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The University of Utah Athletics
No. 20/19 Utah Breaks for Bye Week
9/25/2017 11:24 AM | Football
Next Game
> Saturday, Oct. 7, Rice-Eccles Stadium (Homecoming)
> 8:15 p.m. MT, FS1
> No. 20/19 Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) vs. Stanford (2-2, 1-1 Pac-12)
Bye Week
> No. 20/19 Utah takes its only bye of the season this week, while upcoming opponent Stanford hosts Arizona State on Saturday, Sept. 30.
> Utah is 4-4 coming off regular-season bye weeks since joining the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes have won the 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.
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Utah in the Polls
> Utah jumped three places to No. 20 in the AP poll and improved two spots to No. 19 in the Coaches' poll following its win over Arizona. It is Utah's highest ranking in both polls this season. The Utes have appeared in the last two AP polls and have been in the Coaches' poll every week.
> Utah is 73-21 all-time when ranked in the AP poll and 20-10 since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. See pages 15-17 for Utah's history in the national rankings.
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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 will be in town next week shooting behind-the-scenes footage for an episode of its documentary series "The Drive," featuring Utah and Stanford.
> The Utes have sold out 46 straight games in Rice-Eccles Stadium, including 43 standing room-only crowds.
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Statchat
> Utah leads the NCAA in field goals made (14).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for the national lead in turnovers gained with 14 (9 INT, 5 FR).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for second in the nation in interceptions (9).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks third in the nation in net punting (45.3).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for fourth in the nation in punt return defense (-1.00).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks seventh in the nation in rushing defense (87.0). Â
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks No. 13 in the nation in pass efficiency defense (96.3).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 in time of possession (33:17) and is No. 18 nationally.
> Utah is tied for the Pac-12 lead and tied for seventh in the nation in fumbles recovered (5).
> Utah is tied for the Pac-12 lead and tied for eighth in the nation in turnover margin (1.5/gm, +6, 14 gained, 8 lost).
> Utah ranks second in the Pac-12 in fewest opponent first downs (65).
> Utah is tied for second in the Pac-12 in fewest interceptions thrown (2).
> Utah is third in the Pac-12 and fourth 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 scoring defense (17.2).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in punt return average (19.4).
> Utah ranks tied for third in the Pac-12 in fourth-down conversions (60-percent, 3-for-5).
See sidebar on page 3 for more Utah rankings.
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#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), field goals per game (3.50) and field goal percentage (1.000, tie). His 56 total points leads all kickers and ranks second overall. Gay has nearly twice as many attempts and makes (14-of-14) as the next kicker in the country without a miss (8-of-8), including two 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.
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In the Huddle
There are no changes to the depth chart heading into the bye week … Strong safeties Chase Hansen and Marquise Blair lined up at outside linebacker on the first play of the Arizona game. The Utes started three down linemen and four corners 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.
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Two-Minute Drill
With its win over Arizona last week, Utah improved to 3-4 in Pac-12 season openers, winning the last three … 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) … 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.
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Game Day Activities
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 two and a half hours prior to kickoff 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.
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Outside the Lines
There is no Kyle Whittingham radio show this week. The next ESPN 700 Coach's Show will be Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. The show will be broadcast live from the Smith's on 876 East and 800 South and is free to the public … Use the hashtag #STANvsUTAH next week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram … 32 former Utes are on NFL rosters this week. See page 9 for a complete list of current Utes in the NFL.
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> Saturday, Oct. 7, Rice-Eccles Stadium (Homecoming)
> 8:15 p.m. MT, FS1
> No. 20/19 Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) vs. Stanford (2-2, 1-1 Pac-12)
Bye Week
> No. 20/19 Utah takes its only bye of the season this week, while upcoming opponent Stanford hosts Arizona State on Saturday, Sept. 30.
> Utah is 4-4 coming off regular-season bye weeks since joining the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes have won the 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.
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Utah in the Polls
> Utah jumped three places to No. 20 in the AP poll and improved two spots to No. 19 in the Coaches' poll following its win over Arizona. It is Utah's highest ranking in both polls this season. The Utes have appeared in the last two AP polls and have been in the Coaches' poll every week.
> Utah is 73-21 all-time when ranked in the AP poll and 20-10 since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. See pages 15-17 for Utah's history in the national rankings.
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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 will be in town next week shooting behind-the-scenes footage for an episode of its documentary series "The Drive," featuring Utah and Stanford.
> The Utes have sold out 46 straight games in Rice-Eccles Stadium, including 43 standing room-only crowds.
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Statchat
> Utah leads the NCAA in field goals made (14).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for the national lead in turnovers gained with 14 (9 INT, 5 FR).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for second in the nation in interceptions (9).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks third in the nation in net punting (45.3).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and is tied for fourth in the nation in punt return defense (-1.00).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks seventh in the nation in rushing defense (87.0). Â
> Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks No. 13 in the nation in pass efficiency defense (96.3).
> Utah leads the Pac-12 in time of possession (33:17) and is No. 18 nationally.
> Utah is tied for the Pac-12 lead and tied for seventh in the nation in fumbles recovered (5).
> Utah is tied for the Pac-12 lead and tied for eighth in the nation in turnover margin (1.5/gm, +6, 14 gained, 8 lost).
> Utah ranks second in the Pac-12 in fewest opponent first downs (65).
> Utah is tied for second in the Pac-12 in fewest interceptions thrown (2).
> Utah is third in the Pac-12 and fourth 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 scoring defense (17.2).
> Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation in punt return average (19.4).
> Utah ranks tied for third in the Pac-12 in fourth-down conversions (60-percent, 3-for-5).
See sidebar on page 3 for more Utah rankings.
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#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), field goals per game (3.50) and field goal percentage (1.000, tie). His 56 total points leads all kickers and ranks second overall. Gay has nearly twice as many attempts and makes (14-of-14) as the next kicker in the country without a miss (8-of-8), including two 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.
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In the Huddle
There are no changes to the depth chart heading into the bye week … Strong safeties Chase Hansen and Marquise Blair lined up at outside linebacker on the first play of the Arizona game. The Utes started three down linemen and four corners 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.
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Two-Minute Drill
With its win over Arizona last week, Utah improved to 3-4 in Pac-12 season openers, winning the last three … 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) … 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.
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Game Day Activities
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 two and a half hours prior to kickoff 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.
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Outside the Lines
There is no Kyle Whittingham radio show this week. The next ESPN 700 Coach's Show will be Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. The show will be broadcast live from the Smith's on 876 East and 800 South and is free to the public … Use the hashtag #STANvsUTAH next week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram … 32 former Utes are on NFL rosters this week. See page 9 for a complete list of current Utes in the NFL.
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Players Mentioned
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