SALT LAKE CITY -- Junior quarterback Troy Williams threw for 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Utah held Southern Utah to just 158 total yards in a 24-0 victory on Thursday night.

The Utes (1-0) improved to 38-0 all-time against current members of the Big Sky Conference and won their season opener for the ninth consecutive year. Utah is 18-1 in non-conference play since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.

Southern Utah (0-1) punted 10 times and turned the ball over on two other drives. The Thunderbirds only crossed midfield twice during the whole game.

Utah struggled with finishing drives early in the first half. The Utes entered the red zone on each of their first two drives, but came away with only a 26-yard field goal from Andy Phillips to show for it.

Utah finally generated some offensive momentum late in the second quarter after Marcus Williams picked off backup quarterback Tannon Pedersen at the Utah 47. The Utes covered 53 yards in nine plays after the turnover and went up 10-0 on a 4-yard run from running back Troy McCormick.

Troy Williams extended Utah's lead to 17-0 on the next drive, connecting with Tim Patrick on a 2-yard toss with 1:11 left before halftime. McCormick set up the touchdown when he took a screen pass 33 yards, giving the Utes with a first down at the 4-yard line.

Utah's defense did not give the Thunderbirds a chance to seriously threaten the Utes. Marcus Williams recovered a fumble and snared an interception in the first half. The Utes held Southern Utah to just 89 total yards on offense before halftime. Southern Utah had just 19 passing yards over that two-quarter stretch.

After a sluggish third quarter, Utah added its final touchdown with 9:27 left in the fourth when Troy Williams threw a 57-yard bomb to Patrick.