Football Hosts Stanford for Homecoming Game

Saturday, October 7

Salt Lake City, Utah

8:15 PM

University of Utah

Stanford

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10/2/2017 10:33 AM | Football

Game Notes Press Conference Quotes

The Game
It's Homecoming for Utah on Saturday, Oct. 7 when the No. 20/18 Utes (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) host Stanford (3-2, 2-1 Pac-12) at 8:15 p.m. MDT in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1. Search #STANvsUTAH for conversation.

Homecoming History
> Saturday is the 97th homecoming game in Utah football history. Utah is 59-33-4 all-time in homecoming games.
> Utah is 12-12-1 all-time in homecoming games against Pac-12 schools (0-0 vs. Stanford) and 2-3 since joining the conference in 2011.
> The Utes have won their last two homecoming games against Pac-12 schools (Cal 2015, Arizona 2016) after dropping their first three as a conference member (Washington 2011, Oregon State 2013, Washington State 2014).

Utah in the Polls
> In the week six rankings, Utah stayed at No. 20 in the AP poll and jumped one spot to No. 18 in the Coaches' poll. The Utes have appeared in the last three AP polls and have been in the Coaches' poll every week.
> Utah is 69-21 all-time when ranked in the AP poll and 18-10 since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. See pages 15-17 for Utah's history in the national rankings.

Quick Hits
> Utah and Stanford have not met since 2014—a 20-17 double overtime win by Utah in Stanford Stadium.
> Utah's 27-21 win over No. 5 Stanford in 2013 in Salt Lake City is the only home win by either team in the series.
> Utah leads the overall series with the Cardinal 4-3 and has a 2-0 edge as members of Pac-12. See page 2 for the complete series history.
> The Stanford game is homecoming and the theme is #UUThrowback—Show Your Stripes. The Utes will wear throwback jerseys featuring the Utah Stripe.
> The Pac-12 Networks is in town this week shooting footage of the Utah football team for an episode of its documentary series "The Drive".
> The Utes have sold out 46 straight games in Rice-Eccles Stadium, including 43 standing room-only crowds.
> Utah is the only undefeated team in the Pac-12 South Division (4-0, 1-0).

Statchat
> Utah leads the NCAA in field goals made (14).
> Utah leads the NCAA in net punting (45.3).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for second in the nation in punt return defense (-1.00).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for second in the nation in interceptions (9).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for third in the nation in turnovers gained with 14 (9 INT, 5 FR).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for ninth in the nation in turnover margin (1.5/gm, +6, 14 gained, 8 lost).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks eighth in the nation in pass efficiency defense (96.3).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks 10th in the nation in rushing defense (87.0).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 in fewest opponent first downs (65).
> Utah is tied for the Pac-12 lead in fewest interceptions thrown (2).
> Utah ranks second in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (17.3).
> Utah ranks second in the Pac-12 in fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.75).
> Utah ranks second in the Pac-12 in time of possession (33:17) and is No. 19 nationally.
> Utah is tied for second in the Pac-12 and No. 11 in the nation in fumbles recovered (5).
> Utah is third in the Pac-12 and ninth in the nation in passes defended (29).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 in total defense (296.5).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 in pass defense (209.5).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 in passing yards allowed (209.5).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in punt return average (19.4).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in completion percentage (.695, 98-of-141).
See sidebar on page 3 for more Utah rankings.

#MattGfor3
In his first season of college football, senior Matt Gay is the nation's leading field goal kicker, ranking No. 1 in field goals made (14), points per game (14.0), field goals per game (3.50) and field goal percentage (1.000, tie). His 56 total points is tied for first among kickers and third overall. Gay has two field goals from 50+yards (his 56-yarder against San Jose State is the longest field goal in the nation this season). He is also perfect in extra points (14-of-14). Gay's only previous football experience came as a high school senior at Orem High (Utah) in 2011. He played soccer at Utah Valley in 2014 and 2016 before walking on to the Utah football team in August. Gay replaced four-year starter and school record-holder Andy Phillips, a former U.S. Ski Team member who also came to the U. with no previous college football experience. See Kicking Notebook for more on Gay

In the Huddle
There are no changes to the depth chart from Utah's last game vs. Arizona on Sept. 22. Coach Whittingham's policy is that injury status is not disclosed unless it is season ending … Darren Carrington II has been added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the outstanding college receiver. Carrington leads the Pac-12 in receiving yards per game (121.3) …Strong safeties Chase Hansen and Marquise Blair lined up at outside linebacker on the first play of the Arizona game. Three down linemen and four corners started against the Wildcats, including true freshman corner Jaylon Johnson in his first career start … Redshirt freshman Nick Heninger, who has played on special teams in every game, saw his first action at defensive end in the second half of the Arizona game … Seven true freshmen have played: Johnson, Javelin Guidry, Tyquez Hampton, Chayden Johnston; Ali'i Niumatalolo, Bryan Thompson and Orlando Umana … Utah's roster contains 32 players of Polynesian descent.

Two-Minute Drill
Utah is 4-4 coming off regular-season bye weeks since joining the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes have won their last four post bye games (Michigan and Oregon State in 2014, California in 2015 and Arizona State in 2016) after dropping four straight (Washington 2011, USC 2012, UCLA and Arizona State 2013) … In 13 seasons as Utah's head coach, Kyle Whittingham's teams are 10-4 following regular season byes … Matt Gay has made 14 consecutive field goals (14-of-14), which is the third-longest made field goal streak in school history. The school record is 18 by Joe Phillips (2009-10) … The Utes are 2-0 at home with wins over North Dakota State and San Jose State … Utah's highest scoring quarter is the second (47 points). Utah's best defensive quarter is the first when opponents have scored just nine points … The Utes have been penalized nearly twice as often as their opponents (37-19) and have 365 yards in penalty yards to 198 yards by opponents.

Game Day Activities
Utah's coaches will participate in the American Football Coaches Association's national charity project for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by wearing Coach to Cure MD patches on the sidelines in Saturday's game … The Oct. 7 game against Stanford is Homecoming and the theme this year is #UUThrowback—Show Your Stripes. The 2017 Homecoming Court will be recognized on the field at halftime. For information on homecoming week activities, visit alumni.utah.edu/homecoming … The Utes will wear throwback jerseys with the Utah Stripe … The University will conduct a Hurricane Relief Drive the day of the game in support of hurricane victims in Houston and Florida. Fans are encouraged to donate items using the Pods located in select campus parking lots … The Ute Walk begins at 5:45 p.m. on the corner of 500 South and Guardsman Way. The first 250 fans to show the promotional text (UtahFB to 53535 to subscribe) will receive a free beanie presented by America First Credit Union … The Utah ROTC's Ute Thunder cannon will blast the pre-game Cannon Call to notify fans outside the stadium that kickoff is 30 minutes away.