No. 18 Utah (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) lost for the first time in the 2016 season yesterday at Cal (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12). The Utes played a good game overall. They controlled the time of possession 42:01 to 17:59, they ran 97 plays to Cal’s 47, they out gained Cal by 80 total yards, 442 to 362, and they won the turnover battle one to zero. With all that said, how did they lose?
First, let’s start with a couple reasons that cannot be blamed for the loss. Injuries piled up for the Utes. Defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei and wide receiver Cory Butler-Byrd were not available for the game.