Oregon vs. Utah score, takeaways: Defense makes Ducks class of Pac-12 as Utes' 18-game home win streak snapped

A dominant performance on both sides showed true separation between Oregon and Utah

No. 8 Oregon shocked No. 13 Utah 35-6 in one of the most dominant performances of the season. The loss was the first for Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium since 2020 and the first with a full capacity crowd since November 2018. The Utes had beaten four consecutive ranked opponents at home but failed to show up against a feisty Ducks squad. 

The Ducks took control of the game from the first drive and never let go. It took Oregon just six plays to travel 75 yards for the score, including a 30-yard pass to Troy Franklin. Quarterback Bo Nix was in full control of the afternoon, completing 14 of his first 15 passes with a pair of touchdowns. He finished with 248 yards passing and three total touchdowns in the easy victory. Running back Bucky Irving needed just 14 carries to travel 83 yards with a score. 

Utah failed to generate any offense throughout the rout, which wasn't as close as the final score. The Utes averaged 2.8 yards per carry and finished with 216 yards of offense. Quarterback Bryson Barnes completed just 53% of his passes as the Utes looked to him to create all of their offense. The last time Utah was held without a touchdown? The 2018 Pac-12 Championship Game. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:38 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

This was Bo Nix's best argument for Heisman consideration

Bo Nix has been considered one of the best quarterbacks in college football all season, even carrying the nation's best completion percentage into Week 9 and having one of the best touchdown-to-interception ratios with 19 passing touchdowns and just one pick. But there hadn't been that statement win to put Nix right in the center of the Heisman Trophy discussion or other associated accolades. When you consider the stakes and the setting of Saturday's win against Utah, this will likely go down as one of the best performances in a big spot this year by a Heisman Trophy contender. Oregon and Utah both entered the game with a 6-1 overall record with the lone losses coming in conference play. A defeat for either team bounces them to the outside of a crowded Pac-12 title race, and winning the conference championship is a high priority for both of these programs. Oregon was better from wire-to-wire, and Nix was a huge reason why with 248 yards on 24 of 31 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions with an additional score on the ground. 

Then there's the setting, which should not be overlooked just because of the lopsided score. Utah had won 29 of its last 30 games in Rice-Eccles Stadium and played host to multiple ranked teams like the Ducks during that span. Nix took the air out of the stadium early with three consecutive touchdown drives to start. For a team that relies on defensive excellence, the quick and sizable deficit dealt a blow to the confidence of the fans in the stadium. Coach Dan Lanning told the broadcast that taking the crowd out of the game early was a key they discussed, and Nix, as he made his FBS record-extending 55th career start, was able to execute the plan perfectly. 

Dates with USC and Oregon State, as well as a potential rematch with Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game, could provide bigger moments that Heisman Trophy voters will latch onto, but Nix stepping up with this kind of performance against a high-end defense in a tough road setting with Pac-12 title hopes on the line is his most impactful game to date. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:47 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Pac-12 race clarifies

The matchup between one-loss Utah and Oregon appeared to be all but an elimination game in the Pac 12 championship race. After Oregon's win, the Ducks are taking full control of the No. 2 spot behind Washington in the conference standings. The Ducks sit at 4-1 in conference play, tied with Oregon State and USC (as of publication) in the loss column. A battle in the Civil War in the final week of the year could be for a trip to Las Vegas. Oregon is in full control of its fate. 

Utah, conversely, needs a tremendous amount of luck to get back into the race. The Utes still have to play Washington but don't have any of the other 1-loss teams on their schedule heading forward. A tiebreaker vs. USC helps, but it probably won't be enough. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:37 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Ducks' defense is a reason to buy stock in Oregon as the Pac-12's best team 

With a head-to-head loss to Washington already, there is not an argument in the standings or any opinion poll that says the Ducks should be ahead of the Huskies. In a rematch on a neutral field, however, Oregon might find itself as the favorite. This defense pairs with a high-flying offense to make the Ducks the most well-rounded of the championship contenders in the Pac-12. 

Utah was held to just 241 yards of offense at 3.7 yards per play and converted just 5 of 15 third downs in the first touchdown-less game for the program since 2018. For a program that whose identity starts in the trenches, Utah was beaten consistently at the line of scrimmage by a strong, fast and long defensive front that applied pressure to Bryson Barnes throughout the afternoon. Though just two sacks and six tackles for loss are in the box score, the pressure was felt all game and limited any comeback efforts from the Utes. 

Oregon entered the weekend ranked third among Pac-12 teams and second in yards per play allowed while Washington is in the middle of the pack for both categories. Coach Dan Lanning has this defense built with a good combination of highly touted recruits and key transfer portal additions, and they are all on the same page as a hard-hitting group that defies the stereotype of many defenses playing opposite an offensive juggernaut.  

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:51 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Luck runs out

Utah announced after its win over USC that quarterback Cameron Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe will not return this season. The permanent losses joins tight end Thomas Yassmin, wide receiver Mycah Pittman and a handful of other key players who not expected back. 

On Saturday, Utah played like a team reaching the end of its rope. The Utes only had one skill player cross 40 yards of offense. Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson was the only skill talent to receive more than 10 touches. Quarterback Bryson Barnes played his heart out but just doesn't have the talent to carry Utah in games against teams of Oregon's caliber. 

The schedule gets slightly easier heading forward with three games against borderline bowl opponents, though Washington remains ahead. Utah has an opportunity to play itself back into the top 15, but coach Kyle Whittingham will have to go even deeper into his bag of tricks. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:01 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Oregon running away

End 3Q: Oregon 35, Utah 6

The Ducks are 12 minutes away from pulling off one of the most dominant victories of the season. Oregon has doubled Utah's yardage (353 vs. 164), its yards per play (7.1 to 3.3) and more than quadrupled its yards per carry (5.7 to 1.2). Oregon quarterback Bo Nix has been exceptional, throwing for 228 yards with three touchdowns on just 27 pass attempts. 

Utah only has 164 yards, 136 of which came through the arm of Bryson Barnes. However, the Utes have still been held out of the end zone for three quarters with no end in sight as Oregon holds the ball entering the final period. The Ducks have been wholly prepared for converted running back Sione Vaki, who has just three total yards on four carries. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:41 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Still nothing

3Q: Oregon 35, Utah 6

Two drives into the second half each way, Utah continues to struggle. The Utes followed up a three-and-out with the first interception of the game for Bryson Barnes. Oregon, conversely, put together a 12-play touchdown drive and converted the next into another touchdown. This game is officially reaching blowout territory. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:39 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Oregon finds the end zone on first second half offensive drive 

3Q: Oregon 28, Utah 6 

They say some of the most important possessions are the last ones of the first half and the first touches in the second half, and while the Ducks sputtered to close out the second quarter with a couple of three-and-outs they started strong here in the third quarter with a 12-play, 76-yard drive that ends in a Bucky Irving touchdown after the Ducks defense forced a three-and-out on the first Utah possession of the half. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:04 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Ducks dominating at half

HALF: Oregon 21, Utah 6

Oregon pulled out to a dominant 15-point victory at halftime of its matchup against Utah. The Ducks got a brilliant first half from quarterback Bo Nix, who completed 14-of-16 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns, and added another rushing score. Oregon is averaging 7.6 yards per play and 5.6 yards per carry behind 42 yards rushing from Bucky Irving. 

Utah's offense has struggled to find any consistency despite holding the ball for five more minutes and 12 more plays. The Utes are averaging a paltry 1.6 yards per carry and 3.9 yards per play overall. Quarterback Bryson Barnes is battling, finishing with 124 yards passing in the first half. Seventy-two of those yards came to DeVaughn Vele. 

Despite the troubling half, Utah trails by just 15 points and gets the ball back to start the third quarter. However, Oregon's defense has yet another chance to stand tall. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:02 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Utah cuts into lead before halftime

HALF: Oregon 21, Utah 6 

Oregon's defense finally showed some cracks, allowing Bryson Barnes to convert a big fourth down and Utah to march all the way down into scoring territory. It was the best offensive drive of the day for Utah, but it ends in a short field goal to cut an 18-point lead to 15 points. Oregon's offense also sputtered a bit late in the second quarter, with a pair of three-and-outs that helped set up Utah with good field position. The Ducks have succeeded in taking Utah's epic crowd out of the game with a fast start, but now they'll need to make sure the Utes don't climb all the way back into the game after halftime. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:51 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Utah's got nothing

The Utes are averaging 1.6 yards per carry. Quarterback Bryson Barnes has 71 difficult yards. They're at 3.3 yards per play and have allowed three tackles for loss and a sack already. Utah just has zero ability to compete against Oregon's defense, even in the moments when its defense battles. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:51 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Oregon defense has provided a dominant compliment in the first half 

Late 2Q: Oregon 21, Utah 3 

For all the discussion about Bo Nix and Oregon's offense, there also needs to be some significant credit thrown towards the Ducks defense for its performance so far today. Utah can't get anything going offensively in part because of Oregon winning the battle in the trenches against the Utes offensive line. Utah is struggling to run the ball -- albeit with a very banged up running back rotation -- and Bryson Barnes is frequently facing third-and-long situations, which is a losing proposition against this Ducks defense. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:29 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Too early for the Bo Nix Heisman hype discussion? 

2Q: Oregon 21, Utah 3 

Okay, this is super early in the game, but when you consider the stakes (Pac-12 title race) and the setting (at Utah, where the Utes have won 29 of the last 30) we might be dealing with a Heisman statement game from Bo Nix. The Ducks quarterback has completed 12 of his first 13 passes for 136 yards and accounted for all three Oregon touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) in this early game blitz of a good Utah defense. Oregon has 21 offensive plays across its three touchdown drives and has only faced a third down situation once -- of course the Ducks did convert. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:20 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

End 1Q: Oregon 14, Utah 3

Oregon has zoomed out to a 14-3 lead against Utah after one quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Ducks have dominated the trenches to the tune of 5.0 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per play overall during a dominant first quarter. Quarterback Bo Nix has been accurate, completing 9-of-10 passes for 122 yards and both a passing and rushing score. 

Utah has been much slower, averaging 2.1 yards per carry and settling for a field goal after starting with the ball inside the Oregon 30-yard line. The Utes have not lost a home game since Nov. 21, 2020, during the pandemic. The last home loss during a regular season was a 35-27 loss to BYU on Nov. 24, 2018. Oregon hopes to snap the streak. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:16 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Oregon's offense yet to be slowed down

End 1Q: Oregon 14, Utah 3 

The closest thing to "adversity" that we've seen Oregon's offense face came in the form of a third down and the Ducks converted that with ease. Oregon is averaging 9.5 yards per play and Bo Nix has started 9-of-10 for 122 yards with a passing touchdown to go with his rushing score from the opening drive. Utah's defense has been its stronger unit all year, and now Oregon is not only rolling right through that group but forcing the Utes offense to press a little bit to try and keep up with the high-flying Ducks. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:08 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Utah on the board

1Q: Oregon 7, Utah 3

Utah was gifted the ball right on the edge of the red zone, but the drive ultimately stalled after 13 yards as Oregon's defense was ready for the Sione Vaki wrinkle. Vaki was wrapped up in the backfield for a 3-yard loss, which set up a 32-yard field goal from Cole Becker. Still, Utah is finally on the board near the end of the first quarter despite averaging only 3.1 yards per play to 11 for Oregon. The Utes are averaging just 2.1 yards per carry. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Big swing

Utah lineman Junior Tafuna met Oregon's Bucky Irving at the line and came away with a brilliant strip and fumble recovery. Tafuna used his muscle to wrench the ball away from a falling Irving and give Utah the ball back on the edge of the red zone. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 3:55 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Oregon's defense showing up big 

The Ducks defense is the key to making it through the rest of the schedule to get a rematch with Washington in the Pac-12 title game. That group has improved by leaps and bounds since last season, and it's shown up here on the road with a fourth down stop on Utah's first drive. Stopping Bryson Barnes in his tracks on fourth and short means even more after an apparent fourth down stop earlier in the drive was negated by a pass interference penalty. Now, instead of that penalty leading to points it's just a small knock in the field position battle. If Bo Nix and the Oregon offense can move the ball with the same efficiency as the first drive, things could start moving quickly for the Utes. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 3:54 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Utah turns it over

The Utes went for it twice on fourth downs on their first drive. The first time, Bryson Barnes was able to bait Oregon into a pass interference penalty. The second time, Barnes was unable to convert a one-yard run and gave it up on the 25-yard line. Utah averaged just 3.7 yards per play against Oregon's defense on the first drive and were unable to come away with points. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 3:51 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Utes struggling to run

Oregon averaged 12.5 yards per play during its touchdown drive, but Utah's offense has been dinking-and-dunking instead. Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson has just six yards rushing on three attempts as quarterback Bryson Barnes has generated two-thirds of the offense through the air. Utah has to find some creases against a physical Oregon front. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 3:43 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Nix steady in Oregon TD drive to start the game

1Q: Oregon 7, Utah 0 

Bo Nix, who continues to make history with every start as the FBS leader with 55 career starts, looks absolutely dialed in on Oregon's first drive. Nix starts 4-for-4 passing and punches in the first touchdown of the game on the ground. The Ducks had hints of disorganization on the first play with a delay of game, but with the help of a few explosive pass plays and the use of tempo to keep Utah's defense on its heels they are firmly in control. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Oregon vs. Utah prediction

The trends of Utah at home are so strong it feels irresponsible to step on the other side, but I do think that Oregon is a more balanced and well-rounded team that would be favored by double-digits on a neutral site. But college football is not decided in a vacuum with neutral conditions, so Utah clearly has a better chance to win given the setting in Salt Lake City. Still, I think Utah poured it out last week against USC while the Ducks were able to get healthy and bounce back from the Washington loss, so maybe some of that home-field advantage is negated by Oregon being a little bit fresher.  Pick: Oregon -6.5

Check out our full slate of Oregon-Utah predictions and picks from our CBS Sports experts ...

Oregon vs. Utah live stream, watch online, TV channel, kickoff time, prediction, expert picks

Chip Patterson

[Oct 28, 2023 at 2:30 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Ducks fly high

Oregon ranks second in the nation in both scoring offense (47.0 points per game) and total offense (551.6 yards per game), and it ranks in the top five among all FBS teams in both rushing touchdowns (21) and passing touchdowns (21). That balance is led by Bo Nix -- who leads the nation with a 78.4% completion rate and is the only quarterback in the country with at least 15 touchdowns and just one interception -- as well as a one-two punch at running back of Bucky Irving and Jordan James. Oregon has yet to score fewer than 33 points in a game this season, and Utah has yet to give up more than 32, so something has to give when the Ducks have the ball facing this stout Utah defense. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

One of college football's best home-field advantages

Utah is 116-36 in Rice-Eccles Stadium since 1998 and 88-25 at home since Kyle Whittingham took over, logging undefeated home seasons in 2008-09, 2019, 2021-22. In total, this is a program that's riding a streak of 29 wins in the last 30 home games, and the advantage works in multiple ways that complement each other: The crowd is routinely excellent with their impact on the game, the setting is at altitude in Salt Lake City and opponents face a brutal physicality from the Utes that's core to the identity of Whittingham's program. It's hard to play winning football when you're exhausted, bruised and can't hear yourself think, and Utah's fans embrace their impact on the game, especially in high-profile contests like having the top-10 Ducks in town. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 1:30 pm ET · Dennis Dodd]

Inside the improbable rise of Bryson Barnes

Utah's starting quarterback, a former walk-on, Bryson Barnes was never expected to reach these heights, yet his ability, passion and drive have him exactly where he's supposed to be leading the Utes. Because of injuries to starter Cam Rising, Barnes has played in the last two Rose Bowls. Because Rising has been declared out for the season having blown out a knee in the last Rose Bowl, Barnes is QB1 with a bullet.

Not bad for a guy who has bailed out a program. Not bad for a guy who has permanently replaced the other quarterback, Nate Johnson, whose play had become ragged. Not bad for a former walk-on who endured scout team hell, and now, football heaven.

Inside the improbable rise of Bryson Barnes from small-town Utah to captain of playoff-contending Utes

Dennis Dodd

[Oct 28, 2023 at 1:00 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Oregon vs. Utah preview

No. 8 Oregon visits No. 13 Utah in a game with major Pac-12 championship implications. The Ducks are 6-1 (3-1 Pac-12) after bulldozing Washington State behind a pair of 100-yard rushers. Utah, meanwhile, confirmed it has lost projected starting quarterback Cam Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe before the season. However, the Utes just continue to find ways to win. They enter with an identical record after outlasting USC on the road after a masterful finish by former walk-on quarterback Bryson Barnes.

Oregon has dominated this rivalry historically, but Utah has won two of the last three, including a Pac-12 Championship Game rematch in 2021. Last season, Oregon kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter to outlast the Utes at home. The two teams rank among five with one or fewer Pac-12 losses heading into the home stretch. A loss on Saturday could be a death blow for the Pac-12 title game.