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 at USC
General
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
- USC won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Utah defended the West goal to begin the game.
Offense
- On just the third play from scrimmage, quarterback Bryson Barnes hit two-way player Sione Vaki with a 53-yard touchdown pass. It is Vaki's first collegiate receiving touchdown and third touchdown overall (he rushed for two last week vs. Cal).
- Vaki's 53-yard reception was the longest by a Utah defensive player in recorded history, as noted by Greg Mroz of the Pac-12 Research Department.
- Barnes rushed for a 10-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. It is Barnes' third career rushing score (all this season) and second straight game with a rushing touchdown.
- Tight end Landen King made a nice grab in the end zone for a six-yard touchdown during the third quarter. It was King's second touchdown reception as a Ute (the other came vs. UCLA) and the third of his collegiate career (one with Auburn during 2021).
- King's TD reception was his third total reception as a Ute (two have been touchdowns).
- Barnes has recorded his first game as a Ute with multiple passing touchdowns.
- Vaki added a 15-yard receiving touchdown in the third quarter--his first game with multiple touchdown receptions.
- Jackson reached the 1,000-rushing yard mark during the third quarter by reaching 106 rushing yards for the game.
- Entering this weekend, Vaki's five receptions (as of the 8:24 mark of the fourth quarter) are the most by an FBS defensive player this season.
- Jackson eclipsed the 100-rushing yard mark for the fourth time in his career and second time this season (last: 129 at Baylor on Sept. 9).
Defense
- Safety Nate Ritchie made his first start of the season and sixth of his career (Ritchie started all five games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season).
- USC's touchdown on its opening drive of the game marked just the second time this season that a Utah opponent scored on its game-opening drive (Oregon State was the other).
- Defensive end Connor O'Toole had a three-yard sack on the final play of the first half. O'Toole has a sack in both of his games played since returning from injury.
- After allowing 100 rushing yards to USC during the first quarter, the Trojans had -3 yards on the ground during the second quarter. USC also averaged 10.5 yards per play in the first quarter and just four yards in the second quarter.
- Linebacker Lander Barton reset his career-high tackles (previously six).
- Cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn's 1.0 TFL in the first half were a season-high.
- Defensive end Van Fillinger has a sack for the second straight game.
- After being unavailable for the first half, safety Cole Bishop recovered a fumble during the third quarter after Fillinger knocked it loose; it is Bishop's fourth career recovery and second straight week with one. The force was Fillinger's second as a Ute and first since the Washington State game on Oct. 27, 2022.
- Defensive tackle Tevita Fotu recorded his first career pass breakup during the third quarter. Fellow defensive tackle Junior Tafuna also had a breakup in the third quarter, it was his first of the season with his last coming at Oregon on Nov. 19, 2022.
Special Teams
- Kick returner Mikey Matthews had a career-long 53-yard return during the first quarter.
- Placekicker Cole Becker connected on a 33-yard field goal during the fourth quarter. Becker is now 6-of-8 on field goal attempts for the season.