Mariota’s 4 TDs help Ducks pull away at Utah
Utah defensive back Marcus Williams tackled Marcus Mariota as the Oregon quarterback stretched to make a first down in the first quarter Saturday in Salt Lake City.
SALT LAKE CITY >> Joe Walker returned Kaelin Clay’s careless goal line fumble 100 yards for a touchdown, Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score and No. 5 Oregon turned back No. 20 Utah 51-27 on Saturday night.
Mariota ran for 114 yards and was 17-for-29 passing for 239 yards, keeping the Ducks (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12, CFP No. 4) in the thick of the College Football Playoff race.
Clay had 152 yards on five catches, but it was the 1 yard he let slip away that will be remembered most.
The Utes (6-3, 3-3) were on their way to taking a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter when Wilson connected with Clay, who was cruising to long touchdown when he casually dropped the ball a yard before he crossed the goal line. As the Utes celebrated, Walker grabbed the ball and chugged down the sideline for a touchdown.
