The Utes' 30-23 victory over the Falcons Saturday lived up to those standards.

Mistake-prone Utah had three turnovers, were penalized seven times for 40 for yards and gave up five sacks. Even kicker Louie Sakoda struggled, missing two field goals.

None of those miscues mattered to the Utes, who celebrated their victory with relief and the satisfaction that they once again persevered through a difficult situation.

"It was a tough one," running back Darrell Mack said of the victory. "But it was the best one we've had so far."

Utah's defense avoided the errors that plagued the rest of the team, holding Air Force to just 191 yards. The Falcons entered the game as the nation's second-best rushing team averaging 358 yards on the ground. But they managed only 53 rushing yards against the Utes.

Air Force's 191 total yards was the lowest output since TCU held the Falcons to 142 in 2006 and the 53 rushing yards was the fewest gained by an Air Force team since Colorado State held the Falcons to 48 in 1980.

The defense also provided a safety and two interceptions, the last of which was an interception by Joe Dale in the final minute that preserved the win.

The smothering defensive performance, and one 80-yard drive by the Utes, was the difference between Utah improving to 4-0 (2-0 in the Mountain West Conference) and staying in race for BCS bowl berth or becoming just another also-ran.

"Every time we play these guys it seems to come down to the last drive and today was no different," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.

Utah's winning drive started after Air Force tied the game at 23-23 when it completed an 80-yard drive with a 1-yard run by Savier Stephens with 5:06 remaining.

The Utes used a combination of running backs Darrell Mack and Matt Asiata and a 12-yard pass between Brian Johnson and Freddie Brown on third-and-eight to move the chains. On third-and-one at Air Force's 43-yard line, Asiata ran for 16 yards. On third-and-five at Air Force's 25-yard line, Mack ran for 16 yards to the Air Force 9 with 1:17 remaining.

Earlier in the quarter the Falcons' defense stopped the Utes three times inside the 5-yard line before Mack scored from a yard out on fourth down.

But thoughts of a similar defensive effort never materialized for the Falcons when they needed it most. Mack darted a little to the left and stretched the football into the end zone as he hit the turf.

"When they called my number I was ready," said Mack, who finished with 18 carries for 101 yards and three touchdowns. "I just ran; that's what I do."

Air Force got the ball back on its 20, but Dale intercepted Air Force quarterback Shea Smith's first pass.

"I read his eyes and he threw it right to me," Dale said. "I didn't expect that, but hey, I had to make a play."

It wasn't surprising that the game ended with a standout defensive play after the way Utah's defenders carried the team most of the game.

Utah rushed for 197 yards and quarterback Brian Johnson was 16-of-23 for 243 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw an interception and fumbled twice. The Utes trailed 16-9 at halftime because of the first half problems.

"That is what kept it close," Whittingham said of the turnovers. "If we don't turn the ball over three times in the first half with the way our defense is playing, I believe we win going away. We have to fix that and they did a nice job creating turnovers so give them credit. But we have to take care of those because they are killing us."

Johnson took the blame for the offense's mistakes, but in the end even he could smile.

"I can't say enough about the confidence we play with," he said.

Storylines

In short: The Utes defeat the Falcons to become the first team to defeat Air Force at home under coach Troy Calhoun (7-1).

Key moment: The Utes complete an 80-yard drive, the longest scoring drive for either team, in the final minutes to win.

Key stat: Air Force's rushing attack averaged 358 yards, but was held to only 53 yards.