The Utes carried the momentum in the first quarter, quarterback Kendal Thompson leading a drive that got Utah on the board 7-0.
Quarterback Travis Wilson replaced Thompson, who left the game with a season ending knee injury, and made a pass that looked like it would bring the Utes up 14-0.
But, with a bizarre turn of events, the winds was knocked from Utah's sails. Yards away from any Oregon defense, Clay was headed home free into the end zone and with just one yard to go, he dropped the ball in celebration. Oregon capitalized on his mistake and returned the fumble for a touchdown that would tie up the game.
That momentum snap led the game downhill for the Utes for the rest of the first half; they went into halftime down 24-10.
They tried to come back in the third quarter, Wilson completing a 27-yard pass to running back Devontae Booker for the touchdown, bringing Utah within 7 points.
But, Heisman hopeful Marcus Mariota was too much for the Utes, rushing for 114 yards and passing for 239 yards. He completed 3 of the 6 touchdowns for the Ducks.
Utah went on to lose 51-27. They head on the road for their next game against the Stanford Cardinals on November 15th, 4 p.m. (MT).
