The 2020 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Utes were led by 16th-year head coach Kyle Whittingham and played their home games at Rice–Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, as members of the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference.
On August 11, 2020, the Pac-12 suspended all fall sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] On September 24, the Pac-12 announced that football teams would return to play a seven-game conference-only season beginning on November 6, with the conference championship game scheduled for December 18.[3]
On December 18, with a 2–2 record and one game left to play, the Utes announced that they would not pursue a bid to a bowl game.[4] The Utes won their final game, finishing their season with a 3–2 record. Running back Ty Jordan was voted the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.[5]
Schedule
Utah had games scheduled against BYU, Montana State, and Wyoming, but canceled these games on July 10 due to the Pac-12 Conference's decision to play a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
On November 24, Utah's scheduled game at Arizona State for November 29 was canceled after a COVID-19 outbreak within the Arizona State program.[7] The Pac-12 then announced that Utah would instead play at Washington on November 28;[8] the Huskies' scheduled game at Washington State had also been canceled after Washington State had a COVID-19 outbreak.[9]
Original 2020 Utah Utes schedule
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Site
|
September 3 |
BYU* |
Rice–Eccles Stadium • Salt Lake City, UT (Holy War)
|
September 12 |
Montana State* |
Rice–Eccles Stadium • Salt Lake City, UT
|
September 19 |
at Wyoming* |
War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY
|
September 26 |
at California |
California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, CA
|
October 2 |
USC |
Rice–Eccles Stadium • Salt Lake City, UT
|
October 10 |
at Washington State |
Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA
|
October 17 |
Washington |
Rice–Eccles Stadium • Salt Lake City, UT
|
October 29 |
at UCLA |
Rose Bowl • Pasadena, CA
|
November 7 |
Arizona |
Rice–Eccles Stadium • Salt Lake City, UT
|
November 14 |
Oregon State |
Rice–Eccles Stadium • Salt Lake City, UT
|
November 21 |
at Arizona State |
Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, AZ
|
November 28 |
at Colorado |
Folsom Field • Boulder, CO (Rumble in the Rockies)
|
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|
November 7 | 1:30 p.m. | Arizona | | | ESPN2 | No Contest[10] |
|
November 14 | 8:30 p.m. | at UCLA | | | FOX | No Contest[11] |
|
November 21 | 8:30 p.m. | No. 20 USC | | - Rice–Eccles Stadium
- Salt Lake City, UT
| ESPN | L 17–33 | 0
|
November 28 | 5:30 p.m. | at Washington | | | ABC | L 21–24 | 259
|
December 5 | 8:30 p.m. | Oregon State | | - Rice–Eccles Stadium
- Salt Lake City, UT
| ESPN | W 30–24 | 0
|
December 12 | 10:00 a.m. | at No. 21 Colorado | | | FOX | W 38–21 | 0
|
December 19 | 11:30 a.m. | Washington State | | - Rice–Eccles Stadium
- Salt Lake City, UT
| FS1 | W 45–28 | 0
|
|
[12]
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Final |
---|
AP | 22 | 22* | — | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — |
---|
Coaches | 20 | 20* | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV |
---|
CFP | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |
---|
Personnel
2020 Utah Utes football team roster
|
Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
|
Defense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
LB
|
0
|
Devin Lloyd
|
Jr
|
CB
|
2
|
Aaron Lowe
|
So
|
CB
|
3
|
Drew Rawls
|
Fr
|
CB
|
4
|
JaTravis Broughton
|
So
|
CB
|
5
|
Caine Savage
|
Fr
|
S
|
6
|
Nate Ritchie
|
Fr
|
DE
|
7
|
Van Fillinger
|
Fr
|
CB
|
8
|
Clark Phillips III
|
Fr
|
LB
|
9
|
Sione Fotu
|
Fr
|
LB
|
10
|
Ethan Calvert
|
Fr
|
S
|
10
|
R. J. Hubert
|
Jr
|
S
|
11
|
Dakota Hansen
|
Jr
|
DE
|
12
|
Tyler Wegis
|
Fr
|
