Sione Vaki stops on a dime to beat USC defense, extend Utah lead
Sione Vaki just won’t stop making plays.
The safety who has become a wildcat/tailback revelation in Utah’s backfield scored his second touchdown of the game in the third quarter to put Utah up 28-14 on the 18th-ranked Trojans. Vaki ran an angle route out of the backfield, Bryson Barnes hit him coming across the middle of the field, and then Vaki put the brakes on and tracked back to the near pylon for a 15-yard touchdown.
He beat three USC defenders to get there.
LOOK AT THAT MAN GO!!!
Sione Vaki in for his 2nd TD of the night! 🙌
📺 @CFBONFOX #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/88BxT4LTIp
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 22, 2023
Vaki also scored the first touchdown of the day — a 53-yard reception on a wheel route.
A week ago, Vaki emerged on the offensive side of the football with two touchdowns and 158 rushing yards — the most by a defensive back in recorded Pac-12 history. He also became the first Utah defensive back to rush for two touchdowns in a game since Eric Weddle had a pair at Air Force on Nov. 18, 2006.
Vaki has been playing offense, defense, and special teams for Utah. He entered the Week 8 matchup with USC as the team’s leading tackler.
At the rate he’s going, he might push for some top spots on the offensive side of the box score as well.