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The Utah Utes were desperate for some big plays to keep them in the game in the second half against Arizona State Saturday.
Unfortunately for them, one of their best playmakers was on the bench.
Receiver DeVonte Christopher left the game in the second quarter with a leg injury and didn't return.
Christopher was hurt on a 74-yard pass play that was negated with a holding call. He finished the game with two catches for 21 yards.
Utah's passing game struggled without Christopher, who entered the game leading Utah in receptions (21), receiving yards (330) and touchdown catches (2).
Other players who were banged up included receiver and punt returner Charles Henderson (knee), running back Tauni Vakapuna (ankle), safety Keith McGill (shoulder) and linebacker Jacoby Hale (knee).
An injury update on the Utes won't be available until Monday.
"We've got some guys banged up right now," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "We have a long list of injuries to deal with, but we can't feel sorry for ourselves, we just have to deal with it."
Conversion battle: The Utes struggled to convert on third down, doing so just four out of 13 times. Arizona State was much more successful, converting 8 of 19 third downs and going 2-for-2 on fourth down conversions, both of which came in the third quarter.
"There were some big plays," Whittingham said. "Give them credit, they are a very good football team, and we're not taking anything away from them. We have our own issues to fix, but they are a good team."
Miles in control: ASU returner Jamal Miles had just two kick returns for 29 yards. Miles entered the game leading the league averaging 28 yards on returns.
This and that: Reggie Dunn led Utah with 55 receiving yards and had four kick returns for 93 yards ... Utah freshman Eric Rowe had a career-high 10 tackles ... Jon Hays, tight end Jake Murphy, receiver Kenneth Scott and defensive back Reggie Topps made their first career starts Saturday.