Jaylen Dixon Ties Game With Oregon With Jet Sweep TD
Nov 19, 2022, 11:06 PM
Jaylen Dixon #25 of the Utah Utes jumps into the arms of teammate Dalton Kincaid #86 after scoring a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of their game October 1, 2022 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Utes wide receiver/speedster Jaylen Dixon tied the game against the Oregon Ducks with a rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
With Utah in the red zone, Andy Ludwig dialed up a jet sweep that sent Jaylen Dixon into the end zone from 18-yards out to tie the game at 17 with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter.
That was Dixon’s first rushing attempt of the game. He also had one reception for 13 yards. It’s the fourth rushing touchdown of the season for Dixon.
JD for a TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/EdPbqsR9ZQ
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 20, 2022
About Utah/Oregon
Oregon’s strength is not in its defense. The Ducks currently rank tenth in third-down defense, fifth in fourth-down defense, seventh in first-down defense, sixth in red zone defense, second in rushing defense, eighth in passing defense, seventh in sacks, eleventh in tackles for loss, and seventh in overall defense.
Utah’s offense on the other hand ranks fourth in third down conversions, second in fourth down conversions, third in first downs, ninth in passing offense, ninth in red zone offense, third in rushing offense, fourth in passing efficiency, and fifth in overall offense.
Perhaps the most interesting battle between Utah’s offense and Oregon’s defense will come down to the rushing game where the Ducks do excel in limiting, but Utah also excels in creating. With the emergence of Ja’Quinden Jackson and Jaylon Glover at the running back position and the re-emergence of star Tavion Thomas, the game may very well come down to this one battle.
Thomas for his part says he recognizes the importance of this game and is ready and willing to do anything he can to help the Utes make their second trip to Las Vegas.
“I just want to turn it around and finish this season out strong,” Thomas said. “Do whatever I’ve got to do for the team so that we can come back-to-back for the championship.”
The Utes have been very effective in keeping themselves in the conference championship discussion despite a few setbacks with injuries, losses, and a close-for-comfort call against Washington State. That’s just the nature of a football season. How a team handles those things and moves forward generally tells you everything you need to know and there have been few teams better than Utah navigating those waters.
Utah and Oregon is televised on ESPN.
