Ski Dudes vs Beach Bums: Utes Freeze out Bruins 31-6

It was cold with a nice blanket of snow at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Saturday afternoon. Up from Westwood in Los Angeles, the UCLA Bruins to play Utah. Both teams were looking to be bowl-eligible with the sixth win needed.  

Utah came away with the victory, 31-6 over the Bruins.

John White rushed for 167 yards and three touchdowns. White continues to rush well. He is now fourth on Utah's all-time rushing list with 1,191 yards to date. Conroy Black had a pick that he returned for a score as well.

Jon Hays passed for 67 yards which, in the snow, isn't too terribly bad. Hays is improving as he is getting used to playing a tough Pac-12 schedule. He is showing his mobility more as well as staying in the pocket longer.

Brian Blechen made some big plays on defense as he continues to improve on his defense. The defense continued to show its toughness even in the frigid weather by holding UCLA to two field goals for its total points scored.

Next week, Utah takes on Washington State in Pullman, Washington. The following week, the Utes host Colorado in a Black Friday game.

Utah has the potential to go 8-4 with two more wins. But this is the Pac-12 and anyone can upset you on any given week. Just ask Arizona, losing today to the cellar-dweller Buffs 48-29 in Boulder. So the next two weeks will be important for the Utes to pad their stats and wins to get into a top-tier bowl.

One final note: the Bruins did learn to ski today, so to speak. I suppose that having Utah and Colorado in the conference now gives the teams from warmer climates to play some good old-fashioned tundra football and at altitude.  

The Bruins haven't had a snow game in 31 years. Now that warm streak has been iced.