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Corvallis, Ore. • After expressing concern that Utah's slow starts were due to a lack of mental preparation earlier in the week, Chase Hansen was ready on Saturday.

He got after Oregon State early as the Utes shut out the Beavers in the first half, getting a sack, a tackle for a loss and an interception on the first three drives.

"I was put in a good position on that play," he said afterward. "It's just the blessing of having such big studs in front of you."

It wasn't a perfect day for the Utah defense, but good enough, particularly against the pass. Oregon State managed only 297 yards of offense, with only 100 passing yards in a windy day. An interception and a key fumble recovery that set up Utah's winning touchdown gave Utah an edge.

What was more impressive: The Utes managed to limit the Beavers down two of their own for almost the entire second half. All-conference safety Marcus Williams was lost late in the first half, and linebacker Sunia Tauteoli was hurt early in the second.

Hansen led with eight tackles, and backup safety Jordan Fogal had seven tackles playing in Williams' stead. Linebacker Cody Barton got his most reps in weeks, finishing with seven tackles as well.

"We talked to each other and just trusted each other," linebacker Kavika Luafatasaga said. "[We were] motivated to finish the game out for our brother."

The Utes did get gashed for 197 rushing yards, including a third-quarter drive when Oregon State found success with fly sweeps and read option plays. They didn't have to contend much with sophomore back Ryan Nall, who didn't play after only one carry for 32 yards, but did struggle against Victor Bolden (61 yards) and Artavis Pierce (60 yards).

Hansen said the Beavers' speed was tough along the edges, and there were times when Utah's defenders were either taken out by cut blocks, or missed tackles. But it wasn't unfamiliar play-calling — the Utes had prepared for them.

Utah's 12-0 halftime lead felt like a lot in the wet, windy conditions. After the first touchdown drive, Hansen said, it was a wake-up call that Utah's lead, only five points, was much more at risk than it had seemed for the game's first half.

Hansen ended up lamenting Utah's late letdowns: Oregon State managed 134 yards in the fourth quarter after only getting 163 in the previous three. While Utah made the final stop that sealed the win, it needs to be better, Hansen said.

"You gotta check yourself at that point in the game," he said. "You feel like you're blowing them out, mentally you feel that way, but then you realize it's a fight — it's a ballgame."

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon