Against Texas, Utah’s offense goes stone-cold for second straight game
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Texas Longhorns defensive back B.J. Foster (25) and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (32) pile on Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) for a quarterback sack in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Amy Pederson, from Phoenix, has her face painted before the Alamo Bowl between the Utah Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Ten-year-old Amy Pederson, from Phoenix, has her face painted before the Alamo Bowl between the Utah Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Ben Funari, 10, traveled from Keller, Texas, to cheer for the Utes in the Alamo Bowl between the Utah Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah Utes warm up before the Alamo Bowl between the Utah Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) warms up before the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) celebrates after a quarterback sack, in football action in the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes tight end Cole Fotheringham (89) runs with the ball as Texas Longhorns linebacker Cort Jaquess (57) makes the stop, in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes defensive tackle John Penisini (52) and defensive tackle Leki Fotu (99) stop Texas Longhorns running back Keaontay Ingram (26) for a loss of yardage in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Texas Longhorns wide receiver Al'Vonte Woodard (83) makes a catch as Utah Utes defensive back Josh Nurse (14) defends in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah running back Zack Moss (2) runs for a first down in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes defensive tackle Leki Fotu (99) celebrates a tackle for a loss of yards in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah running back Zack Moss (2) runs for a first down in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The referee introduces former Utah quarterback Alex Smith as an honorary captain for Utah before the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah takes the field before the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah takes the field before the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah takes the field before the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) shakes hands with former Utah quarterback Alex Smith, who was an honorary captain for the Utes tonight, before the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) looks downfield, in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Texas Longhorns defensive back Caden Sterns (7) knocks Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) out of bounds in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Demari Simpkins (3) celebrates after scoring Utah's only touchdown of the night in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Derrick Vickers (8) takes his time getting up after being thrown down for a loss of yardage in the final possession of the game for Utah, in the Alamo Bowl aginst the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Demari Simpkins (3) celebrates after scoring Utah's only touchdown of the night in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) and linebacker Andrew Mata'afa (55) leave the field after the Utes were defeated 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl aginst the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Demari Simpkins (3) and wide receiver Solomon Enis (21) celebrate Utah's only touchdown of the night in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Texas Longhorns defensive back B.J. Foster (25) and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (32) pile on Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) for a sack in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Derrick Vickers (8) takes his time getting up after being thrown down for a loss of yardage in the final possession of the game for Utah in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Texas Longhorns defensive back B.J. Foster (25) and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (32) pile on Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) for a sack in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) leaves the field with the Sportsmanship Award following the Alamo Bowl football action against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Texas Longhorns defensive back B.J. Foster (25) and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (32) pile on Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) for a sack in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) leaves the field after the Utes were defeated 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wide receiver Derrick Vickers (8) takes his time getting up after being thrown down for a loss of yardage in the final possession of the game for Utah in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune). Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) and defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) leave the field after the Utes were defeated 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham sings "Utah Man" with the team after the Utes were defeated 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Texas Longhorns defensive back B.J. Foster (25) and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (32) pile on Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) for a sack in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) is slow getting to his feet after being sacked by Longhorns defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (32) in the final possession of the game for Utah in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham sings "Utah Man" with the team after the Utes were defeated 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham checks the scoreboard after Utah wide receiver Demari Simpkins (3) scored a touchdown for the Utes in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham shakes hands with Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman after Texas defeated Utah 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) congratulates Texas players after the Utes were defeated 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) grimaces as he is hit hard by a Texas Longhorn lineman in Alamo Bowl football action in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) on the sidelines in the final minutes of the game as the Utes trail the Longhorns 38-10 in Alamo Bowl football action against the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) is stopped by Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Moro Ojomo (98) in the Alamo Bow in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) leaves the field with the Sportsmanship Award following the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) is stopped by Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Moro Ojomo (98) in the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Balloons and confetti fall from the ceiling of the Alamodome as the Texas Longhorns are awarded the championship trophy for their 38-10 victory over the Utah Utes in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Texas Longhorns defensive back Caden Sterns (7) knocks Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) out of bounds in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) is stopped by Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Moro Ojomo (98) in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Balloons and confetti fall from the ceiling of the Alamodome as the Texas Longhorns are awarded the championship trophy for their 38-10 victory over the Utah Utes in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Balloons and confetti fall from the ceiling of the Alamodome as the Texas Longhorns are awarded the championship trophy for their 38-10 victory over the Utah Utes in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Balloons and confetti fall from the ceiling of the Alamodome as the Texas Longhorns are awarded the championship trophy for their 38-10 victory over the Utah Utes in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah tight end Brant Kuithe (80) gets past Texas Longhorns defensive back Chris Adimora (11) in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah tight end Brant Kuithe (80) gets past Texas Longhorns defensive back Chris Adimora (11) in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Balloons and confetti fall from the ceiling of the Alamodome as the Texas Longhorns are awarded the championship trophy for their 38-10 victory over the Utah Utes in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah tight end Brant Kuithe (80) runs for the Utes in the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) leaves the field with the Sportsmanship Award following the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Balloons and confetti fall from the ceiling of the Alamodome as the Texas Longhorns are awarded the championship trophy for their 38-10 victory over the Utah Utes in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) on the sidelines in the final minutes as the Utes trail the Longhorns 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah tight end Brant Kuithe (80) runs for the Utes in the Alamo Bowl between the Utes and the Texas Longhorns in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Mark and Nicole Foster cheer for the Utes in the Alamo Bowl, in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
San Antonio • Twenty-five days after Utah’s prolific offense went cold against Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game, things didn’t get much better in the Alamo Bowl.
After 12 regular-season games, the Utes offense was averaging 35.6 points and 453.6 yards per game, both good for third in the Pac-12 and in the top-25 nationally. On Tuesday night against Texas at the Alamodome, Utah was shut out in the first half of a 38-10 loss at the Alamodome.
Against a Texas defense playing under an interim coordinator after ranking 108th nationally, the Utes managed just 254 yards for the game, 127 in each half.
All of this came after Utah was shut out in three of four quarters against the Ducks, finishing with 15 points and 309 yards of total offense.
“We just weren’t able to find a rhythm,” said senior running back Zack Moss, whose 57 rushing yards left him two all-purpose yards shy of the school’s career record. “We wanted to soften them up with the run game and reduce some of the blitzing they were doing. They were blitzing pretty much 80 percent of the game. We wanted to soften that up. We were unable to do that, so we had some offensive woes throughout the game.”
Utah’s first five drives against the Longhorns resulted in Ben Lennon punts. For some perspective, over the season’s first 13 games, Lennon punted just 37 times.
The first four drives went 25 yards or less. The Utes didn’t cross midfield until the fifth drive, thanks to a Moss 26-yard run late in the second quarter got them to the Texas 35. A questionable intentional grounding call on Tyler Huntley stalled the drive, Lennon wound up punting in plus territory from the 48.
Even with the offense struggling, Texas wasn’t doing enough to put the game out of reach. The Longhorns took a 10-0 halftime lead, but Utah got the ball out of the locker room.
That initial second-half drive saw Derrick Vickers pick up four yards over left end to set up fourth-and-1 from the Utah 45. After a Utes timeout, Huntley looked to take a keeper to the left side, but the senior couldn’t get to the edge. A two-yard loss turned the ball over on downs.
“We didn’t make them pay for the amount of blitzing they were doing,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “We’ve got to pick it up, and we’ve got to get the ball downfield and make them pay. We didn’t do that, and we weren’t handling the pressure like we need it to.”
Utah’s two scoring drives, 11 plays for 60 yards and nine plays for 75 yards, yielded its only 10 points of the night.