Utah’s lofty expectations get washed away in embarrassing defeat in Pac-12 title game
Utes may end up in Alamo Bowl or Holiday Bowl instead of College Football Playoff
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The University of Utah student section reacts in despair as Oregon tacks on another touchdown during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. Steve Griffin, Deseret News
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Goodbye College Football Playoff.
Goodbye Rose Bowl.
Hello Alamo Bowl.
All those high hopes the Utah football team built up over the past two-and-a-half months since losing to USC were washed away on a rainy Friday evening at Levi’s Stadium as they were boat-raced by Oregon, 37-15.
The Utes were expected to either get a spot in the College Football Playoff or at the worst a spot in the Rose Bowl with a victory Friday, but won’t get either after the decisive defeat.
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Utah Utes offensive lineman Bamidele Olaseni (73) watches the final seconds tick off the clock as the Utes come up short losing to Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) tackles Oregon Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) lands on his head after being hit by Oregon Ducks cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. (4) during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive back Josh Nurse (14) knocks Oregon Ducks wide receiver Jaylon Redd (30) out of bounds as he dives for the goal line during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) makes a diving catch but cant stay inbounds during the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) gets knocked into the air by Utah Utes defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) after he after catching a pass during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) breaks free during the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Oregon Ducks safety Brady Breeze (25) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Utah Utes wide receiver Demari Simpkins (3) during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive end Mika Tafua (42) and Utah Utes defensive tackle Leki Fotu (99) tackle Oregon Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) sits on the field after getting injured during the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25), left, and Oregon Ducks safety Jevon Holland (8) leap for the ball during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25), left, can’t come up with the ball as he gets crushed by Oregon Ducks safety Jevon Holland (8) during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) throws downfield during the Pac-12 Championship game between Utah and Oregon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) can’t come up with the ball as he gets crushed by Oregon Ducks safety Jevon Holland (8) during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) gets past Oregon Ducks cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Samson Nacua (45) hauls in a touchdown pass over Oregon Ducks safety Jevon Holland (8) during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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The Oregon band cheers on the Ducks during the Pac-12 Championship game against Utah and Oregon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Oregon Ducks running back CJ Verdell (7) breaks through the Utah defensive line on his way to a touchdown during the Pac-12 Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Oregon Ducks cornerback Mykael Wright (2) crashes into Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) and picks up a pass interference penalty during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Oregon Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal holds up the Pac-12 Championship trophy after the ducks defeated Utah at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) sits on the bench as the game slips away from the Utes during the Pac 12 Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive tackle Leki Fotu (99) and Utah Utes defensive tackle John Penisini (52) watch the final seconds tick off the clock as the Utes come up short losing to Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) can’t come up with the catch as he gets blasted by Oregon Ducks safety Jevon Holland (8) during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) walks off the field following the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) walks off the field following the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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The University of Utah student section reacts in despair as Oregon tacks on another touchdown during the Pac-12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Members of the University of Utah Dance Team march to a pep rally outside Levi’s Stadium before the start of the Pac-12 Championship game between Utah and Oregon in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive tackle Leki Fotu (99) stretches on the Levi’s Stadium field before the Pac 12 Championship game between Utah and Oregon in Santa Clara, Calif. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive tackle Leki Fotu (99) warms-up on the Levi’s Stadium field before the Pac 12 Championship game between Utah and Oregon in Santa Clara, Calif. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Swoop, the University of Utah mascot, walks to a pep rally outside Levi’s Stadium before the start of the Pac-12 Championship game between Utah and Oregon in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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The University of Utah Marching Band and Utah Dance Team pose for a photo with their counterparts from the University of Oregon outside Levi’s Stadium before the start of the Pac-12 Championship game in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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University of Utah fans gather for food outside Levi’s Stadium before the Pac-12 Championship game between Utah and Oregon in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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The University of Utah Marching Band and Utah Dance Team perform at a pep rally outside Levi’s Stadium before the start of the Pac-12 Championship game between Utah and Oregon in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
The Utes fell into a big hole early, showed some life in the third quarter, then watched the Ducks tack on a couple of late touchdowns by MVP CJ Verdell, who picked up as many yards by himself as the Utes had allowed as a team over the last four games.
“We’re usually the more physical team, but they beat us at our strength,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “They’re a good football team; they’ve won 11 games for a reason.”
As disappointing as the loss was, perhaps the whipping wasn’t surprising to Ute fans who are used to having their high hopes crushed by a late-season loss. It happened last year when they were beaten by Washington in the title game. It’s happened in other assorted November games over the past few years.
But this year was supposed to be different.
The Utes had won 10 of their games by 18 points or more. They had won their last eight games by an average of 29 points. They were one of only three teams in the country ranked in the top 10 nationally in offensive yards per play and yards per play allowed, along with Ohio State and Clemson.
The Utes also didn’t have their starting quarterback and running back sitting out with injuries like in last year’s title game here. Utah came in with a healthy team with numerous seniors, some of whom had stuck around an extra year to try to bring home a championship to Salt Lake.
However, the Utes were outclassed in almost every way by an Oregon team that had seen its College Football Playoff hopes dashed two weeks ago in an upset loss at Arizona State.
Tyler Huntley, who had been so sharp during the Utes’ eight-game winning streak, was off all night, missing open receivers and throwing two interceptions, matching his total for the year, including one in the end zone. Huntley had never had more than nine incompletions in a game this year, but he had 12 Friday with a 17-for-29 performance. He was also sacked six times as the Utah offensive line couldn’t contain the Ducks all night.
On the other side, the Utah defense, which came in ranked in the top 10 in several categories, looked like a sieve in the first half, allowing four drives of 56 yards or more, then giving up a backbreaking 70-yard run by Verdell in the fourth quarter, followed by a 31-yard TD run.
“We never really got rolling. We played behind the sticks,” said Whittingham “We just didn’t play very well tonight.”
So once again, the Pac-12 will not have a representative in the College Football Playoff and once again Utah can’t claim a Pac-12 championship. Before the game, commissioner Larry Scott had talked glowingly about Utah and its program and it seemed obvious that he was counting on a Utah victory to get his conference back in the national football spotlight.
Alas it all went up in flames Friday night.
The Utes have an outside chance of getting invited to a New Year’s Six Bowl, most likely the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28. It would also make sense for Utah to be invited to the Alamo Bowl, Dec. 31 in San Antonio, which has first choice of teams in the Pac-12 after the Rose Bowl and is a bowl Utah has never played in before. The Utes have been a top-10 team most of the season and would still be an attractive team for any bowl.
However, the Alamo Bowl could choose USC instead, because the Trojans defeated Utah during the regular season and like the Utes, the Trojans have never played in the Alamo Bowl before.
That would likely leave the Utes in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.
Just like last year.
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That’s a long way from football’s final four, but at least the Utes won’t have to get embarrassed by Ohio State or LSU.
They were already embarrassed Friday night.
The result left Whittingham disappointed but looking to the future.
“We just to have keep coming back till we get it right,” he said.
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