Stay weblog: The No. 14 Utes beat the Florida Gators, 24-11, on Thursday evening.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) scores a landing because the Utah Utes host the Florida Gators, NCAA soccer in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
| Aug. 31, 2023, 11:36 p.m.
| Up to date: Sep. 1, 2023, 4:47 a.m.
Bryson Barnes was already one thing of a Utah soccer people hero.
If he retains this up, he’ll be greater than that.
The previous walk-on, beginning rather than senior Cam Rising, didn’t hassle enjoying it protected on his first play from scrimmage. The Milford Excessive star went deep to Cash Parks for a 70-yard landing to place the Utes up 7-0 early at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Barnes will be the most unheralded of the Utes’ quarterbacks. However as our columnist Andy Larsen identified this week, he’s good with a deep ball.
Should you’re nonetheless unfamiliar with Barnes’ story, check out this profile ahead of last year’s Rose Bowl.
Last: Utah 24, Florida 11
Kyle Whittingham and the Utes didn’t have their beginning QB.
However they bought their revenge.
The Utes beat the Florida Gators, the primary SEC opponent to ever go to Rice-Eccles Stadium, 24-11.
Quarterback Cam Rising didn’t go well with up, however backups Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson shared the duties to steer the Utes to victory.
“This staff’s bought a number of grit,” Whittingham mentioned. “Subsequent man up mentality. Couldn’t be prouder of those guys. Bryson Barnes, Nate Johnson did what we would have liked them to do. It wasn’t fairly on the finish there; we type of allow them to again in. However we bought the victory. On to the following one.”
Gators cross the goalline
Florida has discovered the top zone within the fourth quarter. Graham Mertz discovered Caleb Douglas for a 19-yard rating, capping a 13-play drive that spanned 6:54.
After a two-point conversion, it’s 24-11 with 9:22 to play.
Florida errors mount
First, the Utes pinned the Gators deep.
Kirk Herbstreit
“It is a PSA for all of the punt returners on the opening weekend of faculty soccer. Do not try this. That is a freshman being a freshman.” https://t.co/feXVBA5WhO
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.— Terrible Asserting (@awfulannouncing) September 1, 2023
Then, Utah security Sione Vaki executes the tip drill to perfection.
And at last, it’s Bryson Barnes’ flip to indicate off his wheels.
It’s 24-3 early within the third quarter.
Halftime: Utah 17, Florida 3
A Cole Becker 51-yard discipline aim gave the Utes three extra factors within the second quarter. However Utah may be lamenting its missed alternative: a trick play that noticed large receiver Devaughn Vele simply narrowly overthrow Micah Bernard down the sideline.
Both method, the Utes have a lead on the break.
In his TV interview, head coach Kyle Whittingham expressed his pleasure together with his backup quarterbacks thus far.
“They’re each doing a pleasant job taking good care of the soccer. Nate’s doing precisely what we hoped he would with the run recreation. In all probability must get him extra concerned with that.”
On that opening landing: “We’ve opened up pretty conservatively the previous a number of years so we thought let’s change it up this 12 months.”
A little bit of dangerous information: Whittingham mentioned it’s “uncertain” Karene Reid may return within the second half.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes operating again Micah Bernard (2) congratulates Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) after he scored a landing, in soccer motion between the Utah Utes and the Florida Gators at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
Nate breaks one
And Nate Johnson has delivered.
The redshirt freshman quarterback breaks a 27-yard run for the Utes’ second landing of the sport. It’s a rating Utah can thank the Gators for: they had been flagged for having two gamers carrying No. 3 jerseys on the sphere throughout a punt, giving the Utes a primary down.
Credit score the MUSS
Twice now, the Gators have had false begins kill drives. Each instances, they’ve been on the stadium’s south finish.
The Utes managed to maintain Graham Mertz wanting the road on third down after which the MUSS did its work to assist power a false begin.
To prime issues off, the Gators pushed the sphere aim large proper.
It’s nonetheless 7-3.
Q1: Utah 7, Florida 3
A Jonah Elliss sack compelled the Gators to accept a discipline aim within the first quarter. However Florida is threatening once more because the quarter involves an finish. Florida QB Graham Mertz appears like he’s getting extra snug — particularly with Utah’s star linebacker Karene Reid on the sideline and reportedly being evaluated for a head harm.
Bryson Barnes will begin for Utah
For some time now, it appeared an extended shot Cam Rising could be prepared for the Utes’ season opener. Up to now, it’s been backups Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson on the sphere throughout warmups.
(Eric Walden | The Salt Lake Tribune) With Cam Rising nonetheless recovering from ACL surgical procedure, backup quarterbacks Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson had been distinguished figures on the sphere at Rice-Eccles Stadium throughout warmups on Thursday evening.
Rising and tight finish Brant Kuithe, who has not yet been cleared for full practice, are each in avenue garments on the stadium.
An enormous roar
The U. put a seismograph station in Rice-Eccles Stadium tonight and it hasn’t disillusioned thus far.
Learn how to watch Utah vs. Florida
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Followers line up because the Utah Utes arrive to face the Florida Gators, NCAA soccer in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
Tonight’s recreation is on ESPN and streaming on WatchESPN.
However for those who’re on the lookout for extra information about this showdown between the Utes and Gators, we’ve got you covered here.
