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Utes Fall To Oregon 41-20 For Their Fourth Straight Loss

by Scott Funk (@scottfunk0)

Salt Lake City – Two teams with their own three-game losing streaks entered Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday night. In the end, it was Oregon (5-4,2-4) that would end its losing streak as they knocked off Utah (4-4,1-4) in convincing fashion, 41-20.

The Ducks came out of the gate swinging, catching the Utah defense on their heels. They pounded out an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on their first possession to get an early 7-0 lead with 9:55 left in the first.

The Utes would be shut-out in the first quarter, but would strike first in the second. After forcing a fumble on third down near the end of the first quarter, the Utes had the ball in Oregon territory on the 21-yard line. But the Oregon defense would stand strong and force a 23-yard FG from Matt Gay to make the score 7-3 with 14:50 left in the half.

After a FG of their own to answer and make it 10-3, Oregon would force a fumble on Darren Carrington, and then return the ball 47-yards for a touchdown to make the score 17-3 with 5:54 left in the half.

Looking to chip into the lead before halftime, on what would be their final full drive of the night, quarterback Tyler Huntley found Darren Carrington in Oregon territory on a 46-yard reception to the Oregon 29-yard-line. But again, the Oregon defense would hold strong, forcing another Matt Gay FG, this time from 34-yards out to make the score 17-6 at halftime.

To start the second half, the Utes would be the ones who would come out swinging. Putting together a seven play, 56-yard drive that ended in a not-so-normal way. The Utes faced 4th-and-goal from the one. After Huntley’s pass was tipped at the line, it fell right into the hands of right-tackle Darrin Paulo who happened to be lying on his back in the perfect spot in the end zone as he reached his hands up in the air to grab the free-falling ball for the score.

It was Paulo’s first touchdown of his career, and made the score 17-13 with 11:36 in the third.

The Utes gave up a 38-yard FG on the ensuing Oregon drive, but on their next drive Matt Gay would miss just his third FG of the year to keep the score at 20-13 with 5:49 in the third.

The Ducks would then put together back-to-back touchdown drives, the first being a 75-yard drive ending with a 22-yard receiving touchdown. The second being an 85-yard drive ending on a 23-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 34-13 with 12:24 to play in the game.

The Utes would put together their own 75-yard touchdown drive ending with  a 29-yard touchdown pass to Siaosi Wilson making it 34-20 with 9:57 to play in the game.

The Ducks stood strong on defense on Utah’s next two possessions, and would seal the game with a 21-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 41-20 with 2:10 to play.

The Utes turned the ball over on downs their last three drives of the game.

The game marked the return of Darren Carrington to his former team. Booed on every play that he touched the ball, he still went out there and proved why he is the leading receiver in the Pac-12.  Although he was held without a touchdown, he would finish the game with nine catches for 130 yards.

Huntley would finish the game 25-43 for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 16 times for 46 yards.

Running back Zach Moss had just 10 carries on the night, but led the Utes with 53 yards.

The Utes defense put up record numbers in both their passing and rushing defense. One of which, a new record they wish they didn’t have.

Oregon passed for just 69 yards, which is the fewest yards that Utah has given up through the air since joining the Pac-12.

However, the Utes also gave up 347 rushing yards, which is the most they have given up on the ground since joining the Pac-12.

The Utes will look to end their four-game skid when they welcome UCLA (4-4,2-3) to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Friday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and will be the annual Black Out game for the Utes.

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