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Utah Football Set To Host Weber State Thursday

by Utah Athletics
Aug 29, 2021

THE GAME
The University of Utah (0-0) will begin its 128th season of football when they host the Weber State Wildcats (0-0) to kick off the 2021 season in Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 2. The game is slated for a 5:30 p.m. MT start on Pac-12 Networks.

HOME SWEET HOME
The Utes are currently 100-36 (.735) in Rice-Eccles Stadium (1998-present), recording their 100th win in the historic stadium in 2020. Utah is 72-25 in RES during the Kyle Whittingham era, including three undefeated home seasons in 2008 (6-0), 2009 (6-0) and 2019 (7-0). Utah has won 13 of its last 14 home games, which included a streak of 11 in a row from Oct. 6, 2018 – Nov. 30, 2019. Rice-Eccles Stadium ranks second in the Pac-12 in win percentage and in the top-25 nationally.

FOLLOW US!
Fans can get behind the scenes views and live updates during games on social media by following the Utes on Twitter (@Utah_Football | @UtahAthletics) and Instagram (@UtahFootball | @UtahAthletics). Fans can also search #GOUTES and #UBOYZ on social media for conversations about Utah Football throughout the season.

GAME DAY UPDATES
The Ken Garff Red Zone at Rice-Eccles Stadium will dramatically change Utah Football game days in 2021, with capacity increasing to 51,444 and numerous new seating and hospitality choices being offered. Other major upgrades include the introduction of digital ticketing, as Utah Athletics moves to a more convenient and efficient touchless stadium entry. Click here for more information on game day updates and upgrades.

UTAH ATHLETICS 2021 HALL OF FAME CLASS
Six former Ute All-Americans, including a Heisman Trophy finalist, will be inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Rice-Eccles Stadium & Tower as part of Utah football's opening weekend. The 2021 class includes Lori Baird (volleyball), Anthony Brown (football), Casey Child (baseball), Eddie Johnson (football), Alex Smith (football) and Amy Timmel-Hogue (softball).

NUMBERS TALK

  • Utah's game against Weber State on Sept. 2 will mark the third time the two programs have opened a season against each other (2018, 1984).
  • With a win, the Utes will have 12 victories in the Whittingham era when opening a season at home (currently 11-1).
  • Utah has outscored Weber State 230-61 in series history.
  • Utah scored 70 points against Weber State in 2013, the first time the Utes had hit the 70-point mark since 1930 (vs. Wyoming, 72-0).
  • With a win against Weber State, Whittingham will have won 220 career games at Utah.

QUICK HITS

  • Utah is 76-50-1 all-time in season openers with just two season-opening losses in the last 14 seasons.
  • Utah is 26-1 in regular-season non-conference games since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. Utah's last regular-season non-conference loss was in overtime at Utah State in 2012.
  • The Utes are 55-12-2 all-time against the Big Sky Conference.
  • Utah has seven consecutive years of winning seasons, dating back to 2014. The Utes have finished with a winning season in 14 of Whittingham's 16 years as head coach.
  • Utah has sold out Rice-Eccles Stadium in 63 consecutive games, dating back to the 2010 season opener. Utah increased its attendance from 45,807 to 51,444 in 2021 after the south end zone expansion of the Ken Garff Red Zone.
  • The last time Utah had fans in the stands at RES was Nov. 30, 2019 with 46,879 cheering the Utes on to a 45-15 victory to clinch the Pac-12 South title. It ranks as the ninth biggest crowd in RES history.
  • Utah was picked to finish second in the Pac-12 South Division with the Utes leading all teams with five first-team preseason All-Pac-12 picks (Nick Ford, OL; Devin Lloyd, LB; Mika Tafua, DE; Jadon Redding, PK; Britain Covey, RS).
  • Utah ranks No. 24 in the preseason AP Poll and is receiving the most votes in the coaches poll. The Utes have either been ranked or received votes in the last seven AP preseason polls, finishing the year ranked or receiving votes in four of those years.

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