Utah hosts Oregon State, looks for first win of season
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Utah is coming off a 24-21 loss at Washington last week after the Utes led 21-0 at halftime.
Whittingham tried to draw positives out of the close outcome after the Utes lost 33-17 at home to USC the previous week.
“The encouraging thing is that’s who we can be in the first half,” Whittingham said. “That’s the football team we are capable of being. Three takeaways on defense. But same problem we had last week, offensively turning the ball over.”
Utah quarterback Jake Bentley threw for 144 yards and one touchdown, with two interceptions, against Washington. He also rushed for a touchdown but had a fumble.
“Just not executing the way we can,” Bentley said. “I don’t think anyone had a change of mindset or anything like that. It’s just lack of execution. Some we just got to go back to practice and get it right.”
Despite Utah’s lack of experience on defense, the unit is allowing an average of only 90.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks first in the Pac-12 and seventh in the FBS.
The Utes will try to contain Oregon State’s Jermar Jefferson, who has four consecutive 100-yard rushing games, the longest active streak in the nation. He is looking to become the first Beavers running back with five consecutive 100-yard performances against conference opponents since Steven Jackson nearly two decades ago.
–Field Level Media
