Portland, Oregon – In their opening Pac-12 road contest of the year, the No. 10 University of Utah football team was defeated 21-7 by the No. 19 Oregon State Beavers. Utah is 1-1 in Pac-12 play and 4-1 overall.
Utah finished the game with 198 yards of total offence, including 141 yards passing and 57 yards running, marking the first time since 2018 (against Washington) that they were held under 200 yards. Additionally, Utah was held to fewer than 100 yards of total offence for the first time since 2021 (against San Diego State).
Utah had 14 first downs in the game but only converted on 2-of-13 third downs, while Oregon State was successful on 4-of-15 third downs and 2-of-3 fourth downs.
SPORT LEADERS
Nate Johnson, the starting quarterback, completed 8 of 23 passes for 101 yards and a score, and Bryson Barnes completed 5 of 8 passes for 40 yards. With 16 carries for 58 yards, Jaylon Glover led the Utes’ running attack. Tight end Thomas Yassmin hauled in three passes for a team-best 59 yards and a touchdown.
Sione Vaki led the club with nine stops on defence, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup, and Cole Bishop added seven stops and an interception. Defensive end Jonah Elliss added six stops, including 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, to the six made by linebackers Levani Damuni and Karene Reid.
BEGINNING BREAKDOWN
The Utes conceded points on their opponent’s opening drive of the game for the first time this season, when Oregon State scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown to establish a 7-0 lead with 5:46 remaining in the first quarter. The Beavers went down field 65 yards in 11 plays on the opening drive of the game, outgaining Utah, which had only allowed 16 yards all season.
The Utes were held scoreless in the first half for the first time since the Alamo Bowl matchup with Texas in 2019; it was the lone point scored by either side after two quarters.
Oregon State recorded 164 yards, including 88 yards in the second quarter, against the Utes’ 101 yards in the first half against the Beavers. Utah struggled to establish an offensive rhythm in the first half, managing just four first downs.
BREAKDOWN IN THE SECOND HALF
With 10:43 remaining in the third quarter, Oregon State managed to score, giving them a 14-0 lead early in the half. After the Utes were forced to punt, the Beavers scored on a 27-yard throwing touchdown to cap a two-play, 52-yard drive.
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For the first time since 2018 (against Washington), the Utes would go without a touchdown for three straight quarters while Oregon State amassed 118.
With 13:50 left in the game, the Beavers would expand their advantage to 21-0 by scoring on a 45-yard rushing play to cap an 85-yard drive.
Yassmin caught a season-long 41-yard touchdown pass from Johnson with 5:05 left in the game to put Utah ahead 21-7. The Utes then put the game away with a three-play, 55-yard drive.
NEXT UP
This week, the Utes enter their bye week before facing California on Saturday, October 14 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The start time of the game and the TV network will be revealed later.