This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The edge was not at quarterback. It was not at running back, nor in the ability to create pressure, or disrupt long passes.
What kept Washington's undefeated season going — and what spoiled Utah's chance to upset the No. 4 team in the country — was the phase in which most assumed the Utes had the advantage.
Huskies junior Dante Pettis fielded a punt with 3:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, stepped back, rolled to his right and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown against the best punter in the country and a program that prides itself on special teams.
The first punt returned for a touchdown on Utah in seven years offered a stunning conclusion to a grappling match between Pac-12 division leaders, a 31-24 win for No. 4 Washington (8-0, 5-0). No. 17 Utah (7-2, 4-2) got the ball back, but a final drive fell short on an incompletion by quarterback Troy Williams, falling to the team he once played for in a game that drew the eyes of a nation to the West with the help of College GameDay's hype.
In which particular area the Utes fell short didn't matter to senior lineman Isaac Asiata, who wore the jersey of teammate J.J. Dielman on Saturday afternoon: They all took it hard.
"You win and lose as a team, whether it's offense, defense or special teams — that's how families do it," he said. "There's no blame."
Utah made the critical punt from its own 3 yard line, its offense stifled after sophomore quarterback Jake Browning — the Heisman candidate who was held to 186 yards, two touchdowns and an interception — made a pooch punt that had pinned the Utes at their own 1.
Mitch Wishnowsky had booted five prior punts, averaging 53 yards per kick. This one sailed as well, but Pettis avoided the first tackle attempt from Jason Thompson, scrambled right and avoided long snapper Chase Dominguez, Wishnowsky and tackle Jackson Barton along the sideline to score.
While the replay showed several blocks that broadcast commentators speculated could've been flagged, there were no penalties called. Coach Kyle Whittingham didn't mention any missed calls either, afterward, only mentioning that Wishnowsky hadn't had much room to work with.
"No excuses," Whittingham said. "We should've made the play. That was unfortunate."
Utah drove to the Washington 26 on its last possession, thanks to runs from Joe Williams and a big completion to Tim Patrick on third down. But after an incompletion on a trick play and a false start, Troy Williams was sacked by his former roommate, Washington linebacker Keishawn Bierria. The last play was a go route from 35 yards facing fourth and 15, but Troy Williams' throw was out of the back of the end zone with 43 seconds left.
Finishing with 163 yards passing and two touchdowns, Troy Williams didn't betray any emotion after Utah's second loss of the season. He shook hands with former teammates from the Huskies, and expressed only hope for another shot at UW at the end of the year.
"It was great to see them after the game, and I want them to continue to win out," he said. "We'll see them again."
Utah's loss does not diminish its chief ambition of winning the Pac-12 South and going to the league title game in December. While Utah fell out of a first-place tie with Colorado, it can still with the division by winning the last three games of the season, with a finale against the Buffaloes in Boulder, Colorado, after Thanksgiving.
If nothing else, the Utes showed that they could give themselves a chance to win against one of the nation's best teams.
They climbed back from an ugly start and a 14-0 hole, thanks in part to Joe Williams' third straight game of more than 170 yards since returning from retirement. The senior carried 34 times, notched Utah's first score of the game and shouldered the offense early when Troy Williams began the game 5 for 15 against Washington's vaunted secondary.
Utah gained steam after the half as Troy Williams directed a crisp 75-yard drive, going 3 for 4 and finding Saiosi Wilson for a 6-yard touchdown pass.
But trailing for the first time since playing Arizona in September, the Huskies didn't take it lying down: Huge runs from Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman set up Washington at the Utah 5. Browning passed to John Ross, who bobbled the pass but came down with it to take a 21-17 advantage. The Utes led for only 2:41 of game time.
A particular issue were the runs of Gaskin, who enjoyed more rushing yards than any back has against Utah this year, gashing for 151 yards and a touchdown. Washington's speed to the edge was tough for Utah to defend for most of the game, and led to touchdown drives of 84, 95 and 75 yards.
But the Utes made a key stop to start the fourth quarter, limiting the Huskies to a 41-yard field goal to make the margin 24-17.
On the next drive, Utah got to midfield before getting a penalty gift: Psalm Wooching kept a drive alive with a roughing the passer flag. The Utes got deep into Huskies territory before Troy Williams threw a sharp 24-yard pass to Evan Moeai for the tying score with nine minutes remaining.
At the finish, they got the most they could've asked for: a chance. Now Utah will have to win its remaining three games for another potential shot at Washington.
"They beat us, but I'm proud of of how our guys hung in there battling and gave us a chance to win at the end," Whittingham said. "If we take care of business, we will probably play these guys again. That's our objective."
Twitter: @kylegoon