PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It was a season of progress for the Oregon State Beavers as they made their first bowl game since 2013. But the Utah State Aggies proved too much to handle in the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.
The Aggies used a dominating second-half to take control of the game to earn a 24-13 victory over Oregon State. With the win Utah finished the season 11-3, while Oregon State ended 7-6.
The Beavers often hurt themselves, getting called for 13 penalties during the game.
Oregon State started fast, marching crisply down the field and scoring on their opening drive against Utah State.
Just 58 seconds into the game, Jesiah Irish ran 20 yards for a touchdown to put the Beavers on top of the Aggies 7-0.
Then just 18 seconds into the 2nd quarter, Utah State tied it on a Cooper Legas-to-Deven Thompkins 62-yard touchdown pass. It was the first pass Legas ever threw in a college football game.
Midway through the 2nd quarter, the Beavers regained the lead, 10-7, on the strength of a 37-yard field goal from Everett Hayes.
But with 4:24 to play, Utah State capped an 85-yard drive with a Calvin Tyler Jr. 15-yard touchdown run. The extra point gave the Aggies a 14-10 lead they carried into the locker room at halftime.
Utah State took control of the game in the 3rd quarter. They extended their lead with a 25-yard field goal with 10:05 left, then added another 7 points on a Legas-to-Bowling 5-yard pass to give the Aggies a 24-10.
Oregon State’s only 3rd quarter chance ended in missed field goal attempt. But the Beavers chipped away early in the 4th when Hayes made a 34-yard field goal to cut the lead to 24-13.
Oregon State and Utah State traded turnovers early in the 4th quarter. The Beavers picked off a Legas pass, but fumbled it on the ensuing drive.
The Beavers defense tightened and forced Utah State to punt. Oregon State moved the ball a bit on their next drive, but came up just inches short on a 4th-and-12 to turn the ball over on downs to the Aggies.
Utah State then methodically drove down the field and ate a lot of time off the clock, but with 2:31 to play, Tyler fumbled at the goal line and the Beavers recovered in the end zone.
Utah State won the Mountain West championship game in its first season under coach Blake Anderson. Oregon State was playing in a bowl for the first time since 2013.
The bowl game was scheduled to debut last year but was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Beavers led the all-time series with Utah State, 3-0, beating them in 1904, 1997 and 1998. Overall this was the 18th bowl game Oregon State played in.