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November struggles are real, but Utes ready to overcome

After struggling in November this decade, Utah can put it behind them with a win over UCLA

Ryan Kostecka

November struggles are real, but Utes ready to overcome
November struggles are real, but Utes ready to overcome /

If Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, then Ute fans and head coach Kyle Whittingham never really got the message.

It comes as no surprise to anyone in the Pac-12 about Utah’s struggles in the month of November, having been well documented this past decade with losses in big games that can either become bowl-eligible, clinch the South division title, or even win the Pac-12 championship game.

But this year has a different feel to it, just ask senior safety Julian Blackmon, who said “You don't get this far just to lose now. … Especially because we thought we had a special team, coming in.”

Utah will have the chance to prove its different when it hosts UCLA (4-5, 4-2 Pac-12) on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and will air on FOX.

At the beginning of this month on Nov. 2, No. 7 Utah (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) had to travel to Washington, a tough environment to play in to face the Huskies, who were coming off a bye week following a demoralizing loss to No. 6 Oregon. This is the type of game in year’s past where the Utes, needing a win badly, would undoubtedly do something to crush the hearts of Ute fans everywhere.

The game had that feel, with Utah trailing 14-3 early on and 21-19 entering the fourth quarter. But rather than lay down and die, the Utes rallied around something unexpected, an offensive showcase, en route to the 33-28 victory.

Utah scored 14 points in the fourth quarter before hanging on for the win, and keeping alive its hope of becoming South division champions.

Nov 2, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) carries the ball as Washington Huskies defensive back Myles Bryant (left) and defensive back Cameron Williams (right) defend during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium. Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

“It says a lot. We've had a lot of games, the last three games or whatever it's been by putting up 40 points and our defense looking impeccable," Utah running back Zack Moss said of the victory over Washington. "When we can do this and come on the road and win a game like this and doing it the way we did, that's what championship teams do and that's what we've been missing the last couple of years."

But to make that victory really count, Utah has to take down UCLA, a surprise contender in the South and the only other team besides the Utes who controls its own destiny. A loss by the Utes knocks themselves nearly completely out of the division race, as both UCLA and USC will have the head-to-head with them, while all will have two conference losses.

“We’ve got some momentum and they’ve got some momentum on a three-game win streak. They are starting to figure out who they are and are settling in,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “They are a very confident team, at least it appears that way, when you watch them play. It is a team that controls its own destiny in the South just like we do, so it should be a great matchup.”

This is the time of the year when Utah usually stumbles, but what sets this team apart from year’s past, according to Moss, Whittingham and others, is the offense.

Quarterback Tyler Huntley is directing one of the most potent offenses the Utes have had in a decade. Utah is fourth in the Pac-12 in both scoring (33.1 ppg) and total offense (446.4 ypg).

This breakthrough has given Whittingham and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig more comfort when it comes to calling the offense, putting more trust in Huntley to throw the ball and make good decisions. Moss has benefitted massively from this progress, as Huntley’s throwing capabilities have forced defenses to stay honest instead of loading the box against him, making Utah a two-dimensional offense who can beat you in a multitude of ways.

Also, with the offense able to score more points and sustain drives, not only does it keep the defense fresher, it allows defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley to dial up a bit more pressure and take a few more calculated chances. This came to fruition in the game against Utah, when Jaylon Johnson intercepted Washington quarterback Jacob Eason late in the third quarter, giving the Utes the momentum needed to pull out the win.

With the offense proving itself a great compliment to an already stellar defense, Ute fans everywhere can breathe a little easier in the month of November, knowing their team is well prepared.

But at the end of the day, Utah still has to win. And after getting by Washington two weeks ago, next comes UCLA on Saturday and another chance to prove the doubters wrong.

"It's up there for me," Whittingham said following Utah’s win over Washington. "I'd have to go back and look at them but it's up there. It's very, very satisfying, especially under the circumstances."

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Ryan Kostecka
RYAN KOSTECKA

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