No. 12 Utah opened its first season in the Big 12 with a tough 22-19 win over No. 14 Oklahoma State on a 100-degree Saturday afternoon in Stillwater.
The status of quarterback Cameron Rising with a hand injury was a game-time decision. Utah hoped he would be able to start, and the senior warmed up with the starting offense. However, he struggled to hold the ball enough to throw, and the decision was made to play freshman Isaac Wilson instead.
Wilson was unspectacular, throwing two interceptions. He completed 13 of 22 passes for 141 yards and ran for 36 more. Ultimately, Wilson benefited from a familiar formula that has worked for coach Kyle Whittingham in the Pac-12 — an aggressive offense and a stout defense against opponents who favor a more open style of play.
Running back Micah Bernard provided what Utah’s offense needed, rushing for 182 yards on 25 attempts.
Oklahoma State managed just 119 yards of offense in the first half, while Utah had the ball for 20 minutes. Quarterback Alan Bowman was benched early in the second half after completing just 8 of 22 passes for 89 yards with an interception. A game that was supposed to be a showdown between seventh-year QBs in their mid-20s ended with neither as a factor.
Reserve Garret Rangel didn’t fare much better against the Utah defense, throwing for just 31 yards on 11 passes.
Utah scored its first touchdown of the game in the second quarter, capping an 11-play drive that saw tight end Brant Kuithe quarterback the game, Wildcat-style, and run up the middle for a one-yard score.
Down two touchdowns in the second half, coach Mike Gundy had little choice but to give Bowman another chance. He finally broke through with a series of long passes, hitting De’Zhaun Stribling for 22 yards and Brennan Presley for a 28-yard touchdown.
OSU added another TD and 2-point conversion with 1:47 left in the game to make it a 22-19 game. But Utah recovered an onside kick attempt and was able to run out the clock.
Bowman finished with 202 yards and two touchdowns passing, but it was ultimately too late. The Cowboys averaged 432 yards of offense per game last season and 446 in their first three games this year. Against Utah, however, they finished with just 285 total yards of offense — and a paltry 48 yards rushing.
Oklahoma State plays No. 13 Kansas State next Saturday in Manhattan. Kickoff time has not yet been announced. Utah hosts fellow former Pac-12 member Arizona at 10:15 p.m. ET.
