This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Q4 7:51; Utah 26, Michigan 10
Can we call for a running clock? Because this rain delay is putting off what seems inevitable.
Utah is up by 16 — a relative gulf in this game — and is 7:51 away from its best win of the season. But if the Super Bowl isn't immune to delays, then we're not at a now-empty Michigan Stadium.
The Utes look good to win it after Andy Phillips kicked another field goal, and Tevin Carter intercepted another pass. Special teams and defense deserve the lion's share of the credit for this one. Utah is plus-2 turnover margin after matching its 2013 season total in interceptions. That has to feel promising for Kyle Whittingham and company.
***
Q4 11:38; Utah 23, Michigan 10
Between a field goal and an interception, the Utes may have just wrapped up a win at the Big House.
Andy Phillips provided the the 48-yarder, and Gionni Paul got the takeaway that sent Michigan fans streaming for the exits. A severe storm is on its way, but the Utes have this one under control no matter the weather.
The offense seemed disrupted enough by a break between quarters, but like in 2008, kicking is helping to carry them. Phillips has three field goals in this game, and is still perfect on the season.
Meanwhile, Paul has a debut to celebrate. Besides putting up big tackle numbers, the undersized linebacker now has the second pick of the day for a defense that had three in all of last year.
***
Q3 1:33; Utah 20, Michigan 10
Bend, don't break: Utah fans have probably been mumbling this defensive axiom to themselves throughout this game.
Utah's defense has excelled in this area today, as Jared Norris added to his strong performance with a 1st-down saving tackle on Devin Gardner that gave the Utes a turnover on downs. Michigan has been boom or bust with its offensive plays today, but Utah's defense has made sure that's been a bust. Getting out of Michigan Stadium without letting up an offensive touchdown would be a huge accomplishment for Kalani Sitake and his defense. It also shows that even with Jason Whittingham's absence, Utah can hold its ground.
***
Q3 8:17; Utah 20, Michigan 10
Was the first half just a dream?
It certainly seemed like it after the Utes offense took the field and scored the game's first offensive touchdown in just 1:27 on five plays. Travis Wilson back at the helm, some runs opening up for Bubba Poole — did that just happen?
Meanwhile, good news on the defensive front too. While the Utes have had trouble fully containing the run, and Gardner in particular, Nate Orchard set Michigan back big time with a 10-yard sack. Utes have the ball and all the momentum in the world to compliment a 10-point lead. The Michigan fans actually just booed a running play call. Getting ugly for Brady Hoke and company in Ann Arbor.
***
Halftime, Utah 13, Michigan 10
Andy Phillips has been a blessing for this Utah team, and he showed again why that is at the end of the half. After a drama-filled 30 minutes, the Utes took a 3-point lead into halftime on Phillips' 38-yard boot.
Utah fans can reserve the right to be unhappy with Travis Wilson's injury, with Kendal Thompson's pick-six, and the offensive inconsistency in general, but all things considered, the Utes are winning on the road. Thompson regrouped surprisingly well following his miscue, and led the Utes down the field with his legs and few passes to Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott.
Beyond Scott, Anderson and Poole, there hasn't been a lot of consistency in the passing game. If Wilson can come back in the second half, maybe he can provide that. If Thompson starts after halftime, he needs to be more aware of the pass rush. Michigan is going hard after him in the pocket, and they've had a little success with it.
Meanwhile, Utah's defense is looking to do what it's been doing. The Wolverines have only gained 173 yards after a somewhat lackluster first quarter by the Utes. Jared Norris has two sacks and seven tackles, leading the effort for this stalwart unit. Consider the defense to be acing its first test against Power 5 competition.
***
Q2 5:01; Michigan 10, Utah 10
Disaster for this offense. Kendal Thompson throws a pick-six right to a lineman, and this game is tied again. We'll see how quickly he can pick himself off the turf, but Michigan has all the momentum, and Thompson hasn't impressed anyone in two drives so far.
