No. 4 Washington holds off No. 16 Utah to bolster Playoff bid

SALT LAKE CITY — Breaking down No. 4 Washington’s 31-24 win against No. 16 Utah on Saturday:

THE BIG PICTURE: As the season has developed, it’s been more difficult to properly evaluate Washington’s unbeaten record. Yeah, the Huskies blew out Stanford and then Oregon to grab our attention – but as it turns out, neither of the Pac-12’s usual contenders are any good. What’s Washington? Part of the answer might have come on a picture-perfect afternoon at Rice-Eccles Stadium, where the Huskies turned back a serious challenge from a very good Utah team that fell off the radar (or rather, never actually was on the radar) after a loss at California. After grabbing an early 14-0 lead, the Huskies found themselves trailing 17-14 midway through the third quarter, but found a way to a nail-biter. It was the kind of road victory that reveals mettle.

WHAT WE’LL BE TALKING ABOUT: Is Washington headed to the College Football Playoff? At 8-0, the Huskies look the part – very good defense, solid running game, a playmaker at quarterback. The biggest remaining challenges would appear to be a resuscitated USC in Seattle in two weeks and the Apple Cup, on the road in Pullman, Wash., to end the regular season, presumably followed by the Pac-12 championship game. Remain unbeaten, and Washington’s just playing for seeding. Take a loss, and a pitiful nonconference slate might be cause for concern – but on Saturday at least, the Huskies passed the eye test.

KEY PLAY: All tied at 24, Washington’s defense forced a three-and-out. Utah punted from its own end zone. Dante Pettis took it with room to run, bounced right and raced up the sidelines 58 yards for a touchdown and the lead with 3:25 left. The Pac-12 officials might have missed a couple of blocks in the back, but no flags were thrown. It was Pettis’ fifth career punt return TD -- and maybe the most important play so far this season for Washington.

ODD HEISMAN MOMENT: Washington sophomore quarterback Jake Browning wasn’t great Saturday (12 of 20 for 186 yards, with two touchdowns and a costly interception). But in the fourth quarter, he showed off another important skill. On fourth down from the Utah 41, he dropped a perfect pooch punt that was downed at the 1. That led to the three-and-out and Pettis’ punt return.

HELPING ‘EM OUT: Washington’s M.O. in building a 7-0 record was of playing smart, efficient football. That took a hit Saturday, when defensive penalties extended three Utah scoring drives. The biggest came in the second quarter. Leading 14-0, Washington had weathered an interception by stopping Utes running back Joe Williams on third-and-goal. But junior linebacker Azeem Victor was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play, an automatic first down that led to a touchdown. In the third quarter Victor was the culprit again in a similar situation, called for facemask on Williams on third-and-goal. And in the fourth quarter, Utah’s drive to tie it was kept alive when, on a third-and-long, Psalm Wooching was called for roughing the passer.

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KEY PLAY, II: Washington led 14-0 in the second quarter and was in control, but sophomore quarterback Jake Browning forced a deep pass over the middle. Utes strong safety Chase Hansen intercepted it near midfield and returned it to the 19, setting up a touchdown. Suddenly, the momentum had shifted and Utah was back in it. By midway through the third quarter, the Utes led 17-14 and had outgained Washington 160-2 since the interception.

KEY PLAY, III: After surrendering that two-touchdown lead, Washington found itself trailing 17-14 midway through the third quarter. But the Huskies answered with a six-play, 75-yard drive capped with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Jake Browning to John Ross. It was third-and-1. The snap bounced on the turf. Browning picked it up and fired to Ross, who was well-covered on a slant pattern. He tipped the ball up into the air – and suddenly free of the defensive back, easily caught it for the touchdown to regain the lead.

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