utahutes.com • facebook: uathletics • twitter: @utahathletics 1 2015 Utah Football Las Vegas Bowl Game Notes Media OpportuniƟes in Las Vegas W, Dec. 16 12:30 pm PT Meet at Bishop Gorman HS (south side) 12:45 pm PT Media Observation (video permitted) 1:00 pm PT Coach Whittingham Interviews 2:00 pm PT Player interviews (follow lift) 4:15 pm PT Media/Photo Op (Whittingham, 1 player) Golden Nugget F, Dec. 18 11:00 am PT Press Conference (Whittingham, 2 players) Las Vegas Convention Center Utah Media Contacts Director (Primary FB Contact): Liz Abel Office: 801-581-3511 • [email protected]Cell: 801-209-6346 Assistant Director (Assistant FB Contact): Brooke Frederickson Office: 801-581-8302 • [email protected]Cell: 801-493-9254 The Game > No. 20 AP/22 CFP Utah (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) vs. Brigham Young (9-3) > Saturday, Dec. 19, 12:30 p.m. PT (1:30 p.m. MT), Sam Boyd Stadium > Televised on ABC Quick Hits > Utah enters the bowl season ranked No. 20 in both the AP and Coaches’ polls and No. 22 in the final College Football Playoff (CFB) rankings. > The Pac-12 South Division co-champion Utes have appeared in every CFP ranking and have been ranked in the AP and/or Coaches’ polls since the second week of the season. > Senior punter Tom Hackett won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter for the second-straight year and is also a two-time consensus All- American—this year as a unanimous selection. See page 2 for a complete list to date of Ute honors in 2015. > Utah leads the nation in net punting (43.67) and is tied for No. 2 in field goals made (23). > Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing defense (111.8), turnovers gained (29) and interceptions (19). See Utah Statchat (page 4) for more. Utah’s Bowl History > Utah is 3-1 in Las Vegas Bowl games (see sidebars on pages 1 and 11 for complete bowl history). > Utah has won 11 of its last 12 bowl games. Its only loss was to Boise State in the 2010 Las Vegas Bowl. > Utah is making its 10th bowl appearance under Kyle Whittingham (nine as head coach, one as co-head coach of the 2005 Fiesta Bowl team). > Whittingham is tied for the best bowl win percentage in NCAA history with an 8-1 record (88.9%). > From 1999-2009, Utah won nine consecutive bowl games to tie for the second-longest bowl win streak in NCAA history. > Utah was the original “BCS Buster” in 2004, beating Pittsburgh in the (2005) Fiesta Bowl. Utah’s other BCS appearance was a win over Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. 2015 Utah Schedule & Results 9.3 (Thu.) ...... Michigan (FOX Sports 1)................. W, 24-17 9.11 (Fri.) ....... Utah State (ESPN2) ........................ W, 24-14 9.19................ at Fresno State (CBSSN) ................ W, 45-24 9.26 ............... at Oregon* (FOX) ............................ W, 62-20 10.10 (HC) .... California* (ESPN) .......................... W, 30-24 10.17.............. Arizona State* (ESPN) .................... W, 34-18 10.24.............. at USC* (FOX) ................................ L, 42-24 10.31.............. Oregon State* (P12N) ..................... W, 27-12 11.7 ................ at Washington* (FOX) ..................... W, 34-23 11.14 .............. at Arizona* (FOX Sports 1).............. L, 37-30 (2OT) 11.21 .............. UCLA* (FOX) .................................. L, 17-9 11.28 .............. Colorado* (P12N) ............................ W, 20-14 12.19.............. BYU (ABC) ...................................... 12:30 PT/1:30 MT *Pac-12 game; HC-Homecoming No. 20/22 Utah Utes vs. BYU Cougars (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) (9-3) Date .................... Saturday, Dec. 19 • 12:30 p.m. PT/1:30 p.m. MT Location............. Las Vegas Sam Boyd Stadium (38,500/SprintTurf) TV ....................... ABC Brent Musburger, Jesse Palmer, Maria Taylor Radio.................. ESPN 700 AM Bill Riley, Frank Dolce, Bo Nagahi National Radio .. Sports USA Live Stats........... www.UtahUtes.com Twitter ................ @utahathletics Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl • Dec. 19 Utah’s Bowl History (14-4) Year Bowl Opponent Result Score 1939 Sun New Mexico W 26-0 1964 Liberty West Virginia W 32-6 1992 Copper Washington State L 31-28 1993 Freedom USC L 28-21 1994 Freedom Arizona W 16-13 1996 Copper Wisconsin L 38-10 1999 Las Vegas Fresno State W 17-16 2001 Las Vegas USC W 10-6 2003 Liberty Southern Miss W 17-0 2005 Fiesta Pittsburgh W 35-7 2005 Emerald Georgia Tech W 38-10 2006 Armed Forces Tulsa W 25-13 2007 Poinsettia Navy W 35-32 2009 Sugar Alabama W 31-17 2009 Poinsettia California W 37-27 2010 Las Vegas Boise State L 26-3 2011 Sun Georgia Tech W 30-27 OT) 2014 Las Vegas Colorado State W 45-10
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Media Opportuni es in Las VegasW, Dec. 16 12:30 pm PT Meet at Bishop Gorman HS (south side) 12:45 pm PT Media Observation (video permitted) 1:00 pm PT Coach Whittingham Interviews 2:00 pm PT Player interviews (follow lift) 4:15 pm PT Media/Photo Op (Whittingham, 1 player) Golden NuggetF, Dec. 18 11:00 am PT Press Conference (Whittingham, 2 players) Las Vegas Convention Center
Utah Media ContactsDirector (Primary FB Contact): Liz Abel Offi ce: 801-581-3511 • [email protected] Cell: 801-209-6346Assistant Director (Assistant FB Contact): Brooke Frederickson Offi ce: 801-581-8302 • [email protected] Cell: 801-493-9254
The Game> No. 20 AP/22 CFP Utah (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) vs. Brigham Young (9-3)> Saturday, Dec. 19, 12:30 p.m. PT (1:30 p.m. MT), Sam Boyd Stadium > Televised on ABC
Quick Hits> Utah enters the bowl season ranked No. 20 in both the AP and Coaches’ polls and No. 22 in the fi nal College Football Playoff (CFB) rankings.> The Pac-12 South Division co-champion Utes have appeared in every CFP ranking and have been ranked in the AP and/or Coaches’ polls since the second week of the season.> Senior punter Tom Hackett won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter for the second-straight year and is also a two-time consensus All-American—this year as a unanimous selection. See page 2 for a complete list to date of Ute honors in 2015.> Utah leads the nation in net punting (43.67) and is tied for No. 2 in fi eld goals made (23). > Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing defense (111.8), turnovers gained (29) and interceptions (19). See Utah Statchat (page 4) for more.
Utah’s Bowl History> Utah is 3-1 in Las Vegas Bowl games (see sidebars on pages 1 and 11 for complete bowl history).> Utah has won 11 of its last 12 bowl games. Its only loss was to Boise State in the 2010 Las Vegas Bowl.> Utah is making its 10th bowl appearance under Kyle Whittingham (nine as head coach, one as co-head coach of the 2005 Fiesta Bowl team). > Whittingham is tied for the best bowl win percentage in NCAA history with an 8-1 record (88.9%).> From 1999-2009, Utah won nine consecutive bowl games to tie for the second-longest bowl win streak in NCAA history.> Utah was the original “BCS Buster” in 2004, beating Pittsburgh in the (2005) Fiesta Bowl. Utah’s other BCS appearance was a win over Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.
Date .................... Saturday, Dec. 19 • 12:30 p.m. PT/1:30 p.m. MTLocation ............. Las Vegas Sam Boyd Stadium (38,500/SprintTurf)TV ....................... ABC Brent Musburger, Jesse Palmer, Maria Taylor Radio .................. ESPN 700 AM Bill Riley, Frank Dolce, Bo NagahiNational Radio .. Sports USALive Stats ........... www.UtahUtes.comTwitter ................ @utahathletics
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl • Dec. 19
Utah’s Bowl History (14-4)Year Bowl Opponent Result Score1939 Sun New Mexico W 26-01964 Liberty West Virginia W 32-61992 Copper Washington State L 31-28 1993 Freedom USC L 28-21 1994 Freedom Arizona W 16-131996 Copper Wisconsin L 38-10 1999 Las Vegas Fresno State W 17-16 2001 Las Vegas USC W 10-62003 Liberty Southern Miss W 17-02005 Fiesta Pittsburgh W 35-72005 Emerald Georgia Tech W 38-102006 Armed Forces Tulsa W 25-132007 Poinsettia Navy W 35-322009 Sugar Alabama W 31-172009 Poinsettia California W 37-272010 Las Vegas Boise State L 26-32011 Sun Georgia Tech W 30-27 OT)2014 Las Vegas Colorado State W 45-10
Pac-12 All-AcademicFirst TeamHunter Dimick........................ DL .....3.30 .... Communication Marcus Williams .................... DB.....3.72 .... Undecided Chase Dominguez ................ SN.....3.69 .... Communication
Andy Phillips ........................KMarcus Sanders-Williams ....RBSharrieff Shah Jr. .................LBAlex Whittingham .................LBTravis Wilson .......................QBKenric Young .......................WR
All-Americans
Tom Hackett, Punter, Unanimous Consensus All-AmericanWalter Camp (1st team), AP (1st team), FWAA (1st team), Sporting News (1st team), AFCA (1st team), USA Today (1st team), Sports Illustrated (1st team), ESPN.com (1st team), CBS Sports (2nd team)
Andy Phillips, KickerCBS Sports (2nd team)
Britain Covey, Receiver/Punt ReturnerSporting News Freshman All-American (1st team punt returner)Pro Football Focus Freshman All-American (1st team receiver)
Na onal Award WinnerTom Hackett, P ................Ray Guy Award (Top Collegiate Punter)
Na onal Award Semifi nalistsDevontae Booker, RB ........Maxwell Award (Collegiate Player of the Year)Devontae Booker, RB ........Doak Walker Award (Running Back)Andy Phillips, K ...............Lou Groza Award (Collegiate Placekicker)Kyle Whittingham, HC .....George Munger Coach of the Year
Na onal Weekly Awards9-28 ...... Tom Hackett, P .............Ray Guy Award Player of the Week (Oregon)10-1 ...... Travis Wilson, QB .........Maxwell Award Player of the Week (Oregon)10-12 ......Kyle Whittingham, HC ....Dodd Award Coach of the Week (Cal)10-13 ......Andy Phillips, K ...............Lou Groza Award Star of the Week (Cal)11-8 ........Gionni Paul, LB ...............Walter Camp Player of the Week (UW)11-9 .......Andy Phillips, K .......... Lou Groza Award Star of the Week (UW)11-16 .....Andy Phillips, K .......... Lou Groza Award Star of the Week (Arizona)
Midseason All-Americans/AwardsKyle Whittingham ................ CBSSports.com (Midseason Coach of the Year) Tom Hackett, P ................SI.com, CBSSports.com, USA TodayMarcus Williams, DB .......... USA TodayDevontae Booker, RB ......... SI.com (2nd team)
Na onal Academic AwardsHunter Dimick, DE .............CoSIDA Academic All-District fi rst teamMarcus Williams, DB .........CoSIDA Academic All-District fi rst team
First TeamTom Hackett .......................Sr. ..........................P Lowell Lotulelei ..................So. .........................DLGionni Paul ........................Sr. ..........................LBMarcus Williams ................So. .........................DB
Head Coach Kyle Whi ngham Career Record: 94-46 (11 years) Bowl Record: 8-1 BCS Bowl Record: 2-0 Total Years on Utah Staff: 22 (1994-present, Asst & HC) Bachelor’s in educational psychology (BYU, 1984) Master’s in athletic administration (BYU, 1987)
Whi ngham Accolades 2008 National Coach of the Year Final Nat’l Ranking: 2008 (#2), 2009 (#18), 2010 (#23), 2014 (#21) Tied for Best Bowl Win % in NCAA History: 88.9% (min. 7 wins) Total Wins at Utah (Asst. & HC): 179 (most in school history)
Whi ngham’s Year by Year RecordYear School Overall Pac-12 Result/Bowl 2004* Utah* 1-0* W (Pittsburgh/Fiesta)2005 Utah 7-5 W (Georgia Tech/Emerald)2006 Utah 8-5 W (Tulsa/Armed Forces)2007 Utah 9-4 W (Navy/Poinsettia)2008 Utah 13-0 W (Alabama/Sugar)2009 Utah 10-3 W (California/Poinsettia)2010 Utah 10-3 L (Boise State/Las Vegas)2011 Utah 8-5 4-5 W (Georgia Tech/Sun)2012 Utah 5-7 3-62013 Utah 5-7 2-72014 Utah 9-4 5-4 W (Colorado State/Las Vegas)2015 Utah 9-3 6-3Totals Utah 94-46 20-25 8-1**Co-head coach in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl
Utah Fast FactsLocation: Salt Lake City, UtahPresident: David W. Pershing, Ph.D.Athletics Director: Chris Hill, Ph.D.Conference: Pac-12Enrollment: 31,673Nickname: UtesColors: Red & WhiteStadium: Rice-Eccles (45,807/FieldTurf)Website: www.UtahUtes.com
Series Record: Utah leads 57-34-4First Game: 1896 (Utah 12-4)Last Game: 2013 (Utah 20-13)Series Streak: Won 4Last Utah Win: 2013 (20-13)Last BYU Win: 2009 (26-23/OT)In Salt Lake City: 38-17-3In Provo: 19-17-1Neutral Site: 0-0
Series Snapshot: Utah leads the series with BYU 57-34-4, although the Cougars don’t recognize six games (split equally 3-3) when it was known as the Brigham Young Academy. Regardless of who is counting, this is the second-longest rivalry in Utah history. Utah has won four straight games against BYU and nine of the last 12. They last played in 2013—a 20-13 Utah win in Provo. The regular-season series will resume next fall.
