7:07 PM EST: That will do it for VAVEL USA's coverage of the 2014 Las Vegas Bowl. The Utah Utes defeat the Colorado State Rams 45-10. Stay with VAVEL USA for continued coverage of the college football bowl season.
7:06 PM EST: Travis Wilson led the charge for Utah, rushing for three touchdown on the day.
7:05 PM EST: The Utes were in control right from the start, as they overpowered CSU on the ground offensively and with the pass rush defensively.
4th (00:00) Time has expired in Las Vegas. Utah explodes offensively and blows out Colorado State 45-10.
4th (00:40) Garrett Grayson is sacked once more by this vicious Utah front seven.
4th (1:00) Colorado State is pushing for one more score here before time runs out.
4th (1:26) Utah runs the ball one more time to drain some clock. Colorado State takes over.
4th (2:09) Fourth down is coming up for utah after not converting on a fourth and short.
4th (4:09) Utah hands it off up the middle and it nets them yet another first down as the clock continues to wind.
4th (4:48) Third and short is coming up. Rashard Higgins is walking off the field for CSU. He was injured on their last offensive drive.
4th (6:11) Another first down is picked up through the air for Utah.
4th (8:00) A long pass play gives the Utes another first down and they can continue to run out the clock.
4th (9:00) After two short gains, it's third down for the Utes.
4th (9:53) Kaelin Clay gives away almost 10 yards on the punt return, running backwards inside his own 10. A block in the back call pshes the Utes back even further for their next drive.
4th (10:13) The pass is incomplete on third down.
4th (10:34) 3rd and 2 is coming up for Colorado State.
4th (11:46) CSU is flagged after the play for an offensive late hit. They get the first down but still lose 15 yards.
4th (11:46) The Rams continue to move the ball, getting another first down through the air.
4th (12:06) Xavier Williams makes a phenomenal catch along the sidelines for a first down.
4th (12:18) False start on Colorado State.
4th (12:18) Special teams continues to perform poorly for CSU, with another short kickoff return pinning the Rams deep.
4th Quarter: Three different playersnow have rushing touchdowns today for the Utes.
4th (12:28) After the extra point, it is now a 35 point game. Utah leads Colorado State 45-10.
4th (12:28) Bubba Poole takes a handoff and runs it in from 10 yards out for another touchdown. Utah is crusing right now.
4th Quarter: There is an injured Colorado State player. Timeout on the field.
4th (12:51) Troy McCormick takes the ball again and runs all the way down to the 10 yard line. It's first and goal for the Utes.
4th Quarter: The pass rush for Utah today has been dominant, to say the least.
4th (13:02) Garrett Grayson is hit as he throws and the ball is picked off. Utah has the ball in great position to score again.
4th (13:12) Even sith good field position after the kickoff, the Rams can't get anything going. Incomplete pass thrown on first down.
4th Quarter: Travis Wilson entered this game with 2 rushing touchdowns all season. He now has 3 today.
4th (13:23) The extra point is through the uprights. The rout is on in Las Vegas. Utah leads Colorado State 38-10.
4th (13:23) Utah is flagged for taunting after the play. It will be enforced on the kickoff.
4th (13:23) Travis Wilson keeps it once more on an option and scores for the third time today. Utah has blown the game open.
4th (13:29) Garrett Grayson fumbles the ball and Utah recovers. They have a first down in great field position.
4th (14:02) CSU utilizes a wide receiver screen on first down and they pick up another on a gain of 12.
4th (14:13) Colorado State has a first down after another Utah punt.
4th (14:55) It will be fourth down after a run for a minimal gain up the middle.
3rd Quarter: It's been a relatively clean game so far, with only one turnover being committed, an interception thrown by Travis Wilson. Each team has committed 5 penalties, with CSU giving away 52 yards and Utah 49.
3rd Quarter: The Utes are averaging 8.8 yards per carry today, picking up 290 yards on 33 carries. In contrast, the Rams have a YPC of 1.3, with 21 yards on 16 carries.
3rd Quarter: After the two teams combined for 31 points in the first quarter, only 10 have been scored since, all by the Utah offense.
3rd (00:00) That is the end of the third quarter. Utah leads Colorado State 31-10.
3rd (00:12) Travis Wilson runs it up the middle for a moderate gain.
3rd (1:17) Troy McCormick takes a handoff and gains a first down right at the marker.
3rd (1:49) Kenneth Scott makes a great right on the sidelie on a comeback route to pick up a first down.
3rd (2:20) It will be third down for the Utes after a short pass and a short run.
3rd (3:03) Kaelin Clay cannot return the punt, as it bounces right out of bounds. First down Utah.
3rd (3:12) Grayson gets harrassed in the pocket again and throws incomplete after rolling out. Fourth down.
3rd (3:49) Another run with no progress sets up yet another third and long.
3rd (4:01) The offense for CSU continues to struggle, as a pass is dropped on first down. Grayson was under pressure again.
3rd (4:07) Colorado State takes over with good field position after a pooch kick from Utah.
3rd Quarter: The Utes now have 271 rushing yards on the game, compared to just 21 for the Rams.
3rd Quarter: That was Travis Wilson's second rushing touchdown of the game and fourth of the season.
3rd (4:12) After the extra point, it is now Utah 31, Colorado State 10.
3rd (4:12) The Utes are on the board again with a touchdown. Wilson runs it to the outside and reaches the endzone.
3rd (4:48) Utah gains a first down but on the next play they are slammed in the backfield for a loss of 2.
3rd (6:00) Clay makes a catch on the next play and picks up a first down.
3rd (6:11) Kaelin Clay was running costless down field but Wilson could not complete a pass to him. Third down.
3rd (6:47) Utah is penalized 10 yards for a holding call, but 15 yards and a first down are applied following the play for the late hit penalty.
3rd (6:47) Travis Wilson takes it himself, picks up the first down and absorbs a late hit by a Colorado State player.
3rd (7:10) A deep ball is broken up in the secondary, and third and short is coming up for Utah.
3rd (7:49) Devontae Booker continues to run well for the Utes, picking up a first down on a long run off-tackle.
3rd Quarter: Utah's pass rush has been suffocating at times today, as exemplified in that last sack. Once again, future-first round draft pick Nate Orchard led the charge into the backfield.
3rd Quarter: Jared Roberts is now 1/2 on field goals today for CSU.
3rd (7:58) The Rams attempt a 44 yard field goal and it is not even remotely close to the uprights. It will be a first down for Utah, up 14.
3rd (8:42) Garrett Grayson is sacked after the pocket collapses instantly. He lost the ball on the way down but it was recovered by the offense. Fourth down.
3rd (8:51) Following a short run and an incomplete pass down field, it will be third and long for Colorado State.
3rd (9:39) The call on the field stands. First down Rams.
3rd (9:39) The previous play is under review, to see if the pass was completed.
3rd (9:50) Grayson nails Xavier Williams with a deep slant to pick up another first down for CSU.
3rd (10:10) Higgins takes a wie receiver screen for a solid gain and a first down.
3rd (10:58) Garrett Grayson hits Rashard Higgings on a slant for 8 yards. Second and short.
3rd (11:29) Hart takes it again up the middle and he gains 9. First down Rams.
3rd (11:59) Dee Hart gains three on an inside handoff on first down.
3rd (12:04) After the punt is fair caught, Colorado State will start at their own 20.
3rd (12:11) The pass is off the mark. It will be fourth down for Utah.
3rd (12:16) Third down is coming up for the Utes after a pass is batted down. Wilson is clearly gimpy on the field right now.
3rd (13:07) Travis Wilson completes a pass to Kenneth Scott for a first down.
3rd (14:13) Booker takes the handoff and picks up a first down.
3rd (14:55) Utah starts with the ball and they pick up five yards on first down.
1st Half: Devontae Booker ran for a 60 yard touchdown as a part of his 92 yards in the first half for the Utes. Treyous Jerrells is the leading rusher for the Rams with 13 yards on 5 carries.
