SEATTLE-Saturday, the No.9 (The Associated Press poll)/No. 10 (coaches poll) Utah Utes (7-1, 4-1 in Pac-12 play) visit Washington (5-3, 2-3) in Pac-12 play for a 2:00 pm kickoff at Husky Stadium.
This is the highest the Utes have been ranked since earning a No. 3 ranking October 18, 2015.
The Utah offense ranks 37th nationally with 33.1 points per game, tying them with Texas A&M.
Senior signal-caller Tyler Huntley continues to be among the nation’s leaders in several key categories.
Huntley completes 73.1 percent of his passes (122-167; 5th nationally) for 1,778 yards, 10 touchdowns and only one interception.
His passing efficiency of 181.0 ranks sixth nationally.
The Utes’ running game is led by senior tailback Zack Moss (110 car, 728 yards, 10 TD’s) while his 6.6 yards per carry ranks him 15th nationally.
Utah’s receiving stats are headlined by senior receiver Demari Simpkins (18 rec, 221 yards), sophomore tight end Brant Kuithe (16 rec, 266 yards, 3 TD’s) and sophomore receiver Bryan Thompson (14 rec, 371 yards, 3 TD’s).
Freshman kicker Jadon Redding (6-9 field goals; 33-33 on PAT’s) leads the Utes in special teams.
Utah ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense (10.3 points per game) and first nationally against the run (56.4 yards per game).
Senior defensive end Bradlee Anae (7 sacks, forced fumble) is the Utes’ defensive leader. Senior linebacker Francis Bernard and senior defensive back Julian Blackmon have two interceptions apiece for Utah to lead the squad in that category.
Blackmon, Anae, senior defensive tackle Leki Fotu and senior defensive back Josh Nurse each have a forced fumble as well for Utah.
The Huskies come into Saturday’s game off of a bye. In their last game, they fell 35-31 to Oregon as the Ducks spoiled their Homecoming October 19.
Washington is 28th nationally in scoring offense (35.8 points per game).
Junior quarterback Jacob Eason completes 67.4 percent of his passes on the season (157 of 233) for 1.981 yards, 16 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Junior tailback Salvon Ahmed (114 car, 683 yards, 7 TD’s) and his fellow junior running mate Sean McGrew (51 car, 330 yards, TD) bolster the Washington running game.
Senior receiver Aaron Fuller (40 rec, 558 yards, 5 TD’s) is the Huskies’ leading target for Eason.
The Huskies rank 33rd nationally in scoring defense (21.5 points per game).
Freshman defensive back Cameron Williams lead the Huskies with three interceptions. Junior outside linebacker Ryan Bowman and senior defensive lineman Benning Potoa’e have four sacks apiece to pace Washington.
Junior defensive back Elijah Molden has two forced fumbles to lead Washington.
The Huskies lead the Utes 12-1 all-time.
