After watching Oregon State play extremely well last week against then No. 1 USC, Utah came as another test for the young Beavers.
Fans around the country turned their heads to watch the upstart Beavers, wondering if they were indeed a legitimate Pac-10 contender.
And after Thursday night, many believed they are not. But not so fast. Utah was an out of conference game, and though the Beavers dropped to 2-3 on the season, they have yet to continue the majority of Pac-10 play.
The Beavers kept Brian Johnson/Asiata/Mack and the exciting Utah offense to only 337 total yards, including a meager 30 in the third quarter. So what happened?
In the first half, the Beavers missed an extra point, then failed on a two point conversion. Then, in the fourth quarter, after Johnson hit Brent Casteel for a touchdown, safety Greg Laybourn was called for pass interference. And the Beavers showed no drive as they went three-and-out on their next drive.
Utah then utilized Super-All-American K/P Luis Sakoda to win the game on a late FG.
But for the Beavers, the loss is not as bad as it seems. Lyle Moevao was 21-of-31 for 313 yards and two touchdowns, and Jacquizz Rodgers finished with 101 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Rodgers bros, James and Jacquizz, finished with 82 and 75 receiving yards respectively. Sammie Stroughter only caught two passes for 32 yards, and was bothered by an injury much of the night.
The Beaver defense was very strong at times, stuffing Utah's dual-threat running attack, and forcing Brian Johnson to make some poor throws as well. But they were unable to stop Johnson as he put 11 points on the board in the waining minutes of the fourth quarter. Disappointing? Very. But this defense is growing, and for a while it looked like the '07 Beavers had returned.
Utah's vaunted rush defense was solid, at times it appeared like they maybe were a little too blitz-happy, and the secondary was mediocre at best. But the same could be said for Oregon State, who's secondary gave up too many big plays at important times in the game.
Offensively Oregon State had the edge, but failed to convert on enough third downs, and of course, special teams was huge. Utah WR David Reed took a kickoff down the Oregon State 15, and on the day Oregon State was one for three on PAT's. That is not going to win you games.
The season continues for both teams, as the Beavers take on Washington State next week, and the Utes face off with Wyoming.
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about 1 month ago
It was a heartbreaker for sure.
What killed the Beavs was not being able to run down more clock after Camp's TD reception.
As you said special teams was HUGE.
Kahut had short kick-offs not to mention missing a FG. Hekker also aided in the collapse of Oregon State's special teams with poor punts giving Utah great field position.
The most telling thing was the end of the game. Utah fans rushed the field afterwards.
They were ranked 16th and OSU is unranked. They know they arent that good.
Would USC rush the field if they beat Oregon this weekend? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Utah has no place being ranked in the top 20.
about 1 month ago
Eh? I'm not a Ute fan (prefer BYU myself), but I can't blame anyone for rushing onto the field after a game like that. They probably didn't rush because of who you are. They probably rushed because they managed to pull a come-from-behind win in the last few minutes of the game. It must have been an exciting game.
about 1 month ago
And to add to Terry's point- they kept their BCS dream alive by winning that game. If they run the table, they'll be in the BCS for sure...
Now, I didn't like the fact they rushed the field as an 11.5 favorite either, but can see why they did it...
about 1 month ago
Hey Jeff,
Do you think the Beavs are ever going to put together four quarters of defense this season? How in the heck can so many talented DB's get burned at just the wrong time?
Regardless of the inconsistent defense, Quiz Rogers is one of the most exciting players to come along in the Pac-10 since...dare I say it?....Reggie Bush. Will have to see if the pounding he's taking now effects his performance the last three or four games on the schedule. Sure he wants the ball every play, but using his talents on fewer snaps thus far might make it more likely he'll be playing at the end.
Lyle is beginning to remind me of another Pac-10 quarterback, Cal's Joe Kapp. One difference though. Kapp couldn't throw a spiral if his life depended on it.
Reyser should be rockin' this weekend!
Great game recap Jeff.
Lew
from about 1 month ago
You are hitting on all points as usual Lew. Keenan Lewis and Brandon Hughes are great corners, but they seem to struggle against the big play. Utah was able to really capitalize on Al Afalava being injured and the inconsistent safety play.
Despite a 2-3 record the Beavers really should be a 4-1, if the defense could manage to really play to their potential (which we saw against USC and in the third quarter against the Utes).
Should be a fun one this weekend!
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