Utah secures season-ending win over UCF with defensive touchdowns
- Utah football team forced three turnovers to score two defensive touchdowns during the game.
- UCF struggled, completing only three of twelve third downs, leading to their season-ending loss.
- The game marked a positive conclusion for Utah after a challenging season filled with injuries.
In a game held on November 29, 2024, in the United States, the University of Utah football team triumphed over the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a score of 28-14, marking the end of their season. The Utes capitalized on UCF's defensive errors, scoring all but one of their touchdowns after forcing turnovers. UCF's quarterback Dylan Rizk fumbled on the opening drive, setting up a field goal for Utah, which established an early lead. Zemaiah Vaughn tallied a significant defensive play with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter, extending Utah's lead to 10-0. Despite UCF outgaining Utah with 379 total yards compared to Utah's 198, the Knights struggled to convert on third downs, managing to complete only three of twelve attempts in the first three quarters. The interception converted by Smith Snowden late in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for Utah, creating a commanding 28-7 advantage. Utah's lone offensive touchdown came from a 15-yard pass from quarterback Luke Bottari to Landen King early in the fourth quarter. Utah's Micah Bernard also had a standout performance, rushing for 87 yards and surpassing 1,000 yards for the season. UCF, which started their season strong at 3-0 but faltered to finish at 4-8, faced significant questions about their future as both head coaches, Kyle Whittingham and Gus Malzahn, encountered scrutiny regarding their coaching positions following disappointing seasons. Whittingham expressed pride in his team's resilience amidst adversity and highlighted their hard work throughout the year. The victory was particularly meaningful as it allowed the Utes to conclude a challenging season positively, signifying a potential turnaround for the team going forward.