2018 Utah Utes football team
The 2018 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Utes were led by 14th-year head coach Kyle Whittingham and played their home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT. They were members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference.
2018 Utah Utes football | |
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Pac-12 South Division champion | |
Holiday Bowl, L 20–31 vs. Northwestern | |
Conference | Pac-12 Conference |
South Division | |
2018 record | 9–5 (6–3 Pac-12) |
Head coach | Kyle Whittingham (14th season) |
Offensive coordinator | Troy Taylor (2nd season) |
Offensive scheme | Multiple |
Defensive coordinator | Morgan Scalley (3rd season) |
Base defense | 4–3 |
Home stadium | Rice–Eccles Stadium (Capacity: 45,807)[1] |
Uniform | |
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2018 Pac-12 Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 13 Washington xy$ | 7 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 10 Washington State x | 7 | – | 2 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stanford | 6 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oregon | 5 | – | 4 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California | 4 | – | 5 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oregon State | 1 | – | 8 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utah xy | 6 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arizona State | 5 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
USC | 4 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arizona | 4 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UCLA | 3 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado | 2 | – | 7 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Washington 10, Utah 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Utes completed the regular season with a 6–3 record in conference play, winning the South Division for the first time since joining the Pac-12 Conference in 2011. In the Pac-12 Championship Game, the team lost to North Division champion Washington by a score of 10–3. They were invited to the Holiday Bowl to play Big Ten Conference runner-up Northwestern, where the Utes lost by a score of 31–20 to end the year at 9–5 overall.
Utah was led on offense by quarterback Tyler Huntley until he suffered a season-ending collarbone fracture in the game against Arizona State on November 3. Redshirt freshman Jason Shelley started for the rest of the season.[2] Running back Zack Moss compiled 1,096 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Two members of the Utah offensive line earned first-team all-conference honors, Jordan Agasiva and Jackson Barton. Utah's defense featured four members of the first-team All-Pac-12: defensive linemen Bradlee Anae and Leki Fotu, linebacker Chase Hansen, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Hansen led the conference in tackles for loss with 22, and Anae tied for the conference lead in sacks with 8.[3]
Previous season
The Utes finished the 2017 season 7–6, 3–6 in Pac-12 play to finish in fifth place in the South Division. They were invited to the Heart of Dallas Bowl where they defeated West Virginia.
Preseason
Position key
Back | B | Center | C | Cornerback | CB | Defensive back | DB | |||
Defensive end | DE | Defensive lineman | DL | Defensive tackle | DT | End | E | |||
Fullback | FB | Guard | G | Halfback | HB | Kicker | K | |||
Kickoff returner | KR | Offensive tackle | OT | Offensive lineman | OL | Linebacker | LB | |||
Long snapper | LS | Punter | P | Punt returner | PR | Quarterback | QB | |||
Running back | RB | Safety | S | Tight end | TE | Wide receiver | WR |
Recruits
The Utes signed a total of 20 recruits.
