Utes Feeling Pressure, Making Mental Mistakes In First Half
Dec 6, 2019, 7:25 PM
Wide receiver Jaylon Redd #30 of the Oregon Ducks gets pushed out of bounds at the three yard line by defensive back Josh Nurse #14 of the Utah Utes during the first half of the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on December 06, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In the first quarter of the Pac-12 Championship game, it showed on the field that the pressure on the Utes might be weighing on them.
Oregon had a 10-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter. Despite leading the game, Utah had the most total yards on offense, outgaining Oregon 115-106.
The issues for Utah was the mental mistakes on offense and special teams. They had two penalties but came at crucial times in the quarter when the offense was being productive.
Also, Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley threw his third interception of the season when he threw the ball into double coverage in the end zone.
All the pressure in this game is on the Utes and it shows so far.
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) December 7, 2019
One big mistake on special teams was erased by the Utes’ defense holding Oregon. Utah punter Ben Lennon’s punt was blocked by Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, luckily, he lost control of the ball on the block and the ball rolled out of bounds. The Utes defense stuffed the Ducks and forced them to punt the ball away.
Early in the second quarter, Utah allowed Justin Herbert to throw a 45-yard touchdown to wide receiver Johnny Johnson III to give the Ducks a 17-0 lead.
The pressure on the Utes is monumental with more than just a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line. If they beat Oregon and certain teams lose their conference championship games, including Georgia, they could get a spot in the College Football Playoff.
