What better way to say you want in their conference than to beat everyone you see? The Utes even took a 7-0 lead in the early second quarter on Thursday. That, though, was when it started to rain — but only figuratively. OSU tied the score before the half, Johnson got hurt on the next series, and that was it. A third-quarter OSU touchdown, a field goal, and the Utes were cooked.

If undermanned and overwrought, that doesn't mean the Utes didn't try. In fact, they showed considerable resolve. But two first downs in the third quarter and a non-existent rushing game doomed their effort.

Things won't get much easier. They now have their conference opener next week against Air Force, followed by a contest against nationally ranked UCLA.

When it rains, it pours.

It doesn't take a trip to Oregon to understand that.

The Utes didn't do much to endear themselves to the OSU crowd when, after warming up, they huddled at midfield for a meeting. Suddenly, boos rained down, 20 minutes before kickoff. The problem: they had covered the Beaver mascot in the middle of the field — which went over in Oregon like a nuclear leak.

They then took the lead on a 36-yard pass from Johnson to Brent Casteel, who immediately drew a celebration penalty for mugging in the end zone.

But in the end, it seemed, even the slightly annoyed, pro-OSU crowd seemed to understand. It wasn't the Utes' day. It might not even be their year.

Rain happens.

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com