EUGENE, Ore. -- The Oregon Ducks held on for the victory against No. 18 Utah on Saturday, winning 31-24 with some big plays by a variety of different players.

Safety John Boyett, filling in for the injured T.J. Ward, picked off a Terrence Cain pass inside the Oregon 5 with less than two minutes remaining in the game to seal the victory for the Ducks.

Linebacker Eddie Pleasant also intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter for the Ducks, who had four turnovers themselves. Three of those were by quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who had two fumbles along with a costly interception in the endzone that seemingly kept Utah alive until the final moments.

Masoli finished with 95 yards passing and just four completions, but he did run for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman LaMichael James rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown to help solidy the running back position for the Ducks.

The Ducks got off to a fast start against a Utah team that had the nation's longest winning streak entering this weekend, at 16 games.

Oregon cornerback Walter Thurmond returned a Utes punt 78 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter, as the Ducks took the quick 7-0 advantage.

Utah, however, blocked an Oregon punt and recovered the ball at the Duck 19 yard line. Cain would then run it in from there on the next play, tying the game.

James and the Ducks then came back down the field, scoring on a three yard run from James himself. In the second quarter, the only points scored were from a 22 yard run by Masoli to put the Oregon halftime lead at 21-7.

The Utes would not go away quietly, rather recovering a Masoli fumble and kicking a field goal shortly after to get the Utes within 21-10. The Ducks came back, as Masoli got his second rushing touchdown of the game from four yards out to put the Duck lead at 18.

Utah responded well to the challenge the Ducks presented them. On a third and 20 from the Oregon 22, Cain tossed a touchdown pass to reciever Jereme Brooks, and on Oregon's next possesion, Masoli once again fumbled and Utah's Robert Johnson recovered it and scored the touchdown to get the Utes within four at 28-24.

The Ducks relied on their defense in the fourth quarter, as the Pleasant interception led to a Morgan Flint field goal to put the Ducks up for good, 31-24.

Oregon hosts No. 8 California next weekend, with both teams playing in their Pac-10 opener.