TEMPE, Ariz. (ABC4 Sports) – Cam Rising was back at quarterback, but the Utes offense continued to struggle to score touchdowns in a 27-19 loss at Arizona State Friday night.
Rising returned from a hand injury that sidelined him the last three and half games, but suffered an early ankle injury that limited his mobility the entire game. Rising gutted it out, completing just 16 of 37 passes for 209 yards and three interceptions.
This was the second time Rising has thrown three interceptions in a game in his career.
“Those guys did a great job of getting open, but I wasn’t able to get them the ball and throw it accurate,” Rising said. “We just weren’t able to move it because of that.”
Utes offense struggles in 23-10 loss to Arizona
This was a much different game from last year’s 55-3 beatdown by the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium, mainly due to Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, who tore through the Utes defense for 158 yards and two long touchdowns.
In the third quarter, Skattebo broke several tackles, put his hand down to keep his balance and stiff-armed another tackler for a 50-yard touchdown run. Skattebo put the game all but out of reach in the fourth quarter, breaking a tackle then outrunning Utah’s defense for a 47-yard touchdown dash.
“We beat the No. 16 team in the country,” Skattebo said. “Who says we can’t beat anybody else?”
The Utes (4-2, 1-2) had plenty chances in Rising’s return to action. But Rising’s accuracy issues were only part of Utah’s problems.
The Utes spent most of the night failing to capitalize, scoring one touchdown in seven trips across Arizona State’s 30.
Rising threw an interception at Arizona State’s 9, Utah turned it over on downs early in the fourth quarter and the Utes had to settle for field goals on four more trips inside Arizona State’s 30. The last, by Cole Becker from 46 yards in the fourth quarter, came after a pass-interference penalty against Money Parks negated Mycah Pittman’s 12-yard touchdown catch.
Becker finished with four field goals in the game.
Utes defense shuts down Oklahoma State, 22-19
Micah Bernard carried Utah’s offense most of the night, running for 129 yards and a touchdown. This was the fourth game this season Bernard eclipsed the 100-yard mark.
“As long as we continue to have our woes in the red zone, we may not win another game,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “That’s just how important it is.”
Rising did not look himself, perhaps still recovering from the finger injury, but also because he twisted his ankle in the first quarterback while being tackled. Whittingham was asked if there was any conversation about sitting Rising in the second half.
“No, he wanted to play and he felt very strongly that he wanted to stay in the game and he’s won a bunch of ball games for us,” Whittingham said. “It’s very apparent that he’s not at 100% but it’s a coaching decision to decide who gives you the best chance to win the game and that’s who you put out there.”
Utah outgained Arizona State, 349-343, and had 22 first downs to 15 for the Sun Devils. But the three turnovers proved to be very costly, as their Big 12 Conference title hopes took a significant hit.
Caleb McCoullough had 12 tackles — 1 1/2 for a loss — and snagged two interceptions, including the game clincher in the fourth quarter for the Sun Devils.
“He’s a guy who was here through all the mess, through all the bad things that were happening,” ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “He was one of the few guys who stayed and for him to make that play is awesome.”
Utah next hosts TCU Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium on a two-game losing streak.
“Well, you certainly lean on your leadership, your seniors and captains,” Whittingham said. “We got to be better as coaches. We got outcoached tonight, no doubt about it. It’s very similar to what I said two weeks ago, we got to find out each and every one of us on what we can do to be better as coaches, as players. How we can improve. We know our deficiencies, I guess that’s a positive, but we haven’t seemed to be able to get them rectified.”