SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Luke Falk threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns as No. 19 Washington State defeated Utah 33-25 on Saturday.
The Cougars are now one win from winning the Pac-12 North and playing in the conference championship game for the first time since the league created divisions in 2011.
Washington State (9-3, 6-2 Pac-12) led from start to finish and could have won by more, but settled for five field goals despite moving inside the Utah 30-yard line on those possessions. The Utes turned over the ball on three of its first four possessions, all in the first quarter, but the Cougars found the end zone on just one of the extra opportunities.
Utah (5-5, 2-5) had seven turnovers on the day and has lost five of its last six games.
Chima Onyeukwu picked off Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley with 58 seconds remaining to seal the win.
Falk set the Pac-12 career touchdown passes record in the second quarter. He surpassed former USC quarterback Matt Barkley with his 117th touchdown pass and finished with 118. The "Air Raid" offense was held in relative check by a stout Utah defense that was put in bad positions all game. It finished with 338 total yards and just 27 on the ground. Falk also threw two interceptions.
Tavares Martin Jr. had 10 catches for 64 yards and a touchdown for Washington State.
The Washington State defense played well throughout, bottling up the Utah run game and harassing Huntley. Defensive end Hercules Mata'afa entered the game as the league's second leading sack artist with 6.5 and added three more Saturday. Huntley finished with 305 passing yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and 51 rushing yards on 20 attempts. He was sacked seven times. Running back Zack Moss had 32 yards and two touchdowns on 13 attempts.
Falk throws 3 TDs, No. 19 Washington State beats Utah 33-25
The Cougars are now one win from winning the Pac-12 North.
