University of Oregon
5-4 , 2-4
Utah
4-4 , 1-4
Ducks Break Through To Beat Utes
10/28/17 | Football
Oregon ended a three-game losing streak with Saturday's 41-20 victory in Autzen Stadium over Utah.
How It Happened: The Ducks (5-4, 2-4 Pac-12) led 17-6 at halftime thanks to a strip-and-score touchdown return by Ugochukwu Amadi, after a reception by former UO wideout Darren Carrington II. Then, Oregon scored in the second half for the first time since Herbert's injury, a 24-point second half that included a reverse pass for a touchdown from Charles Nelson to Jacob Breeland.
Oregon's defense was stout all afternoon, holding the Utes to two field goals in three first-half trips to the red zone. The Ducks, meanwhile, drove to an early touchdown behind Burmeister, who opened the scoring with a TD pass to Cam McCormick.
Up 17-6 at halftime, the Utes opened the second half with a touchdown that the Ducks answered with an Aidan Schneider field goal. Later in the third quarter, Nelson took the ball on a reverse, kept his footing despite stumbling, then lofted a ball into the end zone that Breeland won possession of for a touchdown. The fourth quarter featured rushing touchdowns by Tony Brooks-James and Kani Benoit, sandwiched around Utah's final touchdown.
Who Stood Out: Royce Freeman rushed 20 times for 139 yards, and Brooks-James added 105 yards on six carries. Burmeister finished 9-of-12 passing for 47 yards with a touchdown. Defensively, Troy Dye led the Ducks with 11 tackles, and Jalen Jelks had 1.5 of the team's four sacks. Arrion Springs broke up three passes, among the seven Oregon had as a team.
What It Means: The Ducks got a much-needed confidence boost after three losses, and proved they could win without Herbert. They also moved within one win of bowl eligibility, with three games to play.
Notable: Sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert was in uniform and participated in warmups. He spent the game signalling in plays from the sideline. … Jake Pisarcik returned to the starting lineup after not playing at UCLA, and Brooks-James and Jonah Moi both played after missing that game. … Brady Breeze made his first career start at safety. … Springs raised his career total to 38 passes broken up, fifth all-time at Oregon. … Freeman became the second player in school history with three 1,000-yard seasons, following LaMichael James.
Up Next: The Ducks open November on the road next Saturday at Washington. Kickoff time and television information will be announced Sunday.
Team Stats
UTAH 0, ORE 7
ORE - McCormick, Cam 5 yd pass from Burmeister, B. (Schneider, A. kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:05
UTAH 3, ORE 7
UTAH - Gay, Matt 23 yd field goal 5 plays, 16 yards, TOP 1:40
UTAH 3, ORE 10
ORE - Schneider, A. 23 yd field goal 12 plays, 68 yards, TOP 6:10
UTAH 3, ORE 17
ORE - Amadi, U. 47 yd fumble recovery (Schneider, A. kick)
UTAH 6, ORE 17
UTAH - Gay, Matt 34 yd field goal 7 plays, 59 yards, TOP 2:12
UTAH 13, ORE 17
UTAH - Paulo, Darrin 1 yd pass from Huntley, Tyler (Gay, Matt kick) 7 plays, 56 yards, TOP 3:24
UTAH 13, ORE 20
ORE - Schneider, A. 38 yd field goal 7 plays, 54 yards, TOP 2:22
UTAH 13, ORE 27
ORE - Breeland, Jacob 22 yd pass from Nelson, Charles (Schneider, A. kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:22
UTAH 13, ORE 34
ORE - Brooks-James 23 yd run (Schneider, A. kick), 6 plays, 85 yards, TOP 2:18
UTAH 20, ORE 34
UTAH - Wilson, Siaosi 29 yd pass from Huntley, Tyler (Gay, Matt kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:27
UTAH 20, ORE 41
ORE - Benoit, Kani 21 yd run (Schneider, A. kick), 2 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:48