S
|
13
|
Kamo'i Latu
|
Fr
|
S
|
14
|
Ben Renfro
|
Fr
|
CB
|
15
|
Malone Mataele
|
So
|
S
|
16
|
Zemaiah Vaughn
|
Fr
|
DB
|
18
|
Ousmane Doumbia
|
Fr
|
S
|
19
|
Vonte Davis
|
Sr
|
LB
|
20
|
Jeremy Mercier
|
Jr
|
CB
|
23
|
Faybian Marks
|
Fr
|
CB
|
25
|
Kenzel Lawler
|
Fr
|
S
|
28
|
Jake Biggs
|
Fr
|
LB
|
29
|
Nephi Sewell
|
Jr
|
LB
|
30
|
Chris Wilson
|
Fr
|
CB
|
31
|
LaCarea Pleasant-Johnson
|
Fr
|
LB
|
32
|
Moroni Anae
|
Jr
|
S
|
38
|
Stone Azarcon
|
Jr
|
DT
|
41
|
Hauati Pututau
|
Sr
|
DE
|
42
|
Mika Tafua
|
Jr
|
DE
|
44
|
Xavier Carlton
|
Fr
|
DE
|
46
|
Miki Suguturaga
|
Fr
|
LB
|
47
|
Rob Bonar
|
Fr
|
DT
|
49
|
Pita Tonga
|
Sr
|
DT
|
50
|
Fua Pututau
|
So
|
LB
|
51
|
Samuelu Elisaia
|
Sr
|
DE
|
52
|
Max Miner
|
Fr
|
LB
|
54
|
Hayden Furey
|
So
|
LB
|
55
|
Andrew Mata'afa
|
So
|
DE
|
56
|
Tyler Gonzalez
|
So
|
DT
|
57
|
Eli Morrow
|
So
|
DE
|
58
|
Junior Tafuna
|
Fr
|
LB
|
59
|
Sione Tuha
|
Fr
|
DE
|
65
|
Tyler Gleed
|
Fr
|
DE
|
66
|
Gavin Nawahine
|
Fr
|
LB
|
81
|
Taniela Pututau
|
Fr
|
DE
|
90
|
Devin Kaufusi
|
Jr
|
DE
|
91
|
Blake Kuithe
|
So
|
DE
|
92
|
Maxs Tupai
|
Sr
|
DL
|
93
|
Semisi Lauaki
|
Fr
|
DT
|
95
|
Aliki Vimahi
|
Fr
|
DT
|
96
|
Tanoa Togiai
|
Fr
|
DT
|
98
|
Viane Moala
|
Sr
|
DL
|
99
|
Tennessee Pututau
|
Fr
|
|
Special teams
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
K
|
22
|
Jordan Noyes
|
Fr
|
P
|
33
|
Ben Lennon
|
So
|
K
|
36
|
Skylar Southam
|
Jr
|
P
|
37
|
Jared March
|
Fr
|
LS
|
48
|
Noah Rodriguez-Trammell
|
Jr
|
K/P
|
61
|
Tanner Cragun
|
Fr
|
LS
|
93
|
Keegan Markgraf
|
Sr
|
K
|
97
|
Jadon Redding
|
So
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Morgan Scalley – Defensive coordinator/safeties
- Andy Ludwig – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
- Jim Harding – Assistant head coach/offensive line
- Sharrieff Shah – Special teams coordinator/cornerbacks
- Freddie Whittingham – Tight ends/recruiting coordinator
- Guy Holliday – Wide receivers
- Kiel McDonald – Running backs
- Sione Po'uha – Defensive tackles
- Lewis Powell – Defensive ends
- Colton Swan – Linebackers
- Ryan Blakney – Offensive Analyst
- Vince Conti – Offensive Analyst
- Ryan Lindley – Offensive Analyst
- Dom Conti – Special Teams Analyst
- J. J. Dielman – Offensive Graduate Assistant
- D. J. Gillins – Offensive Graduate Assistant
- Justin Mallgrav – Defensive Graduate Assistant
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Roster Last update: 4/27/23
|
Depth chart
Game summaries
USC
Game information
|
1st Quarter
- Utah (9:07) – #97 Jadon Redding kicks a 36 yard field goal – Utah 3–0
- USC (5:17) – #48 Parker Lewis kicks a 35 yard field goal – Tied 3–3
2nd Quarter
- USC (14:04) – #29 Vavae Malepeai runs for a 2 yard TD (#48 Parker Lewis kick) – USC 10–3
- Utah (11:53) – #29 Nephi Sewell recovered a fumble for a 23 yard TD (#97 Jadon Redding kick) – Tied 10–10
- USC (9:28) – #9 Kedon Slovis to #21 Isaiah Pola-Mao for a 8 yard pass TD (#48 Parker Lewis kick) – USC 17–10
- USC (5:45) – #9 Kedon Slovis to #84 Erik Krommenhoek for a 10 yard pass TD (#48 Parker Lewis kick) – USC 24–10
- Utah (0:49) – #8 Jake Bentley to #45 Samson Nacua for a 7 yard pass TD (#97 Jadon Redding kick) – USC 24–17
3rd Quarter
- USC (9:32) – #48 Parker Lewis kicks a 44 yard field goal – USC 27–17
- USC (4:47) – #48 Parker Lewis kicks a 43 yard field goal – USC 30–17
4th Quarter
- USC (1:03) – #48 Parker Lewis kicks a 47 yard field goal – USC 33–17
|
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
|
|
At Washington
Due to Arizona State not having the minimum number of scholarship players available due to positive COVID-19 tests Utah was rescheduled to play at Washington.[8]
Game information
|
- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Utah – RB Ty Jordan: 10 carries, 99 yards
- UW – RB Sean McGrew: 7 carries, 38 yards
- Top receiving
|
Oregon State
Game information
|
- First quarter
- UTAH – Jadon Redding 33-yard field goal, 10:21. Utah 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 4:39.