US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Hunter Lotulelei OG |
Salt Lake City, Utah | Highland High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 213 lb (97 kg) | Jun 17, 2016 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Jack Tuttle QB |
San Marcos, California | Mission Hills High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Dec 16, 2016 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Malone Mataele DB |
Rancho Santa Margarita, California | Santa Margarita Catholic High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Apr 21, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Tevita Fotu TE |
Herriman, Utah | Herriman High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Oct 8, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Terrell Perriman WR |
Miami, Florida | Miami Central High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | Nov 3, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Braeden Daniels OL |
Carrollton, Texas | Hebron High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Dec 17, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Jeremiah Jordan DE |
Stone Mountain, Georgia | Mt. San Jacinto College | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Dec 17, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Bryant Pirtle LB |
Louisville, Kentucky | Pima Community College | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Dec 20, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Paul Maile DT |
Salt Lake City, Utah | East High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Dec 23, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Andrew Mataafa LB |
San Diego, California | San Diego High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Dec 29, 2017 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Vonte Davis CB |
Rosenberg, Texas | Blinn College | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Jan 14, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Blake Kuithe DE |
Katy, Texas | Cinco Ranch High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Jan 14, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Brant Kuithe WR |
Katy, Texas | Cinco Ranch High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 212 lb (96 kg) | Jan 14, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Jackson Cravens DT |
Provo, Utah | Timpview High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | Feb 3, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Thomas Yassmin TE |
New South Wales, Australia | The Scots College | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Feb 6, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Devin Brumfield RB |
Covington, Louisiana | Covington High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 219 lb (99 kg) | Feb 7, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Solomon Enis WR |
Phoenix, Arizona | North Canyon High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Feb 7, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Simi Moala DE |
Hawthorne, California | Cathedral High School | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Feb 7, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Mika Tafua DE |
Maui, Hawaii | Kamehameha Schools | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Feb 7, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Tareke Lewis CB |
Palatka, Florida | Riverside City College | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Feb 7, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Lott Trophy[4] | Chase Hansen | LB | SR |
Rimington Trophy[5] | Lo Falemaka | C | SR |
Chuck Bednarik Award[6] | Julian Blackmon | CB | JR |
Bradlee Anae | DE | JR | |
Maxwell Award[7] | Zack Moss | RB | JR |
Doak Walker Award[8] | Zack Moss | RB | JR |
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[9] | Julian Blackmon | CB | JR |
Outland Trophy[10] | Lo Falemaka | C | SR |
Lou Groza Award[11] | Matt Gay | K | SR |
Ray Guy Award[12] | Mitch Wishnowsky | P | SR |
Wuerffel Trophy[13] | Chase Hansen | DB | SR |
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[14] | Tyler Huntley | QB | JR |
Pac-12 Media Days
The 2018 Pac-12 media days are set for July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Kyle Whittingham (HC), Chase Hanson (LB) & Lo Falemaka (OL) at Pac-12 Media Days. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Utes predicted to finish in second place at Pac-12 South division.[15]
Media poll (South) | ||
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
1 | USC | 225 (22) |
2 | Utah | 209 (14) |
3 | Arizona | 178 (3) |
4 | UCLA | 116 (2) |
5 | Colorado | 80 (1) |
6 | Arizona State | 72 |
Schedule
Utah announced their 2018 football schedule on November 16, 2017.[16] The Utes will play FCS Weber State and Northern Illinois and returning to the traditional last game of the year spot, Utah will play in-state rival BYU Cougars football in out-of-conference play. In Pac-12 conference play, the Utes will not play cross-divisional foes California and Oregon State.
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 30 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 8 (FCS) Weber State* | P12N | W 41–10 | 45,988 | ||
September 8 | 5:30 p.m. | at Northern Illinois* | ESPNews | W 17–6 | 16,762 | ||
September 15 | 8:00 p.m. | No. 10 Washington |
| ESPN | L 7–21 | 47,445 | |
September 29 | 4:00 p.m. | at Washington State | P12N | L 24–28 | 30,088 | ||
October 6 | 8:30 p.m. | at No. 14 Stanford | ESPN | W 40–21 | 37,244 | ||
October 12 | 8:00 p.m. | Arizona |
| ESPN | W 42–10 | 45,862 | |
October 20 | 6:00 p.m. | USC![]() |
| P12N | W 41–28 | 46,405 | |
October 26 | 8:30 p.m. | at UCLA | No. 23 | ESPN | W 41–10 | 41,848 | |
November 3 | 2:00 p.m. | at Arizona State | No. 16 | P12N | L 20–38 | 46,445 | |
November 10 | 3:30 p.m. | Oregon |
| P12N | W 32–25 | 46,275 | |
November 17 | 11:30 a.m. | at Colorado | No. 21 | P12N | W 30–7 | 39,360 | |
November 24 | 8:00 p.m. | BYU* | No. 18 |
