one in from 59 yards the next drive. Finally, with time expiring, RB Charlie Vincent ran one in from 22 yards to give the Utes a 55-3 win.
Nate Johnson takes it to the house 🏠 pic.twitter.com/Jtbvm39uUe
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 4, 2023
Arizona State only made it into Utah territory once in the second half, only to the Utah 49. It was just a terrible performance all around, but especially from the offense. Any momentum the Sun Devils had coming into this game completely faded away. Kenny Dillingham has a lot to talk with this team about. They will have to completely figure it out before facing #19 UCLA at the Rose Bowl next week.
