CORVALLIS, Ore. – The No. 10 University of Utah Football team fell to the No. 19 Oregon State Beavers in its first Pac-12 road game of the season, 21-7. Utah is 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Pac-12 play.
For the first time since 2018 (vs. Washington), Utah was held to under 200 yards of total offense, finishing the game with 198 yards that included 141 passing and 57 rushing. Utah's rushing yard total was also the first time since 2021 (at San Diego State) that they've been held under 100 yards on the ground.
Utah recorded 14 first downs in the game, but were just 2-of-13 on third down conversions while Oregon State were able to convert on four third downs (4-of-15) and two fourth downs (2-of-3).
GAME LEADERS
Starting quarterback Nate Johnson finished the game 8-of-23 passing for 101 yards and a touchdown with Bryson Barnes also going 5-of-8 for 40 yards. Jaylon Glover led the Utes on the ground with 16 carries for 58 yards with tight end Thomas Yassmin catching three passes for a team-high 59 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, the safeties led the way with Sione Vaki recording a team-high nine stops with 3.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup while Cole Bishop added seven tackles and an interception. Linebackers Levani Damuni and Karene Reid also added six tackles each with defensive end Jonah Elliss contributing six stops that included 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
FIRST HALF BREAKDOWN
For the first time this season, the Utes gave up points on their opponent's first drive of the game with Oregon State scoring on a four-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-0 lead with 5:46 on the clock in the opening quarter. Utah had only given up 16 yards this season on the first drive of the game with the Beavers going down field 65 yards on 11 plays to take the early advantage.
It would be the only score by both teams through two quarters, marking the first time the Utes were held scoreless in the first half since the Alamo Bowl in 2019 against Texas.
The Utes produced 101 yards on offense in the first half against the Beavers while Oregon State recorded 164, which included 88 yards in the second quarter. Utah only had four first downs in the first half, finding trouble getting rhythm on offense heading into halftime.
SECOND HALF BREAKDOWN
Oregon State found its way on the scoreboard with 10:43 on the clock in the third quarter, taking a 14-0 lead early in the half. The Beavers struck on a 27-yard passing touchdown, ending a two-play, 52-yard drive after the Utes were forced to punt.
The Utes would be held scoreless through three consecutive quarters for the first time since 2018 (vs. Washington), only producing 31 yards of offense while Oregon State racked up 118.
The Beavers would make it 21-0 early in the fourth quarter, extending its lead on a 45-yard rushing play to end an 85-yard drive with 13:50 to go in the game.
Utah found the end zone with 5:05 to go in the game with Yassmin catching a season-long 41-yard touchdown from Johnson, making it 21-7 as the Utes finished the game with a three-play, 55-yard drive to get on the scoreboard.
UP NEXT
The Utes head into their BYE week this week prior to taking on California in Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14. The game time and TV network information will be announced at a later date.