Offense was hard to come by in the desert on Saturday night as Northwestern and Utah battled in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Wildcats’ first score late in the first half was the only score of the first three quarters. Defenders routinely met ball carriers and quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage. Both defenses were expected to perform well, but a 14-7 game, only half of the predicted point total, was highly unexpected. Headed into the fourth quarter, Northwestern led the game 7-0, and then there were some fireworks. Utah finally broke through and found the end zone on an eight-play drive that took them 60 yards. It was not long before Ben Bryant led the Wildcats to an answer. He dropped a pass right into his man’s arms for a 19-yard score that proved to be the game’s winning touchdown.
This game delivered an even matchup that was competitive for the duration. A late fourth down stop by the Northwestern defense sealed it late in the game. Only after a gutsy third down run by Bryant on the ensuing drive allowed the Wildcats to get into victory formation with 100 seconds remaining in the game. As the primetime matchup on Saturday night, the Las Vegas Bowl needed Northwestern and Utah to provide a battle, and that is exactly what happened. Defensive back Jaheem Joseph had two interceptions in the first half and looked to be the player of the game until Bryant got going.
Unusual Utes
Utah did not look like themselves, especially on offense. Giving up only 14 points is about par for the course for the Utes defense. They cannot be faulted for the loss, as they made some big plays and played with great physicality. However, the offense, which averaged 24.5 points on the season, struggled to even move the ball in Vegas. True to form, Bryson Barnes gave the ball up a couple of times. His two interceptions and a fumble from running back Jaylon Glover put the Utes in a difficult position. Luckily for Utah, the turnovers did not impact them as much as it may appear on paper. Northwestern missed two field goals and turned it over on downs inside the five-yard line. Missing on those three opportunities to score essentially balanced out the three Utah turnovers.
The Utah offense only amassed 138 rushing yards and a measly 73 yards through the air. With no passing game, the Northwestern defense truly keyed in on ball carriers, including Barnes, who ran with it 16 times. One of our keys to success for Utah was limiting the passing attempts. As a team, they won games in 2023 when they threw the ball under 30 times. Kyle Whittingham’s team was well short of that number. However, their 14 pass attempts were likely a symptom of the close game and the lack of success through the air early. Utah runs to set up the pass. For the most part, they couldn’t get the run going, which also stymied the passing game.
Hard Hits and Head Injuries
Bryant was 23-34 for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Northwestern did not turn the ball over and continued to be patient throughout the game, even when the game remained tight. The Wildcats only had 65 yards on the ground, so the weight was squarely on Bryant’s shoulders to make something happen. He ran with the ball only six times but took his fair share of hits, just like Barnes. The starting quarterbacks for both teams left the game at one point to be evaluated for a concussion.
Bryant’s injury came when the game was tied at seven in the fourth quarter. He was visibly impacted after running with the ball and slamming his head on the ground when tackled. Bryant’s arm was locked in an unnatural position with the wrist bent and pulled towards his chest. His forearm seized as he writhed in pain on the ground. However, after one series on the bench, Bryant returned and led his team to victory.
Warrior Wildcats
When asked about the win after the game, head coach David Braun referred to it as the “Ultimate team win,” complimenting all three phases. He went on to make a distinction between “Warriors and mercenaries,” citing Bryant as a warrior. Braun raised a quality question at the height of the transfer portal age. Many players are called mercenaries as they travel from school to school looking for the next opportunity. Loyalty to a school and a fanbase appears to be a dying concept. However, when referencing his quarterback, who is playing for his third school in four transfers in Northwestern, Braun alluded to Bryant not falling into the category of disloyal. Warriors fight with courage and tenacity because it’s who they are and because they deeply believe in what they are fighting for.
Bryant displayed a clear competitive spirit by laying out for a first down to end the game and allow the Wildcats to get into victory formation. However, due to a hit on that third down run, Bryant was not the quarterback on the field to take the knee. This type of toughness was embodied not only by Bryant but the entire Northwestern team. In the wake of scandal and incredibly low expectations, the Wildcats had to battle all year long. They won their final four games of the season to finish 8-5, in large part because they refused to lose.
The Las Vegas Bowl between Northwestern and Utah had it all. Hard hits, unsung heroes, and a suspenseful finish are all parts of why college football fans love bowl season. Stay tuned in with Last Word on College Football for all of your bowl coverage.
