No. 19 Oregon State used a strong defensive performance to pull away from No. 10 Utah 21-7 in a win that keeps the Beavers firmly in the race for the Pac-12 Championship Game. Although the Utes got off to a 4-0 start to the season without star quarterback Cameron Rising, mediocre offensive performances and mounting injuries led to a dangerous conference road trip in a short week.
That proved true against an Oregon State team that won on both sides of the ball. Utah totaled a season-low 198 yards of total offense and allowed three sacks. It was the second straight week the Utes struggled offensively, having previously posted 219 yards of total offense and a single offensive touchdown against UCLA in Week 4.
The Beavers nearly recorded their first shutout in a conference game since 1975, but Utah quarterback Nate Johnson connected with tight end Thomas Yassmin for a 41-yard touchdown with 5:05 remaining. That late score created just enough interest before a turnover on downs with under three minutes left allowed the Beavers to run out the clock.
Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei completed 14 of 25 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown in what was arguably the most impressive play of the night: a 45-yard sprinter by Silas Bolden on a DJU pitch on a four-and-1 to start the game fourth quarter. Bolden was the player of the game, totaling 153 yards of offense and two touchdowns.
After starting in Rising’s absence, Johnson was briefly benched in the second half for veteran backup Bryson Barnes, but returned in the fourth quarter after Barnes sustained an injury on a roughing the passer penalty and did not return Game returned. Coach Kyle Whittingham said after the game that Barnes was taken to the hospital with an unknown injury.
Oregon State travels to Cal in Week 6, while Utah has a bye week before facing the same Cal team on October 14 in Salt Lake City, Utah.