After a bright but cloudy afternoon at Autzen Stadium, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks beat the Utah Utes 44-21. The Ducks started out slow, leading 17-7 at halftime over the 4-6 Utes and rushing for just 10 yards, but they were dominant on defense all day and found their offensive groove in the second half. Marcus Mariota continued his dominant ways with 288 passing yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions on 19-of-26 passing (73.1 completion percentage). He hasn’t thrown an interception all season. Byron Marshall and De’Anthony Thomas contributed two touchdowns, each, one coming from Thomas on an 86-yard kickoff return.
Utah sophomore quarterback Adam Schulz (12) runs the football during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon senior linebacker Boseko Lokombo (25) looks to tackle Utah sophomore quarterback Adam Schulz (12) during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Utah freshman wide receiver Dominique Hatfield (26) is tackled by Oregon senior defensive back Brian Jackson (12) during the second quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon junior running back De’Anthony Thomas (6) makes his way back to the locker rooms after the Ducks’ 44-21 win over the Utah Utes. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon junior defensive back Terrance Mitchell (27) and Utah junior running back Lucky Radley (44) work their way back to their respective teams after the Ducks’ 44-21 win. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) makes his way through post-game handshakes after the Ducks’ 44-21 win against the Utah Utes. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Some fans checked out early by the fourth quarter, with the Ducks holding a commanding lead over the Utah Utes. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Utah sophomore running back James Poole (34) breaks into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Utah sophomore running back James Poole (34) works his way through traffic during a carry in the fourth quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Utah junior wide receiver Dres Anderson (6) is brought down by an Oregon defender during the fourth quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Utah freshman linebacker Uaea Masina (43) is consoled by a teammate during the beginning of the fourth quarter. Masina was checked out of the game during the first half after injuring his right knee. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore running back Byron Marshall (9) dances into the end zone during the third quarter. Marshall was called for unsportsmanlike conduct (excessive celebration) on the play but the touchdown stood. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore running back Byron Marshall (9) escapes a tackle by Utah sophomore linebacker Jason Whittingham (53) during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Daryle Hawkins (16) directs a block downfield from his teammates during a long carry in the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
A referee throws a flag for holding as Utah sophomore quarterback Adam Schulz (12) looks for an open receiver while being pursued by Oregon senior linebacker Boseko Lokombo (25) during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Utah sophomore running back James Poole (34) tumbles onto his back after being tackled during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Daryle Hawkins (16) jukes Utah junior defensive back Eric Rowe (18) during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Josh Huff (1) is forced out of bounds by Utah senior defensive back Michael Walker (15) during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Utah junior running back Lucky Radley (44) escapes the clutches of Oregon junior linebacker Rodney Hardrick (48) during a carry in the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon junior running back De’Anthony Thomas (6) eludes a final Utah defender en route to punt return-touchdown carry during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon junior running back De’Anthony Thomas (6) takes off on a punt return carry that he took all the way to the house during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
The Oregon cheerleaders keep the home crowd entertained during a timeout in the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Utah sophomore quarterback Adam Schulz (12) celebrates his touchdown run during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Utah sophomore quarterback Adam Schulz (12) punches through into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Daryle Hawkins (16) runs the football down the field during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore running back Byron Marshall (9) pushed himself through a crowd of football players during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich applauds after Oregon made a touchdown during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Utah freshman running back Marcus Williams (33) lays on the ground after a bad Utah play during the second half. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon freshman running back Thomas Tyner (24) looks down the field to outrun the Utah defenders during the second half. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore running back Byron Marshall (9) pushes off a Utah defender and runs towards the end zone during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore running back Byron Marshall (9) dances into the end zone during the third quarter. The play was later called as unsportsmanlike conduct. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Oregon flag waves in the wind after a touchdown by the Ducks. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich shakes hands with Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham after the football game. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
A group of Oregon football players pray after the end of the football game. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Josh Huff (1) walks off the field with Oregon strength and conditioning coach Jim Radcliffe. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Oregon freshman tight end John Mundt (83) looks to the crowd after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Utah quarterback Adam Schulz (12) runs the ball during the second half. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Utah quarterback Adam Schulz (12) is slow to pass the ball during the third quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore wide receiver Bralon Addison (11) looks to the scoreboard the during the second half. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon senior wide receiver Daryle Hawkins (16) is brought down by the Utah defense during the second half. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore running back Byron Marshall (9) is called for unsportsmanlike conduct after waltzing into the end zone following a touchdown during the fourth quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
The Duck completes 44 push ups during the fourth quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon freshman running back Thomas Tyner (24) runs the ball during the fourth quarter. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) greets Utah defensive tackle Tenny Palepoi (91) after the Ducks’ 44-21 victory against the Utah Utes. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)
Oregon junior running back De’Anthony Thomas (6) is greeted by a familiar face after the Ducks 44-21 victory against the Utah Utes. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks play the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2013. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)