The skid continues.
Utah lost its third straight game Saturday afternoon, falling 30-10 to Arizona State. The Utes (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) struggled on both sides of the ball, despite the return of quarterback Tyler Huntley. The Utah offense was out of sync all day, unable to sustain drives and threaten the ASU defense.
The Utah defense didn’t do much better. The Sun Devils pummeled Utah on the ground, racking up 201 yards between star tailbacks Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage. ASU was 8-for-15 on third-down attempts.
ASU took a 16-0 lead in the first half, capitalizing on Utah’s porous run defense and an interception by Huntley. ASU kicker Brandon Ruiz drilled three first-half field goals to put the Sun Devils up 9-0. Richard eventually punctuated a nine-play, 94-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 40 seconds left in the first half.
Quarterback Manny Wilkins scored on a 1-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to put the Sun Devils up 23-3. That capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive. The Utes lost two defensive players on that drive, middle linebacker Donovon Thompson and free safety Corrion Ballard, who were ejected due to two different targeting calls.
In his first start since injuring his throwing shoulder against Arizona on September 22, Huntley never found a rhythm, going 19-of-35 for 155 yards and four interceptions. ASU’s Jay Jay Wilson returned Huntley’s last interception 20 yards for a touchdown to put the Sun Devils up 30-3 with 7:31 left in the fourth quarter.
Utah running back Devonta’e Henry-Cole scored the Utes’ lone touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter.
This story will be updated.