1st Half: Garrett Grayson had a decent half for CSU, completing 12/18 passes for 136 yards. He also had a receiving touchdown. Travis Wilson of Utah went 12/18 for 124 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
1st Half: Utah had a huge first half, most of it coming in the first quarter. They have outgained Colorado State 327-188 to this point.
2nd (00:00) Utah attempts a field goal as time expires and it hits the post. We are headed to halftime, Utah leading Colorado State 24-10.
2nd Quarter: After a high-scoring first quarter, it has been a low-scoring, slow paced second.
2nd (2:37) As the game goes on, the offenses for each team have become more and more stagnant. It's Utah ball once more.
2nd (4:54) It's a game of punts now, as CSU gets the ball back.
2nd (5:45) Utah takes over after a punt in their own territory.
2nd (6:06) There is an injured Ram down on the field.
2nd (6:30) Utah's stout defense has shut down this CSU offense today.
2nd Quarter: Utah extends their lead with a field goal, 24-10.
2nd (10:52) Wilson scrambles and picks up a first down.
2nd (11:29) After a minimal run up the middle, it will be third and long for the Utes.
2nd (12:01) Devontae Booker looks for running room but the Rams' defense shuts it down for a loss of 2.
2nd (12:34) Travis Wilson keeps it on the option again and he runs all the way to the Colorado State 40 for a first down.
2nd (12:43) Colorado State punts and Utah will start at their won 42 yard line.
2nd (14:40) Wilson overthrows his man deep and it is intercepted by Colorado State.
2nd (14:54) Clay is penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play. He pushed the ball in the face of the defensive back who was in coverage.
2nd (14:54) Travis Wilson rolls out and picks up a first down, connecting with Kaelin Clay on a pass play for a first down.
1st Quarter: The Utes have outgained the Rams in total yardage by a margin of 211-151 so far.
1st Quarter: Garrett Grayson of CSU had a decent first half, going 7/10 passing for 100 yards and also scoring a receiving touchdown. Travis Wilson of Utah was 5/6 for 71 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 11 yards and a score.
1st Quarter: Trick plays were a huge part of the opening quarter of play. Utah ran a double reverse pass to pick up a huge gain down the field. Colorado State used a halfback pass to pick up a receiving touchdown with their quarterback.
1st (00:00) That is the end of the first half. Utah leads Colorado State 21-10.
1st (00:29) Wilson keeps it himself on an option run and he gains 3 yards, adding in a nice stiff arm along the way.
1st (00:35) Colorado State calls their second timeout of the half, this time on defense.
1st (1:01) Utah gains just a couple on a run to the outside on first down.
1st (1:12) Clay is slow to get up after being brought down by a rough tackle on the last play. Timeout on the field.
1st (1:12) Kaelin Clay runs a slant from the outside, makes a catch and gets the first down.
1st (1:48) Booker gains a decent amount of yardage up the middle on a basic dive play. Third and medium for the Utes.
1st (1:58) A play-action rollout by Travis Wilson is thrown incomplete out of bounds. Second down.
1st (2:03) Utah will start at their own 32 after a short return on a pooch kick. Colorado State is trying to keep the ball out of Kaelin Clay's hands.
1st Quarter: That field goal attempt was officially 41 yards.
1st (2:09) The Rams attempt a long field goal and it is good, just inside the goal post. It's 21-10 Utes.
1st (2:15) An outside blitz by Utah's stud pass rusher Nate Orchard disrupts a throw and makes it fourth down.
1st (2:20) Colorado State calls their first timeout as the play clock was set to expire.
1st (2:56) Grayson finds his tight end underneath, who runs to pick up decent yardage. It will be a manageable third down.
1st (3:40) Hart gains just a yard on an outside pitch play.
1st (3:53) A first down passing play is called back because of a holding penalty. It will be 1st and 20 for the Rams.