- UTAH – Jadon Redding 20-yard field goal, 6:50. Utah 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:31.
- Second quarter
- UTAH – Jadon Redding 27-yard field goal, 12:27. Utah 9–0. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:12.
- OSU – Everett Hayes 33-yard field goal, 9:16. Utah 9–3. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:05.
- UTAH – Ty Jordan 1-yard run (Jadon Redding kick), 3:10. Utah 16–3. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:06.
- OSU – Calvin Tyler Jr. 1-yard run (Everett Hayes kick), 0:50. Utah 16–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:20.
- Third quarter
- UTAH – Britain Covey 8-yard pass from Jake Bentley (Jadon Redding kick), 6:22. Utah 23–10. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 7:45.
- Fourth quarter
- UTAH – Britain Covey 64-yard punt return (Jadon Redding kick), 14:37. Utah 30–10.
- OSU – Calvin Tyler Jr. 6-yard run (Everett Hayes kick), 11:50. Utah 30–17. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 2:41.
- OSU – Kolby Taylor 21-yard pass from Chance Nolan (Everett Hayes kick), 5:07. Utah 30–24. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 2:11.
|
- Top passers
- OSU – Chance Nolan – 20/38, 202 yards, TD, INT
- UTAH – Jake Bentley – 18/27, 174 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- OSU – Jack Colletto – 1 rush, 40 yards
- UTAH – Ty Jordan – 27 rushes, 167 yards, TD
- Top receivers
|
|
At Colorado
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Utes
|
7
|
3
|
14
|
14 |
38 |
No. 21 Buffaloes
|
0
|
14
|
7
|
0 |
21 |
Washington State
Washington State Cougars (1–2) at Utah Utes (2–2)
at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Date: December 19, 2020
- Game time: 10:30 a.m. PST
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 38 °F (3 °C)
- Game attendance: 0
- Referee: Mark Duddy
- TV: FS1
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- WSU – Max Borghi 8-yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 4:34. Washington State 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 4:26.
- Second Quarter
- WSU – Deon McIntosh 11-yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 8:31. Washington State 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 88 yards, 4:01.
- UTAH – Britain Covey 91-yard pass from Jake Bentley (Jadon Redding kick), 3:37. Washington State 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 95 yards, 0:58.
- WSU – Jamire Calvin 8-yard pass from Jayden de Laura (Blake Mazza kick), 1:51. Washington State 21–7. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:46.
- WSU – Jayden de Laura 3-yard run (Blake Mazza kick), 1:21. Washington State 28–7. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:04.
- Third Quarter
- UTAH – Ty Jordan 5-yard run (Jadon Redding kick), 6:09. Washington State 28–14. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 4:39.
- UTAH – Bryan Thompson 9-yard run (Jadon Redding kick), 0:55. Washington State 28–21. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:38.
- Fourth Quarter
- UTAH – Ty Jordan 33-yard run (Jadon Redding kick), 12:01. Tied 28–28. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 2:15.
- UTAH – Ty Jordan 13-yard run (Jadon Redding kick), 6:29. Utah 35–28. Drive: 2 plays, 13 yards, 0:12.
- UTAH – Jadon Redding 44-yard field goal, 2:37. Utah 38–28. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 3:37.
- UTAH – Clark Phillips III 36-yard interception return (Jadon Redding kick), 2:06. Utah 45–28.
|
- Top passers
- WSU – Jayden de Laura – 17/28, 204 yards, TD, int
- UTAH – Jake Bentley – 7/14, 153 yards, TD, int
- Top rushers
- WSU – Max Borghi – 10 rushes, 95 yards, TD
- UTAH – Ty Jordan – 22 rushes, 154 yards, 3 TD
- Top receivers
- WSU – Jamire Calvin – 7 receptions, 104 yards, TD
- UTAH – Britain Covey – 6 receptions, 134 yards, TD
|
|
References
- ^ "Pac-12 announces resumption of football, basketball & winter sports seasons". Pac-12 Conference. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ "Pac-12 Conference postpones all sport competitions through end of calendar year". pac-12.com. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "Pac-12 announces resumption of football, basketball & winter sports seasons". pac-12.com. September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ Call, Jeff (December 18, 2020). "Utah Utes won't play in bowl game, season finale will be Saturday vs. Washington State". Deseret News. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Pac-12 Football All-Conference honors and annual awards announced". Pac-12 Conference. December 22, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ Bromberg, Nick (July 10, 2020). "Pac-12 follows Big Ten's lead and won't play non-conference games in 2020". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ "Pac-12 statement on Utah at Arizona State football game". pac-12.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ a b "Pac-12 statement on Utah at Washington football game". pac-12.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ "Pac-12 statement on Washington at Washington State football game". pac-12.com. November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "Statement on the Cancellation of Utah's Game Versus Arizona". utahutes.com. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "Utah Football Game at UCLA is Cancelled". utahutes.com. November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Pac-12 Football Schedule". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
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Venues | |
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Bowls & rivalries | |
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Culture & lore | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |