Bo Nix, Brandon Dorlus lead No. 8 Oregon to signature win over No. 13 Utah

The No. 8 Oregon Ducks captured the biggest road win of the Dan Lanning era thus far with a 35-6 blowout of the No. 13 Utah Utes Saturday in Salt Lake City.

With the win, Oregon snapped the Utes’ 18-game home winning streak and entrenched themselves in the College Football Playoff conversation.

Bo Nix finished the day 24-for-31 for 248 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score. Troy Franklin caught eight passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.

The Ducks held the Utes to just 248 yards of total offense, and Tysheem Johnson grabbed a pair of interceptions.

How it happened

Oregon received the kickoff from Utah to start the game, and after a delay of game, Bo Nix threw the ball four times in a row before a run by Bucky Irving got the Ducks to the Utah five-yard line. Nix pounded it in to put the Ducks up 7-0 early and helped silence the crowd at Rice-Eccles stadium.

Utah, down seven and looking for an answer, picked up one third down but couldn’t get a second, forcing them to fourth down. On fourth-and-two, Utah maybe got away with one and got a first down by way of a pass interference call on Khryee Jackson. On another fourth down, Bryson Barnes tried a quarterback sneak but didn’t pick it up and Oregon took over on Utah’s 25.

On a run up the gut, Irving had the ball stripped by Junior Tafuna and Utah regained possession.

Oregon’s defense got a strong stop after a demoralizing fumble by tackling Barnes on a run attempt up the middle on 3rd-down. Utah was forced to follow the turnover with a field goal, bringing it to 7-3 Oregon.

Oregon made quick work of Utah’s defense on its third time with the ball. A quick drive with positive yardage on every play but one allowed Oregon to go up 14-3 in Salt Lake City early. Nix passed to the running back coming out of the backfield, and Jordan James cut through the middle of the field for a touchdown.

Barnes, looking for an answer to Oregon’s offense, threw a pick straight to Tysheem Johnson and the Ducks took over in the red zone and capitalized. Nix threw a pass to a wide-open Troy Franklin at the back of the endzone to extend the lead to 21-3.

After two three-and-outs for Oregon, Barnes and Utah were able to drive deep into Oregon territory. Rather than a touchdown, the Utes were forced to settle for a field goal at the end of the half and closed the gap to 21-6, anticipating possession at the beginning of the second half.

Once the second half began, Jordan Burch continued his great day by tackling Jaylon Glover behind the line of scrimmage to force a punt, bringing Bo Nix and the Oregon offense back on the field.

The Ducks opened their drive with a first down via a run up the middle to Bucky Irving. On the ensuing set of downs, Oregon converted a crucial third down through Troy Franklin to get them across the 50, and their efficient offense would continue.

An incredible catch by Terrance Ferguson got them within the 10, and then an eight-yard run by Irving made the score 28-6.

On a drive where Utah needed a spark, they got it. Dijon Stanley returned the kickoff up near the 50 — but Barnes threw his second interception of the day on the next play. Tysheem Johnson produced the pick once again and made a great diving catch on the play.

After two plays and 30 yards, the Ducks were primed for another score. Tough runs by Irving and James got them to the five, and Nix dumped it to Traeshon Holden to increase their lead to 29 in the middle of the third quarter.

Utah’s offense had a really hard time getting going all game, and that was no different with its third time on the ball in the second half. Oregon forced a three-and-out and re-took possession. At this point in the quarter, the Utes had 7 plays and just 9 yards to its name.

Utah forced a much-needed three-and-out to allow Bryson Barnes and the offense to go back to work.

Brandon Dorlus did not let up, tackling Ja’Quinden Jackson for a loss of one and Barnes still could not get anything going. The pressure continued to mount and Oregon led 35-6 heading into the fourth quarter.

After the defense forced a punt, the Utes’ offense took the field and they were able to drive into Oregon territory but couldn’t get any yards on third-and-seven from the 28. Evan Williams created pressure on Barnes and forced an incompletion on fourth down, forcing the Utes off the field.

Ty Thompson took over late in the fourth quarter, and the game was as good as over by that point.

Oregon traveled to Salt Lake City and handed it to Utah, winning the game in every facet.

The defensive line got pressure on Bryson Barnes nearly every play and never allowed Utah back in the game. Bo Nix showed his experience, hitting receivers in stride and remaining mistake-free the whole game.

A win like that cemented Oregon’s legitimacy as a top team, and winning in such a hostile environment shows their maturity that’s well beyond the team’s years.