Upcoming Event: Track & Field versus NCAA First Round on May 28, 2026
Track & Field
vs NCAA First Round
The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Football: In-Game Notes vs. Cal
General
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
- Utah won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Utes defended the North goal to begin the game.
- Attendance: 52,115
- Utah did not incur its first penalty of the game until the fourth quarter.
Offense
- Quarterback Bryson Barnes made his third start of the season (Florida; at Baylor; Cal).
- Center Kolinu'u Faaiu made his first career start.
- For the second straight game, Sione Vaki saw action on both offense and defense. Vaki, listed as a safety, had his first multi-rush game as a Ute and contributed a career-long 32-yard rush in the first quarter.
- Vaki's 32-yard rush was the longest by a Utah defensive back since at least 1996, surpassing a 30-yard run by Sean Smith in 2006 vs. Colorado State.
- Entering this weekend, Vaki's 32-yard rush would be the longest by a defensive back in FBS football this season.
- Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson earned his first rushing touchdown of the season and first since the Rose Bowl Game vs. Penn State.
- Vaki contributed a one-yard rushing touchdown just before halftime. It was Vaki's first career touchdown and first rushing score by a Utah defensive back since Eric Weddle's four-yarder vs. Tulsa in the 2006 Armed Forces Bowl.
- Wide receiver Munir McClain made a 41-yard reception on Utah's first drive of the second half. It was McClain's second-longest reception as a Ute; trailing only his 49-yard grab earlier this season vs. Weber State.
- Barnes rushed for a four-yard touchdown during the third quarter; it was his second career rushing score (the other was vs. Florida on Aug. 31, 2023).
- Vaki's rushing yardage is the most by a defensive back in recorded Pac-12 history.
- Lining up out of the wildcat, Vaki scored a 72-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Defense
- Safety Cole Bishop played in his 30th collegiate game, including 25 starts.
- For the fifth time in six games this season, the Utes held their opponent scoreless and without a first down on their game-opening drive.
- Returning from injury, defensive end Connor O'Toole made his season debut. O'Toole contributed a sack during the second quarter--his first since the 2022 Pac-12 Championship vs. USC.
- Linebacker Lander Barton made his second career interception during the second quarter and returned it two yards. Barton's other pick was a 23-yard pick-six vs. Weber State.
- Defensive end Jonah Elliss--who entered the game as the Power Five leader in sacks--had a strip-sack during the third quarter. It was Elliss' third career forced fumble (first since Nov. 5, 2022 vs. Arizona) and safety Cole Bishop made his third career fumble recovery on the play (first since Nov. 19, 2022 at Oregon).
- Defensive end Van Fillinger added 2.0 sacks; it was his most since a career-best 3.0-sack performance vs. Washington State in 2021.
Special Teams
- Returning from injury, placekicker Cole Becker made his first appearance since the Baylor game on Sept. 9. Becker connected on both a 23- and 38-yard field goal, as well as all four of his PAT attempts.