This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Utes apparently were not interested in playing along with any obvious themes, promotions or story lines in their season-opening football game Thursday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Utah hoped to make a major national impression in this high-profile setting, in front of a record crowd (47,825) and a huge television audience. That probably didn't happen. But the Utes succeeded by not becoming a trivia answer. They'll leave that potential distinction to Gary Andersen and Oregon State next week.
Statistically, and aesthetically, the Utes could have done more in a 24-17 defeat of Michigan in Jim Harbaugh's celebrated return to the college football sideline. In winning, the Utes defied any tidy packaging — either for themselves or the Michigan debut of a visiting rock-star coach.
Sack Lake City? Unincorporated, as of 2015.
Devontae Booker's Heisman Trophy campaign? Going nowhere, at least until he faces more forgiving defenses.
Andy Phillips' field-goal kicking? No longer automatic.
The only real takeaway from the 2015 opener was that when the outcome was at all in question, Utah's defense delivered.
The Utes moved the ball sufficiently when they needed to do so and subdued Michigan's momentum at critical moments. There were glimpses of creativity and flair from Utah's offense, mixed with some of the usual, maddening stuff. And the defense resembled its old self for most of the game, making Michigan's two touchdowns in the second half forgivable.
Ute coach Kyle Whittingham labeled his program's 3-0 record vs. Michigan since 2008 "a heck of an accolade for our program," and his pride was justified.
Harbaugh's return to Michigan may have symbolized the school's effort to bring back the glory days, but the Utes produced their own traditional performance. Old-style, defense-oriented football worked for one of these programs — and not the one with all of the history, the distinctive helmets and the brand name.
The Utes revived the elite level of defense that enabled them to beat Michigan and a bunch of Pac-12 opponents last season. Harbaugh's generally conservative approach helped the Utes, who undoubtedly welcomed Michigan's persistence in running the ball into the middle of Utah's historically tough defensive line.
The results were futility for the Wolverines and a winning recipe for the Utes, whose defense even produced the clinching points. Just when the Utes were wobbling slightly in the fourth quarter, defensive back Justin Thomas stepped in front of a Jake Rudock sideline pass, intercepted the ball and sprinted 55 yards for a touchdown.
That play enabled the Utes to absorb Michigan's two touchdown passes, including a score in the last 59 seconds that forced them to agonize about an onside-kick attempt. The ball bounced out of bounds and the Utes could enjoy having spoiled Harbaugh's debut.
The Utes lacked much of a pass rush after leading the country in sacks last year, and and some inexcusable penalties committed by linebacker Gionni Paul could have caused major problems. But then Paul redeemed himself, teaming with safety Tevin Carter to stuff De'Veon Smith on a fourth-and-1 play at the Utah 35-yard line with about five minutes remaining and the Utes leading 24-10.
Booker rarely got going. He gained only 69 yards on 22 carries, and even those totals required a strong finish. Travis Wilson passed for 208 yards Utah's offense produced 337 yards — compared with Michigan's 355 yards, thanks to its final drive.
Booker's struggles required more creativity from Utah's offense, which surfaced occasionally, and a solid performance from Utah's defense, which happened more consistently. Michigan gained 119 total yards in the first half, when Utah's Cory Butler-Byrd and Marcus Williams each intercepted a pass.
And early in the fourth quarter, Thomas' pick-six pretty much ensured that Harbaugh's season-opening story would not end well.
Twitter: @tribkurt —
Trib night at Lumpy's
Join Tribune columnists Gordon Monson and Kurt Kragthorpe on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. for "Double Coverage," a night of sports yarns from way back when to here and now at Lumpy's downtown, 145 Pierpont Ave. Munchies and mingling begin at 6:30, followed by the main event. To reserve free tickets, go to sltrib.com/doublecoverage. You must be 21 to attend.