Utah Utes

Close, But No Cigar

September 24, 2011

Game Report Posted: July 25, 2011 05:40  

QB Jordan Wynn left the game early in the 2nd and Utah was unable to overcome this injury

Utah knew that they were outmanned coming into this matchup with #4 Stanford, but when they lost their star QB Jordan Wynn early in the 2nd quarter the task became even more daunting. Wynn's subpar backup did more damage than good as he threw 2 picks including a crucial pick 6 to close out the 1st half. With Wynn on the shelf, the already heavy load on HB Thretton Palamo's shoulders became even heavier. He was nearly man enough to handle it, but despite a brilliant day, he'll be remembered for 1 play.

The game couldn't have started better for the Utes. On the 3rd play of the game, Palamo rumbled 53 yards for a TD to put Utah up 7-0. This was followed by a 3 and out for Stanford. The Utes' offense wasn't able to manage any more points in the 1st and Stanford would add 2 FGs to cut the deficit to 7-6. Palamo would strike again with 2 minutes left in the half with a 4 yard TD run to put Utah up 14-6, but Andrew Luck would hit Owusu about 2 inches from the sideline on a 47yd TD catch. Then, Utah's crappy backup QB would throw a 66 yard pick 6 to give Stanford a 20-14 halftime lead.

Utah got back to their grinding ways and Stanford's Taylor and Utah's Palamo would each get TD runs to keep the Stanford lead @ 6. In the 4th, Utah's defense played bend, but don't break but couldn't get the Cardinal off of the field. Finally, with about 3-4 minutes left in the game Stanford was driving deep into Utah territory. They had a 4th and 1 on the Utah 30, but the Stanford coach elected to go for it instead of kicking the FG to put them up by 9. They got the first down, but shortly after Luck would throw an interception, giving the Utes the ball, only down by 6.

The Utes' drive was nearly short lived as they faced a 4th and 1 on their own 30 yard line, but with under 3 minutes left, coach Jello elected to go for it and got the 1st down. Utah methodically drove the ball down the field and had the ball on the Stanford 25 yard line with 1:27 left on the clock. The Cardinal seemed unable to stop Palamo who had gained the majority of the yards on the drive on the ground. After gaining 194 yards and 3 TDs in the game and putting his team on his back on the potential game winning drive, Palamo was assured to get much cheerleader ass tonight. On the next play however, Palamo was absolutely destroyed by OLB Blake Lueders and he coughed the ball up which was then returned 75 yards by Stanford.

Game.

Set.

Match.

Utes Win Pac12 Debut over USC, 20-10

September 17, 2011

Game Report Posted: July 23, 2011 17:06  

Utah faced a tough foe in their debut Pac12 game and they ended up surviving it. Things started off better than anyone could've dreamed for as the 1st play from scrimmage saw USC QB Barkley throw an INT. It wasn't all roses, however as star HB Thretton Palamo left the game with a mild concussion in the 1st quarter after only 4 carries and star QB Jordan Wynn (the only QB worth a damn) would leave the game in the 3rd quarter due to injury. Wynn's backup didn't lose the game or the lead, which was all that was expected, while Palamo's backup Johnny White played brilliantly. White did his best Thretton impression as he gained 131 yards and 1 TD on 21 carries.

The Utes made the plays when they had to, including 2 4th down conversions just outside of FG range and a great catch and run by WR Matthews on a crucial 3rd and 10. He caught the ball short of the 1st down, but broke a tackle and got the 1st down and more. The next play saw Jordan Wynn hit WR Christopher for a 9 yard TD.

As if starting the Pac12 schedule with USC wasn't bad enough, next the Utes will face off against #4 Stanford.

Utah Fires On All Cylinders Against Northwestern

September 10, 2011

Game Report Posted: July 22, 2011 05:30  

Utah's offense is able to execute coach Jello's gameplan while their defense makes enough stops when they needed to this Saturday. The Wildcats opened the scoring with a 16 yd TD pass from Persa to Dunsmore with 1 minute remaining in the 1st. 47 seconds later Utah HB Thretton Palamo was celebrating in the endzone after taking a pitch 70 yards after running over a NW DB.

Utah would add a FG in the 2nd quarter and then Palamo would punch it in from 1 yard out for his 2nd TD of the game with 1 minute remaining in the half. After a quick 3 and out, Utah forced the Wildcats to punt. With only 20s remaining and the ball on their own 27 yd line, coach Jello decided to roll the dice. Jordan Wynn would hit WR Anthony Denham for a 73 yard strike to give the Utes a 24-7 halftime lead.

After another quick 3 and out to start the 2nd half, Utah would strike quickly again with their 3rd TD of 50+ yards within 2:07 of game time on a nice end around run by WR Luke Matthews (I tried to get a vid of this, but EA is retarded). Utah went into cruise control from their as they ate up lots of clock with their power rushing attack and would close the book on the Wildcats with a 34-17 win for their 2nd road victory to start the season.

The game ball went to HB Thretton Palamo with 119 yds and 2 TDs on 17 carries. Honorable mention goes to the entire Ute defense as they were solid all around. For the 2nd consecutive game, QB Jordan Wynn was very efficient as he completed all 9 of his passes for 127 yards and 1 TD.

Next up is Utah's home opener and their Pac12 debut against a very tough USC opponent.

Utah Runs over Bulldogs in coach Jello's debut

August 27, 2011

Game Report Posted: July 19, 2011 07:32  

Utah flexed both their offensive and defensive muscles in this one. Utah gave up a whopping 6 yards of total offense in the 1st half as they held the ball for 13 of 16 minutes and allowed 0 first downs. Rugby sensation Thretton Palamo led the offense with 87 yards and 3 TDs in the 1st half (he'd finish with 96 yards) leading the Utes to a 21-0 halftime lead. Fresno would manage 14 points in the 2nd half, but this one was never in danger.

Utah's running game was deadly as they amassed 211 yards and 4 TDs while QB Jordan Wynn was very efficient as he completed all 9 of his passes in the game.