Highlights, key plays and photos from Utah’s 30-24 win over Oregon State

Utah football held on for a 30-24 win over Oregon State in Salt Lake City on Saturday night.

Here are three takeaways from the Utes’ first win of the season:

Utah dominates for three quarters, lets Oregon State back in it during the fourth

Besides allowing 10 points in the second quarter and only scoring one touchdown in its first four red zone drives, Utah played a pretty great first three quarters. The Utes were up 30-10 with 14:37 remaining and looked like they were going to win comfortably.

But, as we have seen before in years past, the Utes failed to close out the game and let Oregon State back in during the fourth quarter.

It started early in the fourth as the Beavers marched down the field right after Britain Covey’s punt return touchdown, answering with a touchdown of their own to cut the lead to 13.

Utah failed to get a first down on its next offensive possession, but the Utes’ defense had  Oregon State down to 4th-and-10 from Utah’s 31-yard-line with just six minutes left. Oregon State converted due to a penalty, however, and on the next play, quarterback Chance Nolan delivered a pass that was tipped but ended up in the hands of Kolby Taylor for a 21-yard touchdown.

Again, the Utes failed to get a first down on the subsequent possession, which gave Oregon State a chance to win the game. Nolan missed his receiver on 4th down, and Utah held on, but it was close when it didn’t have to be.

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Britain Covey is back

After playing in four games in 2019 before redshirting due to a hamstring injury, missing Utah’s opener against USC and not making much of an impact against Washington, Covey had a great game and showed why he is so important to Utah’s success. 

The junior made contributions on both special teams and on offense. After not being targeted in the loss against Washington, offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig made it a point to involve Covey in the offense on Saturday. Covey was Utah’s second leading receiver with four catches for 54 yards. He caught Utah’s only passing touchdown of the night from Jake Bentley on a slant route to put the Utes up 23-10.

In the fourth quarter, he made his biggest impact on the game, taking an Oregon State punt 64 yards to the house for his first punt return touchdown since  2015, when he did it against Fresno State. Covey looked like his old self on the return, evading a tackle and then turning on the jets, blasting through a tight space with three Oregon State defenders. After that, he was gone.

Covey’s performance was certainly a welcome sight for Ludwig and the Utes.

Ty Jordan establishes himself as Utah’s RB1

True freshman Ty Jordan had his breakout game on Saturday.

The 5-foot-7, 200-pound running back was phenomenal for the Utes, building on his 97-yard performance against Washington with a 167-yard, one touchdown game, scoring his first touchdown of his career.

Jordan certainly didn’t look like a freshman playing the third game of his collegiate career, hitting holes and breaking tackles like a veteran. Utah’s offensive line deserves credit for Jordan’s big night, too — the Utes’ front was consistently pushing the Beavers back and giving Jordan holes.

Utah outrushed Oregon State 229-133, though the Beavers’ leading rusher, Jermar Jefferson, was out due to COVID-19 protocol. Jordan had the lion’s share of Utah’s carries with 27 of the Utes’ 36 carries by running backs. Look for Jordan to continue to be Utah’s featured back going forward.

End of game

Utah 30, Oregon State 24

It came down to the last play, but Utah holds on for the win. After Oregon State scored to make it a six-point game, the Beavers forced a 3-and-out and got the ball back with 1:16 left in the game. Oregon State made it close, getting down to Utah’s 36-yard line, but Chance Nolan’s fourth-down pass was incomplete and the Utes escaped with a win.

Here’s a look at the final stats.

5:07 4th Quarter

Utah 30, Oregon State 24

The Utes had Oregon State down to possibly its last offensive snap on 4th-and-10 from Utah’s 31-yard-line, but the Utes have a penalty to keep the drive alive. On the next play, quarterback Chance Nolan delivers a pass that’s tipped but ends up in the hands of Kolby Taylor for a 21-yard touchdown.

Strap in, folks, it’s Pac-12 After Dark time.

11:50 4th Quarter

Utah 30, Oregon State 17

On 2nd-and-29 from Utah’s 35-yard line, Chance Nolan finds Tyjon Lindsey for a fantastic 29-yard catch. Calvin Tyler scores the touchdown and the Beaver are only down 13.

