No. 12 Utah started its first season within the Massive 12 with a tricky 22-19 convention win over No. 14 Oklahoma State on a 100-degree Saturday afternoon in Stillwater.
Quarterback Cameron Rising‘s standing with a hand damage was a game-time determination. Utah hoped he would have the ability to begin and the senior warmed up with the beginning offense. Nonetheless, he had issue gripping the ball sufficient to throw and the choice was made to play freshman Isaac Wilson as a substitute.
Wilson wasn’t spectacular and threw two interceptions. He accomplished 13-of-22 passes for 141 yards and rushed for one more 36. Finally, Wilson benefited from a well-recognized formulation that was profitable for coach Kyle Whittingham within the Pac-12 — a bruising operating assault and rugged protection in opposition to opponents preferring a extra wide-open fashion of play.
Working again Micah Bernard supplied what the offense Utah wanted, speeding for 182 yards on 25 carries.
Oklahoma State solely managed 119 yards of offense within the first half, whereas Utah managed the ball for 20 minutes of possession. Quarterback Alan Bowman was benched to start the second half after finishing solely 8-of-22 passes for 89 yards with an interception. A recreation that originally boasted a matchup of seventh-year QBs of their mid-20s ended up with neither being an element.
Backup Garret Rangel did not fare significantly better in opposition to Utah’s protection, throwing for less than 31 yards on 3-for-11 passing.
Utah scored the primary landing of the sport within the second quarter, ending off an 11-play drive with tight finish Brant Kuithe lining up at quarterback, wildcat-style, and operating up the center for a 1-yard rating. The Utes led 10-3.
Down by two touchdowns within the second half, OSU coach Mike Gundy had little alternative however to offer Bowman one other strive. He lastly broke by means of with some lengthy passes, connecting with De’Zhaun Stribling for 22 yards and Brennan Presley for a 28-yard landing.
OSU added one other TD and 2-point conversion with 1:47 remaining within the recreation to make it a 22-19 recreation. However Utah recovered an onside kick try and was capable of run out the clock.
Bowman completed with 202 yards and two touchdowns passing, however it was in the end too late. The Cowboys averaged 432 yards of offense per recreation final season and 446 of their first three video games this yr. But versus Utah, they completed with solely 285 complete yards — and a paltry 48 yards speeding.
Oklahoma State performs No. 13 Kansas State subsequent Saturday in Manhattan. Utah hosts fellow former Pac-12-turned-Massive 12 member Arizona at 10:15 p.m. ET.
