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Corvallis, Ore. • Last year's game, it was not.
Ute fans who still wince at the memory of a 51-48 overtime loss at Rice-Eccles Stadium may not associate these two in years to come.
In 2013, Sean Mannion and Travis Wilson combined for 852 yards in a spirited, exciting back-and-forth that ended with heartbreak for the Utes.
This time around, junior linebacker Gionni Paul picked off Sean Mannion's very first pass, Kendal Thompson started in lieu of Travis Wilson before coaches switched back, and highlights — at least on offense — were for a long while in short supply.
What's more, Thursday night's contest ended in mirth for the smattering of visiting fans at Reser Stadium, as Devontae Booker announced himself as one of the nation's best backs in leading Utah to a 29-23, double-overtime victory and a plus-.500 conference record for the first time since joining the Pac-12.
"This team is tough," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "This team is physical. And we've got really good chemistry. That's something that may be the thing that we've got going for us that's most important."
Trailing late in the fourth Utes marched 94 yards on the back of Booker, who, when it was said and done, had rushed 32 times for 229 yards and three touchdowns. First, Booker rumbled 53 yards to Oregon State's 6-yard line, then he was stoned three times before plowing through on fourth.
The Beavers answered with a 10-play, 51-yard drive and 49-yard field goal to tie it at 16-all and send it into overtime.
On the first possession of OT, Utah stuck with the proven formula: handoff, Booker, 15-yard rushing TD.
Oregon State encountered no greater resistance themselves until a feisty third-down stand set up a fourth-and-two for the home team, and Jordan Villamin snagged a Mannion fade to trigger a second overtime. The Utes opted to defend in the second period, forced a kick, and when Trevor Romaine missed from 37 yards wide right, it again opened the door for Booker.
He powered right through it.
Facing a third and short — and with Whittingham admittedly considering a kneel at midfield to set up a field goal attempt for Andy Phillips — Utah opted to give Booker one more shot, and he galloped for a 19-yard touchdown that put No. 20 Utah within one game of bowl eligibility.
"I think the one thing that came out good for us from last year is that we've been in these close games," said senior tight end Westlee Tonga. "... This year we have the talent, we have the camaraderie on the team, and we've got everything we need to make a big run in the Pac."
Prior to Booker's first score, hope was in short supply after Mannion hit Villamin in double coverage on the left sideline for a 72-yard touchdown that gave the Beavers a 13-9 lead.
Utah continued to pressure the passer like a team that leads the nation in sacks — adding five more — but so did Oregon State, which had four.
Thompson was breathtaking at times — cartwheeling over defenders, backtracking and throwing the ball at one point almost 70 yards in the air, but he had little to show for it.
Taking over in the second half Wilson fared little better, as both signal callers combined to go just 9-for-18 for 62 yards and one interception, but Wilson pulled the ball out to pick up a key first down on the read option, and otherwise a heavy dose of Booker proved enough.
The Utes were plagued in the first half by four drops from senior Dres Anderson — a repeat of his late-game struggles in Utah's loss to Washington State, and Anderson added another on a Wilson fade in overtime.
Three were at least somewhat defensible: a third-and-11 toss from Thompson between defenders in the left corner of the end zone that Anderson appeared to possess for two steps before having it stripped, a rag-dolled attempt at a Thompson deep ball, and an outstretched reach for a pass zipped two feet over his head.
But Oregon State's stalling offense broke through when Anderson bobbled a screen pass into the hands of Beavers defensive tackle Dylan Wynn. After Victor Bolden dashed 27 yards on a fly sweep to Utah's 7, Kalani Sitake's defense made a noble stand — capped by an Orchard sack on third down — that prompted a 37-yard, Romaine field goal.
For his part, Phillips drilled field goals from 38, 43 and 46 yards, making him 13 for 15 on the season.
When Utah's defense was unable to stop Oregon State in the first half, they stopped themselves, penalized six times for 50 yards and turning the ball over twice — on Paul's sure-handed pick (his third in fourth games) and Hunter Dimick's mugging of Storm Woods (recovered by Orphey).
To end the half, Utah oddly called for a Devontae Booker rush, milked the clock, and opted for a Thompson pass play. Thompson was stripped by Justin Strong, it was recovered by Bud Delva, and the Utes lost themselves a lead by what at first appeared to be a conservative leaning.
As it would turn out, they could afford that mistake, if not one more.
Twitter: @matthew_piper —
In short
O Devontae Booker rushes for a career-high 229 yards to help Utah beat Oregon State and avenge a 51-48 loss to the Beavers last season at Rice-Eccles Stadium.