by CORVALLIS, Ore. – Junior running back Devontae Booker rushed 32 times for 229 yards and three touchdowns to lead the No. 20 Utah to a 29-23 double-overtime victory at Oregon State in Reser Stadium on Thursday night.
Utah (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) held a 253-119 edge in rushing yards over Oregon State as Booker went for a career-high 229 yards on 32 carries.
Kendal Thompson (Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma) made the first start of his career at quarterback and rushed for 20 yards and went 4-of-8 for 17 yards passing.
It was a historic performance for Booker as he put his name in the school record book for three different single-game categories: three rushing touchdowns is tied for second-most, 229 yards is tied for the fifth-most and 32 carries is tied for ninth. The 12th 200-yard rushing performance in school history was also Booker’s third straight 100-yard rushing game.
The Utah defense limited the Beavers to six points in the first half, with one of OSU’s two field goals coming after a series that started on the Utah 20-yard line. The Utes turned in 10 tackles for loss with five sacks, led by a game-high four TFLs by Nate Orchard, including two sacks. He has 10.5 sacks this season, the first Ute with 10 more sacks in a season since 2000. The Salt Lake City native now has 13 tackles for loss this season.
Linebacker Gionni Paul had a game-high 14 tackles in his second double-digit tackle game of the season to go with an interception. Jared Norris had 13 tackles for his fifth career game with 10 or more tackles, including one for a loss. Jason Fanaika was the third Ute with double-digit tackles, going for 10 tackles and one TFL.
The Utes host USC on Saturday, Oct. 25. Kickoff for the `Blackout Game’ in Rice-Eccles Stadium is set for 8 p.m. MT with a live telecast on Fox Sports 1
