Written Story by Austin Ota

EUGENE, OR – No. 12 Oregon Football (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12) entered their Week 13 matchup against No. 10 Utah (8-3, 6-2 Pac-12) but were able to turn the tide after losing at home to the University of Washington the week prior. After seeing their playoff hopes slip through their fingers, the Ducks defense was key to shutting down Utah’s attack. Oregon was able to impress the home crowd and take this matchup, 20-17.

The story of the first half was the return of Heisman-hopeful Bo Nix. Prior to the game, the availability of Nix for Oregon was relatively unknown, but when No. 10 came out on the field under center for the Ducks, Autzen erupted. Due to a leg injury, the dual-threat Nix was relegated to only the ability of his arm, but he threw an efficient 25-37 with a touchdown and a late interception. At the onset of the second quarter, Nix found young receiver Donte Thornton, Jr. on a crosser for a first down, but Thornton got hit late and dropped the ball to be recovered by Utah. On the ensuing play, Oregon nose tackle Jordan Riley batted a Cam Rising pass in the air to be intercepted by Bennett Williams, the first of two key interceptions for Williams. With the Ducks leading 14-3 with time ticking in the half, head coach Dan Lanning elected to kick a late field goal rather than go for it on fourth down to extend Oregon’s halftime lead, 17-3.

The second half of football started ominously for the Ducks. A fourteen point lead was diminished almost immediately. Oregon started their second half with Ty Thompson under center, and Duck trickery ended in a second Donte Thornton Jr. fumble, which would be scooped up for a score for Utah. An eighteen-yard touchdown by Jaylen Dixon tied the game at 17. Camden Lewis’ field goal made the score 20-17, which would be all the Ducks needed. A late Bennett Williams interception followed by a fourth down stop would ice the game away for the Ducks.

Oregon improved to 9-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play, while the Utes fell to 8-3, and 6-2 in Pac-12 play. Oregon heads to Corvallis next week for Rivalry Week against the Beavers.