Already trailing 24-6 in the opening drive of the second half, Colorado State quarterback Pete Thomas dropped back to pass on a second-and-seven when nickel back Lamar Chapman busted through the Rams’ line for his fifth solo sack of the season. Game. Set. Match.

By the time Jordan Wynn and Luke Matthews hooked up on the ensuing Utah drive for 48 yards on a flea flicker—which led to a Shaky Smithson score—the final outcome of the game had long ago been decided.

The last time the Utes played at home on Sept. 25, they put up 56 points on the struggling San Jose State Spartans, who managed only six. On Saturday, they added three more to that total, demolishing MWC conference foe Colorado State 59-6.

After a lackluster, three-interception game against Wyoming the previous week, quarterback Jordan Wynn came out of the gates with a vengeance to start the game, leading the Utes 71 yards down the field, culminating with a one-yard Matt Asiata touchdown. This is the fourth time in seven games that Utah has scored on their opening drive.

“He played much more efficiently this week than last week,” coach Kyle Whittingham said. “We had a talk (about the Wyoming game) on Monday, but he didn’t need to be reminded much more than that. He’s a competitor. He’s his own worst critic.”

Thanks to Shaky Smithson’s fumble—recovered by CSU’s Derek —on his own 16-yard line to start the second quarter, the Rams found themselves in perfect position to tie the game at seven apiece if they could just convert inside the red zone.

However, blocking their way was the Ute defensive unit that has allowed opponents to score a touchdown once inside the red zone just 35 percent of the time heading into the game. This drive proved to be no exception. After an incomplete pass on first down, Matt Martinez and Sealver Siliga swarmed the backfield to combine for one of the Utes’ five quarterback takedowns. After holding strong on third down, the Rams were forced to settle for a field goal.

That’s when the Utes took over the game. Wynn once again led his offense down the field, going a perfect 5-of-5 for 47 yards on the drive, including the 30-yard TD pass to Eddie Wide.

By the time CSU scored again—another field goal from inside the red zone—Utah was already ahead 17-6.

Adding to the Rams’ offensive woes was the fact that they couldn’t convert on third downs, finishing 2-of-12 on conversion attempts. The defense also dominated CSU’s running game, giving up 28 yards on 24 attempts—a 1.2 yard-per-carry average.

“We really emphasized third downs this week,” said junior linebacker Chaz Walker, who led the unit with eight tackles. “That was a big part of our defense. We wanted to do a better job of getting off the field and getting out of third-down situations.”

Not to be outdone by the defense’s spectacular output was the offense, whose 648 yards of total offense was good enough for the fifth-best total in school history. Running backs Eddie Wide and Asiata combined for 110 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns. Jereme Brooks led all Utes in receptions with seven for 61 yards and DeVonte followed with five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.

With the first seven games now completed, the Utes head into the toughest part of their season. They will take on Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Oct. 30, followed by TCU, Notre Dame, San Diego State and finishing with the Holy War against BYU.

Ranked No. 9 in the nation, these final five game will decide the fate of the team that, for the time being at least, is gunning for a third BCS-bowl berth in six years.

Before losing to San Diego State on Oct. 16, the Falcons had been ranked as a top-25 team in both the A.P. and USA Today Coaches’ Poll.

Senior defensive end and team captain Christian Cox talked after the game about the upcoming match.

“They’re a great team, and we respect them a lot, but we’re ready to go make a statement,” he said. “Historically, they’ve played us pretty close. We don’t want that to happen.”