Defense helps Utah halt skid, defeat UCF in season finale

Zemeiah Barton and Smith Snowden returned interceptions for touchdowns and Utah ended a seven-game losing streak with a 28-14 Big 12 Conference win over Central Florida on Friday night in Orlando.

The Utes (5-7, 2-7) managed just 196 total yards but their defense more than propped up an offense that has sputtered in conference games. Snowden applied the clinching blow, intercepting a telegraphed pass over the middle by backup quarterback EJ Colson and returning it 13 yards for six points with 3:34 remaining in the game.

Luke Bottari, Utah's fourth starting quarterback of the season, completed 13 of 20 passes for 111 yards and a 15-yard touchdown to Landen King 14 seconds into the fourth quarter that made it 21-7. Micah Bernard rushed for 87 yards on 22 carries.

Freshman Dylan Rizk hit 11 of 27 passes for 118 yards with an interception for the Knights (4-8, 2-7), who lost eight of nine to end the season. Running back RJ Harvey scored both UCF touchdowns, carrying most of the offensive load with a game-high 119 yards on 20 attempts.

Harvey caught a 6-yard strike from Colson with 19 seconds left to wrap up the scoring.

In a matchup of teams that came into the season with higher expectations, Utah struck first as Cole Becker toed a 37-yard field goal at the 6:52 mark of the first quarter. That came six plays after Logan Fano recovered a Rizk fumble at the UCF 46.

The Utes' defense was at it again in the second quarter, coming up with their second pick-six in as many games. This time, it was Barton picking off Rizk and lugging it 60 yards for a 10-0 advantage with 7:45 left.

The Knights responded with an 89-yard touchdown drive that Harvey finished on a 5-yard run with 3:25 left for his 24th score this seaspm and the 47th touchdown of his career, a new school record. But Utah got a 24-yard field goal from Trey Coleman to take a 13-7 lead to the half.

--Field Level Media