SALT LAKE CITY — Utah had a bye before saying bye-bye to Oregon State. The Utes scored touchdowns on five of their first six possessions in a 52-7 win at Reser Stadium in Corvallis.
Saturday’s victory was filled with success. Quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss headlined a 257-yard first quarter that led to a quick 21-0 advantage. By game’s end, Utah netted 503 yards of total offense and 24 first downs.
Huntley completed 14-of-17 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. The senior has yet to throw an interception this season, and his streak of 131 passes without a pick, thus far, is the longest active streak in the nation (FBS). The run is at 133 attempts dating back to last year.
Moss, meanwhile, returned to action after missing one game (Washington State) with an apparent shoulder injury. He carried the ball five times against Oregon State, finishing with 121 yards rushing — scoring twice, the first on a 91-yard run.
Linebacker Devin Lloyd had a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown. Utah’s defense was particularly strong against the run, holding the Beavers to just 48 yards on the ground.
Overall, the performance was quite pleasing to coach Kyle Whittingham.
“I think we handled the bye week well. I think we got the balance of rest and work and getting the guys ready to play,” he said. “But credit the players. It’s all about the players and they are the ones that go out and practice the game plan Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. They came out and executed.”
After improving to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Pac-12 play, Utah moved up to No. 13 in the Associated Press Top 25. The Utes are No. 14 in the latest coaches poll.
Whittingham acknowledged a “lot of good things” took place at Oregon State. However, the schedule takes a sharp turn this weekend with 17th-ranked Arizona State (5-1, 2-1) coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday (4 p.m., P12N).
“Any Herm Edwards team is going to play good defense. So we know we’ve got our hands full and our work cut out for us.” — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham
“The degree of difficulty gets higher,” Whittingham said. “We’ve got a tough game this week and we’ve got to come back in Monday with the same resolve and the same work ethic and the same determination that we’ve had for the last several weeks now, be ready to play again against a really good Arizona State team.”
The Sun Devils are coming off a 38-34 win over Washington State. They’re 2-0 on the road this season — prevailing at Michigan State (10-7) and California (24-17).
The Utes, thus, are gearing up for a battle in a game pitting Pac-12 South contenders.
“Any Herm Edwards team is going to play good defense,” said Whittingham, who also noted that ASU has playmakers on offense. “So we know we’ve got our hands full and our work cut out for us.”
Whittingham added that the Utes are excited to play at home in front of the Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd. The players are also eager for the showdown.
“It’s going to be a fun game,” Lloyd said. “And it’s going to have some implications, currently.”
Although it may ultimately impact the division race, there’s still a lot of football left to be played. Both teams have six conference games remaining.
Moss noted that a win “would definitely put us in a good spot in the South,” but said the Utes simply need to come out and let the game do the talking.
It’s part of the team’s business-like approach.
“We’ve got to come out ready to play and go 1-0 on the week,” Huntley said.
In the process, a big-time record could fall. Moss enters the game just 55 yards away from becoming Utah’s career rushing leader — Eddie Johnson’s total of 3,219 yards from 1984-88.
Moss expressed gratitude that the Utes took care of business early at Oregon State. It’s given him the opportunity to break the record at home and in front of some important people. His parents are coming in from Florida to see the game.
“It would be a good experience,” Moss said
No. 17 Arizona State (5-1, 2-1) at No. 13/14 Utah (5-1, 2-1)
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Saturday, 4 p.m.
TV: Pac-12 Networks
Radio: ESPN 700AM