Isaac Wilson threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns in his first start to help No. 12 Utah win 35-21 against Utah State on Saturday.
Wilson played instead of Cam Rising, who was out with an injury to his throwing hand from the game against Baylor last week. In his debut 200-yard game, nine players caught a pass from the freshman. He became the first Utah quarterback to throw three touchdown passes in his initial start.
“Definitely after that first drive I felt comfortable and ready to go,” Wilson said.
Micah Bernard rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Mike Mitchell added 75 yards on the ground. Bernard had his second consecutive 100-yard game and the fourth of his career. Utah’s offense totaled 460 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per play.
Utah (3-0) won against Utah State for the 15th time in the last 16 matchups of their rivalry, which began in 1892.
“We had everything working,” Bernard said. “(Wilson) was throwing the ball pretty well. A lot of receivers were getting open and he’s making those passes. We started running the ball efficiently. When you get a game like that, that’s what we’re going to be.”
Bryson Barnes led Utah State (1-2) with 223 yards passing and two touchdowns in his first game against his old team. Barnes, who was Utah’s starting quarterback last year, had two crucial interceptions that shifted momentum before halftime.
Rashul Faison rushed for 115 yards for Utah State.
“I thought the toughness was there the whole game,” Utah State interim coach Nate Dreiling said. “I don’t think anyone is ever going to question our toughness. Proud of how they played. We just need to do more and have more details in everything we do. If we can do that, we’ll have a chance to really get this thing going.”
A series of big pass plays helped the Aggies give the Utes an early scare.