Utah-BYU Series (57-34-4)
1896 W ....12-4 ............Apr. 6 ......H1896 W ....6-0 ..............Nov. 14 ..H1896 L ......6-8 ..............Dec. 5 ....A1897 L ......0-14 ............Dec. 4 ....H1897 L ......0-22 ............Dec. 18 ..A1898 W ....5-0 ..............Nov. 24 ...H1922 W ....49-0 ............Oct. 14 ....H1923 W ....15-0 ............Oct. 27 ....A1924 W ....35-6 ............Oct. 25 ....H1925 W ....27-0 ............Oct. 31 ....A1926 W ....40-7 ............Nov. 13 ...H1927 W ....20-0 ............Nov. 12 ...A1928 T ......0-0 ..............Nov. 17 ...H1929 W ....45-13 ..........Nov. 2 .....H1930 W ....34-7 ............Oct. 18 ....H1931 W ....43-0 ............Oct. 17 ....H1932 W ....29-0 ............Oct. 15 ....H1933 W ....21-6 ............Oct. 14 ....H1934 W ....43-0 ............Oct. 13 ....H1935 W ....32-0 ............Nov. 2 .....A1936 W ....18-0 ............Oct. 31 ....H1937 W ....14-0 ............Oct. 2 ......H1938 T ......7-7 ..............Oct. 15 ....H1939 W ....35-13 ..........Oct. 14 ....A1940 W ....12-6 ............Oct. 5 ......H1941 T ......6-6 ..............Oct. 18 ....H1942 L ......7-12 ............Oct. 10 ....H1946 W ....35-6 ............Oct. 12 ....A1947 W ....28-6 ............Oct. 11 ....H1948 W ....30-0 ............Oct. 9 ......A1949 W ....38-0 ............Oct. 8 ......H1950 T ......28-28 ..........Oct. 7 ......A1951 W ....7-6 ..............Oct. 6 ......H1952 W ....34-6 ............Oct. 11 ....H1953 W ....33-32 ..........Nov. 26 ...H1954 W ....12-7 ............Oct. 9 ......A1955 W ....41-9 ............Oct. 8 ......H1956 W ....41-6 ............Oct. 5 ......A1957 W ....27-0 ............Oct. 12 ....H1958 L ......7-14 ............Sep. 27 ...H1959 W ....20-8 ............Oct. 9 ......H1960 W ....17-0 ............Oct. 7 ......H1961 W ....21-20 ..........Oct. 14 ....H1962 W ....35-20 ..........Oct. 13 ....H1963 W ....15-6 ............Oct. 12 ....H1964 W ....47-13 ..........Nov. 7 .....H1965 L ......20-25 ..........Nov. 6 .....A1966 L ......13-35 ..........Nov. 12 ...H
1967 L ......13-17 ..........Oct. 28 ....A1968 W ....30-21 ..........Nov. 2 .....H1969 W ....16-6 ............Nov. 22 ...A1970 W ....14-13 ..........Nov. 21 ...H1971 W ....17-15 ..........Nov. 20 ...A1972 L ......7-16 ............Nov. 18 ...H1973 L ......22-46 ..........Nov. 24 ...H1974 L ......20-48 ..........Nov. 23 ...A1975 L ......20-51 ..........Nov. 15 ...A1976 L ......12-34 ..........Nov. 20 ...H1977 L ......8-38 ............Nov. 5 .....A1978 W ....23-22 ..........Nov. 18 ...H1979 L ......0-27 ............Nov. 17 ...A1980 L ......6-56 ............Nov. 22 ...H1981 L ......28-56 ..........Nov. 21 ...A1982 L ......12-17 ..........Nov. 20 ...H1983 L ......7-55 ............Nov. 19 ...A1984 L ......14-24 ..........Nov. 17 ...H1985 L ......28-38 ..........Nov. 23 ...A1986 L ......21-35 ..........Nov. 22 ...H1987 L ......18-21 ..........Nov. 21 ...A1988 W ....57-28 ..........Nov. 19 ...H1989 L ......31-70 ..........Nov. 18 ...A1990 L ......22-45 ..........Nov. 17 ...H1991 L ......17-48 ..........Nov. 23 ...A1992 L ......22-31 ..........Nov. 21 ...H1993 W ....34-31 ..........Nov. 20 ...A1994 W ....34-31 ..........Nov. 19 ...H1995 W ....34-17 ..........Nov. 18 ...A1996 L ......17-37 ..........Nov. 23 ...H1997 W ....20-14 ..........Nov. 22 ...A1998 L ......24-26 ..........Nov. 21 ...H1999 W ....20-17 ..........Nov. 20 ...A2000 L ......27-34 ..........Nov. 24 ...H2001 L ......21-24 ..........Nov. 17 ...A2002 W ....13-6 ............Nov. 23 ...H2003 W ....3-0 ..............Nov. 22 ...A2004 W ....52-21 ..........Nov. 20 ...H2005 W ....41-34 (OT) ..Nov. 19 ...A2006 L ......31-33 ..........Nov. 25 ...H2007 L ......10-17 ..........Nov. 24 ...A2008 W ....48-24 ..........Nov. 22 ...H2009 L ......23-26 (OT) ..Nov. 28 ...A2010 W ....17-16 ..........Nov. 27 ...H2011 W ....54-10 ..........Sep. 17 ...A2012 W ....24-21 ..........Sep. 15 ...H2013 W ....20-13 ..........Sep. 21 ...A
Utah StatchatNo. 1 in the nation in net punting (43.67). No. 2 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in fi eld goals made (23). No. 6 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in rushing defense (111.8). No. 6 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in turnovers gained (29). No. 7 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in interceptions (19). No. 2 Pac-12 in turnover margin (+0.67 per game; 29 gained, 21 lost).No. 2 Pac-12 in time of possession (32:41). No. 2 Pac-12 in red zone offense (90.7%, 39-of-43). No. 2 Pac-12 in kick return defense (20.57)No. 2 Pac-12 in fi rst downs allowed (232).No. 2 Pac-12 in total defense (365.2).No. 2 Pac-12 in scoring defense (21.8). No. 2 Pac-12 in red zone defense (81.0%, 34-of-42).No. 2 Pac-12 in fumbles recovered (10).No. 2 Pac-12 in fourth-down conversions (70.0, 14-of-20).No. 3 Pac-12 in tackles for loss (7.2/game). No. 3 Pac-12 in pass effi ciency defense (120.33). No. 3 Pac-12 in fewest penalties (65). No. 3 Pac-12 in defensive touchdowns (3). See page 3 for more Utah rankings.
Utah-BYU SeriesUtah leads the series with BYU 57-34-4, although the Cougars don’t recognize six games (split 3-3) when it was known as the Brigham Young Academy. Utah has won four straight games against BYU and nine of the last 12. They have not met since 2013—a 20-13 Utah win in Provo. The regular-season series will resume in September. Kyle Whittingham is 6-3 against the Cougars as Utah’s head coach.
Connec onsUtah has three players on its travel roster from Las Vegas: redshirt freshman defensive back Casey Hughes (Legacy HS), senior slot back Bubba Poole (Cimarron HS) and junior running back Marcus Sanders-Williams (Durango HS) … Three of Utah’s coaches played at BYU, including head coach Kyle Whittingham (1978-81). As a senior, he was the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a fi rst-team all-WAC linebacker. Ute co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick (1997-98) played receiver for BYU and linebackers coach Justin Ena (1997-2001) was a three-time all-conference linebacker … Cougar defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi coached at Utah from 1994-2001 as a graduate assistant, defensive line coach and defensive ends coach.
Two-Minute DrillUtah and BYU have played four common opponents this season in Michigan, UCLA, Fresno State and Utah State. Utah was 3-1 with wins over Michigan, Fresno State and USU and a loss to UCLA. The Cougars were 2-2 with wins over Fresno State and USU and losses to Michigan and UCLA … The Utah program was recognized for academic excellence by the American Football Coaches Association for having a Federal Graduation Rate of 75 percent or better. Utah was one of 65 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision institutions to attain a GSR of 75 percent or better.
In the HuddleQuarterback Travis Wilson is the reigning Las Vegas Bowl MVP. Wilson rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 158 yards (completing 17-of-26 attempts) and a touchdown in a 45-10 win over Colorado State … Linebacker Jared Norris was named the 2014 Las Vegas Bowl Defensive “Out-Performer” of the game … In addition to unanimous consensus All-America punter Tom Hackett, two other Utes have received 2015 All-America recognition: kicker Andy Phillips (CBS Sports, 2nd team) and receiver/punt returner Britain Covey (Pro Football Focus Freshman All-American 1st team receiver; Sporting News Freshman All-American, 1st team punter) … Six true freshmen have played this season—Covey, Tyrone Smith, Cody Barton, Austin Lee, Caleb Repp and Taylor Loomis—and three (Covey, Smith and Repp) have started.
Last GameUtah’s swarming defense forced and recovered a fumble with 0:30 left to secure a 20-14 victory over Colorado on Nov. 28 and clinch a share of the school’s fi rst Pac-12 South Division title. Senior Viliseni Fauonuku had a career day, tying the school record with four sacks (7 total tackles) and forcing the fi nal CU fumble on a quarterback sack. Gionni Paul had a game-high 13 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, Marcus Williams had six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, and Kylie Fitts blocked a fi eld goal attempt, along with 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup to lead the Utes. Utah’s touchdowns came in the fi rst and third quarters on a 16-yard reception by Kenneth Scott and a 5-yard rush by Joe Williams, who tallied a career-high 187 yards on 34 carries. Andy Phillips made both of his fi eld goal attempts to complete Utah’s scoring. Ray Guy Award fi nalist Tom Hackett aver-aged 50.6 yards on seven punts, placing three inside the 20-yard line. Colorado’s lone punt return was for minus-3 yards.
Utah’s All-Time RecordUtah’s all-time football record is 651-449-31. The Utes are 396-186-16 at home (78-29 in Rice-Eccles Stadium, which opened in 1998), 235-246-12 in road games and 20-17-3 in games played at neutral sites.
Utah vs. the Pac-12Utah is 20-25 in league games as a conference member and 96-144-6 all-time against Pac-12 schools. The series breakdown follows: Arizona (1-4/20-19-2), Arizona State (1-4/7-20), California (2-1/5-5), Colorado (4-1/28-31-3), Oregon (1-2/9-20), Oregon State (3-2/8-11-1), Stanford (2-0/4-3), UCLA (2-3/3-11), USC (1-4/4-10), Washington (1-2/1-8), Washington State (2-2/7-7).
Whi ngham FileIn 11 seasons as Utah’s head coach Kyle Whittingham—the 2008 National Coach of the Year—has the second-most wins in school his-tory and a 94-46 career record. He was named the 2015 CBSSports.com Midseason Coach of the Year and was a semifi nalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award. He was the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week for Utah’s win over California. Whittingham boasts an 8-1 bowl record that includes a 2009 Sugar Bowl win over No. 4 Alabama. He is tied for the best bowl win percentage in NCAA FBS history (88.9%) with former USC coach John Robinson. See the sidebar on page 3 for more on Whittingham.
BYU Head Coach Bronco MendenhallAlma Mater, Year: Oregon State, 1988Career Record (year): 99-42Record at BYU (year): 99-42
Quarterback Notebook> Senior Travis Wilson, who has started since his true fresh-man season, is the school record holder for games played (45) and started (38) at quarterback. He ranks second in career wins (23). See sidebar on page 7 for more.> Wilson is 8-3 in 11 starts this season (he missed the Fresno State game with an injury) and 23-15 in his career. > Wilson has completed 186-of-298 (62.4%) pass attempts for 2,024 yards and 13 touchdowns (10 INT).> Wilson leads the Pac-12 with a 235.86 quarterback rating in the red zone, completing 10 of 16 passes (62.5%) for 79 yards and seven touchdown passes (1 INT).> Wilson is Utah’s second-leading rusher with 125 attempts for 467 yards and six touchdowns. He ranks second among Pac-12 quarterbacks in rushing yards per game (42.5).> Wilson was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week and the Maxwell Award Player of the Week after Utah’s win at Oregon on Sept. 26. He passed for 227 yards and four touch-downs against the Ducks, while also rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown.> Wilson has 16 career 200-yard passing games, including fi ve this season (297 vs. Arizona State, 254 vs. USC, 227 vs. Oregon, 219 vs. Arizona and 210 vs. Michigan). He has three career 300-yard games.> Wilson has two career 100-yard rushing games and 20 career rushing touchdowns, which is tied for seventh in school history.> Wilson is the school record holder with 74 career total touchdowns (54 passing, 20 rushing). See “Wilson in the Utah Career Record Book” for more.
Wilson in the Utah Career Record BookGames Played by a QB: 45 (1st)Starts: 38 (1st)Wins: 23 (2nd)Completions: 637 (3rd) Attempts: 1,052 (2nd) Yards: 7,332 (4th) Touchdown Passes: 54 (3rd) Total Offense: 8,533 (3rd)Total Touchdowns: 74 (1st)Rushing Touchdowns: 20 (7th-T)
> Senior Kendal Thompson has played in three games this season and is 1-0 as the starter (against Fresno State). In two seasons at Utah, he has played in 10 games with three starts and a 2-1 record. > Thompson is 28-of-36 passing (77.8%) for 220 yards, one interception and one touchdown. He has not appeared in the last eight games.
Games Played (Leaders)Travis Wilson (2012-present) ................ 45Brian Johnson (2004-05, 07-08) .............. 44Darnell Arceneaux (1997-2000) ............... 33Don VanGalder (1971-73) ....................... 33Scott Mitchell (1987-89) ........................... 32Mike McCoy (1992-94) ............................ 31Alex Smith (2002-04) ............................... 25Lance Rice (2000-02) .............................. 23Mark Stevens (1983-84) .......................... 23Mike Fouts (1995-96) .............................. 23
Running Back Notebook> Junior Joe Williams has replaced two-time All-Pac-12 running back Devontae Booker, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Arizona on Nov. 14. > Williams has played in nine games with one start (Colorado) and has 79 carries for 386 yards (4.9 average). He also has nine receptions for 62 receiving yards and is tied for fourth on the team with 448 all-purpose yards.> In the month of November, Williams was third in the Pac-12 in yards per game from scrimmage (129.7) and fourth in rushing yards per game (115.0).> In the regular-season fi nale against Colorado, Williams rushed 34 times for a career-high 187 yards (5.5 ypc) and a one touchdown. His 34 carries is tied with Booker for the most during a single game in the Pac-12 this season. > In his other signifi cant action fi lling in for Booker, Williams rushed for 121 yards against UCLA. > Backing up Williams is senior Bubba Poole, who is also the starting slot re-ceiver. Poole, Utah’s leading rusher in 2013, moved to slot back in the spring.> Booker fi nished his senior season averaging 126.1 yards per game and 130.9 yards per game in conference play. > At the time of his injury, Booker was leading the nation in touches from scrim-mage with 305 (268 rushes, 37 receptions) and rushing attempts per game (26.8).> Booker holds two of the top fi ve positions in Utah’s record book for rushing yards in a single season: 1,512 yards in 2014 (2nd) and 1,261 yards this season (5th).> Booker is one of just two Utes to record back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing sea-sons and one of three Utes ever to rush for 1,000 yards in two seasons. > Booker ranks third all-time at Utah in career rushing yards (2,773) and fi rst among players with two-year careers. > Booker is Utah’s all-time leader in career rushing yards per game (120.6). See “Booker in the Utah Career Record Book” for more.> Booker was the Pac-12 Player of the Week against California on Oct. 10 for his season-best 222 rushing yards and 267 all-purpose yards.> Booker tied the school record with 14 career 100-yard games (2015 in bold): Oregon State (229), California (222), Washington State (178), Colorado State (162), Fresno State (156), UCLA (156), Washington (150), Arizona State (146), Arizona (145), Arizona (142), Oregon State (121), Utah State (120), Arizona State (118) and USC (102).> Booker’s seven 100-yard games this season equals his total from 2014 and is tied for third in school history.> Booker also had 37 receptions for 318 yards.
Booker in the Utah Career Record BookRushes: 560 (4th) Net Yards: 2,773 (3rd)Yards Per Game: 120.6 (1st)Rushing Touchdowns: 21 (6th)100-Yard Games: 14 (1st-T)All-Purpose Yards: 3,454 (6th)
Receiver Notebook> True freshman slot receiver Britain Covey, Utah’s leading receiver and the best freshman wideout in the Pac-12, missed the regular-season fi nale with Colorado due to injury. His status for the bowl game is to be determined.> Covey was named a fi rst-team Freshman All-American by Pro Football Focus.> Covey has played in 11 games with eight starts and leads Utah with 41 receptions, 518 yards and four touchdowns (tied). He is averaging 12.6 yards per catch.> Covey leads all Pac-12 freshman receivers in yards (518), yards per game (47.1), touchdown catches (4) and receptions per game (3.7). He is second among league freshmen in total receptions (41).> Covey had a season-high 129 receiving yards (7 catches) and two touch-downs at USC. > Senior Kenneth Scott has started all 12 games at X receiver and has 36 career starts. > Scott is tied for the team lead in touchdown catches (4) and ranks second in receptions (38) and receiving yards (448). > Scott had a career-high 116 yards and a touchdown against Arizona State. > Scott has also drawn nine pass interference penalties.> Scott’s 126 career receptions ranks 10th in school history and is two away from moving into ninth.> Senior slot back Bubba Poole has played in all 12 games with four starts.> Poole has 24 catches for 145 yards. He will also serve as a backup run-ning back for the bowl game and has eight rushes for 26 yards and one touchdown.> Others likely to play are true freshman Tyrone Smith, redshirt freshman Raelon Singleton, junior Delshawn McClellon and true freshman tight end Caleb Repp.
Tight End Notebook> Sophomore Harrison Handley has appeared in all 12 games with fi ve starts. His 19 catches for 270 yards (team-high 14.2 average) leads the tight ends and his four touchdowns is tied for the team lead.> Others who have played and started are freshman Caleb Repp and junior Ken Hampel.> Redshirt freshman Wallace Gonzalez made his fi rst appearance of the season against Colorado.> Season-ending injuries sidelined two starters: senior Evan Moeai and junior Siale Fakailoatonga. Moeai will apply to the NCAA for another year on his clock.
Off ensive Line Notebook> Junior second-team All-Pac-12 right tackle J.J. Dielman, junior honor-able mention all-conference left guard Isaac Asiata and junior left tackle Sam Tevi have started every game.> Dielman has played in 26 games in his career with 25 starts.> Dielman leads Utah with 32 cuts and is second in total plays (804).+> Dielman’s fi ve cuts against USC is the team’s single-game high this season.> Asiata has started in 29 of his 31 career games played.> Asiata leads the offensive line in total plays (806)+ and is second with 18 cuts.+> Senior Siaosi Aiono, Utah’s only senior starter on the offensive line, has 30 total career starts, including eight at right tackle as a sophomore. > Junior Hiva Lutui and sophomore Salesi Uhatafe split time at right guard, where Uhatafe has seven starts and Lutui has fi ve starts. Lutui has seven total starts, with two coming at center.
Utah Single-Game Highs (Career)
Passing YardsTravis Wilson ..............311, 2x (last vs. Colorado, 2014)Kendal Thompson ......159 vs. Fresno State, 2015
Rushing YardsDevontae Booker ........229 vs. Oregon State, 2014Joe Williams ...............187 vs. Colorado, 2015Travis Wilson ..............142 vs. Oregon State, 2013Bubba Poole ...............117 vs. Oregon State, 2013Kendal Thompson ......83 vs. UCLA, 2014
Receiving YardsBritain Covey ..............129 vs. USC, 2015 Kenneth Scott .............116 vs. Arizona State, 2015 Devontae Booker ........110 vs. Oregon, 2014Bubba Poole ...............75, 2x (last vs. Michigan, 2014)Harrison Handley ........69 vs. Arizona, 2015Delshawn McClellon ...55 vs. Colorado, 2014Cory Butler-Byrd .........54 vs. California, 2015Tyrone Smith ..............50 vs. Arizona State, 2015Siale Fakailoatonga ....45 vs. Fresno State, 2015Joe Williams ...............31 vs. UCLA, 2015Ken Hampel ................29 vs. Arizona State, 2015Caleb Repp .................25 vs. Oregon, 2015Raelon Singleton ........25 vs. Oregon State, 2015
Tackles Gionni Paul .................17 vs. USC, 2015Jared Norris ................14 vs. Arizona, 2013Jason Whittingham .....14 vs. Arizona State, 2013Chase Hansen ............11 vs. Washington, 2015Jason Fanaika ............10 vs. Oregon State, 2014Marcus Williams .........10 vs. Arizona State, 2014
InterceptionsDominique Hatfi eld .....2 vs. California, 2015 Gionni Paul .................1, 8x (last vs. Colorado, 2015)Marcus Williams .........1, 6x (last vs. Colorado, 2015)Justin Thomas ............1, 3x (last vs. Arizona, 2015)Cory Butler-Byrd .........1, 3x (last vs. Colorado, 2015) Tevin Carter ................1, 2x (last vs. UCLA, 2014)Brian Allen ..................1 vs. Arizona, 2015Jason Fanaika ............1 vs. USC, 2014
Field Goal LongAndy Phillips ...............53 vs. USC, 2015
Punt LongTom Hackett ................76 vs. Oregon, 2015
Kickoff Return YardsCory Butler-Byrd .........98 vs. Fresno State, 2015Britain Covey ..............66 vs. Washington, 2015 Delshawn McClellon ...60 vs. Oregon State, 2013Devontae Booker ........45 vs. Fresno State, 2014Bubba Poole ...............38 vs. Utah State, 2013Boobie Hobbs .............17, 2x (last vs. Fresno State, 2015)
Punt Return YardsBubba Poole ...............82 vs. Weber State, 2013 Britain Covey ..............77 vs. Fresno State, 2015 Boobie Hobbs .............69 vs. Oregon, 2015
> Tevi, a one-time Ute defensive lineman, has played in 15 games on the offensive line in the last two seasons and is in his fi rst season starting at left tackle. > Redshirt freshman Jackson Barton is part of a planned substitution pattern at left tackle.
