Those corrections didn’t seem to work, given the struggles of Utah’s defense for a third straight week. The undisciplined errors seemingly got worse. It’s apparent Utah desperately needs veterans like linebacker Karene Reid, defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa, defensive end Connor O’toole and linebacker Sione Fotu back in the lineup.

Nothing has quite been the same at Utah since quarterback Cameron Rising tore his ACL against Penn State, New Year's Day of 2023. It feels like a lifetime ago, but the Utes were two-time reigning Pac-12 champions and 19-4 in games that Rising started and finished since he earned the starting quarterback job in 2021.

The Utes suffered their second straight loss of the season against Arizona State, and it could have major implications for the program moving forward.