Utah’s defense completely took over the game and forced Oregon to punt it seven times, including three consecutive times to start the game.
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Ancient history, baby. Especially after the Utah Utes destroyed Oregon 62-20 Saturday night at Autzen Stadium. The Utes dominated all phases of the game on the way to handing the Ducks their worst home loss since 1977.
The Utes came into Autzen ready to play.
Oregon suffered a blow early in the third quarter when Marshall appeared to injure his right ankle on a kickoff return. It’s at this time that we remember that Bret Bielema has still won only two SEC games at Arkansas, and that the next three games are at Tennessee, at Alabama and vs. Auburn.
Oregon running back Royce Freeman said he was in shock as the No. 13 Ducks’ loss to Utah snowballed into a rout. Then there was punter Tom Hackett, who bombed a 76-yarder on Oregon’s first possession, then raced 33 yards on a perfectly executed fake punt on fourth-and-13 from the Utes’ 28 in the third quarter. It became evident Adams was clearly favoring his broken knuckle after missing a wide open receiver on a crucial 3 and 18. It was the type of thing the Ducks used to do to their opponents. Jeff Lockie replaced Adams and went 10 of 20 for 139 yards and two interceptions.
Another player said that Oregon was all about the two “f’s” – flash and finesse – and that Utah was all about power, and that teams like theirs and Stanford’s are Oregon’s kryptonite.
The Utes proceeded to score six unanswered touchdowns, increasing their lead to 62-13 early in the fourth quarter before a stunned Oregon crowd.
Although Oregon wound up tying the game at 6-6, Utah never trailed in the contest.
Oregon looked absolutely lost against Utah on Saturday night. Lockie received the longest leash of the three, attempting 13 more passes than Adams.
Oregon’s second loss of the season nearly certainly eliminates the Ducks from a return to the College Football Playoff. Be on the lookout later this week where I’ll tell you who is the best fit the rest of the season. Utah starting DE Hunter Dimick did not play for the second week in a row because of injury…. The goal is to get immediate pressure on the quarterback and not have to worry about the deep ball. By the time Wilson flipped the ball back to Devontae Booker-who had a quiet 104 yards rushing on 22 carries-the running back hurled it downfield towards a streaking Britain Covey.
Lack of a leader. Utah dominated a cross-division game against defending North champion Oregon, while UCLA pushed around Arizona in Tucson, earning an easy 56-30 win thanks in part to dominating the turnover battle. “And I believe 100 percent in every player, every coach in this room”.
Was it a case of simply playing perfectly with a bit of luck?
Where did the playmakers go? Oregon WR Darren Carrington missed his fifth game because of an NCAA suspension for a failed drug test. He will sit out one more game….
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Last year, a stingy Utah defensive unit led all of FBS college football with 55 sacks, inspiring the nickname, “Salt Lake City”, a title that was emblazoned on this year’s MUSS T-shirts.
