Football Opens Pac-12 Play at Arizona

Friday, September 22

Tucson, Ariz.

8:30 PM

University of Utah

Arizona

Tickets

9/18/2017 2:01 PM | Football

Utah vs. Arizona Game Notes Press Conference Quotes

The Game
> No. 23/21 Utah (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12) vs. Arizona (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12)
> Friday, Sept. 22, 7:30 MST/8:30 MDT, Arizona Stadium
> Televised on FS1
> Search #UTAHvsAZ for conversation

Quick Hits
> Utah has cracked the AP poll for the first time this season, checking in at No. 23. The Utes have been ranked in the Coaches' poll since the preseason, moving up three positions to No. 21 this week.
> Utah finished non-conference play with an undefeated record for the fifth-straight season. The Utes have won 19 straight non-conference games (including bowl games) dating back to 2012 and are 24-1 in non-conference games since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
> Friday's game is the 2017 Pac-12 opener for both Utah and Arizona.
> Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham's first career regular-season win (Sept. 2, 2005) and his 100th career win (Oct. 8, 2016) came against Arizona.
> Utah leads Arizona 21-19-2 in its second-longest series against a Pac-12 school.
> The Utes snapped a four-game losing streak to the Wildcats with last year's 36-23 win. See page 2 for the complete series history.
> Utah has never opened its Pac-12 Conference schedule against Arizona. The Utes are 2-4 in Pac-12 openers with both wins coming in the past two years (vs. Oregon and USC).

Statchat
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for the national lead in field goals made (11).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks second in the nation in rushing defense (49.3).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks second in the nation in punt return defense (-1.00).
> Utah is tied for first in the Pac-12 and tied for third in the nation in turnovers gained (9: 6 INT, 3 FR)
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks fifth in the nation in net punting (45.44).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks No. 12 in the nation in total defense (246.0).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 in time of possession (34:06) and is No. 16 nationally.
> Utah leads the Pac-12 in fewest opponent first downs (41).
> Utah is second in the Pac-12 and third in the nation in passes defended (25).
> Utah is tied for second in the Pac-12 and fourth in the nation in pass breakups (19).
> Utah ranks second in the Pac-12 and is tied for fifth in the nation in interceptions (6).
> Utah ranks second in the Pac-12 and No. 16 in the nation in pass efficiency defense (94.72).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (15.0).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 in third-down defense (12-of-44, 27.3%).
> Utah is tied for third in the Pac-12 in sacks per game (3.00)
> Utah is tied for third in the Pac-12 in fumbles recovered (3).
See sidebar on page 3 for more Utah rankings.

#AutoMatty
In his first season as a college kicker, senior Matt Gay, a transfer from Utah Valley University—where he played soccer—is the nation's leading field goal kicker. His 44 total points leads all kickers and ranks second overall nationally and he is tied for first in the country in field goals made (11), field goals per game (3.67) and field goal percentage (1.000). Gay has nearly twice as many attempts and makes (11-of-11) as the next kicker in the country without a miss (6-of-6) and his 56-yarder against San Jose State is the longest field goal in the nation this season. He is also perfect in extra points. 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
True freshman Javelin Guidry has moved into the two deep at nickel back. Guidry had a season-high four tackles and a pass breakup last week against San Jose State … Three former Hallandale High teammates and classmates are now full or part-time starters as Utah sophomores: quarterback Tyler Huntley, running back Zack Moss and wide receiver Demari Simpkins … Two first-time starters had career games last week against San Jose State: redshirt freshman wideout Samson Nacua had a career-high 59 yards on seven catches, while junior strong safety Marquise Blair tied for the team tackle lead with seven stops and had two pass breakups … Six true freshmen have played: Guidry, Tyquez Hampton, Jaylon Johnson, Chayden Johnston; Ali'i Niumatalolo and Orlando Umana … Utah's roster contains 32 players of Polynesian descent.

Two-Minute Drill
A review of the film showed Matt Gay's third field goal against San Jose State to be a 51-yarder (it was initially recorded as a 50-yarder) … Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks second in the nation in rushing defense (49.3 yards per game). The Utes also lead the league in total defense (246.0) and are 12th nationally. Teams are averaging just 1.7 yards per rush against the Ute defense. See Statchat and sidebar on page 3 for more Utah statistical rankings … Utah's highest scoring quarter is the second (44 points). The best defensive quarters have been the first and third, with opponents scoring six total points in each … Utah and opponents are both scoring at an 86-percent clip in the red zone … The Utes have been penalized 28 times for 282 yards compared to 15 penalties for 138 yards by opponents.