Utah’s Devontae Booker doesn’t disappoint in trip to Fresno State

Utah senior QB Travis Wilson is questionable for Saturday’s game against Fresno State with a sprained left shoulder. In a play that was pretty much dead, Thompson tried to throw across his body, while falling back, into the end zone to Kenneth Scott but was picked off. Thompson also did miss a couple of open receivers, but for a game against Fresno State, nothing that really came back to bite the Utes.

But more, maybe, than any of that, Booker crushed the Bulldogs’ spirit when they needed a stop.

Utah has won eight straight nonconference games….

Booker did the bulk of his damage the old-fashioned way, between the tackles, and Whittingham also said he’d like to see more of a perimeter run threat. Fresno State has recent victories over Pac-12 member schools Colorado (2001 and 2012), UCLA (2003 and 2008), Washington (2004 on the road) and Oregon State (2001 and 2003). Booker added another 56 receiving yards, including a 43-yard catch, which set him up for a 7-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

Fresno State will host the Utes in Week 3, with the Bulldogs now tabbed as 13.5-point home underdogs.

Utah running back Devontae Booker (23) carries against Fresno State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, September 19, 2015.

Unless Fresno State can stop the run, it’s going to be hard to end its 20-game losing streak to nationally ranked opponents dating to 2004.

Although the Bulldogs managed to gain only one yard on the next three plays, they cashed in on the takeaway with a 35-yard field goal by Kody Kroening.

Utah has been one of the more complete teams in the Pac-12 through two weeks, but the 21st-ranked Utes could be missing two key starters for Saturday’s game at Fresno State.

Utah’s next four games will tell a lot, with roads games at Oregon and USC bookending home games against Cal and Arizona State.

Virgil completed 11 of 25 passes for 97 yards and no turnovers before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury early in the fourth quarter. After the Bulldogs’ next possession, Utah’s Britain Covey scored on a 77-yard punt return to make it 38-10 with about 9 minutes remaining. Fresno State is a young team, but the experience they’ve accrued may benefit them in the conference opener at San Jose State next week. However, that was as close as they got.

Greenlee has attempted 18 passes per game, hitting 17 of 36 (47.2 percent) for 169 yards at 4.7 yards per pass play with three touchdowns and one interception.

Greenlee added scoring passes of 82 and 32 yards about a minute apart midway through the fourth quarter – thanks to an onside kick – to pull the Bulldogs to 38-24.

But even though “we had a few more creases tonight”, he said, it was “still not enough”.