Upcoming Event: Track & Field versus NCAA First Round on May 28, 2026
Track & Field
vs NCAA First Round
The University of Utah Athletics
In-Game Notes vs. UCLA
General
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
- Utah has sold out Rice-Eccles stadium in 68Â consecutive games, dating back to the 2010 season opener. Saturday's official attendance of 51,922Â was a record for Rice-Eccles Stadium and reset the facility's previous record of 51,724 in Utah's last home game vs. Arizona State (Oct. 16).
- Utah won the coin toss, elected to receive and defended the North goal to start the game. It was the first time this season that Utah elected to receive when winning the toss.
Offense
- Sophomore running back Tavion Thomas tied the Utah single-game record with four rushing touchdowns, the eighth such performance by a Ute (all since 1980) and first since Joe Williams accomplished the feat at UCLA during 2016.
- His 160 rushing yards reset a career-high surpassing a 141-yard effort vs. Alabama A&M during 2018, when Thomas played at Cincinnati.
- Thomas' four scores on the ground were a career-high and his third multi-rushing-touchdown game of the season (vs. Weber State, at Oregon State). Thomas now owns four career such performances, including a two-touchdown game vs. Alabama A&M during 2018 while at Cincinnati.
- With Thomas' 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, Utah scored a touchdown on eight straight possessions while playing at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Seven of those eight drives saw the Utes march at least 68 yards downfield.
- Thomas' second quarter 10-yard scamper also capped a scoring drive that lasted just 35 seconds, the quickest for Utah this season. It came in just under the previously-quickest scoring drive which was a 38-second trip to the end zone against Weber State (Sept. 2).
- Thomas surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark in the third quarter. It's Thomas' third such performance this season, fifth by a Ute this season, and fifth of Thomas' career (two at Cincinnati).
- Thomas carried the ball 20-plus times for the third straight game.
- For the third time this season, sophomore quarterback Cameron Rising both rushed and passed for a touchdown in the same game.
- Fittingly on the night that Utah retired the No. 22 jersey in honor of the late Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe, Thomas is the first Utah player since Jordan in 2020 both to rush for three touchdowns in a game, and also do so in a half. Jordan accomplished the feat in the second half of the 2020 season finale, a victory over Washington State.
- In that same theme, Utah scored a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter following the jersey retirement; as well as on the first play of the fourth quarter following the Moment of Loudness in tribute to Jordan and Lowe.
- Utah amassed 146 rushing yards in the first half, surpassing the second half vs. Arizona State (145) for the most by the team in a half this season.
- The Utes eclipsed the 35-point mark for the fourth time this season.
- Utah scored a touchdown on its opening drive for the third straight game.
Defense
- Junior linebacker Nephi Sewell recorded his fifth career interception, third as a Ute, and first since Dec. 12, 2020 at Colorado.
- Sewell also recorded his second double-digit tackle game (11 at BYU).
- Freshman defensive end Van Fillinger surpassed his career-high with his sixth tackle late in the third quarter.
- Senior defensive tackle Hauati Pututau took down UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers for a safety in the fourth quarter, the first safety recorded by Utah since a 2016 game at Oregon State.
Special Teams
- Cameron Rising attempted the first two punts of his career (35 yards, 43 yards) for an average of 39 yards per punt. It was the first punt attempt by a Utah non-kicker since Eric Weddle (2005 at BYU) and first by a Utah quarterback since at least 1996. In that 2005 game at BYU, Weddle attempted two punts for 46 yards, including a 34-yard long.