Liveblog: The No. 14 Youth beat the Florida Gators 24-11 Thursday night.
(Trent Nelson | Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Uts quarterback Bryson Barnes, 16, hosts Florida Gators, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Scored a touchdown.
Bryson Barnes was already something of a football folk hero in Utah.
If he continues like this, he will grow even bigger.
The former walk-on, who started in place of senior Cam Rising, didn’t mind playing it safe on the first play from scrimmage. The Milford High school star pushed deep into Money Parks at Rice-Eccles Stadium for a 70-yard touchdown to give the Utes a 7-0 lead.
Barnes may be the least-known of the Utes’ quarterbacks. But as columnist Andy Larsen pointed out this week, he’s good with deep balls.
If you’re still unfamiliar with Mr. Burns’ story, check out this profile ahead of last year’s Rose Bowl.
Finals: Utah 24, Florida 11
Kyle Whittingham and Yutes had no starting quarterbacks.
But they got their revenge.
The Utes beat their first SEC opponent to visit Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Florida Gators, 24-11.
Quarterback Cam Rising was ill-suited, but backups Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson shared the task of leading the Yutes to victory.
“This team has a lot of grit,” said Whittingham. “The Next Man Up mentality. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. Bryson Barnes, Nate Johnson did what we asked them to do. At the end of the day, it’s not pretty.” No. We managed to get them back. But we came out victorious. On to the next one.”
Gators cross the finish line
Florida found the end zone in the 4th quarter. Graham Martz found Caleb Douglas for a 19-yard score to cap out a 13-play drive that lasted 6:54.
24-11 with 9 minutes and 22 seconds remaining after a two-point conversion.
Mismount in Florida
First, the Yutes deeply anchored the Gators.
Next, Utah safety Sione Vaki executes the tip drill to perfection.
And finally, it’s Bryson Barnes’ turn to show off the wheels.
24-3 at the beginning of the 3rd quarter.
Halftime: Utah 17, Florida 3
Cole Becker’s 51-yard field goal gave the Utes another three in the second quarter. But Utah may be lamenting a missed opportunity. There was a trick play by wide receiver Devon Vere to narrowly beat Micah Bernard on the sideline.
Either way, the Yutes have the lead at the break.
In a television interview, head coach Kyle Whittingham expressed his delight at the performance of the reserve quarterback so far.
“They are both doing a great job with football. Nate is doing exactly what we wanted in the run game. Maybe we need to get him more involved in that.
Of the opening touchdown, “We’ve been pretty conservative in opening the last few years, so we thought we’d try something different this year.”
A bit of bad news: Whittingham said it was ‘doubtful’ whether Kareen Reed would be able to return in the second half.
(Rick Egan | Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Uts running back Micah Bernard, 2, beat Rice after Utah Uts quarterback Nate Johnson, 13, scored a touchdown. Celebrating during the Utah Uts-Florida Gators football game at Eccles Stadium. Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Nate breaks one
Nate Johnson promised.
And Nate Johnson made it happen.
The freshman redshirt quarterback broke through a 27-yard run to score the Utes’ second touchdown of the game. It’s a score Utah can thank the Gators for. Two players wearing the number 3 jerseys were flagged on the field during a punt, giving Utah a first down.
Kudos to MUSS
The Gators have killed Drive twice before with false starts. Both times we were at the south end of the stadium.
Yutz managed to keep Graham Martz in front of the line on third down, then worked to help MUSS force a false start.
In addition, the Gators pushed the field goal wide to the right.
It’s still 7-3.
Q1: Utah 7, Florida 3
A Jonah Ellis sack forced the Gators to make a field goal in the first quarter. But Florida is under threat again as the quarter draws to a close. Florida QB Graham Mertz appears to be feeling more comfortable, especially with Utah star linebacker Kareen Reid on the sideline and reportedly diagnosed with a head injury.
Bryson Barnes to start for Utah
For some time, it seemed that Come Rising could be ready for the Utes’ season opener. So far, backups Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson have been on the field during warmups.
(Eric Walden | Salt Lake Tribune) With Cam Rising still recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery, reserve quarterbacks Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson on the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium during Thursday night’s warm-up. It was conspicuous.
Up-and-coming tight end Brandt Kais, who has yet to be cleared for full practice, is both in plain clothes at the stadium.
big roar
The US installed a seismometer station at Rice-Eccles Stadium tonight, and so far it hasn’t disappointed.
How to watch Utah vs Florida
(Trent Nelson | Salt Lake Tribune) Fans line up as the Utah Uts arrive to face NCAA football’s Florida Gators in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
Tonight’s game is on ESPN and will be streamed on WatchESPN.
However, if you want to learn more about this showdown between Yutes and Gator, here it is.
