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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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Aug 31, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) is congratulated after his touchdown in the first half against the Florida Gators at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) is congratulated after his touchdown in the first half against the Florida Gators at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Bryce Barnes played with poise for Utah Football

Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig wanted everyone to know that he had confidence in quarterback Bryce Barnes. How do you do that? Have him throw deep on his first pass of the game. Seventy yards later, Utah had a 7-0 lead. Ludwig and the Utah offense had a solid game plan, and they scored enough points for the win.

It was not pretty at times, but the offense was effective enough to get the home victory. Ludwig did a good job of using quarterback Nate Johnson to help with the running game. They did miss Cam Rising tonight, but the offense did enough.

One thing that bailed out the offense was a dominant defensive performance by the Utah defense. Florida could not get anything going offensively. Utah’s defensive front was outstanding all night long. Florida could not run, and though Graham Mertz threw for over 300 yards, 100 of those yards came on four throws.

Mertz was sacked five times, and Utah bowed up on key downs. Florida converted just one third down and two fourth downs. Utah was more physical at the point of attack and executed better than Flordia.

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