Plus…a senior-themed version of Crunchin’ The Numbers
SALT LAKE CITY – Though the Utah quarterback room has dealt with adversity throughout the 2024 season, there has been no shortage of resilience among the Utes at the position. And one arm among that group is senior Luke Bottari.
Bottari came to Utah after a three-season stint at the College of San Mateo, arriving in Salt Lake City before the 2022 campaign. He had a brief stint with Cal in Summer 2023, but returned to the Utes in Fall Camp that year and made his first start during the 2023 regular season finale, leading the team to a victory over Colorado.
The San Mateo, California, native visited with UtahUtes.com this week to chat about his football journey, and a non-profit foundation he established in the face of tragedy.
This season has not gone as hoped, but one thing that cannot be questioned is the continued fight of this team week in and week out. Can you shed some light on how everyone in the QB room is continuing to rally around each other?
"This year definitely has not gone the way any of us expected. But the way we play games and what we see when we turn on film, guys are playing hard and playing until the very end. The way the guys are playing, it's clear the team is all still together. It really speaks to the character of every man on this team."
Photo by Eli Rehmer/Utah AthleticsAs a senior on the team, how have you grown as a quarterback and person at Utah?
"As a person, first and foremost, I've learned all sorts of values that I'll carry on to the rest of my life. Fighting through adversity, working hard, stuff like that. As a quarterback, I learned one of the most complicated systems in college football. I'll take that with my through the rest of my career and hopefully into coaching."
There's a solid track record recently of QBs at Utah with solid hair. Thoughts?
"It definitely gives you a little extra sauce. If you can rock the flow, you have some sauce to you. For me to grow my hair out to a good spot, it probably took about a year. I've trimmed it a couple times."
How did your mom's time as a Utah swimmer play into your decision to come here?
"I grew up coming to Utah games as a kid, mainly football and basketball. I knew a lot about the university and how family-oriented it was, especially the football program. Coming out of junior college and having the option to go to Utah was very special to me and I knew it was a place I wanted to be."
How would summarize your football journey?
"I have no regrets on my journey. I transferred out of Utah but came back in the middle of Fall Camp (in 2023). I came back for a reason; I love this program with all my heart. When you step away from this program, you realize at other places that it's just not the same. I've loved my journey and the role that I've had through high school, junior college and here, and my experience in all three of those places."
Can you talk a little about Play4Prevention, the non-profit you have spearheaded?
"I went through a bad experience in high school with a friend who committed suicide. In her honor, I wanted to raise awareness and honor her life. After hours and hours of conversations with people close to me, it started turning into a movement and ultimately became a non-profit that I ran in high school. I continued that throughout high school and college. The ultimate goal of the non-profit, Play4Prevention, is to raise awareness for teen mental health and teen suicide. It is becoming less stigmatized, but it definitely still needs to be a conversation topic that we talk about every day."
Photo by Eli Rehmer/Utah Athletics
Crunchin' The Numbers Facts and figures to help you send off the seniors on a high note…
26 – number of seniors expected to be recognized by the Utah Football program in Saturday's pregame Senior Night recognition inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. It includes honoring the lives of Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe, both of whom would have been seniors this season. Be in your seats by 4:45 p.m.
53 – games won by the Utes being recognized Saturday night.
48 – including Iowa State, games played inside Rice-Eccles Stadium by members of the senior class—all sellouts except for three games in 2020 (when fans were unable to attend). It's part of a longer streak of 88 straight sellouts at RES, dating back to the 2010 season-opening win over Pitt.
22 – the jersey number worn as Utes by the late Ty Jordan, and later Aaron Lowe after changing his number from 2 in memory of Jordan. The number 22 was retired by the U on Oct. 30, 2021, honoring the legacy of both players. Prior to the 2024 NFL season, former Ute and current Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips III changed his number to 22 in memory of both men.
2 – conference championships won by this senior class, coming back-to-back when the Utes knocked off Oregon in 2021 and USC in 2022 for the Pac-12 title. Utah also appeared in the Pac-12 Championship in 2018 (vs. Washington) and 2019 (vs. Oregon).
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