Ducks Run Over Utes In Pac-12 Championship Game
Dec 6, 2019, 10:43 PM | Updated: 11:45 pm
Oregon Ducks running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio (33) breaks through for a gain into the red zone during the PAC 12 Championship game between the Utah Utes and the Oregon Ducks on Friday, December 06, 2019 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Utah football team struggled to get things going and got run over by the Oregon Ducks rushing attack in the 2019 Pac-12 championship game.
The No. 5 Utes lost to the Ducks 37-15 in the Pac-12 title game at Levi’s Stadium on Friday, December 6.
Utah entered the game with the best rushing defense in the country. They only allowed 56.3 yards per game. On Friday, the Ducks ran for 239 yards.
Oregon continues to hit the gas 🔥 pic.twitter.com/96bp3xslck
— ESPN (@espn) December 7, 2019
Ducks’ running back CJ Verdell carried the ball 18 times for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Utah played arguably its worst defensive game of the season Friday, allowing highs in points (37), yards (432), Rush yards (239), and Rush TD (3).
The Utes had allowed a total of 4 rushing TDs all season entering Friday and ranked 3rd in FBS in total defense (241.6 YPG). pic.twitter.com/0Re2gJKJon
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 7, 2019
Oregon held the Utes to 0-6 on third downs and 0-2 on fourth downs in the first on its way to a 20-0 lead at the break.
Utah controlled the momentum in the third quarter and scored 15 points in the first 15 minutes after the half before Oregon put the final nail in the coffin of the Utes’ playoff dreams.
They finished the game 4-14 in third down efficiency and 0-4 on fourth down.
The Utes didn’t run a play inside of the red zone in a game for the first time this season.
Oregon outgained the Utes 432-309 in total yards.
Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley was 17/29 for 193 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs.
Utes’ running back Zack Moss carried the ball 19 times for 113 yards. He added 4 catches for 57 yards and a TD.
Forever love this team.
Thank you to our fans who supported us on the road, and those who watched from home. pic.twitter.com/5g4XvmKCPv
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 7, 2019
The Utes fell to 11-2 on the season and short of the College Football Playoff and Rose Bowl. They’ll find out their postseason bowl game on Sunday, December 8.