1st (4:33) Rashard Higgins is wide open down the field and Garrett Grayson hits him for a huge gain of 59. First down in Utah territory for CSU.
1st (5:16) Dee Hart gains just 3 yards on first down.
1st (5:23) Colorado State is flagged for a late hit at the end of the play, pushing them back half the distance to the goal.
1st (5:23) CSU will start at their own 21 after another short return.
1st Quarter: That is the 10th rushing touchdown of the year for Devontae Booker.
1st Quarter: After that huge run by Booker, Utah has 133 rushing yards on just 7 carries with 2 touchdowns in the opening quarter.
1st (5:30) After another extra point, the lead is back to 14 for Utah. It's 21-7 Utes over the Rams.
1st (5:30) Devontae Booker takes the first play off the drive off-guard and runs it all the way for a 60 yard touchdown.
1st (5:40) Colorado State goes for a trick onside kick but it fails and the Utes fall on it. First down for Utah at their own 40.
1st Quarter: Charles Lovett for Colorado State gets credit for a 39 yard touchdown pass on that well-executed trick play.
1st (5:42) The extra point is true. Colorado State has cut the lead to 14-7.
1st (5:42) Grayson throws across the field to his back, who throws it back to Grayson, who follows a caravan of blockers all the way for a touchdown.
1st (5:55) Garrett Grayson's pass is nearly intercepted but Utah is flagged for defensive pass interference. First down CSU.
1st (6:31) The Rams are facing another third down after two minimal gains.
1st (7:33) Rashard Higins makes his first catch of the game, picking up a big gain for a first down.
1st (8:08) Colorado State finally has a decent run, gaining 7 on first down.
1st (8:23) The Rams return the kick from deep in the endzone and they will start at the 23.
1st Quarter: The Utes are already outgaining the Rams 134-9 in total yards.
1st Quarter: Utah has been dominant on the ground today, already rushing for 73 yards on just 6 carries, along with a score.
1st (8:29) After the extra point, Utah extends their lead to 14-0 over Colorado State.
1st (8:29) Touchdown Utes. Wilson is given all day in the pocket and he hits Delshawn McClellan in the back of the endzone for a score.
1st (9:34) Utah continues to run effectively, this time running an end around for a short pickup and a first down.
1st (9:56) Wilson completes a pass to the far side for 9 yards.
1st (10:21) Utah runs an outside sweep and runs all the way down near the Colorado State 31. Perfect blocking set up the 49 yard run.
1st (10:41) A short run by Travis Wilson is negated after a hold call. It's second and long.
1st (11:24) After a much better punt, Utah will have decent field position. THey will take over after the media timeout.
1st (11:33) Grayson's pass is batted down at the line. The Rams will be punting again.
1st (11:59) Another short completion sets up a second-straight third and long for the Rams.
1st (12:29) Dee Hart goes nowhere on his first carry. 2nd and 9.
1st (12:37) Colorado State takes a knee for a touchback.
1st Quarter: The opening trickeration was successful thanks to a quick release from Wilson and a great catch down field by Kaelin Clay.
1st (12:37) Travis Wilson fools the entire CSU defense and runs in for score. The extra point is good and the Utah Utes lead 7-0.
1st (12:50) Devontae Booker nets about 9 on his first carry.
1st (13:10) Utah pulls out a double reverse deep ball and it somehow works out to pick up 36 yards.
1st (13:33) After a short punt, Utah will have great starting field position.
1st (13:39) Grayson throws incomplete, intended for Rashard Higgins. Fourth down.
1st (14:16) A short run to the outside will set up a third and long for the Rams.
1st (14:48) Garrett Grayson completes his first pass of the ball game. Second down and long.
1st (14:56) CSU is flagged right away for a false start.
1st (14:56) Colorado Sate will start right around their own 20 after a short return.
3:37 PM EST: Utah will be kicking off to start the game.
3:32 PM EST: Colorado State is wearing alternate throwback jerseys, while Utah is wearig red uniforms with white helmets.
3:30 PM EST: Kickoff from Las Vegas is coming up in just a few minutes.