Name GP*/GS Plays+ Cuts+Asiata 12/12 806 18 Dielman 12/12 804 32 Aiono 10/10 671 14 Tevi 12/12 615 8 Uhatafe 12/7 518 2 Lutui 11/7 444 7Barton 10/0 208 3 Nowakowski 1/0 10 0Albers 1/0 10 0+Statistics were not kept for the Colorado game on Nov. 28*On the line; does not include special teams’ play
Defensive Line Notebook> Sophomore tackle Lowell Lotulelei is a fi rst-team All-Pac-12 selec-tion. A year ago, he was a USA Today Freshman All-American. > Lotulelei, the younger brother of former Utah All-American and cur-rent Carolina Panther Star Lotulelei, has played in all 25 games since his true freshman season with 18 starts.> Four players rotate at defensive tackle: Lotulelei, senior Viliseni Fauonuku, junior Stevie Tu’ikolovatu and sophomore Filipo Mokofi si.> Fauonuku tied the school record for sacks in a game with four against Colorado (his fi rst sacks of the season). He also forced a fumble on the fi nal drive of the game to clinch the win for the Utes and had a career-high seven tackles. > Tu’ikolovatu’s three fumble recoveries is tied for the most in the Pac-12 and third in the nation. He recovered two fumbles against Washington and scored a 37-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery against Fresno State. > Mokofi si has played in eight games with six starts. He missed four games with injury but returned to action against Colorado. > Honorable mention All-Pac-12 senior end Jason Fanaika is the leading tackler on the line and ranks fi fth overall with 50 tackles. He is second on the team in TFL (9.5).> Fanaika is tied for fourth in the league in fumbles caused (2).> Junior end Kylie Fitts is tied for the Pac-12 lead in forced fumbles (3) and forced fumbles per game (0.25). > Fitts’ 10 pass breakups leads Utah and is tied for second in the Pac-12. He is tied for sixth in the league in total passes defended (10). > Fitts is tied for the team sack lead (6.0) and averages 0.50 sacks per game. Both fi gures are tied for sixth in the Pac-12. > Junior end Hunter Dimick, a 2014 honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection, missed six games to injury, but saw some action in the regular-season fi nale vs. Colorado. > Dimick has 6.0 TFL in just six games played (fi ve starts). > Junior end Pita Taumoepenu is tied for fi rst on the team and sixth in the Pac-12 in sacks (6.0) and sacks per game (0.50). > 67% of Taumoepenu’s total tackles this season (6-of-9) have been sacks and 42.2% of his career tackles have been for a loss (13.5-of-32), including 12.5 sacks.
The Last Time
Utah shut out an opponentvs. Northern Colorado, Aug. 30, 2012 (41-0)
Utah held an opponent without a TDvs. Northern Colorado, Aug. 30, 2012 (41-0)
Utah was shut outvs. UNLV, Sept. 22, 2007 (27-0)
Utah was held without a touchdownvs. UCLA, Nov. 21, 2015 (17-9)
Utah played an overtime gamevs. Arizona, Nov. 14, 2015 (2OT) - L, 37-30
An interception was returned for a TDBy Utah: Justin Thomas, 55 yards vs. Michigan, 2015By Opp: USC, Oct. 24, 2015
A kickoff was returned for a touchdownBy Utah: Cory Butler-Byrd, 98 yards vs. Fresno State, 2015By Opp: Arizona State, Oct. 17, 2015
A punt was returned for a touchdownBy Utah: 2015 (two times):Britain Covey, 77 yards vs. Fresno State, 2015Boobie Hobbs, 69 yards vs. Oregon, 2015By Opp: Oregon, Sept. 19, 2009
A fumble was returned for a touchdownBy Utah: 2015 (two times):Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, 37 yards vs. Fresno State, 2015Gionni Paul, 54 yards vs. Washington, 2015 By Opp: Arizona, Nov. 22, 2014
A blocked FG was returned for a TDBy Utah: Jay Hill, 58 yards vs. Wyoming, Nov. 6, 1999By Opp: USC, Sept. 10, 2011
A blocked punt was returned for a TDBy Utah: Aiona Key, 6 yards vs. Wyoming, Oct. 11, 2008By Opp: Utah State, Sept. 7, 2012
A safety was scoredBy Utah: Utah State, Sept. 3, 2009By Opp: Arizona State, Oct. 17, 2015
Utah had 2 100-yard rushers in a gameSept. 14, 2013 vs. Oregon State (Travis Wilson/Bubba Poole)
Utah had 2 100-yard receivers in a gameNov. 8, 2014 vs. Oregon (Devontae Booker/Kaelin Clay)
Linebacker Notebook> All-conference seniors Gionni Paul and Jared Norris rate among the best linebacker tandems in the nation.> Paul, a fi rst-team All-Pac-12 selection, leads Utah and ranks second in the Pac-12 in total tackles (109) and tackles per game (9.1). > Paul leads Utah and is sixth in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss (12.5) and TFL per game (1.04). > Paul has a team-high seven takeaways (4 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries) and has participated in eight total takeaways, including a forced fumble that was recovered by Utah. > Paul ranks in the top fi ve in the league in interceptions (4), fumble recoveries (3) and forced fumbles (2). > Paul was named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after Utah’s win over Washington. > Paul was also the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week in Utah’s win over Utah State. He has won three career Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week awards and fi ve career conference weekly awards (he won ACC Linebacker of the Week twice while playing for Miami).> Norris, a second-team All-Pac-12 selection, is a three-year starter who has played in 41 games in his career with 31 starts. > Norris, who has played in 11 games (missed the USC game), is second on the team in tackles (86) and tackles per game (7.8). He is seventh in the league in tackles per game. > Norris is tied for fourth in the league in total forced fumbles (2) and ranks fi fth in forced fumbles per game (0.18). > Norris has 11 career double-fi gure tackle games, including four this season (Utah State, Fresno State, Washington and UCLA).> Senior Jason Whittingham, the starting stud linebacker, has also seen time at defensive end. > Whittingham’s 25 tackles include 6.0 for loss (1.5 sacks).
Secondary Notebook> First-team All-Pac-12 sophomore safety Marcus Williams is tied for the Pac-12 lead in interceptions with fi ve (tied for 17th nationally). > Williams ranks third on the team in tackles (63), followed by senior strong safety Tevin Carter (56). > Junior nickel back Justin Thomas, junior cornerback Dominique Hatfi eld and junior cornerback Cory Butler-Byrd are tied for fi fth in the Pac-12 in interceptions with three each.> Thomas was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 7 (Michigan). > Thomas has seven total passes defended (3 INT, 4 PBU). > Butler-Byrd (3 INT, 4 PBU) has played in all 12 games with three starts at corner (1 at receiver) in his fi rst season at Utah. > Junior cornerback Reginald Porter is second on the team in pass breakups (7). > Porter’s four pass breakups against Oregon State tied the school single-game record.> Junior Brian Allen started the last three games at corner, his fi rst career starts. He has an interception, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
2015 Utah Situa onal RecordWhen Utah scores fi rst: 7-0When the Opponent scores fi rst: 2-3When Utah has more rushing yards: 9-2 When Opp. has more rushing yards: 0-1When Utah has more passing yards: 2-1 When Opp. has more passing yards: 7-2
When Utah plays at home: 6-1When Utah plays on the road: 3-2When the Game is on a neutral site: 0-0 When Utah plays on grass: 0-1When Utah plays on artifi cial turf: 9-2When Utah plays a day game: 2-2When Utah plays a night game: 7-1
When Utah leads at halftime: 8-0When Utah trails at halftime: 0-3When Utah is tied at halftime: 1-0When Utah leads after 3 quarters: 8-0When Utah trails after 3 quarters: 1-2When Utah is tied after 3 quarters: 0-1When outcome is 10 or more points: 6-1When outcome is 7 or less points: 3-1When the game goes into overtime: 0-1
Pun ng Notebook> Utah leads in the nation in net punting (43.67). > Senior Tom Hackett is a two-time Ray Guy Award winner and consensus All-American (2014-15). He is the only Ray Guy Award winner in Utah and Pac-12 history and Utah’s only two-time consensus All-American. > Hackett is a unanimous consensus All-American this season after making all fi ve (fi rst) teams that determine consensus All-American: Walter Camp, AP, FWAA, Sporting News and AFCA. He was also a fi rst-team All-American by USA Today, Sports Illustrated and ESPN.com.> Hackett is the second unanimous consensus All-American in school history with Louie Sakoda (kicker, 2008). > Hackett is a three-time fi rst-team All-Pac-12 selection and just the third punter in Pac-12 history to win fi rst-team honors three times. > Hackett was the youngest member named to the Pac-12 All-Century Football Team and the only current Pac-12 player. > Hackett’s 47.8 punt average leads the Pac-12 and ranks third in the nation. He has 55 punts for 2,628 yards.> Hackett has 24 punts inside the 20-yard line (43.6% of his total punts), 11 inside the 10-yard line and two inside the fi ve. > Hackett leads the Pac-12 in punts of 50+ yards with 20.> Hackett was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week and Ray Guy Award Player of the Week against Oregon when he averaged 60.3 yards on three punts and placed all three inside the 10-yard line (2 inside the 5-yard line). He also rushed for 33 yards on a fake punt. > Hackett holds the school record for punts of 50 yards or lon-ger with 65. He has four punts of 70+ yards.> Hackett has placed 43.2% (102-of-236) of his career punts inside the 20-yard line, including 48 inside the 10-yard line and 18 inside the 5-yard line.> Hackett’s 10,636 career punt yards is the most in school his-tory and he ranks second all-time in career punts (236).> In his career, Hackett is 3-for-3 on fake punt plays for fi rst downs.
Kicking Notebook> Utah and junior kicker Andy Phillips are tied for No. 2 in the nation and lead the Pac-12 in fi eld goals made with 23.> Phillips, a second-team All-American by CBS Sports, is tied fi rst in the nation in fi eld goals made from 30+ yards (20) and he has made 83.3% of his attempts from that range (20-of-24). Inside the 40, he is one of two kickers in the country to make at least 15 fi eld goals without a miss. > Phillips is 8-of-12 from 40+ yards (1-of-1 from 50+).> Phillips is 23-of-27 overall (85.2%) and his four misses were all from at least 45 yards (average miss of 47 yards).> Phillips has made 22-of-24 fi eld goal attempts in the last 10 games, including his last 10 tries. > Phillips is third in the Pac-12 in scoring (9.3 ppg). > Phillips is a three-time All-Pac-12 selection (fi rst team 2014, honorable mention 2013 and 2015).> A three-time Lou Groza Award semifi nalist, Phillips has won the Lou Groza Award “Star of the Week” three times this season (California, Washington and Arizona) and four times in his career.> Phillips is the school record holder in fi eld goals made (63)
Current NFL Utes
Defensive LineStar Lotulelei-CarolinaTenny Palepoi-San Diego (IR)Derrick Shelby-MiamiSealver Siliga-New EnglandPaul Soliai-Atlanta
and attempted (75) in a career. He currently ranks third in career fi eld goal percentage (84.0). > Phillips is 29-of-38 (76.3%) in his career from 40+ yards and 4-of-4 from 50+ yards (career long of 53).> Phillips has made 127-of-128 career PATs. His 127 success-ful PATs is second in school history.
Special Teams Notebook > Utah has three returns for touchdowns (2 punt, 1 kickoff). > True freshman Britain Covey was named a Freshman All-American by Sporting News as its fi rst-team punt returner. > Covey, an honorable mention All-Pac-12 return specialist, ranks third in the Pac-12 and 19th in the nation in punt return average (11.7). He did not have any returns against UCLA after leaving the game early with an injury and did not play against Colorado.> Covey has 21 of Utah’s 30 total punt returns for 246 yards. He is second in the Pac-12 in punt returns (21) and third in punt return yards (246). > Covey is second on the team in kickoff returns with six and averages 24.5 yards a return. > If Covey can’t play in the Las Vegas Bowl, look for Boobie Hobbs to return punts. Hobbs has nine punt returns for 79 yards (8.8 average) and a touchdown.> Cory Butler-Byrd leads Utah in kickoff returns (8), yards (223) and average (27.9).> Butler-Byrd was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for the Fresno State game after taking the fi rst kickoff return of his Utah career back for a 98-yard touchdown.> Junior snapper Chase Dominguez is in his third season as the starter. He has handled every snap for Utah’s punts and placekicks since 2013 (36 games). > Dominguez has 417 career snaps: 214 punt (including 3 fake punts), 75 fi eld goal and 128 PAT. Standing Ova onUtah has sold out 38 consecutive games in Rice-Eccles sta-dium, dating back to the 2010 season opener. Of the sellouts, 35 were played before standing-room only crowds, including all seven home games this season. Utah set a new single-season attendance record in 2015 (46,533).
NotableUtah’s roster includes 33 players of Polynesian descent. Ac-cording to ESPN, there are more Polynesians who played for Utah (8) on current NFL rosters than any other school. They are: Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota; Star Lotulelei, DT, Carolina; Koa Misi, LB, Miami; Nate Orchard, DE, Cleveland; Tenny Palepoi, DT, San Diego; Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Tennessee; Sealver Siliga, DT, New England; and Paul Soliai, DT, Atlanta. For a complete list of Utes on current NFL rosters, see page 10 … Jason Fanaika has the team’s best squat (830 pounds) and bench press (495 pounds) … The three fastest 40 times were recorded by Delshawn McClellon (4.37), Joe Williams (4.38) and Justin Thomas (4.40) … The 2015 team captains are kicker Andy Phillips, running back Devontae Booker, re-ceiver Kenneth Scott, and linebackers Gionni Paul and Jared
Norris. Phillips, a junior, is in his second season as a team captain … New FieldTurf was installed in Rice-Eccles Stadium between Utah’s home games on Sept. 11 and Oct. 10. It is Rice-Eccles Stadium’s third rendition of FieldTurf, which was initially installed in 2002 and replaced in 2009. The new turf features CoolPlay cork infi ll, which FieldTurf laboratory tests show is 35 degrees cooler than traditional sand/rubber systems.
