Utah running back Wayshawn Parker carries the ball against Cincinnati (Photo by Utah Athletics)
BYU and Utah State both had the week off, but the Utah Utes brought the fireworks. Utah Tech and Southern Utah also played well in Week 10 of college football in the state of Utah.
#2 BYU 8-0 (5-0 in the Big 12)
The Cougs had a week off to get healthy and prepare for a showdown in Lubbock this week against Texas Tech. It will be BYU’s biggest road game of the year, even with a trip to Cincinnati only a couple of weeks away. BYU is one of only four undefeated teams left in college football, and they have a tall task of staying that way this November.
Utah 7-2 (4-2 in the Big 12)
The Utes got a big and much-needed win in their rout of Cincinnati. Their offense played great defense by destroying the clock and keeping UC’s offense cold and on the sideline. Utah won the time of possession battle 40:02 to 19:58. That goes a long way toward a 45-14 victory. Utah will have a week off before they head to Waco, Texas to battle Baylor.
Utah State 4-4 (2-2 in the Mountain West)
The Aggies had the week off and will try to get back in the win column when they host Nevada this Saturday. They need to win two of their last four to get to a bowl game. They play UNLV, Fresno State, and Boise State after Nevada.
Weber State 3-6 (1-4 in the Big Sky)
The Wildcats got clobbered by undefeated and #3 Montana. The 28-3 lead that the Grizzlies jumped out to was just too much to be overcome. WSU gave up 522 yards of total offense and got beaten, 38-17. This was a painful home loss, and it doesn’t get any easier when they head to Bozeman, Montana, to play #4, 7-2 Montana State this Saturday.
Utah Tech 2-7 (1-4 in the United Athletic Conference)
The Trailblazers snapped their four-game skid and got their first UAC win of the season in style on Saturday. They were at home against North Alabama, and it took overtime, but they got the 34-33 victory. They were led by quarterback Bronson Barben and running back Asa Chatman. Barben was 19 of 30 for 272 yards and a touchdown, with 35 more yards on the ground. Chatman had 18 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Tech will hit the road this week to play #24 Abilene Christian in Abilene, Texas. ACU is fresh off a home upset of previously undefeated #2 Tarleton State
Southern Utah 4-5 (3-2 in the United Athletic Conference)
The Thunderbirds made it their third straight win with the victory at home over Austin Peay. Star running back Josh Dye got the offense going the hard way. He toted the rock 34 times for 155 yards and a touchdown. SUU beat the #22 Governors, 33-17. Southern Utah has a long road trip to my part of the country this week when they play Eastern Kentucky on Saturday.
Steve Young Award Player of the Week
Ryan Davis of Utah, Josh Dye of SUU, and Asa Chatman of Utah Tech all had big games in their wins this week. Davis helped ignite Utah’s offense to a 45-14 victory, Dye was a star again for the Thunderbirds, and Chatman got Utah Tech their first conference win. Josh Dye is the player of the week, again. Dye carried Southern Utah to their third straight win. In these three games, Josh Dye has 84 carries for 538 yards and six touchdowns. On the season, he has 200 carries for 1,321 yards and 19 touchdowns. Josh Dye may end up being the player of the year from Utah!
Writer’s Note: All FBS team rankings referenced are from the College Football Power Rankings here at TheForkball.com. All FCS rankings are from the FCS STATS poll.