The 2014 Las Vegas Bowl between the Utah Utes and Colorado State Rams, live from Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 PM EST.
Colorado State is 5-6 all-time in bowl games, winning their last two (both the New Mexico Bowl), including last year's thriller in a matchup with Washington State. Utah is 13-4 all-time in official bowl games, with their last bowl appearance (and win) coming in the 2011 Sun Bowl against Georgia Tech. The Utes lead the all-time series against the Rams with a 55-22-2 record, including winning the last 5 matchups (these teams last played in 2010).
This will be just the second power five conference opponent of the season for Colorado State, the first being another Pac-12 team, their rivals from Boulder, the lowly Colorado Buffaloes. The Rams' defense has been stellar in terms of points allowed this season, ranking 34th amongst FBS teams by allowing just 23.4 points per game this season. Utah is scoring 30.2 PPG this season, and they will pose a tough matchup for CSU. While the Rams have shut down almost every team in their path defensively, it is a much tougher task to put down a major program that fights and scraps like Utah does.
The Utes will have to harass Garrett Grayson while on defense to contain the potent offense of Colorado State. Grayson has been sacked just 23 times this season, slightly under twice per game. If Utah can get to him in the pocket, it could force him into some uncharacteristic mistakes, or it may force the Rams to run the ball more, which they are decent at doing, but it is not nearly as proficient of a force as their passing game is.
For Utah, while they will need to pass effectively, the running game will also be vital to their success. Their ground attack will be led by junior tailback Devontae Booker. While there are several serious threats on the ground for the Utes, Booker is the main man in the backfield. He's had a very solid season, amassing 1,350 yards on 266 yards with 9 touchdowns. He will need to continue rushing for his average of 5.1 yards per carry, or more, against Colorado State to effectively help the Utes' offense
Rashard Higgins of CSU has been one of college football's top receivers all season long, and you can expect another big day on Saturday for Garrett Grayson's favorite target. A nominee this season for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top receiver, Higgins has made a huge impact for the Rams' offense and is the key to a devastating passing attack. The sophomore has 89 receptions for 1,640 yards and 17 touchdowns so far this season, and frankly it would be surprising if he didn't put up huge numbers in yet another game. Utah must always be watching #82.
Utah's Travis Wilson has not had quite the season statistically that Grayson has had, but he has played well throughout much of the year. He's only thrown for 17 touchdowns but he has only thrown 4 picks, while also remaining effective with his feet when necessary. Running the ball is usually the strong suit offensively for the Utes, but Wilson will need to pass well throughout the game if Utah wants to stay ahead of the Rams.
The high-powered Colorado State offense is led by one of the country's top senior quarterbacks, Garrett Grayson. The senior has dominated this season at the helm of the offense, passing for 3,779 yards and 32 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions thrown, good for a 171.3 passer efficiency rating on the season. Grayson will be heavily scouted by NFL teams as the 2015 NFL Draft draws near, and his performance in this game could bump him up quite a bit on some teams' draft boards.
One of the biggest storylines entering this year's Las Vegas Bowl is that CSU's now-former coach, Jim McElwain, will not be coaching the team he helped to build into a mid-major powerhouse, as he has signed on to be the next head coach of the Florida Gators. The talent, gameplan and ability is still there for the Rams, but it will be interesting to see whether or not they come out firing on all cylinders after losing their head coach (for reference, see Cincinnati's bowl result after losing Brian Kelly to Notre Dame just a few years back).
This is shaping up to be a great matchup, as the 10-2 Rams, featuring one of the most potent passing offenses in college football this season, go up against the scrappy Utes, who despite not having gaudy numbers, have proven that they can go toe to toe with anyone, pulling off several big wins in the Pac-12 this season.
Hello and welcome to VAVEL USA's coverage of the 2014 Las Vegas Bowl, live from Las Vegas, Nevada. This year's matchup features the 22nd ranked Utah Utes from the Pac-12 against the Colorado State Rams from the Mountain West.