Arizona had two punts blocked, dropped three passes, had three false-start penalties, botched a fake field goal attempt and threw an interception deep in its own territory — and that was just the first half of a 34-21 loss to Utah at Arizona Stadium on Saturday.
Arizona fell despite out-gaining the Utes, 457-333, and rushing for 131 yards. The loss eliminates Arizona from bowl contention.
The Wildcats attempted a fake field goal on their first possession, but Utah stuffed the play to force a turnover on downs. The field goal attempt would have been from 37 yards. On the drive, Arizona dropped two passes — a deep ball down the sideline to Austin Hill, and another pass that Juron Criner got a hand on in the end zone but couldn’t haul in.
On their next possession, Arizona had a punt blocked that was gave Utah the ball at the Arizona 21-yard line. Utah kicked a field goal on that possession to take a 3-0 lead.
The Utes scored on their next possession on a 65-yard pass that took advantage of Jourdon Grandon being overly aggressive on a play-action pass. Utah saw its lead grow to 17-0 before Nick Foles found David Douglas on a 23-yard scoring strike.
Douglas finished the game with two touchdowns and 10 catches for a career-high 156 receiving yards.
Utah added a field goal as time expired in the first half to take a 20-7 lead into the locker room.
The two teams traded touchdowns on their first possessions of the half, which gave Utah a 27-14 lead. Then with Arizona facing a 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Foles threw an interception — his second of the game — with about 7:30 remaining in the game.
After Utah returned the ball to the Arizona 43-yard line, Ute running back John White IV scored from 11 yards out, making the score 34-14 and ending the Wildcats’ comeback hopes. White scored two touchdowns on 27 carries for 107 yards.
Foles finished the game with 326 yards on 25-of-43 passing.
Arizona running back Daniel Jenkins rushed for a career-high 57 yards on six carries. Freshman running back Ka’Deem Carey was suspended for the first half because of an undisclosed violation of team rules.
Carey rushed for 30 yards on five second-half carries.
The Wildcats continue the season at Colorado next Saturday, with a 12:30 p.m. kickoff.
