Arizona State entered the matchup ranked No. 21 in the nation, with analysts expecting them to challenge for the Pac-12 crown, but the game against Utah completely changed that narrative. Whatever happened in Salt Lake City was a disaster of its own making, a 42-10 loss that revealed all the flaws that the Sun Devils had been attempting to conceal throughout the season.
This analysis examines the tactical flaws, execution errors, and key moments that turned a winnable game into a devastating loss for Arizona State.
The Battle in the Trenches: Physical Dominance of Utah
Utah did not only win, they overpowered the line of scrimmage. The front seven of ASU were bullied by the Utes, which rushed to the body of 276, scoring 6 touchdowns. The ASU defense, which had been permitting approximately 78 yards a game, was torn apart.
Anything seemed as though Utah held the game on the ground, and that the defenders of ASU were always on the retreat. This physical hit infused the mood and went against the rhythm of ASU.
Quarterback Woes: Leavitt’s Absence and Sims’ Struggles
A blow before kickoff to lose starting quarterback Sam Leavitt to a foot injury was devastating. Jeff Sims, who came to replace him, attempted to fill the gap, but he was unable to find his rhythm. Sims only made 18 out of 38 passes with 124 yards and did not have a single touchdown.
The defense of Utah read him perfectly, blocking short routes and causing hurried throws. Sims ran 21 times but only 52 yards, even on the ground where he is normally a threat. The absence of Leavitt and his pocket presence or leadership destroyed the spark in the ASU offense.
Poor Game Planning and Lack of Adjustments
The adaptability of the coaching staff of ASU was one of the largest criticisms. The Sun Devils stuck to their game plan with Leavitt, focusing more on passing and less on designed runs, even though Sims is a mobile quarterback.
Head Coach Kenny Dillingham subsequently came to acknowledge that his team was outcoached and outplayed. The defense of Utah ate on predictable plays, and ASU never changed to deal with the persistence by Utah.
Penalties and Breakdowns of the Offensive Line
Damages and disciplinary failures added to the problems of ASU. Ben Coleman, one of the key offensive linemen, fell early, and the defensive front of Utah made use of it to the fullest.
Sims was under constant stress and pocket collapses, interfering with almost all drives. To top it all, there were penalties for killing the flow of their movement. One of the key holding calls on the first drive that nullified a possible score. These little mistakes added up to enormous outcomes.
Defensive Missed Tackles and Defensive Failures
The defense of ASU was unable to perform effectively. ASU's tackling was of poor quality, and Utah quarterback Devon Dampier could easily extend plays.
Missed assignments and mental lapses enabled Utah to score on six of its first seven possessions in the form of touchdowns. ASU was able to force third downs even when they couldn't. Utah has continuously scored converting showing a sense of lack of discipline and stamina in the Sun Devils defense.