About last night: A review of UCLA’s 48-17 loss to Utah

Utah running back Troy McCormick Jr. (4) celebrates after scoring against UCLA defensive back Darnay Holmes (1) during the second half during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The UCLA defense has had enough trouble stopping opposing offenses, but the Bruins suffered from friendly fire during Friday’s 48-17 loss to Utah.

UCLA defensive backs Jaleel Wadood and Darnay Holmes ran into each other on the first play of the third quarter against Utah, allowing Utah receiver Troy McCormick to come free on a simple wheel route for a 75-yard touchdown.

The Bruins (4-5, 2-4 Pac-12) fell to the bottom of the Pac-12 South with the loss and have to win two out of their final three games to secure bowl eligibility.

Links to wrap up Friday’s game:

An in-depth review of Friday’s game: Continue reading “About last night: A review of UCLA’s 48-17 loss to Utah” »

UCLA Game GIFs: Fan reaction to UCLA’s 44-17 loss to Utah

Without its starting quarterback, UCLA needed its supporting cast to step up around Devon Modster. Instead, Bruins fell one by one as Utah ran away with a 48-17 win in Salt Lake City.

Josh Rosen did not make the trip due to a concussion and receiver Darren Andrews and defensive lineman Ainuu Taua both suffered serious knee injuries in the loss. Modster hurt his thumb in the third quarter and did not play in the fourth quarter.

Here is how fans reacted to the loss:

Continue reading “UCLA Game GIFs: Fan reaction to UCLA’s 44-17 loss to Utah” »

First look: UCLA at Utah

Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) passes the ball against Arizona State in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

UCLA (4-4, 2-3 Pac-12) at Utah (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12)
Friday, Nov. 3 | 6:30 p.m. PT | Rice-Eccles Stadium
TV: Fox Sports 1
Radio: AM 1150 or AM 570

Scouting report

Utah is one of the few teams in the Pac-12 floundering more than UCLA. The Utes have lost four in a row, falling from No. 20 in the nation on Oct. 7 to last in the Pac-12 South less than a month later.

Sophomore quarterback Tyler Huntley has struggled since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for two games. In his two games since the injury, he completed 56.4 percent of his passes after a throwing at a 73.3 percent clip during the first four games of the year. The Utes, working under new offensive coordinator Troy Taylor, are averaging 21.4 points per game in conference play.

In a 41-20 loss to Oregon last weekend, the Utes rushed for only 3 yards in the first half and finished with 91 total rushing yards.

Despite its reputation as a typically stout defensive front, Utah is allowing 5.6 yards per carry in conference play. The Ducks piled up 347 rushing yards on 49 carries last Saturday. Continue reading “First look: UCLA at Utah” »

UCLA football 2017 schedule preview: Utah

Utah quarterback Troy Williams (3) tries to slip away from UCLA linebacker Kenny Young (42) last year at the Rose Bowl. Williams returns to the Utes with a new offensive coordinator in 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova // Press-Telegram/SCNG)

UCLA at Utah
Friday, Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m. PT, FS1/FOX Deportes | Rice-Eccles Stadium

Despite 28 wins over the past three seasons and three straight bowl wins, Utah is the last school without an outright Pac-12 South championship.

“We’re not going to apologize for winning nine-plus games the last three years, but we want to win a championship,” head coach Kyle Whittingham told Athlon Sports. “We’ve got to find a way to break through.”

The Utes tied for the title division title in 2015, but watched USC play in the championship game due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Whittingham hopes new offensive coordinator Troy Taylor can be the difference. Taylor was the quarterbacks coach at Eastern Washington last year and called plays for the Eagles as they set FCS records in passing yards (5,160) and total offense (5,766). The Utes (9-4, 5-4 Pac-12 last year) have ranked in the bottom half of the conference in passing offense in each of the past three years.

Game storylines Continue reading “UCLA football 2017 schedule preview: Utah” »