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3 Takeaways Utah football’s home win against Florida

By Dante Pryor

Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham is introduced before the game against the Southern California Trojans in the PAC-12 Football Championship at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham is introduced before the game against the Southern California Trojans in the PAC-12 Football Championship at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Utah football dominated the Gators at home this evening. 

When it was announced that Bryce Barnes would start at quarterback for Utah football, many thought the Gators had an opportunity to go on the road at Rice-Eccles and upset the 14th-ranked Utes. Well, no one told the Utes that Cam Rising was the be-all, end-all at quarterback. A combination of first-half miscues and Bryce Barnes playing like a senior won the day for Utah.

Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig decided to go deep on the first play of the game. Barnes connected with receiver Money Parks on a 70-yard touchdown. Florida’s offense went three and out on its first two possessions before kicking a field goal.

The Gators’ offense could not get the running game going at all tonight. They got beat up front, with quarterback Graham Mertz taking a couple of sacks.

For the Utes, Whittingham has to love how Barnes showed command of the offense and comfort running the show in place of Rising, who wasn’t cleared to play because of an ACL injury suffered in the Rose Bowl last year.

Utah also played quarterback Nate Johnson, who was used more as a runner. The offense did stall at times but put up enough points to win the game. The Utes defense sacked Mertz five times, and the Gators converted one of 13 third downs.

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