SALT LAKE CITY – Star linebacker Evan Weaver recorded 22 tackles in a game for the second time this season – tying the school record he shares with former linebacker Jordan Kunazysk – but the Golden Bears fell at No. 12 Utah 35-0 at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday night.

Weaver, who is in striking distance of setting the NCAA record for most tackles in a season, also recorded 22 during the Bears' 28-20 victory at Ole Miss on Sept. 21. He has three 20-tackle games this season and five games with at least 15 tackles.

Weaver now has 127 tackles on the season, which leads the country. The NCAA record for single-season tackles is 193.

The Bears (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12) limped into Salt Lake city with a depleted roster, and couldn't keep pace with the high-powered Utes. Third-string quarterback Spencer Brasch made his first career start after making his college debut last week after an injury knocked out Devon Modster. He was 7-for-19 for 47 yards.

"I was just trying to make plays - do what I can do and move the ball," Brasch said. "There were some passes I could have completed and some reads I could have made. There are always ways to get better."

A rash of injuries have put some new faces on the field recently for the Bears. Along with Brasch, wide receiver Ben Skinner and offensive lineman Erick Nisich made their first career starts. Skinner made his first career catch, as did tight end Collin Moore. Defensive end JH Tevis also made his college debut for the Bears.

Cal used safety Ashtyn Davis as a wide receiver on one play during the third quarter.

Junior Kuony Deng, who has quietly put together a terrific season playing next to Weaver on defense, also recorded a career-high with 16 tackles. It marks the sixth game this season Deng has recorded at least nine tackles and his third with 12 tackles or more.

"We didn't make the plays we could have made," Weaver said. "We need to tackle a lot better. We had a good game plan. We just didn't execute. Utah is a great team. They took it to us."

Cal has a bye next week before returning home to host Washington State on Nov. 9. The kickoff time for that game is expected to be announced by the Pac-12 on Monday.