Utah lost 42-34 to Oregon State, losing its first Pac-12 game this season as the Beavers ran all over the Utes. Oregon State outscored Utah 28-10 in the second half.
End of Game
On 4th-and-2 at the goal line down by 11 points with six minutes left, Kyle Whittingham made the decision to go for it instead of kicking a field goal to cut the deficit to eight points. Rising passed it to Covey and it was broken up by Alex Austin, basically winning the game for the Beavers.
Oregon State added to its lead earlier in the fourth quarter with a 8-yard rushing touchdown by BJ Baylor. Chance Nolan had two nice passes on that drive and a 32-yard pass to Trevon Bradford set up the touchdown run by Baylor.
End of 3rd Quarter
Oregon State scored touchdowns on both of its drives in the third quarter and also got a touchdown on a blocked punt. That blocked punt changed the momentum of the game and was a pivotal turning point.
The Beavers outgained the Utes 146-88 in that quarter. The Utes simply cannot stop the Beavers’ offense right now.
Utah’s star linebacker, Devin Lloyd, was ejected for targeting — a huge loss. He will also have to sit out the first half of the pivotal UCLA game. Running back Tavion Thomas also looked like he was injured in that quarter.
Halftime
Utah’s touchdown in the second quarter was set up by a fumble forced by Brandon McKinney that bounced just right, bouncing into Junior Tafuna hands at the Oregon State 19-yard-line. On the ensuing drive, Cam Rising scrambled on 3rd-and-10 for 16 yards, then Tavion Thomas ran three yards for the touchdown to put Utah up 24-14.
Utah moved the ball well in the second quarter, getting into the red zone three times, but one drive ended in a field goal, with the other being a turnover on downs after Cam Rising threw it to Brant Kuithe but Oregon State stopped him in his tracks.
Oregon State’s only touchdown of the quarter came after a 68-yard run by BJ Baylor set up a one-yard touchdown pass.
Oregon State has been dominant running the ball, with 147 of Oregon State’s 179 total yards coming on the ground. Baylor is a force, and the Beavers’ offensive line has been opening holes for him to run through all night.
End of 1st Quarter
Utah started off fast, scoring touchdowns on its first two drives. The Utes went six plays and 75 yards on their first drive, capped off by a 14-yard Cam Rising to Micah Bernard pass for a touchdown. After forcing a 3-and-out by Oregon State and nearly blocking the Beavers’ punt, Utah went five plays in 38 yards. Brant Kuithe was wide-open, with absolutely no one around him, for an 11-yard touchdown pass, putting Utah up 14-0.
On Oregon State’s second drive of the game, the Beavers ran it 10 times, converting two third downs on the ground. Anthony Gould ran for a 14-yard touchdown to cap off the 75-yard touchdown drive.
Pregame prep
Here are a few stories to get you ready for the game.