The University of Utah pulled off something of an upset Friday night as they defeated #2 St. Mary’s 49-21 in Salt Lake City.

The Gaels, conscious of a big game with BYU on Saturday, ran out some starters who normally are reserve players, and that could well have been a factor in a game where Utah was on the front foot most of the evening. The Utes for a try from flyhalf Danny Christensen, which he converted, and tries from lock Nyles Lapuaho, hooker Chad Gough in building a 21-0 lead. And they kept it up, increasing their advantage to 28-0 at halftime, One more try in the second half made it 35-0 before St. Mary’s Head Coach Tim O’Brien made some lineup changes. The adjustments led to three St. Mary’s tries, and two more for Utah, both from wing Paul Benson.

“We got our butts kicked,” said O’Brien. “We ran out a lineup I thought would beat Utah and Utah played very well. We were warning our guys that this is a Jekyll and Hyde team, and they got us.”

St. Mary’s had trouble winning their own lineouts and that was a crucial issue, as even when Utah clearance kicks didn’t go far, the Utes, with Gabe Ruflin jumping in the lineout, were able to steal the throws and march on down the field.

Also problematic for St. Mary’s was the Utah interior attack. With centers Scott Strong and Taylor Thomas asking questions of the Gaels defense, Utah was able to keep the gainline moving their way.

Utah program director Mark Drown said it was a solid game for his centers, who took care of the ball and used their support well, and he also praised freshman lock Lapuaho for his development, and prop Spencer Vickery.

“As Vickery goes, so goes our pack,” he said. In addition, Christensen played a strong game at flyhalf, with Tonata Lauti at fullback dangerous as usual.

St. Mary’s is facing BYU Saturday and so clearly wanted to even out the playing time for players. Drown, while thrilled with his team’s performance, recognized that.

“I have so much respect for Tim and his program for coming out here to play two teams in two days,” said Drown, whose Utah squad were soundly beaten by St. Mary’s earlier in the season. “And to select and find playing time for 25 players has to be tough, and to do that and be competitive is very difficult. We know that, but we also talked to our players about the improvements we wanted to make. We simplified our attack plan. We didn’t turn the ball over. And we tell the players we’re on an upward glide path.”

Indeed they are. 

St. Mary’s kicks off against BYU at 7pm Mountain Time on Saturday, March 14. It will be broadcast live here: https://www.youtube.com/user/BYURugbyTV