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PULLMAN, Washington -- The Utah Utes headed up north to take on the Washington State Cougars and managed to come away with a win in OT.
Both offenses looked pretty awful in the first half and the story of that half for the Utes was penalties.
"Utah penalties nearly doubling offensive production, 65 to 34," tweeted CougforLife.
The Utah offense could not move the ball in the first half, but thanks to a trick play on a punt they finally found the endzone just before the half.
"Cougs faint on Utah fake punt they should have been prepared for, Utes go up 7-0 on 49-yard run," tweeted SRJblanchette. And he has a point. The Utes are known for fake punts/field goals, but they execute them well enough to keep stumping defenses.
The excitement didn't last long however. WSU's red-shirt freshman QB, Connor Halliday, picked apart the Utah defense and scored leaving about 30 seconds on the clock.
"Nice Halliday to Wilson 6 yds, touchdown. It's tied at 7 at Martin Stadium," tweeted ESPNCindyB.
The Utes and Cougs, yes the Cougs, went in to half tied at seven's, but the second half took on a really different look.
Following two Utah fumbles, WSU drove deep into Utah territory and took the lead 10-7. And that's when Jon Hays started playing like a division one QB.
"Hays night and day difference between 1st and 2nd half," tweeted . "Completes slant to DVC, then scrambles for a gain of 7 on next play."
Hays would continue to look sharp as WSU started to shutdown the Utah run game. But the Utes offense finally got its legs under it and soon went up 20-10. Then a Utah penalty gave WSU great field position off the kick off and a trick play later the Cougars were in the endzone with six minutes to go in the game.
"WSU comes right back and narrows the gap to three with a quick TD drive of its own. Wow. What a weird game," tweeted BubbaBrown8.
Well, it would get weirder. On the next possession John White had a nice run down the sideline to push the lead back to 10.
"John White in beast mode right there. Breaks a couple of tackles and scores a big 56-yard TD," tweeted JFurKSL.
WSU quickly drove the field and scored a TD and then their defense forced the Utah O to punt again.
Halliday drove the Cougars back down the field and WSU kicked a field goal to tie the game as time expired. But many questioned the decision to not go for the win, and it turned out to be a very good question.
"Not sure why WSU doesn't go for it. You're at the 1 at home, w/ momentum. Go for win, right?" asked benbags.
On WSU's possession the Utah defense played hard and put the Cougars in a fourth and 25 situation and came away with a pick.
Utah then gave White the ball up the middle on three plays and then put the game in the hands of their field goal kicker.
"Props to Coleman Petersen for kicking the game winning field goal, his 3rd of the game," tweeted dpaysports.
The Utes will now face Colorado in the last regular season game and will have a great opportunity of finishing with an 8-4 record. That's much better than many had expected early in the season after three straight conference losses.
