Utah Utes Suffer Fourth Straight Loss To Houston On Last Second FG

HOUSTON, Texas- It was another disappointing night for the Utah Utes as they came up short for the fourth week in a row, losing to the Houston Cougars in heartbreaking fashion thanks to a last-second, game-winning field goal from Jack Martin.

It was an offensive struggle for both teams all night. Houston was unable to convert from inside the 1-yard line twice and Utah made a switch at quarterback in the second half from Isaac Wilson to Brandon Rose.

Fittingly, it was an interception for both teams that set up crucial scores. Utah took a 14-7 lead thanks to a Johnathan Hill pick that set the Utes up inside the 25-yard line, opening the door for a Micah Bernard touchdown run. Houston’s defense sealed the game when an A.J. Haulcy gave the Cougars possession on the Utah 46-yard line with 2:00 remaining in the game. Later on the drive, Houston would win the game on a field goal.

Pregame

60 minutes to kickoff for Utah vs Houston#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/96YP0dkGbn

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2024

QB1 @Isaac_kawika and interim offensive coordinator @utahcoachjake. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/leoyxHwE0y

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2024

First Quarter

Utah has won the coin toss and will defer to the second half. Houston to start with the ball.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

After a big run on the first play from scrimmage, Utah defense gets the stop and Houston will punt.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

.@Brantkuithe14 71 YARDS TO THE HOUSE‼️

📺: ESPN+#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/OiLqEGMrDd

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 26, 2024

BRANT KUITHE TOUCHDOWN!!! 71 YARD SCAMPER!!!

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

That score has to be such a HUGE boost to the confidence and morale of the offense… Will be interesting to see what impact it has moving forward in this game but Utah absolutely needed something like that to start the game.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

Isaac Wilson is stripped of the ball and Houston takes the fumble on 3rd down back 22 yards to the Utah 29-yard line.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2024

Utah ends the 1st quarter with a 7-0 lead by Houston is knocking on the door at the 1-yard line. #GoUtes

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2024

Second Quarter

Utah defense gets the stop at the goal line! Houston turns it over without points on the board. That's a huge stop for the Utes. pic.twitter.com/JRYlpqI8vA

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2024

Utah starts their possession here… pic.twitter.com/KjYK8MjJmn

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

Isaac Wilson leaves the game with an injury. Looked like a wrist or hand on his non throwing arm

Brandon Rose is up now.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

Brandon Rose throws to the sideline on 3rd down and it’s broken up. Utah to punt from their own 2-yard line. Not a great punt there either , 36 yards and Houston returns it to the 24

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

Houston scores from 23 yards out. Zeon Chriss hits Stephon Johnson for the pass. Extra points is good and it's a tie ball game.

Utah 7, Houston 7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 26, 2024

Jaylon Glover with a big run, took it outside zone and picks up 22 yards. Utah out to the 44.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

Completion on the sprintout left to Singer for about 4 yards and the 1st down. https://t.co/5v9qd0Q0d0

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 26, 2024

Becker misses wide right. Just little costly mistakes continue to hurt this team. Taking too much time on a field goal attempt? https://t.co/5rAM9VujnE

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

The big play is negated by a penalty, it's 3rd and 15 from the Houston 33. They pick up 8, leaving 4th and 7, and Whitt takes a timeout with 1:04 left in the half.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

Houston punts and Singer signals for a fair catch at the 22-yard line. Utah will have :58 left to get into scoring range.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2024

Quick out to Kuithe and he runs through tacklers for a 21 yard gain. Utah to the 43 yard line now.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

Wow. What a grab by Dorian Singer. 15 yard gain and Utah to the Houston 42… :27 left

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

And it ends up just short. https://t.co/KSGj6LQKNN

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

AT THE HALF…

Utah 7, Houston 7

The Utes have totaled 218 yards, 164 of them through the air. But just 1-of-7 on 3rd down has been an issue for Utah when getting into Houston territory.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2024

Third Quarter

Utah starts the half 3 & out… Bouwmeesters punt is just 29 yards and Houston takes over at their own 39-yard line.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

54-yard run to start the half for Houston. https://t.co/Qcha8Fzx3c

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

Lander Barton with a huge TFL on 4th down to force Houston off the field without points again… That's a big stop for the Utes.

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

Utah unable to convert a 1st down on that possession. Bouwmeester with a 52-yard punt there and Houston takes over at the 40-yard line.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2024

Chriss fumbles the ball with pressure in his face and Utah had a prime scoop n score opportunity that they can’t capitalize on!

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

Ran into some family and friends of Jonno’s. Had to be a really awesome moment for them https://t.co/c3vl38R9Yp pic.twitter.com/yxP9w0Knh6

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

MICAH BERNARD TOUCHDOWN

Big hole up the middle, looked like an outside zone and Bernard out the foot down and burst upfield for the score!

— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) October 27, 2024

After three, Utah goes into the final quarter with a 14-7 advantage over Houston.

Brandon Rose is currently at the helm and it will be 3rd & 16 for Utah after the break. pic.twitter.com/wmLiBAFwq2

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2024

Fourth Quarter

Houston scores from 28 yards out, Joseph Manjack on the score. The Cougars tie it up with 8:29 left in the game.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2024

Utah gets a 1st down at their own 39-yard line with about three minutes to go in this one.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2024

Brandon Rose throws an interception, intended for Carsen Ryan. Houston takes over at about midfield with 1:55 to go. That's a pretty brutal turnover for the Utes.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2024

Houston converts the 42-yard field goal at the buzzer and they get the 17-14 win over Utah.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 27, 2024

The Utah Utes will have a week to reset and regroup before they welcome the undefeated BYU Cougars to Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 9.

The Rest Of The Utes’ 2024 Schedule:

• Utah vs. BYU Cougars on Saturday, November, 9
• Utah @ Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday, November 16
• Utah vs. Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, November 23
• Utah @ UCF Knights on Friday, November 29

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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