SALT LAKE CITY — With the Mountain West Conference reduced to a two-team race, 14th-ranked Utah had a statement to make today.
A 49-16 win today over visiting Colorado State put the Utes into the rarified air of 8-0 and continues their run for a BCS bid. At 4-0 in the conference, the Utes are tied with TCU, which beat BYU on Thursday, and control the MWC race as the only undefeated teams.
More significantly, the Utes control their destiny for the BCS run with home games remaining against TCU (Nov. 6) and BYU (Nov. 22).
Utah had little trouble shredding CSU’s defense today, scoring on 4-of-6 first-half possessions. Running back Matt Asiata twice took a direct snap at the CSU 3-yard line and scored. The rest of the time, quarterback Brian Johnson threw at will, except when designated “running” quarterback Corbin Louks completed a 37-yard pass to set up Asiata’s second score. Johnson threw for two touchdowns, and Louks ran for two more.
CSU’s lone defensive highlight was Nick Oppenneer’s interception of Johnson and 55-yard return to the Utes 13. The Rams (3-4, 1-2) settled for a 25-yard Jason Smith field goal. Smith came in for a 38-yarder as the first half ended, and Utah had a 28-13 lead at the half.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
