No. 12 Utah started its first season within the Huge 12 with a tough 22-19 conference win over No. 14 Oklahoma State on a 100-degree Saturday afternoon in Stillwater.
Quarterback Cameron Rising‘s standing with a hand harm was a game-time resolution. Utah hoped he would have the ability to begin and the senior warmed up with the beginning offense. Nevertheless, 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 system that was profitable for coach Kyle Whittingham within the Pac-12 — a bruising operating assault and rugged protection towards opponents preferring a extra wide-open type of play.
Working again Micah Bernard offered what the offense Utah wanted, dashing 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 sport that originally boasted a matchup of seventh-year QBs in their mid-20s ended up with neither being an element.
Backup Garret Rangel did not fare a lot better towards Utah’s protection, throwing for under 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 present Bowman one other attempt. He lastly broke by way 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 sport to make it a 22-19 sport. However Utah recovered an onside kick try and was in a position to run out the clock.
Bowman completed with 202 yards and two touchdowns passing, but it surely was in the end too late. The Cowboys averaged 432 yards of offense per sport final season and 446 of their first three video games this 12 months. But versus Utah, they completed with solely 285 complete yards — and a paltry 48 yards dashing.
Oklahoma State performs No. 13 Kansas State subsequent Saturday in Manhattan. Utah hosts fellow former Pac-12-turned-Huge 12 member Arizona at 10:15 p.m. ET.
