Instant Takeaways: Utah’s 17-14 Loss To Houston

HOUSTON, Tex.- Unfortunately for Utah, their struggles continue as they dropped their fourth straight game tonight in a brutal 17-14 loss to the Houston Cougars.

The Utes were unable to provide many answers to their offensive struggles. The defense was unable to do enough to limit the Cougars, while special teams had their worst showing of the year.

Final.

Utah: 14
Houston: 17

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 27, 2024

An incredibly difficult stretch for the program

This season has not gone according to plan, everyone would agree with that. It’s an unfortunately difficult period for the Utah football program. It’s been one of nothing but struggles and frustrations.

For the first time in a really long time, the Utes have lost four straight games. There haven’t been many answers or signs of progress. Utah enters the new bye week on another loss and the most difficult stretch of their schedule looming.

A loss to Houston was rarely considered a possibility before the season. Even in Utah’s struggles to this point, a loss to Houston was hard to fathom. Unfortunately, the Cougars got the win and looked better for most of the night too.

This has simply been a season of nightmares for the Utes.

Turnover Margin

Protecting the football is priority No. 1 for quarterbacks and Utah’s offensive players in general. Unfortunately, both quarterbacks had a turnover tonight.

Isaac Wilson lost the ball on a fumble, which was picked up and taken the other way by a Houston defender. The Cougars were setup in scoring position when they took over. The drive ultimately ended in the first goal line stand for the Utah defense but that’s not something to be counted on against most other teams.

Brandon Rose got some time in the second half. He wasn’t super efficient but he found ways to move the offense. That was until he threw an interception late in the game that ultimately led to Houston’s game-winning field goal attempt.

Utah was unable to get the win tonight for a number of reasons but the turnovers were awfully hurtful.

Not much different for the offense

The offense wasn’t all that different from previous weeks. Utah continued to operate from under center and shotgun. They also maintained a moderate pace of play.

The passing game produced more than it had in previous weeks. There was an emphasis on getting the ball to the playmakers in a more direct fashion.

Isaac Wilson had a solid first half. He ended the first two quarters 12-of-18 for 157 yards and one touchdown. He did have two fumbles, one of which was hauled in by Houston and taken the other way. He finished the game 13-of-22 for 171 yards and the one score.

Utah utilized screens and quick-outs to involve Brant Kuithe. He capitalized on those opportunities in a big way. There were also several throws to Dorian Singer on the sideline, who made some impressive catches.

Pass protection was not much better this week. Utah’s quarterbacks were under pressure fairly often. And Utah was unable to establish consistent movement up front to establish the run.

Utah had moments and stretches throughout the game. They put together drives that got into Houston territory. However, Utah only had one trip to the red zone, which was actually setup by an interception return to the 22-yard line.

Wilson didn’t finish the game as Brandon Rose got an opportunity in the second half. Unfortunately, he also threw the interception which led to Houston’s game-winning scoring drive.

Zeon Chriss, Re’Shaun Alford, J’Marion Burnett ran wild

Utah’s tackling woes continued tonight but in a different form. Chriss, Alford, and Burnett are all dynamic athletes. They have playmaking instincts. They made tacklers miss time and time again.

Tackling issues have been a problem for most of the season. It’s been different factors that have contributed to the issues, tonights issue was based primarily in poor angles that allowed those three Houston athletes to make a move and shake free from tackle attempts.

These guys consistently changed directions, juked, jumped cut, they had it all working tonight. Unfortunately, Utah didn’t have the angle or the proper fundamentals to make the tackles, which led to big plays.

The Cougars threw for just 61 yards tonight, yet found a way to win because Utah was unable to stop the run. The Cougars ended the night with 228 rushing yards, split fairly evenly between those three ball carriers.

Special teams struggles

Utah’s gotten by with mediocre play from the special teams units. Tonight, special teams hurt them.

Cole Becker missed two field goal attempts. He missed the first one to the left from 46 yards out. The second he missed from 52 yards away, which came up just short.

Jack Bouwmeester has been mostly steady throughout the year. Unfortunately, he had 7 punts with an average of just 41 yards, which included a few punts of less than 40. Those punts put Houston in rather favorable field position.

Johnathan Hall’s H-Town Interception

With family and friends in attendance, the Houston native made a significant play to turn the momentum in Utah’s favor. Houston was 3rd and 5 from their own 43-yard line and Zeon Chriss attempted a pass thrown to his running back, which bounced off of him.

Hall was in the right place at the right time and was able to haul in the errant attempt. Not only that but he then returned it 24 yards to the Houston 22-yard line, which setup the offense in tremendous field position.

Three plays later, the Utes scored a touchdown on a Micah Bernard 14-yard run up the middle. That was the play that Utah the advantage they would need on the scoreboard but it was Hall’s play in front of family and friends that set it all up.

Two goal-line stands for the Utes defense

Utah had two stops at the goalline which left Houston without points.

On the first attempt, Houston had it at the half-yard line. After a botched snap, the Utes were able to stuff Chriss at the goalline to force the turnover.

On the second Lander Barton made a big tackle for loss as Houston was goal to go from the 1-yard line. He made the tackle at the 3-yard line to force another Houston turnover.

Utah gave up big plays that put Houston in those positions on each of those drives. However, the guys rallied to make the plays and get the stops.

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.

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