SALT LAKE CITY -- The No. 17 Utes hosted the No. 4 Huskies at Rice-Eccles Stadium Saturday, and although Utah had a chance at the comeback they ultimately fell short in the 31-24 loss to undefeated Washington.
The game began with some back and forth punting, but the Huskies scored on their third and fourth drives to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Chase Hansen intercepted Jake Browning on a later drive and ran for 30 yards after the catch, and that set up a Utah drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run from Joe Williams.
The Utes forced Washington to punt after a 3-and-out, setting up a final drive of the half with just under three minutes left. Andy Phillips hit from 29 yards as time expired to make it 14-10 Huskies at halftime.
After receiving the kick to start the second half, Utah drove down the field on a 13-play drive that ended with a 6 yard pass from Troy Williams to Siaosi Wilson for a touchdown to give the Utes their first lead at 17-14 and with about 8 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Huskies fired back though, going 75 yards on six plays on the next drive to score a touchdown and take a 21-17 lead. Washington would add a field goal in the fourth quarter to make the lead 24-17.
Utah tied the game on their next drive, which ended with a 24 yard pass from Troy Williams to Evan Moeai to make it 24-all with 9:07 left in the fourth quarter. The Utes' defense held Washington on the following drive, forcing a punt that pinned Utah near their own goal line.
But Utah couldn't get any traction and was forced to punt, a kick that Washington returned all the way for a touchdown and the 31-24 lead with 3:25 left to play. The Utes' offense had one more shot to tie the game, but the final drive came to an end on a failed Hail Mary pass on 4th-and-long.
Utah, now 7-2 overall and 5-2 in conference, plays next on Thursday, November 10, when they travel to Tempe to face Arizona State. That game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
