Upcoming Event: Football at Baylor on November 15, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Football
at Baylor
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
Photo by: Eli Rehmer/Utah Athletics
Q&A with Utah Football’s Paul Fitzgerald
11/26/2024 1:27 PM | Football
Plus a few interesting tidbits ahead of Utah’s 2024 finale
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah's defense has continued to maintain its standing as one of the toughest in the Big 12 throughout the 2024 campaign, thanks in large part to the skill and depth on a defensive line that includes sophomore defensive end Paul Fitzgerald.
A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Fitzgerald has played in eight games for the Utes in 2024 and has seen his role on the defense expand of late, while also contributing on special teams.
Fitzgerald and his teammates will have the opportunity to finish the year on a positive note on Friday, but before the Utes start their journey to Orlando, UtahUtes.com spent a few minutes with Fitzgerald, discussing what he's worked on throughout the season, as well as friendships with multiple teammates that started before he arrived in Salt Lake City.
How would you rate the season you've had and the progress you've made as a player?
Just understanding the defense a lot more, just getting more comfortable. The guys were very welcoming. Not as much playing time as the year before, having the starters in front of me, great role models, great players and talented guys. It's good to learn from them. I've loved it so far.
You mentioned the guys in front of you like Van Fillinger and Connor O'Toole. What're the most important things you've learned from them?
Honestly, just the way they play, the way they handle that. They're very talented guys, but you see them as very humble dudes as well and good people in general and that's what I want to be like.
What was your first impression of Coach Powell when you met him?
Super cool guy. He welcomed me in along with the players. It was an easy transition. I got along very well with him and we've been great ever since.
Are there specific things he's been emphasizing to you throughout the season?
Just staying ready, just being ready. With injuries that come along throughout the season, you have to be ready for that. Getting my weight up and being more physical are really the two main things. Physicality is our calling card.
You were teammates with Tao Johnson in high school. What was it like having someone here you already knew while you were trying to get used to a new environment?
Yeah, he was my quarterback. We graduated in the same class. It was super cool. It was good to catch up with him. He definitely helped me out, welcomed me in, showed me how everything worked, as well as Tanoa Togiai. He's from Rigby. He was in our division as well. Those guys welcomed me in.
Crunchin' The Numbers
Stats to pass around with the pigskin during Friday's tailgate...
87 – yards covered by Lander Barton on his pick-six against Iowa State, the longest interception return for a touchdown by a Utah linebacker in program history.
78 – rushing yards needed by Micah Bernard to reach 1,000 on the season, which would make him the 21st player in program history to accomplish that feat and the first since Tavion Thomas in 2021.
32 – made field goals for Cole Becker during his Utah career, a total that puts him in the top 10 in program history.
26.8 – Third down conversion rate allowed by Utah's defense, the best mark in the Big 12 and second only to Northern Illinois in the FBS.
8 – number of Utes with at least one interception during the current season, Utah's highest number since they had nine different interceptors in 2019.
3 – successful two-point conversions for the Utes in 2024, their most in a single season since 2012.
FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind-the-scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Fitzgerald has played in eight games for the Utes in 2024 and has seen his role on the defense expand of late, while also contributing on special teams.
Fitzgerald and his teammates will have the opportunity to finish the year on a positive note on Friday, but before the Utes start their journey to Orlando, UtahUtes.com spent a few minutes with Fitzgerald, discussing what he's worked on throughout the season, as well as friendships with multiple teammates that started before he arrived in Salt Lake City.
How would you rate the season you've had and the progress you've made as a player?
Just understanding the defense a lot more, just getting more comfortable. The guys were very welcoming. Not as much playing time as the year before, having the starters in front of me, great role models, great players and talented guys. It's good to learn from them. I've loved it so far.
You mentioned the guys in front of you like Van Fillinger and Connor O'Toole. What're the most important things you've learned from them?
Honestly, just the way they play, the way they handle that. They're very talented guys, but you see them as very humble dudes as well and good people in general and that's what I want to be like.
What was your first impression of Coach Powell when you met him?
Super cool guy. He welcomed me in along with the players. It was an easy transition. I got along very well with him and we've been great ever since.
Are there specific things he's been emphasizing to you throughout the season?
Just staying ready, just being ready. With injuries that come along throughout the season, you have to be ready for that. Getting my weight up and being more physical are really the two main things. Physicality is our calling card.
You were teammates with Tao Johnson in high school. What was it like having someone here you already knew while you were trying to get used to a new environment?
Yeah, he was my quarterback. We graduated in the same class. It was super cool. It was good to catch up with him. He definitely helped me out, welcomed me in, showed me how everything worked, as well as Tanoa Togiai. He's from Rigby. He was in our division as well. Those guys welcomed me in.
Crunchin' The Numbers
Stats to pass around with the pigskin during Friday's tailgate...
87 – yards covered by Lander Barton on his pick-six against Iowa State, the longest interception return for a touchdown by a Utah linebacker in program history.
78 – rushing yards needed by Micah Bernard to reach 1,000 on the season, which would make him the 21st player in program history to accomplish that feat and the first since Tavion Thomas in 2021.
32 – made field goals for Cole Becker during his Utah career, a total that puts him in the top 10 in program history.
26.8 – Third down conversion rate allowed by Utah's defense, the best mark in the Big 12 and second only to Northern Illinois in the FBS.
8 – number of Utes with at least one interception during the current season, Utah's highest number since they had nine different interceptors in 2019.
3 – successful two-point conversions for the Utes in 2024, their most in a single season since 2012.
FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind-the-scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
S
/ Football
DE
/ Football
OL
/ FootballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Baylor's John Morris & Utah Track & Field Head Coach Kyle Kepler
Wednesday, November 12
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham weekly press conference - 11.10.25
Monday, November 10
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football's Mana Carvalho & Blake Cotton
Wednesday, November 05
Utah: 45, Cincinnati: 14 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, November 01