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6 p.m.
Football
at Wyoming
Saturday, September 7
Salt Lake City, Utah
11:00 AM
University of Utah
vs
Northern Illinois
Utah Football Hosts Northern Illinois Saturday
9/2/2019 10:47 AM | Football
THE GAME
The No. 14/15 University of Utah Utes (1-0) will host the Northern Illinois Huskies (1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game is set to kick off at 11 a.m. MT and will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks. Search #NIUvsUTAH on social media for conversation.
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HOME SWEET HOME
Utah is currently 91-35 (.722) all-time in Rice-Eccles Stadium (1998-present). The Utes are 19-2 in home openers since 1998 when Rice-Eccles Stadium opened, with Utah's last home opening loss coming in 2007 against Air Force (20-12). Head coach Kyle Whittingham is 12-1 all-time in home openers.
GAME DAY PROMOTIONS
The game against Northern Illinois is Utah's HOME OPENER! Fans are encouraged to wear RED for the game. There will be Utah flags given out at the Ute Walk, which starts two and a half hours before the game on Guardsman Way and 500 South.
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NUMBERS TALK
• Utah's game against NIU will be just the second meeting between the two teams.
• With a win, Utah will have won 12-straight home openers, dating back to 2008.
• Head coach Kyle Whittingham has coached in 307 games for Utah as an assistant and a head coach with 206 career victories.Â
• With a win, Utah will start the year 2-0 for the seventh year in a row.Â
• The Utes currently are tied for first nationally in defensive touchdowns (2).
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QUICK HITS
• Northern Illinois is the only school from the Mid-American Conference (current members) that the Utes have faced.
• Utah is 24-1 in regular-season non-conference games since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. Utah's last regular-season non-conference loss was in overtime at Utah State in 2012.
• Utah landed at No. 13 in the AP Top 25 entering week two, the 42nd week in program history that the Utes have landed in the top 13. The most consecutive weeks inside the top 13 was 11 in 2004 when the Utes ranked No. 2 in the final AP Top 25 poll after going 12-0 with a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh to cap off the season.
• Utah was picked by the media to win the Pac-12 Conference title game and the South Division. Utah also had a team-high five players earn first-team preseason All-Pac-12 (Zack Moss, Bradlee Anae, Leki Fotu, Julian Blackmon, Jaylon Johnson).
• The Utes have sold out 57-straight games in Rice-Eccles Stadium since the 2010 season opener, including 53 standing room only crowds. The school record for season attendance average is 46,533 (2015) and Utah has averaged more than 46,000 fans per game in four of the past five seasons.
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TEAM LEADERS
Utah's team captains are elected during preseason camp each year by the team. This year the offensive captains are seniors Tyler Huntley and Darrin Paulo. For defense, the captains are seniors Bradlee Anae and Leki Fotu while the special teams captain is newcomer punter Ben Lennon. The Utes also named their leadership council for the season which includes Huntley, Anae, Paulo, Fotu, Lennon, Jaylon Johnson, Zack Moss, Demari Simpkins, Francis Bernard, Britain Covey, Julian Blackmon, Terrell Burgess, John Penisini and Cole Fotheringham.
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IN THE HUDDLE
• Players changing numbers since spring ball include Bronson Boyd (#8), Devin Brumfield (#6), Vonte Davis (#22), Nygel King (#16), Malone Mataele (#15) and Simi Moala (#69). Position changes include Jayden Clemons going from quarterback to defensive back and Falcon Kaumatule moving from defensive end to offensive line.
• Utah added three new staff members during the offseason with Andy Ludwig returning to the Utes as offensive coordinator after serving in the same role from 2005-08, including Utah's 2008 undefeated Sugar Bowl season. Former Utah player Sione Po'uha returns to coach the defensive tackles after serving in the same role at Navy last year while Colton Swan joined the Utes as linebackers coach from Weber State.
• Scholarships awarded to walk ons during the offseason include senior offensive lineman Kyle Lanterman, junior tight end Ali'I Niumatalolo, senior defensive end Malik Haynes and senior running back Mason Woodward.
• Javelin Guidry is one of the fastest players in NCAA football, clocking a season-best time of 6.59 seconds in the 2018-19 indoor track season and competing at the USATF Indoor Championships.
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TWO-MINUTE DRILL
• Utah is 24-1 in regular-season non-conference games since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
• Utah is one of two teams to score two defensive touchdowns over the first weekend, both interception returns. The Utes last scored two defensive touchdowns in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2015, also interception returns.Â
• Utah led the Pac-12 in rushing offense during the first week (262.0), which ranks 22nd in the FBS.
• Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks sixth nationally in weeks ranked in the College Football Playoff Poll, entering 2019 with 24 weeks, trailing only Alabama (31), Clemson (31), Ohio State (31), Oklahoma (29) and LSU (27).