Ute Story LinesDefensive back Philip Afi a grew up playing soccer and had never even seen a football game before trying out for his high school team as a freshman kicker ... Hayden Clegg likes surfi ng, hiking, yoga and guitar … Viliseni Fauonuku saved a man’s life in October by performing CPR on the apparent overdose victim after he stopped breathing. The incident oc-curred in an apartment complex where Fauonuku was visiting a teammate … 22-year-old redshirt freshman tight end Wallace Gonzalez spent three years as an outfi elder in the Houston As-tros’ farm system. Gonzalez was drafted out of high school in the 29th round of the 2011 MLB Draft … Utah kicker Jon Hal-liday is married to BYU gymnast Makenzie Johnson Halliday … Jared Norris attended a pro skateboarding camp (Camp Woodward) in high school, and at (then) 6’1”, 230 pounds, was the biggest skateboarder ever to attend. He also enjoys snow-boarding … Andy Phillips, a former fi ve-year member of the U.S. Ski Team (2007-11), had never played in a football game at any level prior to walking on at Utah … Kendal Thompson is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma (his mother is one-half Kiowa) … Travis Wilson is one-quarter Japanese (pa-ternal grandmother) … Dre’Vian Young is interested in fi lm animation and has made several fi lms.
Family NamesIsaac Asiata’s cousin Matt Asiata plays running back for the Minnesota Vikings … Both parents of redshirt freshman of-fensive lineman Jackson Barton and true freshman linebacker Cody Barton were two-sport athletes at Utah. Mother Mikki Kane-Barton, a member of Utah’s Crimson Club Hall of Fame, was an all-conference basketball and volleyball player for the Utes and the 1993 WAC Basketball Player of the Year. Father Paul Barton played football (QB) and baseball (pitcher) for the U … Britain Covey’s grandfather Stephen Covey authored the bestseller “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” … Chase Dominguez’ identical twin (Reid) plays varsity volleyball at UC Irvine … Pena Fitisemanu’s uncle, Ken Niumatalolo, is the head football coach at Navy … Austin Lee’s grandfather Gordon Lee played football at Utah from 1959-61 and coached the Ute running backs from 1964-65 … Lowell Lotulelei is the younger brother of former Ute All-American and fi rst-round NFL draft pick Star Lotulelei (Carolina Panthers) … Filipo Mokofi si and Sharrieff Shah Jr. share the name of their fathers, who were both former Utah football stars (the elder Sharrieff Shah now coaches Utah’s cornerbacks) … Kendal Thompson’s father Charles Thompson was the starting quar-terback for Oklahoma as a freshman and sophomore in 1987-88 and was fi rst-team all-Big Eight Conference in 1988 … Kyle Whittingham’s son Alex Whittingham and nephews Jason Whittingham and Sam Whittingham play for the Utes.
On the FieldKyle Whittingham, Head CoachJim Harding, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Off. LineTaylor Stubblefi eld, Wide ReceiversJustin Ena, LinebackersSharrieff Shah, CornerbacksLewis Powell, Tight Ends
In the BoothJohn Pease, Defensive Coordinator/Def. LineAaron Roderick, Co-Offensive Coordinator/QBDennis Erickson, Asst. HC/Running BacksMorgan Scalley, Safeties/Special Teams
Depth Chart (12-9-15)
Andy Phillips, Devontae Booker, Kenneth Scott, Gionni Paul, Jared Norris
Off ense Defense Special Teams
Coach Game Day Loca ons
Team Captains
Le Tackle52 Sam Tevi (6-5, 300, Jr., 2VL)70 Jackson Barton (6-6, 310, Fr., RS) Le Guard54 Isaac Asiata (6-4, 315, Jr., 2VL) 77 Darrin Paulo (6-5, 315, Fr., HS)
POS. MICH USU FRES ORE CAL ASU USC OSU WASH ARIZ UCLA CULT Sam Sam Sam Sam Sam Sam Sam Sam Sam Sam Sam Sam Tevi Tevi Tevi Tevi Tevi Tevi Tevi Tevi Tevi Tevi Tevi TeviLG Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Isaac Asiata Asiata Asiata Asiata Asiata Asiata Asiata Asiata Asiata Asiata Asiata AsiataC Siaosi Siaosi Siaosi Siaosi Siaosi Siaosi Siaosi Hiva Hiva Siaosi Siaosi Siaosi Aiono Aiono Aiono Aiono Aiono Aiono Aiono Lutui Lutui Aiono Aiono AionoRG Salesi Salesi Salesi Salesi Salesi Hiva Hiva Salesi Salesi Hiva HIva Hiva Uhatafe Uhatafe Uhatafe Uhatafe Uhatafe Lutui Lutui Uhatafe Uhatafe Lutui Lutui LutuiRT J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. J.J. Dielman Dielman Dielman Dielman Dielman Dielman Dielman Dielman Dielman Dielman Dielman DielmanTE Evan Siale Siale Siale Siale Siale Harrison Harrison Caleb Harrison Harrison Harrison Moeai Fakailoatonga Fakailoatonga Fakailoatonga Fakailoatonga Fakailoatonga Handley Handley Repp Handlley Handley HandleyQB Travis Travis Kendal Travis Travis Travis Travis Travis Travis Travis Travis Travis Wilson Wilson Thompson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson WilsonRB Devontae Devontae Devontae Devontae Devontae Devontae Devontae Devontae Devontae Devontae Joe Booker Booker Booker Booker Booker Booker Booker Booker Booker Booker WilliamsWR-X Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Kenneth Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott Scott ScottWR-H Bubba Britain Britain Britain Britain Britain Caleb Bubba Britain Bubba Britain Caleb Poole Covey Covey Covey Covey Covey Repp Poole Covey Poole Covey ReppWR-Z Tyrone Tyrone Tyrone Tyrone Delshawn Cory Caleb Bubba Raelon Caleb Smith Smith Smith Smith McClellon Butler-Byrd Repp Poole Singleton Repp TE/WR Ken Bubba Bubba Hampel Poole Poole
Defense
POS. MICH USU FRES ORE CAL ASU USC OSU WASH ARIZ UCLA CULE Hunter Hunter Kylie Kylie Hunter Hunter Hunter Kylie Kylie Kylie Kylie Kylie Dimick Dimick Fitts Fitts Dimick Dimick Dimick Fitts Fitts Fitts Fitts FittsLT Lowell Viliseni Lowell Viliseni Viliseni Lowell Lowell Lowell Lowell Lowell Lowell Lowell Lotulelei Fauonuku Lotulelei Fauonuku Fauonuku Lotulelei Lotulelei Lotulelei Lotulelei Lotulelei Lotulelei LotuleleiRT Filipo Filipo Filipo Filipo Filipo Viliseni Viliseni Filipo Stevie Stevie Viliseni Viliseni Mokofi si Mokofi si Mokofi si Mokofi si Mokofi si Fauonuku Fauonuku Mokofi si Tu’ikolovatu Tu’ikolovatu Fauonuku FauonukuRE Jason Jason Jason Jason Kylie Kylie Kylie Jason Jason Jason Jason Jason Fanaika Fanaika Fanaika Fanaika Fitts Fitts Fitts Fanaika Fanaika Fanaika Fanaika FanaikaSLB Jason Jason Jason Whittingham Whittingham WhittinghamMLB Jared Jared Jared Jared Jared Jared Jason Jared Jared Jared Jared Jared Norris Norris Norris Norris Norris Norris Whittingham Norris Norris Norris Norris NorrisRLB Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Gionni Paul Paul Paul Paul Paul Paul Paul Paul Paul Paul Paul PaulLC Reginald Reginald Dominique Dominique Dominique Dominique Dominique Dominique Dominique Dominique Dominique Dominique Porter Porter Hatfi eld Hatfi eld Hatfi eld Hatfi eld Hatfi eld Hatfi eld Hatfi eld Hatfi eld Hatfi eld Hatfi eldRC Cory Cory Cory Reginald Reginald Reginald Reginald Reginald Reginald Brian Brian Brian Butler-Byrd Butler-Byrd Butler-Byrd Porter Porter Porter Porter Porter Porter Allen Allen AllenNB Justin Justin Justin Justin Justin Justin Justin Justin Justin Thomas Thomas Thomas Thomas Thomas Thomas Thomas Thomas ThomasFS Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Marcus Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams WilliamsSS Tevin Tevin Tevin Tevin Tevin Tevin Tevin Tevin Chase Tevin Tevin Tevin Carter Carter Carter Carter Carter Carter Carter Carter Hansen Carter Carter Carter
2015 Utah ParticipationNO. NAME MICH USU FRES ORE CAL ASU USC OSU WASH ARIZ UCLA CU BYU 1 Boobie Hobbs x x x x x x x x x x x x 1 Kendal Thompson x x x2 Kenneth Scott x x x x x x x x x x x x3 Jason Thompson x x x x x x x x x x 4 Austin Lee x x x x x x x5 Brandon Cox5 Tavaris Williams x6 Kyle Fulks x x x x x x x 7 Andre Godfrey x x x x x x x x x x7 Travis Wilson x x x x x x x x x x x8 Bubba Poole x x x x x x x x x x x x9 Tevin Carter x x x x x x x x x x x9 Tim Patrick x10 Delshawn McClellon x x x x x x x x x x x x11 Kylie Fitts x x x x x x x x x x x x11 Raelon Singleton x x x x x x x x12 Justin Thomas x x x x x x x x x x x x13 Gionni Paul x x x x x x x x x x x x13 Monte Seabrook14 Brian Allen x x x x x x x x x x x x15 Dominique Hatfi eld x x x x x x x x x x x16 Cory Butler-Byrd x x x x x x x x x x x x17 Conner Manning 18 Britain Covey x x x x x x x x x x x 19 Tyler Cooperwood19 Sunia Tauteoli x x x x x x x x20 Marcus Williams x x x x x x x x x x x x21 Ahmad Christian x22 Chase Hansen x x x x x x x x x 22 Dre’Vian Young x x x 23 Devontae Booker x x x x x x x x x x 24 Kenric Young x x x x x x x25 Casey Hughes x x x x x x x x26 Jordan Fogal x x x 27 Taylor Loomis x x x x x x 28 Joe Williams x x x x x x x x x29 Reginald Porter x x x x x x x x x x x30 Cody Barton x x x x x x x x x x x31 Evan Eggiman x x x x x x x x x x x x32 Sharrieff Shah Jr. x x x x x x x x x x x x33 Tom Hackett x x x x x x x x x x x x34 Alex Whittingham x x x x x x x x x x x35 Clarence Smith36 Dylan Calhoun37 Christian Drews x x x x x x x x x x x x39 Andy Phillips x x x x x x x x x x x x40 Kendall Huey41 Jared Norris x x x x x x x x x x x42 Marcus Sanders-Williams x x x x x x x x x x x 43 Uaea Masina x x x x x45 Andrew Fletcher x45 Filipo Mokofi si x x x x x x x x46 Tyler Bell47 Caleb Repp x x x x x x x x x x48 Chris Van Orden x x x x x49 Hunter Dimick x x x x x x 50 Pita Taumoepenu x x x x x x x x x x x x 51 Jason Fanaika x x x x x x x x x x x x52 Hayden Clegg x x x x x x x x x x x x52 Sam Tevi x x x x x x x x x x x x53 Jason Whittingham x x x x x x x x x x x x 54 Isaac Asiata x x x x x x x x x x x x55 Hiva Lutui x x x x x x x x x x x x59 Pasoni Tasini x x x x x x x60 Siaosi Aiono x x x x x x x x x x65 Leki Taumoepeau68 J.J. Dielman x x x x x x x x x x x x70 Jackson Barton x x x x x x x x x x x x72 Andrew Albers x x x x x x x x x x x74 Salesi Uhatafe x x x x x x x x x x x x75 Nick Nowakowski x x x x x x x x x x x x77 Darrin Paulo80 Siaosi Wilson 81 Tyrone Smith x x x x x x x x x x x x82 Ken Hampel x x x x x x x x x x83 Jameson Field 84 Evan Moeai x85 Andrew Santiago86 Wallace Gonzalez87 Siale Fakailoatonga x x x x x x 88 Harrison Handley x x x x x x x x x x x x90 Stevie Tu’ikolovatu x x x x x x x x x x x x91 Pena Fitisemanu93 Lowell Lotulelei x x x x x x x x x x x x94 Chase Dominguez x x x x x x x x x x x x95 Alani Havili-Katoa x x x x x x x x x96 Jon Halliday x98 Viliseni Fauonuku x x x x x x x x x x x x99 Lo Falemaka x x
2015 Utah Game RecapsGame 1 Sept. 3Utah 24, Michigan 17Salt Lake CityRice-Eccles Stadium [47,825]
SALT LAKE CITY—Justin Thomas’ ‘pick six’ with 7:58 left in the game doused any hopes for a Michigan comeback and Utah cruised to a 24-17 win before a record Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd of 47,825. Utah controlled the game behind 24-of-33 passing by Travis Wilson, who threw for 208 yards and rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. Devontae Booker rushed for 69 yards and added seven receptions for 55 yards. True freshman Britain Covey chipped in fi ve receptions for 58 yards in his Ute debut. Gionni Paul’s 14 tackles led a Utah defense that stifl ed UM’s run game—holding the Wolverines to 76 net yards. Helping to derail the visitors’ passing game were interceptions by Thomas, Cory Butler-Byrd and Marcus Williams.
