Special teams was supposed to be Utahs strength going into its matchup against Arizona State.In the end, it cost the Utes a victory.Behind the improving play of quarterback Keita Bates-Diop Jersey Taylor Kelly and a strong defensive effort, Arizona State snuck by Utah in overtime after normally reliable Utes kicker Andy Phillips mi sed not one but two field goals that would have extended the game.A Lou Groza Award candidate, Phillips was perfect on the night coming into the extra frame but mi sed a short field goal after the Utah offense went three-and-out to begin overtime -- but head coach Kyle Whittingham ended up calling a timeout just before the snap. Phillips had another try but mi sed that 35-yarder as well.Sun Devils quarterback Will Barton Jersey Taylor Kelly didnt have the sharpest of nights but continued to show progre s running the offense after mi sing nearly a month with a foot injury. He finished just 18-of-32 for 205 yards pa sing on the night and added 55 yards on the ground.Receiver Jaelen Strong, one of the teams top prospects, had a strong night with five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. He flashed good ball skills and once again showed how he was a strong runner after he caught the football. Little used Demario Richard also helped move the offense along, running for 116 yards in a very balanced attack.On the other side, Utah signal-caller Travis Malik Beasley Jersey Wilson had another forgettable outing with just 57 yards through the air on 12-of-22 pa sing. His ability to move around and escape the pocket Nikola Jokic Jersey helped keep some plays alive, but it wasnt enough for the offense. The Utes gained just 241 total yards.Tailback Devontae Booker continued to be the lone bright spot, especially considering the lo s of top receiver Dres Anderson last week. Booker ran hard between the tackles once again and was tough to bring down when he burst through the hole. He finished with 146 yards rushing but did fail to reach the end zone on the ground, adding a touchdown off a short pa s instead.The win allows Arizona State to continue to control its own destiny when it comes to the Pac-12 South and should provide a boost in the eyes of the College Football Playoff selection committee. Things dont get any easier next week as Notre Dame comes to Tempe for a top 15 matchup, but such a big game just might be something the Sun Devils are used to playing in at this point.You Vlatko CanCar Jersey can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at .
Special teams was supposed to be Utahs strength going into its matchup against Arizona State.In the end, it cost the Utes a victory.Behind the improving play of quarterback Keita Bates-Diop Jersey Taylor Kelly and a strong defensive effort, Arizona State snuck by Utah in overtime after normally reliable Utes kicker Andy Phillips mi sed not one but two field goals that would have extended the game.A Lou Groza Award candidate, Phillips was perfect on the night coming into the extra frame but mi sed a short field goal after the Utah offense went three-and-out to begin overtime -- but head coach Kyle Whittingham ended up calling a timeout just before the snap. Phillips had another try but mi sed that 35-yarder as well.Sun Devils quarterback Will Barton Jersey Taylor Kelly didnt have the sharpest of nights but continued to show progre s running the offense after mi sing nearly a month with a foot injury. He finished just 18-of-32 for 205 yards pa sing on the night and added 55 yards on the ground.Receiver Jaelen Strong, one of the teams top prospects, had a strong night with five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. He flashed good ball skills and once again showed how he was a strong runner after he caught the football. Little used Demario Richard also helped move the offense along, running for 116 yards in a very balanced attack.On the other side, Utah signal-caller Travis Malik Beasley Jersey Wilson had another forgettable outing with just 57 yards through the air on 12-of-22 pa sing. His ability to move around and escape the pocket Nikola Jokic Jersey helped keep some plays alive, but it wasnt enough for the offense. The Utes gained just 241 total yards.Tailback Devontae Booker continued to be the lone bright spot, especially considering the lo s of top receiver Dres Anderson last week. Booker ran hard between the tackles once again and was tough to bring down when he burst through the hole. He finished with 146 yards rushing but did fail to reach the end zone on the ground, adding a touchdown off a short pa s instead.The win allows Arizona State to continue to control its own destiny when it comes to the Pac-12 South and should provide a boost in the eyes of the College Football Playoff selection committee. Things dont get any easier next week as Notre Dame comes to Tempe for a top 15 matchup, but such a big game just might be something the Sun Devils are used to playing in at this point.You Vlatko CanCar Jersey can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at .