No. 14 Utah Utes Defeat Florida Gators 24-11 in Season Opener
Salt Lake City, UT – In a thrilling season opener, the No. 14 Utah Utes emerged victorious over the Florida Gators with a final score of 24-11 on Thursday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The game showcased the exceptional performance of Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes, who started in place of the injured senior Cam Rising. Barnes wasted no time making an impact, throwing a 70-yard touchdown pass to Money Parks on his first play from scrimmage, putting the Utes up 7-0 early in the game.
Barnes, a former walk-on and a relatively unheralded quarterback, showed his skills with a deep ball, as highlighted by columnist Andy Larsen in his recent article. His impressive performance in the season opener is making him even more popular among Utah football fans.
Despite missing their starting quarterback, the Utes demonstrated tremendous resilience and determination throughout the game. Backup quarterbacks Barnes and Nate Johnson shared the duties and led the team to victory.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham praised his players’ “next man up” mentality and expressed his pride in their performance: “This team’s got a lot of grit. Couldn’t be prouder of these guys. Bryson Barnes, Nate Johnson did what we needed them to do.”
The game saw some intense moments, with the Gators managing to find the end zone in the fourth quarter when Graham Mertz connected with Caleb Douglas for a 19-yard touchdown. However, the Utes’ defense held strong, limiting the Gators to only 11 points.
Both teams made mistakes throughout the game, with the Gators committing false starts and a costly error that allowed the Utes to score a touchdown. The Utes also had missed opportunities, including a trick play that narrowly missed connecting for a touchdown.
The Utes entered halftime with a 17-3 lead, thanks in part to a 51-yard field goal by kicker Cole Becker. Head coach Whittingham expressed his satisfaction with his backup quarterbacks’ performance and highlighted their ability to protect the football.
The crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium played a significant role in the game, as the Utes’ passionate student section known as “MUSS” created a hostile environment for the Gators. The noise level and energy contributed to the Gators committing false starts and missing a field goal attempt.
With this victory, the No. 14 Utah Utes have started their season on a high note. The team will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming games as they aim to make a statement in the college football landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Utah Utes’ football season.