Utah offense under the gun again as Utes head to halftime in tight game with Cal
Utah had to get creative in the first half against Cal, and, after a sluggish start, it went into the locker room leading 14-7.
The 16th-ranked Utes trailed the visiting Bears 7-0 after the first quarter. They got two scores on the board in the second quarter. Without Cameron Rising yet again, Utah turned back to Bryson Barnes as the starting quarterback. So, the Utes got creative.
Defensive back Sione Vaki had an expansive package in the first half. Utah used him in a wildcat look. Devaughn Vele tried a trick pass that ultimately ended in a throwaway.
Without their leader — and with injuries to key guys everywhere else — Utah’s offense has slipped to 126th in offensive efficiency. They entered Saturday’s game averaging only 4.6 yards per play.
In the first half against Cal, Utah averaged 5.3.
(Cal was at 6.8.)
The run game found a bit of life, which was needed. Vaki led all Utes with 66 rushing yards and a touchdown. Ja’Quinden Jackson made his return to the field and ran hard in the first half, with 13 carries for 60 yards and a score.
The pass game was again off, though. Barnes had Vaki on a wheel route in the first quarter for a walk-in touchdown and just overthrew him. Barnes completed seven of his 11 passes for 51 yards. Five of Barnes’ seven completions went to Mikey Matthews.
Fans were pleased to see Utah take advantage of a Cal interception and score its first touchdown of the game, but the first two drives were a struggle. Utah punted after a six-play, 19-yard drive to open. It missed a field goal on its next drive.
Vaki’s rushing score with 26 seconds left in the half capped a 15-play, 89-yard march.
Here’s some of the reaction from Utah fans and other media members to the first half:
Halftime: Utah 14, Cal 7.
Three drives of 10+ plays, including two for scores, is a good look.
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) October 14, 2023
Energy at Rice-Eccles Stadium is really blah …
— Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) October 14, 2023
The fans are putting in about as much effort as the offensive coaches are… which isn’t much.
— Spenser (@spenbow1) October 14, 2023
Matches the teams offensive output
— kellen carsey (@CarseyKellen) October 14, 2023
Even when a guy is wide open we can’t make a play. This offense is cursed
— Utah A&M (@Utah_AM) October 14, 2023
Watching Utah's offense is truly a test of human endurance and discipline.
— 𝕬𝖓 801 𝕺𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖆𝖑 (@TheJazzyUte) October 14, 2023
If I see one more clip of Micah, Brant and Cam laughing it up on the sideline, I’m gonna rip my hair out.
— Kendra Bartle (@KendraBartle) October 14, 2023
Watching Utah's offense without Cam Rising: pic.twitter.com/x70BK2Pik3
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 14, 2023
Utah’s offense is in such a bad way their leading tackler on defense is getting significant work as a wildcat QB for their offense today.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 14, 2023