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Utah wore red. Arizona wore white. But all the fans could see was yellow.

Midway through the second quarter, the sellout crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium booed their own offense, which had moved back from the Arizona 13 to the 43 on penalties.

The Utah offense had 11 first-half penalties that cost 63 yards — more flags than the Utes had drawn in any of their first five games. The offense clearly missed senior J.J. Dielman at center: Eight false starts and a snap infraction cost Utah dearly, particularly when it was in the red zone.

The first seven false starts were committed by seven players: Garett Bolles, Raelon Singleton, Evan Moeai, Sam Tevi, Isaac Asiata, Harrison Handley and Salesi Uhatafe. The Utes had three straight on the second-half drive, and a chop block penalty gave them third-and-30 at the Arizona 43.

Senior Nick Nowakowski, a former walk-on, made his first career start. Junior Lo Falemaka, who filled in for Dielman at Cal, did not dress for the game after being spotted in a protective boot in Tuesday's practice.

Utah started the offseason already thin at center, moving Dielman from tackle after projected center Hiva Lutui suffered a season-ending knee injury in the spring. Dielman did come on the field for the pregame coin toss, using crutches.

Moss, McCormick missing in action

Utah entered the game thin at running back, as Zack Moss and Troy McCormick didn't dress for the game.

Moss tweeted before kickoff that he wouldn't be able to play, while Kyle Whittingham described McCormick earlier in the week as "banged up." Together, the duo has accounted for 505 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Two key defenders return to action

The Utes' defense at least enjoyed being at full strength, as junior defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei and senior cornerback Reggie Porter both made starts after missing time against Cal. Lotulelei traveled to Berkeley last week but did not suit up. Porter exited the game early and did not play in the second half against the Golden Bears.

But both played for Utah's defense after missing snaps in the last game, starting from the opening play.

Others who were back included receiver and returner Cory Butler-Byrd, who made solid first half returns, and receiver Kyle Fulks who left the Cal game early.

Tim Patrick dressed but did not see the field for offensive snaps.

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon