Utah Utes football: Utes hoping to get even with victory over Washington

Then there’s the highly touted defense. Utah had a shutout going until the final play of last Saturday’s win over Washington State.

Sarkisian knows all about the Utes defensively. He called senior tackle Star Lotulelei a tremendous player and noted that he has respect for Utah’s entire defensive front.

Even so, there’s plenty of other storylines surrounding the Utes’ first appearance in Seattle since 1979.

The Huskies (5-4, 3-3) are seeking bowl eligibility in their home finale. Like Utah, they’ve won two straight after a lengthy skid.

The Utes, meanwhile, have revenge as an additional motivation. After losing to the Huskies 31-14 last season in Salt Lake City, they’re eager to even the ledger.

“We owe these guys,” said junior linebacker Trevor Reilly. “They came in and beat us pretty good at home.”

More importantly for Utah, however, is doing whatever it takes to keep a nine-year run of winning seasons and bowl appearances going. The Utes are determined to send their seniors out that way. A victory over Washington, obviously, moves that quest forward.

“It’s huge,” Reilly emphasized.

Utah closes out the regular season with a home game against Arizona and a road trip to Colorado.

Email: dirk@desnews.com

Twitter: @DirkFacer