The Utes offense stalled while TCU escaped with a 13-7 win

SALT LAKE CITY — The loudest cheer of the first half came when Isaac Wilson connected with Dorian Singer on an 11-yard pass down the sideline with just over a minute left in the first half.

It was such a night for Utah's offense.

The Utes went scoreless in the first half and only had 86 yards of total offense as the team struggled to even move the ball. It was so bad that the fans in attendance at Rice-Eccles Stadium booed Utah as the team headed to the locker room at halftime.

There wasn't much to cheer about on Saturday evening.

Despite all the problems on offense – of which there were many – Utah's defense held on to a two-point game before Isaac Wilson found a streaking Money Parks downfield for a 71-yard touchdown pass that set the game changed.

But TCU never relented and continued to put pressure on Utah, causing the Utes' offense to falter. Utah's defense also did its part, keeping the Horned Frogs out of the end zone. So TCU held serve and ended the night with a 13-7 win over Utah on home soil.

Utah (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) had chances late but couldn't convert them as Wilson threw an interception on fourth down midway through the fourth quarter and then an incomplete pass on the ensuing fourth down with 2:30 left threw in the game.

Wilson finished his fourth career start by throwing for 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 17 of 33 passes.

TCU (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) quarterback Josh Hoover finished the night throwing for 263 yards on 22 of 41 passing but had no passing touchdowns on the trip to Salt Lake City.

Savion Williams, who temporarily replaced Hoover under center, finished the game with a team-high 72 rushing yards on seven carries, which proved to be the most effective strategy to beat the Utes in the second half. TCU managed 394 yards of total offense on the night, compared to Utah's 267 yards.

TCU began the night by converting first downs on three consecutive plays and easily got into the red zone when the Horned Frogs threatened to score. But Hoover lost the ball and Van Fillinger jumped on it to stop the ball.

Utah went three-and-out on its opening series and its punt attempt was blocked, setting up the Horned Frogs deep in Utah territory. But like the opening drive, Utah's defense held firm and forced a field goal attempt that was eventually blocked by safety Tao Johnson.

TCU eventually scored a field goal and Hoover scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give the Horned Frogs a 10-0 lead that held until halftime.

This story will be updated.