College Football in Utah – Week Three

#18 Utah 3-0 (0-0 in the Big 12)

The Utes moved to 3-0 with a solid 31-6 win on the road against former WAC and Mountain West foe Wyoming. Utah won in Laramie, where the Cowboys are usually pretty stout. Wyoming did play well, particularly defensively in the beginning of the game, but the Utes wore them down. I may be jumping the gun, but I’ve been impressed with Devon Dampier, Jason Beck, and the revamped Utah offense through three games this season. Dampier’s mobility and ability to open up the entire Utah offense shows me Utah has the most potential they’ve had since maybe 2008.

Utah State 2-1 (1-0 in the Mountain West)

Bryson Barnes had a career night in Logan in Utah State’s 49-30 win over Air Force. Barnes was 17 of 22 for 287 yards and two touchdowns passing. He was just as lethal running the football, finishing with 15 carries for 44 yards and three touchdowns. Utah State hosts McNeese on Saturday before another trip to a ranked SEC team. This time, they’ll play Vanderbilt on September 27^th.

Weber State 1-2 (0-0 in the Big Sky)

Weber finally got their first win of the season with a shootout victory over McNeese. Quarterback Jackson Gilkey had an excellent game for the Wildcats. He was 11 of 20 for 218 yards and a touchdown through the air. Gilkey did throw a pair of interceptions, but he made up for it by adding 114 yards and another touchdown rushing the ball. The defense was gashed a lot but they did force two turnovers, scoring a touchdown with one of those interceptions. Without that, the Wildcats lose. WSU plays their first home game on Saturday against Butler.

Utah Tech 0-3 (0-0 in the United Athletic Conference)

Utah Tech’s gauntlet of three top 25, including two top 10 teams, is thankfully over. They gave a good account of themselves in never being blown out in those three losses. They finish their non-conference slate with a home game against Northern Iowa from the Missouri Valley Conference. The Trailblazers are in desperate need of a win and will get one as soon as they eliminate the turnovers.

Southern Utah 1-2 (0-0 in the United Athletic Conference)

Southern Utah had a wild game against Northern Arizona but became the second team from the Beehive State and the UAC to lose to NAU. It was also the Thunderbirds’ second straight loss by only a field goal. Star running back Joshua Dye had another big game for SUU. Dye had 25 carries for 171 yards and four huge touchdowns. SUU took a 49-42 lead in the fourth quarter with 4:31 to go, but couldn’t hold on. They go on the road to play another similar opponent of conference companion Utah Tech. The Thunderbirds will play UC Davis, who had previously beaten Utah Tech, 31-24.

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.