Michigan ...................0............. 3 .......... 7 ............7 ........ 17Utah ...........................3............. 7 .......... 7 ............7 ........ 24 Scoring SummaryUU - Phillips 30 fi eld goal, 10:30, 1stUM - Allen 29 fi eld goal, 14:13, 2ndUU - Booker 1 run (Phillips kick), 10:33, 2ndUU - Wilson 14 run (Phillips kick), 5:49, 3rdUM - Butt 19 pass from Rudock (Allen kick), 00:46, 3rdUU - Thomas 55 interception return (Phillips kick), 7:58, 4thUM - Darboh 10 pass from Rudock (Allen kick), 00:54, 4th
Team Statistics MICH UUFirst Downs 20 20 Net Rushing 29-76 37-127Passing 27-43-3 24-33-1Passing Yards 279 210Total Offense 72-355 70-337Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0Penalties 3-25 6-55Interceptions-Yds 1-17 3-65-1Punting 3-130 4-192Punt Returns 0-0 1-14Kickoff Returns 1-36 0-0Time of Possession 30:41 29:19Third Down Conversions 6-16 3-13Fourth Down Conversions 1-2 2-3Sacks By 1-6 0-0
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (22-69-1), Wilson (12-53-1), J. Wil-liams (1-7-0). UM: D. Smith (17-47-0), Isaac (4-12-0), Rudock (5-11-0), Kerridge (1-5-0), Green (2-1-0).Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Wilson (24-33-1-208-0). UM: Rudock (27-43-3-279-2). Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (7-55-0), Covey (5-58-0). UM: Dar-boh (8-101-1), Butt (8-93-1), Perry (3-41-0).Kickoff Returns–Utah: None. UM: Peppers (1-36).Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (1-14). UM: None.Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Paul 14, Carter 9. Sacks: None. TFL: Carter 1.5-1, Dimick 1.0-1, Paul 0.5-1. Interceptions: Thomas 1-55-1, M. Williams 1-10, Butler-Byrd 1-0.
Game 2 Sept. 11Utah 24, Utah State 14Salt Lake CityRice-Eccles Stadium [46,011]
SALT LAKE CITY— Utah overcame injuries and Utah State play-making quarterback Chuckie Keeton to beat the Aggies 24-14 before the 33rd-consecutive sellout crowd in Rice-Eccles Stadium. With the game tied 7-7 in the second quarter, Ute quarterback Travis Wilson broke free for a 38-yard rush to the USU 7-yard line. He kept the ball again on the next snap, but had to be helped off the fi eld after a 3-yard run. Devontae Booker, who fi nished with 120 net rushing yards, punched the ball into the end zone to give Utah a 14-7 lead. Wilson spent the rest of the game on the sidelines while Kendal Thompson directed Utah’s fi nal two scoring drives—the fi rst on a 2-yard keeper and the fi nal on a 37-yard Andy Phillips’ fi eld goal. Gionni Paul, who earlier recovered a fumble after a Pita Taumoepenu sack, stalled another Ag-gie drive with three minutes left in the game when he picked off Keeton at the Utah 7-yard line. Jared Norris had a team-high 10 tackles for a Utah defense that shut out the Aggies in the second half.
Utah State .................0........... 14 .......... 0 ............0 ........ 14Utah ...........................7............. 7 .......... 7 ............3 ........ 24 Scoring SummaryUU - Wilson 12 run (Phillips kick), 10:18, 1stUSU - Hunt 8 pass from Keeton (Warren kick), 13:57, 2ndUU - Booker 4 run (Phillips kick), 6:45, 2ndUSU - Van Leeuwen 15 pass from Keeton (Warren kick), 0:24, 2ndUU - Thompson 2 run (Phillips kick), 6:35, 3rdUU - Phillips 37 fi eld goal, 12:47, 4th
Team Statistics USU UUFirst Downs 21 21 Net Rushing 32-117 44-195Passing 22-35-2 17-22-0Passing Yards 256 132Total Offense 67-373 66-327Fumbles-Lost 4-1 2-0Penalties 6-61 5-43Interceptions-Yds 0-0 2-0Punting 5-208 6-256Punt Returns 3-19 5-37Kickoff Returns 1-13 1-17Time of Possession 26:08 33:52Third Down Conversions 8-15 6-14Fourth Down Conversions 0-0 1-1Sacks By 0-0 2-15
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (31-120-1), Wilson (5-49-1), Thomp-son (6-23-1). USU: Keeton (12-46-0), Hunt (14-37-0), Mays (6-34-0).Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Wilson (9-12-0-76-0), Thompson (8-10-0-56-0). USU: Keeton (22-35-2-256-2). Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Covey (6-61-0), T. Smith (2-19-0). USU: Robinson (6-119-0), Van Leeuwen (4-31-1).Kickoff Returns–Utah: Hobbs (1-17). USU: Hunt (1-13).Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (5-37). USU: Davis (3-19).Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Norris 10, Paul 7, Fanaika 7. Sacks: Fanaika 1.0-8, Taumoepenu 1.0-7. TFL: Fanaika 1.0-8, Taumoepenu 1.0-7, Paul 1.0-3, Thomas 1.0-1. Interceptions: Paul 1-0, Williams 1-0.
2015 Utah Game RecapsGame 3 Sept. 19Utah 45, Fresno State 24Fresno, Calif.Bulldog Stadium [33,675]
FRESNO, Calif.—Utah scored on offense, defense and special teams in a 45-24 road win over Fresno State. The Bulldogs took a 3-0 lead after forcing and recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Utah responded by reeling off 24 unanswered points to take a 24-3 lead into the fourth quarter. The fi rst touchdown of the game came when Kylie Fitts sacked Fresno State QB Chason Virgil, forcing a fumble that defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu recovered and returned 37 yards for a touchdown. Devontae Booker, who fi nished with 156 net rushing yards and 56 yards receiving, scored Utah’s next two touchdowns on runs of 30 and 7 yards. The high-scoring fourth quarter featured back-to-back special teams’ touchdowns by the Utes, fi rst on a 98-yard kickoff return by Cory Butler-Byrd and then a 77-yard punt return from Britain Covey. The Bulldogs scored two touchdowns to close the gap to 38-24 before Harrison Handley caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Kendal Thompson with 0:14 left in the game.
Team Statistics UU FSUFirst Downs 23 16 Net Rushing 48-221 29-124Passing 19-26-1 17-35-0Passing Yards 159 241Total Offense 74-380 64-365Fumbles-Lost 2-2 3-2Penalties 1-10 4-45Interceptions-Yds 0-0 1-20Punting 2-88 5-250Punt Returns 1-77-1 0-0-0Kickoff Returns 3-115-1 8-145-0Time of Possession 37:22 22:38Third Down Conversions 13-19 7-15Fourth Down Conversions 3-3 1-2Sacks By 1-5 0-0
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (31-156-2), Thompson (10-31-0). FSU: Waller (16-62-0), Virgil (5-28-0).Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Thompson (19-25-1-159-1). FSU: Virgil (11-25-0-97-0), Greenlee (6-10-0-144-3). Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (5-56-0), Fakailoatonga (3-45-0). FSU: Jordan (3-102-1), Scott (5-61-1).Kickoff Returns–Utah: Butler-Byrd (1-98-1), Hobbs (1-17). FSU: Scott (5-110), Micenheimer (2-25), Jordan (1-10).Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (1-77-1). FSU: None.Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Norris 10, M. Williams 6, Paul 6. Sacks: Fitts 1-5. TFL: Paul 1.0-1, J. Whittingham 1.0-2, Carter 1.0-5, Fitts 1.0-5, , Tu’ikolovatu 1.0-1Butler-Byrd 0.5-1, Fanaika 0.5-0. Interceptions: None.
Game 4 Sept. 26Utah 62, Oregon 20Eugene, Ore.Autzen Stadium [57,145]
EUGENE, Ore.— Travis Wilson passed for 227 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards and a score to lead No. 18 Utah to a 62-20 thrash-ing of No. 13 Oregon. Wilson directed fi ve straight scoring drives to help the Utes to a 27-13 halftime lead. After the intermission, Utah put the game out of reach by scoring on its fi rst four possessions. In all, the Utes scored 42 unanswered points before Oregon found the end zone again late in the fourth quarter. True freshmen Britain Covey and Caleb Repp caught two touchdown passes apiece, Devontae Booker rushed for 98 yards and threw a touch-down pass to Covey, and Kenneth Scott had a team-high 75 receiving yards and a touchdown. Boobie Hobbs added a touchdown on a punt return. The Ute defense recorded a season-high fi ve sacks (2.0 from Pita Taumoepenu) and created three turnovers on interceptions by Marcus Williams and Domi-nique Hatfi eld and a fumble recovery by Gionni Paul.
2015 Utah Game RecapsGame 5 Oct. 10Utah 30, California 24Salt Lake CityRice-Eccles Stadium [47,798]
SALT LAKE CITY—Utah forced six turnovers—intercepting California’s Jared Goff fi ve times—to lead the No. 5 Utes past the No. 23 Bears, 30-24, in a battle of Pac-12 unbeatens. With Cal on the Ute 21-yard line and 31 seconds remaining in the game, Goff’s pass on fourth-and-fi ve was batted down by Boobie Hobbs to secure the win. Dominique Hatfi eld picked off two passes and Marcus Williams, Justin Thomas and Gionni Paul also had intercep-tions for the Utes. Paul and Williams took part in Utah’s other takeaway, with Paul forcing a fumble and Williams making the recovery. Devontae Booker became the 13th player in school history to rush for 2,000 career yards with a season-high 222 yards on 34 carries. Booker, who rushed for two touch-downs, also had four catches for 45 yards. Cory Butler-Byrd played on both sides of the ball and caught a 54-yard touchdown pass on his fi rst career reception. Andy Phillips made three fi eld goals and Tom Hackett averaged 50.8 yards on four punts with two inside the 10. California ..................7........... 10 .......... 7 ............0 ........ 24Utah .........................10........... 14 .......... 3 ............3 ........ 30 Scoring SummaryUU - Phillips 44 fi eld goal, 5:51, 1stUC - Davis 35 pass Goff (Anderson kick), 4:09, 1stUU - Booker 40 run (Phillips kick), 1:18, 1stUC - Anderson 22 fi eld goal, 6:17, 2ndUU - Butler-Byrd 54 pass Wilson (Phillips kick), 3:26, 2ndUU - Booker 4 run (Phillips kick), 1:47, 2ndUC - Powe 1 pass Goff (Anderson kick), 0:26, 2ndUU - Phillips 36 fi eld goal, 11:05, 3rdUC - Watson 4 run (Anderson kick), 2:03, 3rdUU - Phillips 39 fi eld goal, 12:07, 4th
Team Statistics UC UUFirst Downs 25 21 Net Rushing 28-127 51-265Passing 25-47-5 16-26-2Passing Yards 340 170Total Offense 75-467 77-435Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-1Penalties 4-43 5-48Interceptions-Yds 2-0 5-30Punting 3-143 4-203Punt Returns 1-0-0 1-20-0Kickoff Returns 2-41 2-29Time of Possession 26:30 33:30Third Down Conversions 5-12 4-17Fourth Down Conversions 0-1 2-2Sacks By 1-2 3-23
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (34-222-2), Wilson (12-49-0). UC: Enwere (9-33-1), Goff (9-30-0), Watson (5-30-1).Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Wilson (16-26-2-170-1). UC: Goff (25-47-5-340-2).Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Butler-Byrd (1-54-1), Booker (4-45-0). UC: Anderson (6-99-0), Davis (3-92-1).Kickoff Returns–Utah: Butler-Byrd (1-19). UC: Davis (2-41). Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (1-20). UC: Noa (1-0).Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Carter 9, Paul 7, Norris 7. Sacks: Taumoepenu 1-12, Fitts 1-8, Mokofi si 1-3. TFL: Fauonuku 2-4, Taumoepenu 1-12, Fitts 1-8, Mokofi si 1-3. Interceptions: Hatfi eld 2-8, Williams 1-18, Thomas 1-4, Paul 1-0.
