SALT LAKE CITY-Saturday, the No. 12 Utah Utes (6-1, 3-1 in Pac-12 play) host the California Golden Bears (4-3, 1-3 in Pac-12) for an 8:00 pm kickoff at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Utes are celebrating a “dark mode” (blackout game) where fans of both the Utes and Golden Bears are encouraged to wear black.
The Utes are currently 93-35 (.780) at home all-time since what was known as “Rice Stadium” became “Rice-Eccles Stadium.” Utah has also enjoyed 61 consecutive home sellouts (2010-present).
Utah is now 37-40 all-time against fellow Pac-12 schools after Saturday’s 21-3 win over Arizona State.
The Utes are 42nd nationally in scoring offense (32.9 points per game) but may be forced to do without senior signal-caller Tyler Huntley, who has been among the statistical leaders in the country in several key categories, such as passing efficiency and completion percentage.
Huntley suffered an apparent leg injury against the Sun Devils Saturday and was replaced briefly by junior quarterback Drew Lisk, a product of Jordan High School in Sandy.
During his weekly Monday press conference, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham was tight-lipped concerning Huntley’s status for Saturday.
Nevertheless, senior tailback Zack Moss (93 car, 641 yards, 613 yards, 8 TD’s) is in the Utah record books with the most rushing yards in school history, achieving this against Arizona State. Moss, who ranks 15th nationally with 6.6 yards per carry, currently has 3,264 career rushing yards for the Utes.
The Utes’ leading receivers on the season are senior receiver Demari Simpkins (16 rec, 202 yards) and sophomore tight end Brant Kuithe (13 rec, 236 yards, 2 TD’s).
Freshman kicker Jadon Redding has made 6 of 8 field goals on the season for Utah and all 28 of his PAT attempts.
The Utah defense remains one of the best overall units in the nation. They surrender only 11.7 points per game, which ranks them sixth nationally. Utah also ranks second nationally against the run, surrendering only 61.1 yards per game on the ground.
Senior defensive end Bradlee Anae, named as the Pac 12’s defensive lineman of the week and the defensive player of the week for his contributions in Utah’s win over Arizona State, leads the Utes with seven sacks.
This ties him for 12th nationally, with Jordan Mack of Virginia, NC State’s Larrell Murchison, Jaylen Twyman of Pittsburgh and Terrell Lewis of Alabama.
Senior defensive back Julian Blackmon leads Utah with two interceptions. Blackmon and Anae also have a forced fumble, as does senior defensive tackle Leki Fotu.
The Golden Bears come into Salt Lake City on a 3-game losing streak, having lost to Arizona State (17-24), Oregon (7-17) and Oregon State (17-21).
California ranks 116th nationally in scoring offense (19.9 points per game). The Golden Bears have played musical chairs at quarterback.
Redshirt junior signal-caller Devon Modster completes 46.1 percent of his passes (35-76) for 380 yards, 2 touchdowns and three interceptions on the season.
Redshirt sophomore signal-caller Chase Garbers has completed 59.1 percent of his passes (68-115) for eight scores and two interceptions.
Sophomore tailback Christopher Brown Jr. (121 car, 480 yards, 4 TD’s) is the Golden Bears’ rushing leader.
Sophomore receiver Nikko Remigio (18 rec, 251 yards, TD), redshirt junior receiver Kekoa Crawford (10 rec, 185 yards, 2 TD’s) and redshirt sophomore Jake Tonges (7 rec, 169 yards, TD, 24.1 yards per catch) are the Golden Bears’ leading receivers.
Redshirt senior kicker Greg Thomas has made 9 of 13 field goals on the season and 16-16 on PAT’s, in having a solid year.
California ranks 20th nationally in scoring defense (19.7 points per game).
The Golden Bears’ defensive leader is redshirt junior outside linebacker Cameron Goode (4.5 sacks, fumble).
In the secondary, redshirt senior Ashtyn Davis, redshirt junior cornerback Camryn Bynum and senior cornerback Traveon Beck have an interception apiece for California. Davis also leads the Golden Bears with two forced fumbles.
The Golden Bears lead the Utes 6-5 all-time in the series.
