Hubert Forces Turnover, Jackson Ices Pac-12 Title As Utah Surges
Dec 2, 2022, 9:46 PM
Quarterback Ja'Quinden Jackson #3 of the Utah Utes scrambles with the football during the first half of the NCAAF game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS – RJ Hubert and Ja’Quinden Jackson combined to put the finishing touches on the Utes second consecutive Pac-12 title victory.
The conference title game between the No. 11 Utes and No. 4 Trojans took place at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, on Friday, December 2.
RJ Hubert read the second down play, breaking at the perfect moment to force USC’s first turnover midway through the fourth quarter. An interception and return along the sideline gave Utah the ball with a 34-24 lead and momentum.
ITS PICKED βΌοΈπ₯@Utah_Football's ball with a 10 point lead β‘οΈ pic.twitter.com/m250GvnG4G
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 3, 2022
Two plays later, Jackson put the game on ice for the Utes when he burst through the line for a 53-yard touchdown to put Utah in front 40-24.
ANOTHA ONE π₯@leg3ndaryjaay and @Utah_Football ARE ROLLIN' π€ pic.twitter.com/oczQ2h2fvM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 3, 2022
Jackson now has 105 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. The INT was Huberts third of the season for the Utes second leading tackler.
The Pac-12 Championship Game is televised on FOX.
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Pac-12 Championship Game: Utah vs. USC
The Pac-12 Championship Game is here and features a top-15 matchup between the Utes and the College Football Playoff-hopeful Trojans.
RELATED: Utah, USC Have A Lot To Gain, Lose In Pac-12 Rematch
Utah enters the matchup looking to defend its Pac-12 crown against USC, who will almost assuredly secure a spot among the four teams to compete in the College Football Playoff. It’s an intriguing contest between a pair of former Pac-12 South teams, especially after the Utes handed the Trojans their only loss of the season in October. That game took place at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Will Utah beat the same team twice or will USC avenge its only blemish of the season?
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Utah arrives in Las Vegas after winning five of its final six games in the regular season. The Trojans are winners for five consecutive games, including wins over two top-25 programs to end their regular season slate.
Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is a frontrunner to win the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top player. A strong performance and win over the Utes could secure history for the young signal-caller.
Utes quarterback Cam Rising and tight end Dalton Kincaid look to lead the Utah offense to another 10-win season and a second straight Pac-12 title.
This is Utah’s fourth Pac-12 title game appearance in the last five seasons. It’s USC’s first trip to the conference championship since 2020, when the Trojans fell to the Oregon Ducks. Utah and USC each have four appearances in the game since its inception in 2011.
πππ ππππ¬
πAllegiant Stadium
β° 6 PM MT
πΊ FOX pic.twitter.com/jMcAwYbMkz— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 2, 2022
Follow @kslsports on Twitter & Instagram for exclusive coverage of the Pac-12 Championship Game between the Utes and Trojans. Utah Utes insider Michelle Bodkin is at Allegiant Stadium to cover the game and see if the Utes earned a second straight trip to the Rose Bowl Game.
