No. 8 Oregon Shatters No. 13 Utah’s Home Winning Streak in Convincing Fashion
The highly anticipated match between No. 8 Oregon and No. 13 Utah ended with an emphatic victory for the Ducks. Oregon’s commanding 35-6 win in this pivotal Pac-12 title race game marked the end of Utah’s impressive 18-game home winning streak.
With this triumph, Oregon improved its overall record to 7-1, including a Pac-12 record of 4-1. Meanwhile, Utah suffered its second conference loss, putting its Pac-12 title hopes in jeopardy. Furthermore, the Ducks’ impressive performance keeps their College Football Playoff aspirations alive as they await the first rankings from the CFP selection committee.
Right from the start, the Ducks set a dominant tone, swiftly driving down the field on their opening possession and maintaining control throughout the game. By halftime, Oregon had already built a commanding 21-6 lead, and they extended it further with two quick touchdowns in the third quarter. Despite overcoming several injuries this season, Utah simply could not keep up with the Ducks’ relentless attack.
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Bryson Barnes, the former walk-on who has been filling in for the injured Cam Rising as Utah’s starting quarterback, had an outstanding performance in their road victory against USC last week. However, he was completely overwhelmed by the formidable Oregon defense in this game. Barnes completed just 136 passing yards and threw two interceptions, while Utah’s rushing attack was stifled, gaining only 68 yards. Overall, Utah mustered a mere 241 yards, with 77 of them coming in the final two drives when the game was already decided.
On the other side, Oregon’s quarterback, Bo Nix, continued to showcase his Heisman Trophy potential. Nix’s exceptional efficiency was on full display in Salt Lake City as he dismantled Utah’s top-ranked defense. Nix threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing a rushing touchdown to the Ducks’ victory.
With a comfortable 35-6 lead at the 6:08 mark of the third quarter, Oregon shifted into cruise control, relying on their defense and strategically managing the clock for the remainder of the game.
Looking ahead, Oregon finds itself in an excellent position to reach the Pac-12 title game. Despite a heartbreaking loss to Washington two weeks ago, which ended their 5-0 start to the season, the Ducks remain a strong contender. Washington is still undefeated, setting up a potential rematch in the conference championship game that could decide both the league title and a coveted CFP berth.
Three out of Oregon’s final four regular season games will be played at home. The Ducks will host Cal and USC in the upcoming weeks before a road trip to Arizona State on November 18th. The regular season will conclude with a home matchup against archrival Oregon State on November 24th. Ranked No. 11 with a 6-1 record, Oregon State will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the Pac-12 race.
For the Utes, their quest for a third consecutive Pac-12 title has become more challenging. Despite their remarkable resilience in the face of numerous key player injuries, Utah struggled on offense against Oregon’s formidable defense. The Utes had previously found success in wins against Cal and USC, but their issues resurfaced in this game.
