This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Berkeley, Calif. • Throughout their 4-0 start, the Utes prided themselves on that one yard they could always get when they needed it.
But the one they couldn't get — particularly the last patch of turf between Zack Moss's outstretched hand and the end zone — condemned Utah to its first loss of the year at California Memorial Stadium.
Despite a running game that rolled up 176 yards, helped possess the ball for 42 minutes, and bullied the Golden Bears (3-2, 1-1) for four fourth-and-short conversions, the No. 18 Utes (4-1, 1-1) fell 28-23 when they couldn't shove it down Cal's throat at the 1-yard line one last time as the clock expired.
It was unexpected joy for the beleaguered Bears, who entered the week with the Pac-12's worst rushing defense and ran into each others' arms as they celebrated a hard-fought win. And for Utah, it was a failure that hung heavy in their hearts — one they didn't foresee given the way they had pushed around Cal all afternoon in the run game.
"We didn't get it done," senior guard Isaac Asiata said. "That's it. Those are the plays we practiced all week long."
For a second straight week, the Utes had to fight from behind after Cal quarterback Davis Webb burned the secondary for four touchdown passes of 24 yards or more. With nine minutes left and a 28-17 deficit, Utah's winning streak was in trouble long before the final play.
But a quick fourth-quarter touchdown drive turned things around: Tyrone Smith caught a 35-yard pass just short of the end zone, leading to a Moss 1-yard touchdown. The defense then shut down Webb on a three-and-out, including sacking him for the first time, and forcing a punt that was placed at the Cal 49 after a penalty.
Utah made the most of the opportunity, driving down inside the Cal 10 yard line in two minutes. The Golden Bears almost stopped Utah's comeback attempt on 4th and 11 at the goal line, but a pass interference penalty put Utah at the Bears 2 with 14 seconds left.
The task seemed simple, given that Utah's backs had plowed through Cal's line like wrecking balls. But trouble started immediately when a miscommunication between Kyle Whittingham and an official cost the Utes one of their remaining timeouts. After an initial Moss run outside that went short, Utah then ran a bootleg pass to Evan Moeai that quarterback Troy Williams floated over his head.
On the final run with three seconds left, running backs coach Dennis Erickson opted to hand off to Moss over sophomore Armand Shyne (99 yards, two touchdowns). Whittingham called it Utah's "bread-and-butter play."
Cal sniffed it out, and linemen came pouring through Utah's line to stuff Moss short of the line.
Utah finished with 442 offensive yards to Cal's 362, including three rushing touchdowns. The Utes also ran twice as many plays (97 to 49), converted more third and fourth downs, and didn't turn the ball over.
None of it mattered.
"It was perfect," said Williams, shaking his head. "Defense made a stop, got the ball back with plenty of time left to score. It just didn't happen."
Whittingham was frustrated by the late timeout he said the referee mistakenly called, costing Utah a chance to run the ball once more than they did. But otherwise, he said he had "no regrets whatsoever" — not even the decision to go for it and missing on a fourth-and-inches conversion attempt at the Cal 10, well within field goal range. Had the Utes taken the field goal, they would've had to make a kick at the game's finish instead of a touchdown.
"To be aggressive, you're going to have some setbacks," he said. "It's not gonna work out every single time, but four out of five — or whatever we were — gave us a chance to hang in the game."
The Utes came on the cusp of a comeback despite significant absences: Defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei and Cory Butler-Byrd missed starts, and during the game, center J.J. Dielman, receiver Tim Patrick and corner Reggie Porter went out and didn't play any of the second half. Whittingham called his players "absolute warriors" for putting the team in position to win despite injuries.
Utah led once in the second half, thanks to a 4-yard touchdown by Shyne in the third quarter, going ahead 17-14. But Cal answered on the next play with a 24-yard pass to Chad Hansen, the country's leading receiver, to retake the lead.
Cal began the game with a bang, throwing a 40-yard touchdown pass to Hansen on the opening drive, then followed up with a 39-yard touchdown to Robertson, taking a 14-0 lead. Utah struck back, kicking a field goal, then going on a 21-play, 9-minute scoring drive capped by an Shyne touchdown. Utah picked off Webb before halftime, going into the lockerroom down 14-10.
But whereas the comeback worked last week, there wasn't enough magic on the road for Utah, which surrendered a share of the lead in the Pac-12 South — a division it hopes to win this year. Whittingham said he came away with encouragement the Utes can still do it.
"Our guys have got fight," he said. "They're warriors, and I love coaching them."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Storylines
R Zack Moss can't punch in final run, coming up a yard short as the Utes lose for the first time this season.
• Utah's offense outgains Cal 442 yards to 362, runs 48 more plays.
• Utes run game has 176 yards, three touchdowns.