• Utah is one of just five college football programs whose 2018 attendance represented 100% or higher than capacity of its stadium, claiming the fourth-highest capacity percentage of 101.1%. Nebraska (104.2%), Oklahoma (103.9%) and Michigan (102.9%) were the only schools ahead of Utah, while Georgia (100.0%) rounded out the top five.
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UTAH GAME DAY
• University of Utah faculty and staff can receive a discounted ticket to the first two home games (Northern Illinois, Idaho State) by going to UtahTickets.com. All state and federal employees can receive a discounted ticket to the Idaho State game.
• The clear bag policy will continue to be enforced at Utah athletic events held at Rice-Eccles Stadium and the Huntsman Center this season.
• Fans can purchase unique experiences, including pregame and in-game sideline access, tailgate experiences, coin-toss participation, autographed memorabilia and the opportunity to lead the team out of the tunnel with the flag. To learn more about the game-day experiences please visit utahutes.com/experiences.
• Fans can purchase tailgating experiences from Tailgate Guys at tailgateguys.com/university-of-utah.
• The Ute Walk begins two-and-a-half hours before kickoff at the corner of Guardsman Way and 500 South. Fans are invited to cheer on the Utes as they make their walk into Rice-Eccles Stadium, sponsored by doTERRA.
• The cannon will blast at a new time, 45 minutes before kickoff, alerting fans to begin their transition into the stadium.
Â
IN THE CLASSROOM
The Utes currently have seven student-athletes that have already received their degrees, including four graduate transfers who are pursuing Masters degree, and 16 who are on track to graduate in December.
• Already have degrees: John Penisini (family communications & human development), Josh Nurse (sociology) and Darrin Paulo (economics).
• Pursuing a Masters: Hunter Thedford (international affairs and global enterprise), Noah Reneau-Myers (education, culture and society), Alex Locklear (human development and social policy) and Andrew Strauch (real estate development).
• Graduating in December: Francis Bernard (sociology), Julian Blackmon (sociology), Terrell Burgess (kinesiology), Bapa Falemaka (sociology), Leki Fotu (human development & family studies), Tyler Huntley (sociology), Jaylon Johnson (pre-business), Nygel King (sociology), Kyle Lanterman (communications), Tareke Lewis (sociology), Zack Moss (communications), Hauati Pututau (health, society & policy), Demari Simpkins (communications), Tyrone Young-Smith (sociology), Paul Toala (communications) and Derrick Vickers (sociology).
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The No. 14/15 University of Utah Utes (1-0) will host the Northern Illinois Huskies (1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game is set to kick off at 11 a.m. MT and will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks. Search #NIUvsUTAH on social media for conversation.
Â
HOME SWEET HOME
Utah is currently 91-35 (.722) all-time in Rice-Eccles Stadium (1998-present). The Utes are 19-2 in home openers since 1998 when Rice-Eccles Stadium opened, with Utah's last home opening loss coming in 2007 against Air Force (20-12). Head coach Kyle Whittingham is 12-1 all-time in home openers.
GAME DAY PROMOTIONS
The game against Northern Illinois is Utah's HOME OPENER! Fans are encouraged to wear RED for the game. There will be Utah flags given out at the Ute Walk, which starts two and a half hours before the game on Guardsman Way and 500 South.
Â
NUMBERS TALK
• Utah's game against NIU will be just the second meeting between the two teams.
• With a win, Utah will have won 12-straight home openers, dating back to 2008.
• Head coach Kyle Whittingham has coached in 307 games for Utah as an assistant and a head coach with 206 career victories.Â
• With a win, Utah will start the year 2-0 for the seventh year in a row.Â
• The Utes currently are tied for first nationally in defensive touchdowns (2).
Â
QUICK HITS
• Northern Illinois is the only school from the Mid-American Conference (current members) that the Utes have faced.
• Utah is 24-1 in regular-season non-conference games since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. Utah's last regular-season non-conference loss was in overtime at Utah State in 2012.
• Utah landed at No. 13 in the AP Top 25 entering week two, the 42nd week in program history that the Utes have landed in the top 13. The most consecutive weeks inside the top 13 was 11 in 2004 when the Utes ranked No. 2 in the final AP Top 25 poll after going 12-0 with a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh to cap off the season.
• Utah was picked by the media to win the Pac-12 Conference title game and the South Division. Utah also had a team-high five players earn first-team preseason All-Pac-12 (Zack Moss, Bradlee Anae, Leki Fotu, Julian Blackmon, Jaylon Johnson).
• The Utes have sold out 57-straight games in Rice-Eccles Stadium since the 2010 season opener, including 53 standing room only crowds. The school record for season attendance average is 46,533 (2015) and Utah has averaged more than 46,000 fans per game in four of the past five seasons.
