The Hive Sports

November 23, 2024 – After beginning the season 4 – 0, the University of Utah football fought to leave the final game of the 2024 season with a W. 

It was senior night at Rice-Eccles Stadium where Utah honored it’s senior class. Names listed in alphabetical order:

Cole Becker -K- Roseville, CA. — Micah Bernard -RB- Long Beach, CA. — Luke Bottari -QB- San Mateo, CA. — Jack Bouwmeester -P- Bendigo, Australia — Josh Calvert -LB- Westlake Village, CA. — Van Fillinger -DE – Draper, UT — Tevita Fotu – DT – Herriman, UT — Alaka’i Gilman -S – Laie, Hawaii — JT Greep -SN – Glendora, Calif. — Nick Howe CB – North Salt Lake, Utah — ***22 Ty Jordan – RB – Mesquite, Texas — Falcon Kaumatule -OL- Las Vegas, NV — Jaren Kump -OL- Riverton, UT — Caleb Lohner -TE – Flower Mound, TX — ***22 Aaron Lowe – CB – Mesquite, TX — Johnny Maea – OL- Salt Lake City, UT — Shintaro Mann -OL- Provo, UT — Munir McClain -WR – Atlanta, GA — Connor O’Toole -DE – Albuquerque, NM — Money Parks -WR- Aledo, TX — Karene Reid -LB – American Fork, UT — Dorian Singer – WR – Saint Paul, Minn. — Miki Suguturaga – TE – Kaneohe, Hawaii — Junior Tafuna – DT – Taylorsville, UT — Zemaiah Vaughn -CB – Beaumont, TX — Charlie Vincent -RB- Salt Lake City, UT

*** Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe were honored posthumously with members of both the Jordan and Lowe families in attendance for the ceremony. The No. 22 jersey was retired by Utah on Oct. 30, 2021, in memory of both Jordan and Lowe.

Things looked up at the start of Senior night for Utah as the Utes defense held the #18 Cyclones offense to 3 and out on their first possession! Utah’s offense, led by freshman, Isaac Wilson marched down the field before being held outside of the red zone. Senior Cole Becker made a 34-yard field goal and the Utes went up 3 – 0.

Iowa State countered with a touchdown after going 75 yards in 6 minutes on 13 plays. They drove to within field goal position where Kyle Konrardy missed a 34 yard attempt. However, after a defensive holding call against Utah, they were awarded 10 yards and a first down. They quickly capitalized on the penalty and scored a TD putting Iowa State up 7-3.

The Utes were held on their next possession and punted. The Cyclones bullied their way to the Utah 13 yard line where Utah’s Lander Barton intercepted Rocco Becht and with the help of blockers, ran it back for a pick six defensive touchdown. After a PAT by Cole Becker, Utah was back on top 10 – 7. 

Iowa State began their next drive from the 25-yard line. Nine plays and 75 yards later, they scored a second touchdown. Everyone was in disbelief at the holding call and yet at that point the Cyclones were back on top 14 – 10.

Utah went 3 downs with little gain and punted once again. Iowa State returner Jaylin Noel fumbled the return which was recovered by Utah. With 3:38 left in the 2nd quarter, Cole Becker connected on a 47 yard field goal putting the Utes within one, 14-13.

Iowa State improved on their lead heading into halftime with a 35-yard FG with 33 seconds left. The halftime score was 17 – 13 Iowa State. 

To start the second half, Iowa State’s offense successfully moved the ball to the 1-yard line. That’s when QB Rocco Becht scored on a 1 yard run. Iowa State now had a 2-touchdown lead, 24-13. Unlike the holy war against BYU where every fan there seemed to stay well into the 4th quarter which was after midnight, the Utah “faithful” appeared to give up. Losing hope, I watched as droves of fans began filing out of RES. Yet, the team was not about to roll over and quit.

After the post 3rd quarter tribute to Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe, (both of whom would have been part of this senior class), Utah’s determination took over.

Utah blocked a punt on the Iowa State from their own 20 yard-line. The ball rolled back into their end zone where 4-star high school recruit, and Utah freshman David Washington, fell on the football for a touchdown! Bringing the Utes within 2 (24 – 19).  After a successful 2-point conversion from Luke Bottari to Caleb Lohner, the Utes were back within three, 24 – 21.

Micah Bernard scored a TD on a 1-yard run. Cole Becker added the extra point and suddenly the Utes were back on top, 28-24!

Just as Utah began to believe in a win for the final home game of the season, Iowa State scored a touchdown with 1:31 left on the clock. Iowa State had retaken the lead.

In the final series, Utah’s Cole Becker attempted a 54-yard field goal which missed. It had the distance, but just wasn’t straight through the uprights. The final score from Rice-Eccles Stadium was 28 – 31. Utah now lost it’s seventh game in a row. Making it the University’s longest losing streak in football since 1986. 

For Utah: Isaac Wilson went 8/8 for 74 yards before leaving the game due to injury after the 3rd quarter. Luke Bottari finished out the game. He completed 5 of 9 pass attempts for 55 yards. Bottari also gained 47 yards rushing. Utah senior running back Micah Bernard was held to just 42 yards on 17 carries. Although he did have a rushing TD.

Iowa quarterback, Rocco Becht, threw for 256 yards on 20/38, with 1 TD (to Jayden Higgins) and 1 Int. He also ran for 27 yards including one TD.

Cyclones running back Carson Hansen rushed for 2 touchdowns on 57 yards on 14 carries.