14:37 4th Quarter

Utah 30, Oregon State 10

Britain Covey weaves through the Oregon State punt team, going 64 yards for a punt return touchdown. It’s his second touchdown of the game.

It’s Covey’s first punt return touchdown since 2015.

End of 3rd Quarter

Utah 23, Oregon State 10

Utah leads 23-10 after three quarters. A few notes from the third quarter:

• Utah’s defense holds Oregon State to to just 28 yards of offense in the third quarter
• That Covey touchdown was his first since 2018.

6:22 3rd Quarter

Utah 23, Oregon State 10

Utah’s offense is a well-oiled machine on that 14 play, 89-yard drive. The Utes’ offensive line provided great blocking and Ty Jordan found holes on that drive. Jordan had six carries on that drive, with Micah Bernard providing a 25-yard rush. Jake Bentley connects with Britain Covey for an 8-yard touchdown.

Halftime

Utah 16, Oregon State 10

Utah leaves points on the board as time expires with Utah at the Oregon State 25-yard line. Here are a few notes from the first half:

• Utah has outgained Oregon State in offensive yards, 253-146.
• Oregon State has to be feeling good to only be down six at halftime. Four of Utah’s five drives have been in the red zone, but the Utes have only scored one touchdown.
• Besides the red zone woes, Utah’s offense is doing a good job getting the ball to its playmakers. Ty Jordan has 10 carries for 81 yards, Brant Kuithe had six catches for 65 yards and Britain Covey has three catches for 46 yards.

0:50 2nd Quarter

Utah 16, Oregon State 10

Utah’s defense allows a touchdown to close the half as Calvin Tyler punches it in from one yard out. The Utes have four penalties on the drive, giving up 31 yards. Malone Mataele is called for a targeting penalty on 3rd down, which gives the Beavers a fresh set of downs in the red zone, which leads to the touchdown.

3:10 2nd Quarter

Utah 16, Oregon State 3

Utah reaches the end zone on its fourth drive and leads Oregon State 16-3. Ty Jordan punches it in for the Utes. Utah’s offensive line was fantastic on that drive. Jordan had a 31-yard rush on that drive.

9:16 2nd Quarter

Utah 9, Oregon State 3

Jack Colletto rushes for 40 yards to set up Oregon State’s first points of the night, a 33-yard field goal from Everett Hayes.

12:27 2nd Quarter

Utah 9, Oregon State 0

Jadon Redding tacks on another field goal, but Utah hasn’t found the end zone yet. Kuithe had three catches on that drive, but was overthrown for a touchdown.

End 1st Quarter

Utah 6, Oregon State 0

Utah leads 6-0 after one quarter. Here are a few notes from the opening period:

• Ty Jordan is the featured back tonight. He has four carries for 42 yards so far.
• Utah’s defense has been good to start the game, with an interception by Vonte Davis
• The Utes are involving Brant Kuithe more in the offense. He has two catches for 19 yards so far.

6:50 1st Quarter

Utah 6, Oregon State 0

Vonte Davis intercepts Oregon State quarterback Chance Nolan, who is making his first Division I start in place of injured starter Tristan Gebbia, and returns it 35 yards to the Beavers’ 10-yard line.

Utah can’t cash in for a touchdown, though, and Jadon Redding makes his second field goal of the night, this one from from 20 yards.

10:22 1st Quarter

Utah 3, Oregon State 0

Utah gets on the board early with a Jadon Redding field goal from 33 yards out. We have a Britain Covey sighting as the junior caught a 24-yard pass on that drive. Jake Bentley missed a wide-open Brant Kuithe, throwing it a bit out of reach, which would have been a touchdown. Trainers were looking at Bentley’s hand on the sideline.

15:00 1st Quarter

We’re underway in Salt Lake City.

Oregon State’s leading rusher, Jermar Jefferson, is out due to COVID-19 protocol.

Pre-game

Here are a few links to stories you may want to read prior to or during the game: