Upcoming Event: Football versus No. 17 Texas Tech on September 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.
10 a.m.
Football
vs No. 17 Texas Tech
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Saturday, October 20
Salt Lake City, UT
6:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
USC
Photo by: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Football Hosts USC in Homecoming Game
10/15/2018 11:37 AM | Football
The Game
Utah (4-2, 2-2 Pac-12) hosts USC (4-2, 3-1 Pac-12) in Homecoming, Saturday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Pac-12 Networks will televise the game. Search #USCvsUTAH for conversation.
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Homecoming History
> Saturday's Utah-USC game is the 98th homecoming game in school history. The Utes are 59-34-4 all-time in homecoming games.
> Utah is 13-13-1 all-time in homecoming games against Pac-12 schools (0-0 vs. USC) and 2-4 since joining the conference in 2011. Homecoming wins in the Pac-12 era vs. conference schools came vs. California (2015) and Arizona (2016), and losses were to Washington (2011), Oregon State (2013), Washington State (2014) and Stanford (2017). Utah beat non-conference rival BYU in the 2012 homecoming game.
> The Utes will wear throwback uniforms for homecoming, which is themed #UUThrowback.
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Quick Hits
> Utah ranks No. 2 in the nation in rushing defense and red zone defense, No. 9 in total defense and No. 10 in scoring defense. See pages 2-3 for complete Utah rankings.
> Kyle Whittingham's win against Arizona last week was his 200th as a member of Utah's coaching staff. He has taken part in more Utah victories in his 25 years a head or assistant coach than any football coach in school history. He is 115-58 in 14 years as the head coach.
> The Utes have sold out 54 straight games in Rice-Eccles Stadium dating back to the 2010 season opener. Of the 54 sellouts, 51 exceeded the seating capacity of 45,807.
> Utah brings a two-game win streak into Saturday's game against Pac-12 South division leader USC. The Utes are 1-0 in the South with a win over Arizona.
> Utah has scored 40 points in back-to-back games (40-21 vs. Stanford and 42-10 vs. Arizona) for the first time since 2015, when the Utes beat Fresno State (45-24) and Oregon (62-20) in consecutive weeks.
> Utah and USC are listed among 'others receiving votes' in both the AP and Coaches' polls this week. See page 6 for the latest rankings.
> While USC leads the overall series 11-5, the Utes own a 3-2 advantage in Salt Lake City, including the last two games in Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2014 and 2016.
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Statchat
> Utah is No. 2 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in rushing defense (74.8).
> Utah is No. 2 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in red zone defense (0.563, 9-of-16).
> Utah is No. 9 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in total defense (300.0).
> Utah is No. 10 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in scoring defense (16.0).
> Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 (No. 18 nationally) in pass efficiency defense (108.20).
> Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 in sacks (3.0, tie).
> Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 in opponent third-down conversion percentage (31.5).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 6 nationally) in net punting (43.44).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 14 nationally) in defensive touchdowns (2, tie).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 18 nationally) in first down defense (102).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss (7.3).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 (No. 18 nationally) in fewest passes intercepted (3, tie).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in rushing offense (185.8).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in interceptions (5, tie).
See sidebar on page 3 for more Utah rankings.
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In the Huddle
Senior linebacker Chase Hansen leads the Pac-12 and is tied for seventh in the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8). He has 11 total TFL … Tyler Huntley was named to the Davey O'Brien Great 8 list for his performance in Utah's 42-10 win over Arizona last week … Caleb Repp will continue to play at both defensive end and tight end. Repp began his dual role two games ago against Stanford.
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Two Minute Drill
Utah is 4-1 in night games … Utah has more than double the rushing yardage of its opponents (1,115-449 yards) … The Utes are averaging 4.6 yards per rush to 2.6 by their opponents … Utah's best offensive quarters are the first (49 points) and second (48 points). Utah's best defensive quarter is the fourth (17 points) … Utah has scored on 88% of its trips inside the red zone (14-16) to 56% by its opponents (9-16) … The Utes are 3-0 when they lead at halftime and 4-1 when they lead after three quarters.
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Outside the Lines
The ESPN 700 Smith's Coach's Show with Kyle Whittingham airs every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. on ESPN 700 and the ESPN 700 app. The coach's show is also streamed live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/uathletics ... Use the hashtag #USCvsUTAH all week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram … 20 former Utes are on NFL rosters this week (see page 11 for current list).
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Game Day Activities
Former Utah Director of Athletics Chris Hill, who guided the department from October 1987 through May 2018, will be recognized for his achievements during the first quarter break. Among Hill's accomplishments was spearheading Utah's move into the Pac-12 Conference … The 2018 Homecoming Court will be introduced at halftime. For a list of homecoming week activities, visit alumni.utah.edu/homecoming … 46,000 Pom Poms will be given away at the game, courtesy of Pepsi … Utah's 2018 NCAA Super Six Gymnastics Team and the 2017-18 WNIT Women's Basketball Team will be introduced on the field … The 125 years of Utah football celebration video series will feature the decade of the 1990s at the USC game … The Ute Walk starts at 3:30 p.m. on the corner of 500 S. and Guardsman Way. Fans at the Ute Walk will receive a 125-year Utah football patch … For a full list of 2018 home game promotions, visit UtahUtes.com/Promotions … The Utah ROTC's Ute Thunder blasts a pre-game cannon call to notify fans outside the stadium that kickoff is 30 minutes away.
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Utah (4-2, 2-2 Pac-12) hosts USC (4-2, 3-1 Pac-12) in Homecoming, Saturday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Pac-12 Networks will televise the game. Search #USCvsUTAH for conversation.
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Homecoming History
> Saturday's Utah-USC game is the 98th homecoming game in school history. The Utes are 59-34-4 all-time in homecoming games.
> Utah is 13-13-1 all-time in homecoming games against Pac-12 schools (0-0 vs. USC) and 2-4 since joining the conference in 2011. Homecoming wins in the Pac-12 era vs. conference schools came vs. California (2015) and Arizona (2016), and losses were to Washington (2011), Oregon State (2013), Washington State (2014) and Stanford (2017). Utah beat non-conference rival BYU in the 2012 homecoming game.
> The Utes will wear throwback uniforms for homecoming, which is themed #UUThrowback.
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Quick Hits
> Utah ranks No. 2 in the nation in rushing defense and red zone defense, No. 9 in total defense and No. 10 in scoring defense. See pages 2-3 for complete Utah rankings.
> Kyle Whittingham's win against Arizona last week was his 200th as a member of Utah's coaching staff. He has taken part in more Utah victories in his 25 years a head or assistant coach than any football coach in school history. He is 115-58 in 14 years as the head coach.
> The Utes have sold out 54 straight games in Rice-Eccles Stadium dating back to the 2010 season opener. Of the 54 sellouts, 51 exceeded the seating capacity of 45,807.
> Utah brings a two-game win streak into Saturday's game against Pac-12 South division leader USC. The Utes are 1-0 in the South with a win over Arizona.
> Utah has scored 40 points in back-to-back games (40-21 vs. Stanford and 42-10 vs. Arizona) for the first time since 2015, when the Utes beat Fresno State (45-24) and Oregon (62-20) in consecutive weeks.
> Utah and USC are listed among 'others receiving votes' in both the AP and Coaches' polls this week. See page 6 for the latest rankings.
> While USC leads the overall series 11-5, the Utes own a 3-2 advantage in Salt Lake City, including the last two games in Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2014 and 2016.
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Statchat
> Utah is No. 2 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in rushing defense (74.8).
> Utah is No. 2 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in red zone defense (0.563, 9-of-16).
> Utah is No. 9 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in total defense (300.0).
> Utah is No. 10 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in scoring defense (16.0).
> Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 (No. 18 nationally) in pass efficiency defense (108.20).
> Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 in sacks (3.0, tie).
> Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 in opponent third-down conversion percentage (31.5).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 6 nationally) in net punting (43.44).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 14 nationally) in defensive touchdowns (2, tie).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 18 nationally) in first down defense (102).
> Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss (7.3).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 (No. 18 nationally) in fewest passes intercepted (3, tie).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in rushing offense (185.8).
> Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in interceptions (5, tie).
See sidebar on page 3 for more Utah rankings.
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In the Huddle
Senior linebacker Chase Hansen leads the Pac-12 and is tied for seventh in the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8). He has 11 total TFL … Tyler Huntley was named to the Davey O'Brien Great 8 list for his performance in Utah's 42-10 win over Arizona last week … Caleb Repp will continue to play at both defensive end and tight end. Repp began his dual role two games ago against Stanford.
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Two Minute Drill
Utah is 4-1 in night games … Utah has more than double the rushing yardage of its opponents (1,115-449 yards) … The Utes are averaging 4.6 yards per rush to 2.6 by their opponents … Utah's best offensive quarters are the first (49 points) and second (48 points). Utah's best defensive quarter is the fourth (17 points) … Utah has scored on 88% of its trips inside the red zone (14-16) to 56% by its opponents (9-16) … The Utes are 3-0 when they lead at halftime and 4-1 when they lead after three quarters.
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Outside the Lines
The ESPN 700 Smith's Coach's Show with Kyle Whittingham airs every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. on ESPN 700 and the ESPN 700 app. The coach's show is also streamed live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/uathletics ... Use the hashtag #USCvsUTAH all week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram … 20 former Utes are on NFL rosters this week (see page 11 for current list).
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Game Day Activities
Former Utah Director of Athletics Chris Hill, who guided the department from October 1987 through May 2018, will be recognized for his achievements during the first quarter break. Among Hill's accomplishments was spearheading Utah's move into the Pac-12 Conference … The 2018 Homecoming Court will be introduced at halftime. For a list of homecoming week activities, visit alumni.utah.edu/homecoming … 46,000 Pom Poms will be given away at the game, courtesy of Pepsi … Utah's 2018 NCAA Super Six Gymnastics Team and the 2017-18 WNIT Women's Basketball Team will be introduced on the field … The 125 years of Utah football celebration video series will feature the decade of the 1990s at the USC game … The Ute Walk starts at 3:30 p.m. on the corner of 500 S. and Guardsman Way. Fans at the Ute Walk will receive a 125-year Utah football patch … For a full list of 2018 home game promotions, visit UtahUtes.com/Promotions … The Utah ROTC's Ute Thunder blasts a pre-game cannon call to notify fans outside the stadium that kickoff is 30 minutes away.
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Players Mentioned
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham weekly press conference - 9.15.25
Monday, September 15
Utah: 31, Wyoming: 6 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Sunday, September 14
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Keith Kelley, voice of the Wyoming Cowboys
Tuesday, September 09
Ute greats Ron McBride and Roy Jefferson Ring of Honor Induction
Monday, September 08