Game 6 Oct. 17Utah 34, Arizona State 18Salt Lake CityRice-Eccles Stadium [46,192]
SALT LAKE CITY—A smothering defensive effort and a 20-point offensive outburst in the fourth quarter led No. 4 Utah to its fi rst victory over Arizona State since 1976, 34-18. The Sun Devils did not score an offensive touch-down, instead getting their points on a kickoff return, safety and three fi eld goals. Taking advantage of Utah miscues on special teams, the Sun Devils took an 18-14 lead into the fourth quarter only to see the Utes explode for 20 straight points. Devontae Booker scored two touchdowns during the decisive fourth quarter, when he piled up 101 of his 118 rushing yards. Travis Wilson passed for a season-high 297 yards—completing 26-of-36 passes—and Kenneth Scott had his fi rst career 100-yard receiving game with 116 yards and a touchdown. Andy Phillips made fi eld goals of 44 and 35 yards to give Utah a nine-point cushion (27-18) with 4:20 remaining. The ferocious Utah defense, which held ASU to just 15 yards rushing, was paced by linebackers Gionni Paul (11 tackles, 1.0 TFL) and Jared Norris (9 tackles, 2.0 TFL). Arizona State ..........10............. 0 .......... 8 ............0 ........ 18Utah ...........................7............. 7 .......... 0 ..........20 ........ 34 Scoring SummaryUU - Handley 2 pass Wilson (Phillips kick), 4:56, 1stASU - White 100 kickoff return (Gonzalez kick), 4:42, 1stASU - Gonzalez 34 fi eld goal, 2:18, 1stUU - Scott 11 pass Wilson (Phillips kick), 13:49, 2ndASU - Gonzalez 28 fi eld goal, 5:04, 3rdASU - TEAM safety, 5:04, 3rdASU - Gonzalez 44 fi eld goal, 1:30, 3rdUU - Booker 25 run (Phillips kick), 10:41, 4thUU - Phillips 43 fi eld goal, 6:35, 4thUU - Phillips 35 fi eld goal, 4:20, 4thUU - Booker 62 run (Phillips kick), 1:11, 4th
Team Statistics ASU UUFirst Downs 12 16 Net Rushing 28-15 31-72Passing 20-42-1 26-36-0Passing Yards 242 297Total Offense 70-257 67-369Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0Penalties 6-46 4-19Interceptions-Yds 0-0 1-17Punting 8-325 8-375Punt Returns 1-48-0 3-9-0Kickoff Returns 5-171-1 0-0-0Time of Possession 26:45 33:15Third Down Conversions 5-18 9-19Fourth Down Conversions 1-2 0-0Sacks By 5-44 5-32
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (21-118-2), Wilson (10- -46-0). ASU: Ballage (18-49-0), Hayes (1-8-0).Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Wilson (26-36-0-297-2). ASU: Bercovici (20-41-1-242-0), Lucien (0-1-0-0-0).Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Scott (5-116-1), T. Smith (3-50-0), Covey (5-34-0), Handley (5-29-1), Hampel (1-29-0). ASU: Lucien (6-118-0), Jefferson (3-41-0).Kickoff Returns–Utah: None. ASU: White (4-169-1), Ballage (1-2). Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (3-9). ASU: Hayes (1-48).Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Paul 11, Norris 9. Sacks: Taumoepenu 2-14, Norris 1-8, Tasini 1-8, Dimick 0.5-1, Fitts 0.5-1. TFL: Dimick 3-6, Norris 2-9, Taumoepenu 2-14, Tasini 1-8, Fanaika 1-5, Paul 1-2, Lotulelei 0.5-2, Fitts 0.5-1. Interceptions: Butler-Byrd 1-17.
2015 Utah Game RecapsGame 7 Oct. 24USC 42, Utah 24Los AngelesLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum [73,435]
LOS ANGELES—Travis Wilson threw four interceptions and No. 3 Utah failed to create any turnovers of its own in a 42-24 loss to USC in the L.A. Coliseum. The Utes held a 14-7 advantage in the fi rst quarter, but three-straight USC touchdowns—two the result of interceptions—set them back 28-17 at the half. Andy Phillips’ career-long 53-yard fi eld goal just before the break was Utah’s last score until late in the fourth quarter when Britain Covey caught a short pass and sprinted to a 66-yard touchdown. Covey fi nished with 129 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and his 40-yard punt return to the USC 2-yard line set up Utah’s second touchdown of the game. Utah’s defense, which spent nearly 35 minutes on the fi eld, racked up 14 tackles for loss (tied for second in school history), including four sacks. Gionni Paul had a career-high 17 tackles and his 5.5 tackles for loss (1 sack) was the second-best total in school history. He also forced a fumble.
Utah .........................14............. 3 .......... 0 ............7 ........ 24USC ...........................7........... 21 .......... 7 ............7 ........ 42 Scoring SummaryUSC - Davis 9 run (Wood kick), 7:59, 1stUU - Covey 30 pass from Wilson (Phillips kick), 3:53, 1stUU - Poole 2 run (Phillips kick), 1:49, 1stUSC - Vainuku 1 run (Wood kick), 9:47, 2ndUSC - Jones II 18 run (Wood kick), 3:40, 2ndUSC - Smith, C. 54 interception return (Wood kick), 1:07, 2ndUU - Phillips 53 fi eld goal, 0:05, 2ndUSC - Kessler 1 run (Wood kick), 3:37, 3rdUSC - Smith-Schuster 25 pass Kessler (Wood kick), 9:58, 4thUU - Covey 66 pass Wilson (Phillips kick), 4:00, 4th
Team Statistics UU USCFirst Downs 20 21 Net Rushing 28-99 45-116Passing 24-36-4 21-29-0Passing Yards 254 264Total Offense 64-353 74-380Fumbles-Lost 2-0 1-0Penalties 4-34 5-49Interceptions-Yds-TDs 0-0-0 4-122-1 Punting 5-216 4-135Punt Returns 2-43-0 2- -1-0Kickoff Returns 5-91-0 4-45-0Time of Possession 25:10 34:50Third Down Conversions 3-11 5-13Fourth Down Conversions 0-2 2-3Sacks By 4-26 3-20
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (14-62-0), Wilson (13-35-0). USC: Jones II (15-73-1), Davis, J. (19-66-1).Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Wilson (24-36-4-254-2). USC: Kessler (21-28-0-264-1), Greene (0-1-0-0-0).Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Covey (7-129-2), Booker (6-49-0). USC: Smith-Schuster (8-143-1), Jackson (6-37-0).Kickoff Returns–Utah: Butler-Byrd (3-46), Covey (2-45). USC: Jackson (2-33), Smith-Schuster (1-9), Ruffi n (1-3). Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (2-43). USC: Jackson (2- -1).Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Paul 17, Williams 9, Whittingham, J. 9. Sacks: Dimick 1.5-9, Fitts 1-7, Paul 1-6, Whittingham, J. 0.5-4. TFL: Paul 5.5-18, Whittingham, J. 2.5-9, Dimick 2-11, Fitts 1-7, Tu’ikolovatu 1-1, Lotule-lei 1-1, Tauteoli 0.5-1, Hansen 0.5-0. Interceptions: None.
Game 8 Oct. 31Utah 27, Oregon State 12Salt Lake CityRice-Eccles Stadium [45,853]
SALT LAKE CITY—Utah scored early and late in a 27-12 win over Oregon State in the annual Blackout game. The Utes scored on their fi rst two drives to take a 14-0 lead and by the end of the fi rst quarter they had amassed 176 yards of total offense to 39 by OSU. But the offense stalled in the middle two quarters—gaining just 92 yards—and held a tenuous 14-6 lead entering the fourth quarter. While the Utah defense limited OSU to two fi rst-half fi eld goals and a fourth-quarter touchdown, the offense returned to life in the fi nal period with 104 yards, a touchdown and two long (49 and 45-yard) fi eld goals from Andy Phillips. Devontae Booker fi nished with 121 rushing yards—77 of them coming in the fi rst quarter—and Travis Wilson completed 82-percent (14-of-17) of his pass attempts for 198 yards and one touchdown. Reginald Porter tied the school record with four pass breakups. Tevin Carter and Jared Norris shared team tackle honors with nine apiece. Oregon State ............0............. 6 .......... 0 ............6 ........ 12Utah .........................14............. 0 .......... 0 ..........13 ........ 27 Scoring SummaryUU - Booker 1 run (Phillips kick), 8:08, 1stUU - Handley 39 pass Wilson (Phillips kick), 3:47, 1stOSU - Owens 23 fi eld goal, 8:11, 2ndOSU - Owens 31 fi eld goal, 1:23, 2ndUU - Phillips 49 fi eld goal, 14:20, 4thUU - Wilson 2 run (Phillips kick), 9:21, 4thOSU - Bolden 2 pass Mitchell (Bolden rush failed), 8:07, 4thUU - Phillips 45 fi eld goal, 3:29, 4th
Team Statistics OSU UUFirst Downs 16 20 Net Rushing 30-108 44-174Passing 19-35-0 14-17-0Passing Yards 204 198Total Offense 65-312 61-372Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-0Penalties 5-40 5-45Interceptions-Yds-TDs 0-0-0 0-0-0 Punting 5-230 3-162Punt Returns 0-0-0 3-14-0Kickoff Returns 4-85-0 1-2-0Time of Possession 28:44 31:16Third Down Conversions 5-15 4-11Fourth Down Conversions 1-2 1-2Sacks By 1-10 1-9
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (25-121-1), Wilson (14-56-1). OSU: Bolden (7-45-0), Mitchell (12-40-0).Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Wilson (14-17-0-198-1). OSU: Mitchell (19-35-0-204-1)Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Scott (2-44-0), Handley (2-43-1), Covey (3-36-0). OSU: Villamin (3-94-0), Guyton (4-55-0), Bolden (7-34-1).Kickoff Returns–Utah: Eggiman (1-2). OSU: Bolden (3-67), Guyton (1-18). Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (3-14). OSU: None.Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Norris 9, Carter 9, Paul 8. Sacks: Han-sen 1-9. TFL: Fanaika 2.5-3, Hansen 1-9, Lotulelei 1-3, Williams 1-3, Carter 1-1, Paul 1-1, Norris 0.5-0. Interceptions: None.
2015 Utah Game RecapsGame 9 Nov. 7Utah 34, Washington 23SeattleHusky Stadium [61,420]
SEATTLE— An opportunistic defense forced four turnovers and scored a touchdown to propel Utah to a 34-23 victory over Washington. Gionni Paul had an interception and a fumble recovery that he returned 54 yards for a touchdown in a game where Utah held a 17-3 edge in points off turnovers. Paul, who was named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week, also had nine tackles and two sacks. In his fi rst start at safety, Chase Hansen contributed a career-high 11 tackles along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Utah scored all of its points in the second (24) and fourth (10) quarters. The Utes took a 24-13 lead into halftime before seeing their lead slashed to 24-23 early in the fi nal period. Devontae Booker took charge, rushing for 69 of his 150 yards in the fourth quarter and setting up a touchdown run by Travis Wilson and a fi eld goal by Andy Phillips for the fi nal 11-point margin.