| FS1 | W 35–27 | 46,017 |
November 30 | 6:00 p.m. | vs. No. 10 Washington | No. 17 | FOX | L 3–10 | 35,134 | |
December 31 | 5:00 p.m. | vs. Northwestern* | No. 20 | FS1 | L 20–31 | 47,007 | |
|
Source:[17]
Game summaries
Weber State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 8 (FCS) Wildcats | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Utes | 7 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 41 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
4–0 | 2013 | UTAH, 70–7 |
at Northern Illinois
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Utes | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
Huskies | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
First meeting |
Washington
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 10 Huskies | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
Utes | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
1–10 | 2017 | WASH, 33–30 |
at Washington State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Utes | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
Cougars | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
7–8 | 2017 | WSU, 33–25 |
at Stanford
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Utes | 7 | 17 | 3 | 13 | 40 |
No. 14 Cardinal | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
4–4 | 2017 | STAN, 23–20 |
Arizona
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wildcats | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
Utes | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
22–19–2 | 2017 | UTAH, 30–24 |
USC
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trojans | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
Utes | 7 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 41 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
5–11 | 2017 | USC, 28–27 |
at UCLA
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 23 Utes | 3 | 14 | 21 | 3 | 41 |
Bruins | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
5–11 | 2017 | UTAH, 48–17 |
at Arizona State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 16 Utes | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
Sun Devils | 14 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 38 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
8–21 | 2017 | ASU, 30–10 |
Oregon
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ducks | 0 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 25 |
Utes | 10 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 32 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
9–22 | 2017 | ORE, 41–20 |
at Colorado
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 21 Utes | 0 | 7 | 17 | 6 | 30 |
Buffaloes | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
29–32–3 | 2017 | UTAH, 24–13 |
BYU
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cougars | 13 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
No. 18 Utes | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 | 35 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
61–34–4 | 2017 | UTAH, 19–13 |
The Utes scored 28 unanswered points and overcame a 27–7 deficit in the third quarter to defeat their in-state rival, the BYU Cougars, for the eighth consecutive time.
vs. Washington (Pac-12 Championship Game)
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 17 Utes | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
No. 10 Huskies | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
1–11 | 2018 | WASH, 21–7 |
vs. Northwestern (Holiday Bowl)
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 20 Utes | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Wildcats | 0 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 31 |
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
1–1 | 1981 | UTAH, 42–0 |
Rankings
Week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
AP | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | NR | RV | RV | 23 | 16 | RV | 21 | 18 | 17 | 20 | RV | ||||||||||||||||||||
Coaches | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | NR | RV | RV | 24 | 16 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 19 | RV | ||||||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | 15 | NR | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | Not released |
Players drafted into the NFL
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
2 | 47 | Marquise Blair | S | Seattle Seahawks |
3 | 88 | Cody Barton | LB | Seattle Seahawks |
4 | 110 | Mitch Wishnowsky | P | San Francisco 49ers |
5 | 145 | Matt Gay | K | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
7 | 240 | Jackson Barton | OT | Indianapolis Colts |
References
- Rice-Eccles Stadium. The University of Utah. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- Kragthorpe, Kurt (November 5, 2018). "Utes QB Tyler Huntley officially is out for the season, but he may play in a bowl game". The Salt Lake Tribune.
- "2018 Pacific-12 Conference Year Summary". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
- "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
- "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
- "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List - Maxwell Football Club". Maxwell Football Club. 2018-07-16. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
- "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
- "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- "Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2018 Preseason Watch List". July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- "Ray Guy Award preseason watch list unveiled". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- "Washington picked as Pac-12 favorite in preseason media poll". July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- Facer, Dirk (November 16, 2017). "Utah's 2018 football schedule released by Pac-12; Utes to face BYU last week of season". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- 2018 Utah Utes football schedule. FBSchedules.com. Retrieved Dec 4, 2017.