Highlights, key plays and photos from the Utah Utes’ 37-15 loss to the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship Game

The fifth-ranked Utah Utes’ College Football Playoff and Rose Bowl aspirations have been shattered in one fell swoop.

Facing the 13th-ranked Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday night, the Utes played terribly in the first half, came close to mounting a complete comeback in the third quarter before faltering down the stretch in a 37-15 loss to enter bowl season with an 11-2 record.

Here are three takeaways from the game.

Oregon dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball

From the first possession of the game when the Ducks stopped the Utes on fourth down, Oregon controlled the line of scrimmage both defensively and offensively.

The Ducks finished with 239 rushing yards compared to 116 for the Utes. Oregon running back CJ Verdell finished with three rushing touchdowns, including two long scampers in the fourth quarter that put the Ducks in control after Utah started to come back.

Oregon’s secondary was better than Utah’s

The Ducks came up with two Tyler Huntley interceptions, and while part of that had to do with poor decisions on Huntley’s part, Oregon’s secondary generally outplayed Utah’s, as the Utes gave up a number of big plays in the pass game. Utah’s secondary leader Julian Blackmon was also injured in the first half.

Oregon’s special teams were better

Ducks kicker Camden Lewis made all four of his extra point tries and all three of his field goals, while Utah’s Jadon Redding made just one extra point. Part of Redding’s lack of a stat line had to do with the fact that Kyle Whittingham opted to go for it on fourth down four times. Oregon also blocked a Utah punt in the first half.

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Scoring summary: Oregon 37, Utah 15

First quarter

Oregon, CJ Verdell 3-yard run (8:00), Camden Lewis kick

Oregon, Camden Lewis 23-yard field goal (4:17)

Second quarter

Oregon, Johnny Johnson 45-yard pass from Justin Herbert (11:02), Camden Lewis kick

Oregon, Camden Lewis 30-yard field goal (4:56)

Third quarter

Utah, Zack Moss 24-yard pass from Tyler Huntley (10:52), Jadon Redding kick

Oregon, Camden Lewis 25-yard field goal (4:56)

Utah, Samson Nacua 25-yard pass from Tyler Huntley (1:13), Samson Nacua pass from Tyler Huntley for 2-point conversion

Fourth quarter

Oregon, CJ Verdell 70-yard run (7:09), Camden Lewis kick

Oregon, CJ Verdell 31-yard run (2:39), Camden Lewis kick