***
Q2 5:38, Utah 10, Michigan 3
It's understandable: When an offense watches its quarterback go to the locker room, there can be a collective letdown. But the Utes, up only by one score, can't afford that — not with the way their offense has (or hasn't been) performing.
Utah sits at minus-11 running the ball, and Kendal Thompson didn't look all that confident on the first drive, forced into an intentional grounding play. It doesn't help that the passing game has stalled out almost completely with Travis Wilson gone, allowing the Wolverines to play up in the box a little more and take away Thompson's feet as much as they can.
Meanwhile, the defense has done its part so far to keep Utah ahead, and there's been a pick — the first of the year. Brian Blechen grabbed a batted ball and ran a bit, giving Utah fans some hop they defense will carry the team on its shoulders for the rest of this one.
***
Q2 10:16, Utah 10, Michigan 3
Utah fans saw their nightmare happen, as Travis Wilson dove for extra yards and got rocked. There was a collective wince in the Big House as he was on the ground for a minute before being carted off the sideline.
If there's been a big criticism of the offense by fans, it's been that Wilson is running too much. That play is exactly the kind of chance Wilson can't take. He leapt, putting his body totally at risk, and landed on his head. No one should take those hits, much less Wilson with his medical history.
We saw Kendal Thompson warming up on the sideline after Wilson went down. We'll see if he comes out on the next drive.
***
Q2 14:39; Utah 10, Michigan 3.
Short anaylsis here: Kaelin Clay is a talented returner. Like, really talented.
***
Q1 1:03; Michigan 3, Utah 3.
Utah showed some explosion on its second drive, and it should've gone for more.
Bubba Poole had a screen pass that gave him 67 yards, but had he stayed behind his blocks, he might've had a touchdown. As it was, Utah had some ball security issues in the ensuing snaps, and had to settle to tie this one up at three. Andy Phillips remains perfect on the season, by the way
On defense, Utah needs to find an answer for Devin Funchess right away.
The Utes literally gave him their best shot — a jaw-rattling hit by Brian Blechen. Funchess popped back up and got a huge 24-yard gain by the sideline. Against who? Blechen.
The Utes are struggling to cover him on some plays, such as when Jared Norris was matched up against him in man, but got burned. A penalty killed the drive, fortunately for the Utes.
***
Q1 7:55; Michigan 3, Utah 0
It's fair to say the Utes started out the way they didn't want: slowly.
Maybe you can blame the wet field for some things, but not slippery Michigan runners gaining yards on the Utah defense. The Utes looked a bit like their assignments weren't clear on the opening drive of 50 yards. Devin Gardner squirted out for a big first down, and Derrick Green had a bit of room.
The secondary, perhaps surprisingly, had the biggest stand, as Eric Rowe made two big breakups to force a 42-yard field goal rather than let up six.
The Utes offense was stagnant, with Kenneth Scott getting two receptions but nothing out of it. Fresno State, this ain't.
***
2:45 p.m. ET, 45 minutes to kickoff
The Tribune has arrived to a windy and gray reception at Michigan Stadium, as the Utes prepare to kick off against the Wolverines.
It should be a cloudy but hopeful mostly dry game today — prior to kickoff, there was a scattered slight drizzle — as 2-0 Utah looks to stay perfect with a big non-conference victory on the road. It's worth noting that the Utes have struggled away from Rice-Eccles Stadium, going 1-8 in their last nine games out-of-state.
Michigan got good news this afternoon when it was announced that receiver Devin Funchess, corner Raymon Taylor and safety Jarrod Wilson would dress for the game. The three players are key pieces on their respective sides of the ball: Funchess provides a big target for quarterback Devin Gardner; Taylor and Wilson lend experience to the secondary. Michigan is looking to extend Brady Hoke's 11-0 record at home against non-conference opponents in September.
Utah is debuting its new white helmets today, part of an all-white uniform. The Utes are also healthy after a bye, expecting to start linebacker Gionni Paul today among others who left the Fresno State game early.
Michigan is favored by four points in the game. Stay tuned for updates from the Tribune.