Football Notes
Cal Bears Next for Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium Utah leads the Pac-12 in 11 statistical categories, rank top five in the nation in two areas
the Pac-12 and rank top-five in the nation. Utah leads the Pac-12 in first downs defense and third down defense. Utah ranks sixth in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 in time of possession (33:34). Home Field Advantage The Utes have five undefeated home seasons under Whittingham (2022, 6-0; 2021, 6-0; 2019, 7-0; 2009, 6-0; 2008, 6-0) with the Utes winning 27 of their last 28 home games, including a streak of 17 in a row (Dec. 5, 2020-present). It is the second-longest streak in the Whittingham era with the longest streak taking place Sept. 15, 2007 to Oct. 23, 2010 (21 games). Utah has sold out Rice-Eccles Stadium in 79 consecutive games, dating back to the 2010 season opener. Up front, defensive tackle Jonah Elliss has made 7.5 sacks to lead Power Five football. Midseason awards are beginning to trickle in, and offensive lineman Spencer Fano was tabbed to On3’s Midseason True Freshman All-American Team. Standout Players
It’s game week once again in Salt Lake City as the Utah football team is back inside Rice- Eccles Stadium for the first time since late September. It’ll be a 1 p.m. showdown on Saturday (October 14) vs. California, with the forecast calling for a sunny fall afternoon along the Wasatch Front. Utah is coming out of its bye week looking to avenge a September 29 loss at Oregon State. Injuries have presented the team with its fair share of challenges this season, but head coach Kyle Whittingham praised how his group has pressed forward while approaching the halfway point of the year. “I think (the players have) done a nice job handling adversity because we have had some tough spots through the
season and they have had a great attitude and mentality toward that,” he said. “They have stuck together through that. We have played better on defense than we have on offense, but there has been absolutely no finger pointing. They have done a nice job of staying unified.” Through five games in 2023, Utah leads the Pac-12 in 11 different statistical categories. Utah is only allowing 67.0 Statistics rushing yards per game, ranking third in the FBS. The Utes have only committed three turnovers this season, which is tied for fourth in the FBS. Among the highlights through five games has been the lock-down effort of the Utah defense, which is allowing just 11.8 points per game to lead
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2023
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