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Boulder, Colo. • Succeeding with screen passes early in the game was the worst thing Colorado could have done.
Utah's defensive coaches knew what was coming early in the fourth quarter, when Ute cornerback Dominique Hatfield intercepted Sefo Liufau's pass and ran 20 yards for the winning touchdown in a 38-34 victory Saturday at Folsom Field.
The play turned into "probably one of the most amazing things in my life, I guess — especially to do it at a time like that, a clutch moment when we really needed it," Hatfield said.
Hatfield's play resembled Tevin Carter's pick-six at UCLA in October. Liufau was hurried by Ute defensive end Nate Orchard and threw wildly, trying to lead his running back to the outside. "It cost us the game," Liufau said.
Liufau passed for 317 yards, but only 29 of those yards came in the fourth quarter after the Buffaloes entered with a 34-31 lead. Colorado had taken over the ball at its 20 after a punt into the end zone and after moving the ball steadily for most of the day.
During a media timeout, Ute coach Kyle Whittingham basically taunted his defense, by his account, saying, "You guys can't get a takeaway."
Whittingham could be blamed for some questionable strategy in this game, such as failing to use his timeouts at the end of the first half and chasing two-point conversions, but his tactics worked this time.
Hatfield "got ticked," Whittingham said.
And then he got the ball. After the Utes stopped Christian Powell for a 1-yard gain on first down, the coaches figured the screen was coming on second-and-9. "I'm not going to say we weren't anticipating it," Whittingham said, "but you've still got to make the play."
Hatfield made it, delivering his first career interception.
"I knew the defense had to step up," said Hatfield, a sophomore. "I just want to thank all my teammates for believing in me."
The Utes have good history against Colorado, when it comes to interceptions. They picked off four passes in Boulder in 2012, doubling their season total, and Trevor Reilly clinched last November's victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium with only Utah's third interception of the year.
Bad game, better result
The Utah defense's strong fourth quarter salvaged a win after one of its worst statistical efforts. Opponent yardage highs:
Team Yards Result
Arizona 520 L, 42-10
Oregon 508 L, 51-27
Washington State 495 L, 28-27
Arizona State 444 L, 19-16 (OT)
Colorado 433 W, 38-34