Utah ...........................0........... 24 .......... 0 ..........10 ........ 34Washington ..............3........... 10 .......... 7 ............3 ........ 23 Scoring SummaryUW - Van Winkle 42 fi eld goal, 7:30, 1stUU - Wilson 4 run (Phillips kick), 14:01, 2ndUU - Booker 4 run (Phillips kick), 12:31, 2ndUW - Van Winkle 39 fi eld goal, 7:47, 2ndUU - Paul 54 fumble return (Phillips kick), 6:10, 2ndUW - Sample 1 pass Browning (Van Winkle kick), 4:14, 2ndUU - Phillips 43 fi eld goal, 1:03, 2ndUW - Gaskin 10 run (Van Winkle kick), 9:38, 3rdUW - Van Winkle 49 fi eld goal, 13:11, 4thUU - Wilson 2 run (Phillips kick), 3:27, 4thUU - Phillips 36 fi eld goal, 0:57, 4th
Team Statistics UU UWFirst Downs 19 20 Net Rushing 45-191 39-124Passing 12-25-1 23-39-1Passing Yards 155 257Total Offense 70-346 78-381Fumbles-Lost 2-2 5-3Penalties 6-60 6-65Interceptions-Yds-TDs 1-27-0 1-35-0Punting 4-158 4-141Punt Returns 1-13-0 0-0-0Kickoff Returns 3-66-0 7-102-0Time of Possession 28:20 31:40Third Down Conversions 6-15 7-16Fourth Down Conversions 1-2 1-2Sacks By 5-32 1-7
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (34-150-1), Wilson (10-42-2). UW: Gaskin (20-93-1), Washington (6-55-0). Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Wilson (12-25-1-155-0). UW: Browning (23-39-1-257-1).Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Covey (5-69-0), Scott (3-37-0). UW: Mickens (5-67-0), Pettis (6-60-0), Perkins (1-53-0).Kickoff Returns–Utah: Covey (3-66). UW: McClatcher (5-91), Gaskin (1-11), Kinne (1-0). Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (1-13). UW: None.Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Hansen 11, Norris 10, Paul 9. Sacks: Paul 2-15, Lotulelei 1-6, Tu’ikolovatu 1-6, Fitts 1-5. TFL: Paul 2-15, Tu’ikolovatu 2-7, Lotulelei 1-6, Fitts 1-5, Norris 1-2, Hatfi eld 0.5-1, J. Whit-tingham 0.5-0. Interceptions: Paul 1-27-0.
TUCSON, Ariz.—Three Utes set school records, but it wasn’t enough in a 37-30 double overtime loss to Arizona in Tucson. Devontae Booker rushed for 145 yards to tie the school record with 14 career 100-yard games, Andy Phillips set a school mark for career fi eld goals (58) by making all three of his attempts and Travis Wilson broke a 26-year-old school record for total touch-downs in a career (73). After spotting Arizona a 20-17 halftime advantage, Utah scored the fi rst 10 points coming out of the locker room to take a 27-20 lead. The Wildcats knotted the score with 4:01 left in the third and neither team scored in the fourth quarter to set up overtime. Marcus Williams had eight tackles (1.0 TFL) and a pass breakup, and Justin Thomas and Brian Allen each had an interception.
Utah ....................7 .......10 ...... 10 .......0 ........ 3 ....... 0 ..........30 Arizona ............17 .........3 ........ 7 .......0 ........ 3 ....... 7 .........37 Scoring SummaryUA - Skowron 47 fi eld goal, 12:54, 1stUA - Grant 7 pass Solomon (Skowron kick), 9:10, 1stUU - Booker 1 run (Phillips kick), 2:42, 1stUA - Jones, C. 17 pass Solomon (Skowron kick), 1:16, 1stUU - Phillips 34 fi eld goal, 5:39, 2ndUA - Skowron 40 fi eld goal, 2:25, 2ndUU - Scott 2 pass Wilson (Phillips kick), 0:45, 2ndUU - Handley 59 pass Wilson (Phillips kick), 14:10, 3rdUU - Phillips 38 fi eld goal, 5:19, 3rdUA - Solomon 6 run (Skowron kick), 4:01, 3rdUU - Phillips 40 fi eld goal, OTUA - Skowron 35 fi eld goal, OTUU - Phillips, N. 25 pass Randall, (Skowron kick), 2 OT
Team Statistics UU UAFirst Downs 24 24Net Rushing 55-223 34-158Passing 20-31-1 18-32-2Passing Yards 219 302Total Offense 86-442 66-460Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0Penalties 10-112 8-71Interceptions-Yds-TDs 2-0-0 1-25-0Punting 4-196 3-141Punt Returns 2-(-2)-0 0-0-0Kickoff Returns 1-36-0 4-89-0Time of Possession 37:24 22:36Third Down Conversions 8-17 3-11Fourth Down Conversions 1-2 0-1Sacks By 0-0 4-20
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–Utah: Booker (34-145-1), Williams, J. (7-37-0), Wilson (13-31-0). UA: Solomon (10-86-1), Baker (13-67-0). Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–Utah: Wilson (20-31-1-212). UA: Solomon (17-27-1-277-2), Randall (1-5-1-25-1).Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–Utah: Handley (2-69-1), Covey (4-68-0), Poole (4-34-0), Scott (3-18-1). UA: Jones, C. (5-126-1), Grant (3-65-1), Phillips, N. (3-46-1).Kickoff Returns–Utah: Covey (1-36). UA: Johnson, T. (4-89). Punt Returns–Utah: Covey (2- -2). UA: None.Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Williams, M. 8, Norris 6. Sacks: None. TFL: Williams 1-5, Carter 1-3, Whittingham, J. 1-2, Fanaika 1-1. Intercep-tions: Allen 1-0, Thomas 1-0.
2015 Utah Game RecapsGame 11 Nov. 21UCLA 17, Utah 9Salt Lake CityRice-Eccles Stadium [46,230]
SALT LAKE CITY—The Utes held UCLA to a season scoring low but failed to score a touchdown of their own in a 17-9 loss at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Andy Phillips scored all of Utah’s points, making fi eld goal attempts of 39, 39 and 21 yards. Joe Williams rushed for 121 yards in his fi rst career start and also had 31 receiving yards for an offense hampered by the loss of leading rusher Devontae Booker and leading receiver Britain Covey. After UCLA got off to a 10-0 fi rst-quarter start, Phillips scored nine unanswered points over the next two quarters to cut the gap to one (10-9). UCLA scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and neither team scored in the fourth. Jared Norris (11 tackles), Gionni Paul (10 tackles) and Kylie Fitts (7 tackles, 3 pass breakups) led the defense.
Team Statistics UCLA UUFirst Downs 18 23Net Rushing 38-105 49-197Passing 15-30-0 13-26-0Passing Yards 220 110Total Offense 68-325 75-307Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-2Penalties 6-59 4-45Interceptions-Yds-TDs 0-0-0 0-0-0Punting 6-278 5-247Punt Returns 1-3-0 4-7-0Kickoff Returns 3-73-0 0-0-0Time of Possession 25:21 34:39Third Down Conversions 8-16 8-19Fourth Down Conversions 0-0 1-1Sacks By 2-17 1-8
Individual LeadersRushing (Att-Yds-TD)–UCLA: Perkins (28-98-1), Walker (1-6-0). Utah: Williams, J. (26-121-0), Wilson (18-67-0). Passing (Comp-Att-I-Yds-TD)–UCLA: Rosen (15-30-0-220-1). Utah: Wilson (13-26-0-110-0).Receiving (No-Yds-TD)–UCLA: Payton (7-105-0), Duarte (2-61-0), Andrews (3-25-0). Utah: Handley (3-32-0), Williams, J. (4-31-0), Poole (3-21-0).Kickoff Returns–UCLA: Davis, R. (2-60), Starks (1-13). Utah: None. Punt Returns–UCLA: Fuller (1-3). Utah: Hobbs (4-7).Utah Defensive Leaders–Tackles: Norris 11, Paul 10, Fitts 7. Sacks: Tu’ikolovatu 1-8. TFL: Norris 2-7, Fanaika 1.5-2, Fauonuku 1-4, Tu’ikolovatu 1-8, Lotulelei 1-4, Fitts 1-1, Paul 0.5-1. Interceptions: None.
Game 12 Nov. 28Utah 20, Colorado 14Salt Lake CityRice-Eccles Stadium [45,823]
SALT LAKE CITY—Utah’s swarming defense forced and recovered a fumble with 0:30 left to secure a 20-14 victory over Colorado and clinch a share of the school’s fi rst Pac-12 South Division title. Senior Viliseni Fauonuku had a career day, tying the school record with four sacks (7 total tackles) and forcing the fi nal CU fumble on a quarterback sack. Gionni Paul had a game-high 13 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, Marcus Williams had six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, and Kylie Fitts blocked a fi eld goal attempt, along with 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup to lead the Utes. Utah’s touchdowns came in the fi rst and third quarters on a 16-yard reception by Kenneth Scott and a 5-yard rush by Joe Williams, who tallied a career-high 187 yards on 34 carries. Andy Phillips made both of his fi eld goal attempts to complete Utah’s scoring. Ray Guy Award fi nalist Tom Hackett averaged 50.6 yards on seven punts, placing three inside the 20-yard line. Colorado’s lone punt return was for minus-3 yards.
2015 Utah StatisticsDate Opponent Score Attend09/03/2015 MICHIGAN W 24-17 4782509/11/2015 UTAH STATE W 24-14 4601109/19/2015 Fresno State W 45-24 3367509/26/2015 Oregon W 62-20 5714510/10/2015 CALIFORNIA W 30-24 4779810/17/2015 ARIZONA STATE W 34-18 4619210/24/2105 USC L 42-24 7343510/31/2015 OREGON STATE W 27-12 4585311/07/2015 Washington W 34-23 6142011/14/2015 Arizona L 2OT 37-30 4891211/21/2015 UCLA L 17-9 4623011/28/2015 Colorado W 20-14 45823
TEAM STATISTICS ...................................UTAH .................................. OPP SCORING ..................................................363 .......................................262 Points Per Game ....................................30.2 .....................................21.8 Points Off Turnovers ...............................78 ...........................................47 FIRST DOWNS .........................................249 .......................................232 Rushing ..................................................128 .........................................77 Passing ...................................................99 .........................................136 Penalty ....................................................22 ...........................................19 RUSHING YARDAGE ...............................2253 ...................................1341 Yards gained rushing ..............................2543 ...................................1733 Yards lost rushing ...................................290 .......................................392 Rushing Attempts ...................................524 .......................................405 Average Per Rush ..................................4.3 .........................................3.3 Average Per Game .................................187.8 ................................. 111.8 TDs Rushing ...........................................21 .............................................9 PASSING YARDAGE ................................2269 ...................................3041 Comp-Att-Int ...........................................215-336-11 .............. 240-435-19 Average Per Pass ...................................6.8 .........................................7.0 Average Per Catch .................................10.6 .....................................12.7 Average Per Game .................................189.1 .................................253.4 TDs Passing ...........................................15 ...........................................20 TOTAL OFFENSE .....................................4522 ...................................4382 Total Plays ..............................................860 .......................................840 Average Per Play ....................................5.3 .........................................5.2 Average Per Game .................................376.8 .................................365.2 KICK RETURNS: #-Yards .........................19-416 ........................... 54-1111 PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards ........................30-325 .................................9-66 INT RETURNS: #-Yards ............................19-231 .............................11-233 KICK RETURN AVERAGE ........................21.9 .....................................20.6 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE .......................10.8 .......................................7.3 INT RETURN AVERAGE ...........................12.2 .....................................21.2 FUMBLES-LOST .......................................24-10 .................................22-10 PENALTIES-Yards .....................................65-617 .............................66-625 Average Per Game .................................51.4 .....................................52.1 PUNTS-Yards ............................................55-2628 .........................59-2487 Average Per Punt ...................................47.8 .....................................42.2 Net punt average ....................................43.7 .....................................36.3 KICKOFFS-Yards ......................................77-4587 .........................55-3410 Average Per Kick ....................................59.6 .....................................62.0 Net kick average .....................................39.0 .....................................39.0 TIME OF POSSESSION/Game .................32:41 .................................27:19 3RD-DOWN Conversions ..........................77/185 .............................68/176 3rd-Down Pct ..........................................42% .....................................39% 4TH-DOWN Conversions ..........................14/20 .................................10/20 4th-Down Pct ..........................................70% .....................................50% SACKS BY-Yards .......................................33-234 .............................20-139 MISC YARDS ............................................0 ...............................................0 TOUCHDOWNS SCORED ........................42 ...........................................31 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS .......................23-27 .................................15-20 ON-SIDE KICKS ........................................0-0 .........................................1-1 RED-ZONE SCORES ................................(39-43) 91% ............ (34-42) 81% RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS ....................(25-43) 58% ............ (22-42) 52% PAT-ATTEMPTS ........................................(42-42) 100% ........ (29-29) 100% ATTENDANCE ..........................................325732 ...........................274587 Games/Avg Per Game ...........................7/46533 .........................5/54917