COL FB: Utah 35, Utah State 17

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Terrance Cain threw two early touchdown passes Thursday and No. 18 Utah pulled away for a 35-17 victory over Utah State.

On the opening night of the college football season, Utah won its 15th straight game. The Utes completed an unbeaten season last year by defeating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Utah lost 12 starters from that team, including quarterback Brian Johnson. Cain celebrated his first start for the Utes by completing 20-of-30 passes for 286 yards and the two touchdowns.

Cain hit David Reed with a 65-yard scoring throw and then found John Peel with a 22-yarder that gave Utah a 14-3 lead with 5:34 to go in the first period.

On the first play after the kickoff, however, Robert Turbin ran 96 yards for a Utah State touchdown.

Utah held the Aggies to 7 points the rest of the way and took control thanks in part to two short touchdown runs by Matt Asiata, who gained 155 yards on 36 carries.