Utah holds on to beat Indiana in Foster Farms Bowl

Joe Williams had 26 carries for 222 yards. (Getty)

Utah thwarted Indiana’s last-chance Hail Mary attempt to win the Foster Farms Bowl 26-24.

The Utes took the lead on a field goal with 1:24 to go. Indiana’s drive for a possible game-winning field goal was going nowhere until quarterback Richard Lagow somehow escaped a sack and completed a pass to wide receiver Ricky Jones to the Utah 47 with 5 seconds left.

Instead of attempting a long field goal or a quick pass for a shorter (but still really long) field goal, Indiana went for the Hail Mary. But as Lagow rolled to his right the play was blown dead for a false start.

Now at its own 48, Indiana went for the Hail Mary again. Lagow once again rolled to his right and Utah read it all the way, hitting Lagow as he attempted to release the football.

Utah was carried by running back Joe Williams, who had 26 carries for 222 yards and a touchdown. A big run by Williams’ set up Andy Phillips’ fourth field goal of the game, a 27-yarder that proved to be the game-winner.

Williams’ big game was his sixth effort of 149 yards or more in his last seven games. Not bad for a guy who missed four games earlier this season after retiring two games into the season. Unsurprisingly, he was named the Foster Farms Bowl MVP.

Outside of Williams’ running and Phillips’ kicking, the game wasn’t too pretty. The teams combined for seven turnovers, including a Utah fumble on the opening kickoff. The seven turnovers tie the Dollar General Bowl for most combined fumbles and interceptions in a bowl game this season.

Utah finishes the season at 9-4 while Indiana ends the season 6-7.