Â
TEAM LEADERS
Utah's team captains are elected during preseason camp each year by the team. This year the offensive captains are seniors Tyler Huntley and Darrin Paulo. For defense, the captains are seniors Bradlee Anae and Leki Fotu while the special teams captain is newcomer punter Ben Lennon. The Utes also named their leadership council for the season which includes Huntley, Anae, Paulo, Fotu, Lennon, Jaylon Johnson, Zack Moss, Demari Simpkins, Francis Bernard, Britain Covey, Julian Blackmon, Terrell Burgess, John Penisini and Cole Fotheringham.
Â
IN THE HUDDLE
• Players changing numbers since spring ball include Bronson Boyd (#8), Devin Brumfield (#6), Vonte Davis (#22), Nygel King (#16), Malone Mataele (#15) and Simi Moala (#69). Position changes include Jayden Clemons going from quarterback to defensive back and Falcon Kaumatule moving from defensive end to offensive line.
• Utah added three new staff members during the offseason with Andy Ludwig returning to the Utes as offensive coordinator after serving in the same role from 2005-08, including Utah's 2008 undefeated Sugar Bowl season. Former Utah player Sione Po'uha returns to coach the defensive tackles after serving in the same role at Navy last year while Colton Swan joined the Utes as linebackers coach from Weber State.
• Scholarships awarded to walk ons during the offseason include senior offensive lineman Kyle Lanterman, junior tight end Ali'I Niumatalolo, senior defensive end Malik Haynes and senior running back Mason Woodward.
• Javelin Guidry is one of the fastest players in NCAA football, clocking a season-best time of 6.59 seconds in the 2018-19 indoor track season and competing at the USATF Indoor Championships.
Â
TWO-MINUTE DRILL
• Utah is 24-1 in regular-season non-conference games since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
• Utah is one of two teams to score two defensive touchdowns over the first weekend, both interception returns. The Utes last scored two defensive touchdowns in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2015, also interception returns.Â
• Utah led the Pac-12 in rushing offense during the first week (262.0), which ranks 22nd in the FBS.
• Utah leads the Pac-12 and ranks sixth nationally in weeks ranked in the College Football Playoff Poll, entering 2019 with 24 weeks, trailing only Alabama (31), Clemson (31), Ohio State (31), Oklahoma (29) and LSU (27).
• Utah is one of just five college football programs whose 2018 attendance represented 100% or higher than capacity of its stadium, claiming the fourth-highest capacity percentage of 101.1%. Nebraska (104.2%), Oklahoma (103.9%) and Michigan (102.9%) were the only schools ahead of Utah, while Georgia (100.0%) rounded out the top five.
Â
UTAH GAME DAY
• University of Utah faculty and staff can receive a discounted ticket to the first two home games (Northern Illinois, Idaho State) by going to UtahTickets.com. All state and federal employees can receive a discounted ticket to the Idaho State game.
• The clear bag policy will continue to be enforced at Utah athletic events held at Rice-Eccles Stadium and the Huntsman Center this season.
• Fans can purchase unique experiences, including pregame and in-game sideline access, tailgate experiences, coin-toss participation, autographed memorabilia and the opportunity to lead the team out of the tunnel with the flag. To learn more about the game-day experiences please visit utahutes.com/experiences.
• Fans can purchase tailgating experiences from Tailgate Guys at tailgateguys.com/university-of-utah.
• The Ute Walk begins two-and-a-half hours before kickoff at the corner of Guardsman Way and 500 South. Fans are invited to cheer on the Utes as they make their walk into Rice-Eccles Stadium, sponsored by doTERRA.
• The cannon will blast at a new time, 45 minutes before kickoff, alerting fans to begin their transition into the stadium.
Â
IN THE CLASSROOM
The Utes currently have seven student-athletes that have already received their degrees, including four graduate transfers who are pursuing Masters degree, and 16 who are on track to graduate in December.
• Already have degrees: John Penisini (family communications & human development), Josh Nurse (sociology) and Darrin Paulo (economics).
• Pursuing a Masters: Hunter Thedford (international affairs and global enterprise), Noah Reneau-Myers (education, culture and society), Alex Locklear (human development and social policy) and Andrew Strauch (real estate development).
• Graduating in December: Francis Bernard (sociology), Julian Blackmon (sociology), Terrell Burgess (kinesiology), Bapa Falemaka (sociology), Leki Fotu (human development & family studies), Tyler Huntley (sociology), Jaylon Johnson (pre-business), Nygel King (sociology), Kyle Lanterman (communications), Tareke Lewis (sociology), Zack Moss (communications), Hauati Pututau (health, society & policy), Demari Simpkins (communications), Tyrone Young-Smith (sociology), Paul Toala (communications) and Derrick Vickers (sociology).
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