Highlights, key plays and photos from Utah’s win over Weber State
Ryan McDonald
·9 min read
Utah Utes wide receiver Money Parks (10) celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter in the football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Editor’s note: The Deseret News is providing live coverage from Saturday’s game between the Utah Utes and Weber State Wildcats. Check back for updates throughout the game.
Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) throws the ball during their football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes safety Cole Bishop (8) tackles Weber State Wildcats quarterback Kylan Weisser (11) during their football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Money Parks (10) and Utah Utes safety Ben Durham (30) celebrate Parks’ touchdown during the second quarter in the football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Money Parks (10) breaks away from the Weber Wildcats to score a touchdown during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Weber State’s football team warms up before their game against Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah’s football team warms up before their game against Weber State at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah’s football team warms up before their game against Weber State at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Member of the MUSS play 9 square while tailgating before the Utah verses Weber State football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Left to right, Frank Compagni and James Roberts make pancakes while tailgating before the Utah verses Weber State football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Money Parks (10) celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter in the football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
A young Utah Utes fan cheers during the football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) hands the ball off to Utah Utes running back Jaylon Glover (1) during their football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Weber State Wildcats defense brings down Utah Utes running back Jaylon Glover (1) during their football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes place kicker Joey Cheek (97) kicks a field goal during their football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Weber State Wildcats play football against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Weber State Wildcats defense brings down Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) during their football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Utah Utes student section makes noise during a third down during their football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes defense sack Weber State Wildcats quarterback Kylan Weisser (11) during their football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes running back Ja’Quinden Jackson (3) runs the ball during their football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes marching band cheers during the football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes teammates celebrate Utah Utes linebacker Lander Barton (20) after his interception and touchdown during the third quarter of their game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. The Utah Utes won the game with a final score of 31-7. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes place kicker Joey Cheek (97) kicks an extra point during their football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Weber State Wildcats head coach Mickey Mental on the sidelines during their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes cheer team during the football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Utah Utes play football against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Members of the Utah Utes student section get loud during a third down during the game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Weber State Wildcats players hang their heads on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. The Utah Utes won the game with a final score of 31-7. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham on the sidelines during their football game against the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes players hug Weber State Wildcats players after their football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. The Utah Utes won the game with a final score of 31-7. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes linebacker Lander Barton (20) lights the U after their victory over the Weber State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. The Utah Utes won the game with a final score of 31-7. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) runs past Weber State Wildcats linebacker Winston Reid (6) during their football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes teammates celebrate Utah Utes safety Cole Bishop (8) after he sacked Weber State Wildcats quarterback during their football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Utah Utes wide receiver Mikey Matthews (81) runs the ball down the field with Weber State Wildcats cornerback Abraham Williams (4) on defense during their football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Final
Utah 31, Weber State 7
Thanks in large part to a strong third quarter, a shorthanded Utah Utes team ran away from the in-state foe Weber State Wildcats 31-7 on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
After a bit of a shaky start, the Utes scored 21 unanswered points to seal the deal and move to 3-0 heading into Pac-12 Conference play next week.
Third quarter
Utah 31, Weber State 7
4:36 — On a 2nd and 19 play, Utah’s Lander Barton intercepted a Kylan Weisser pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown.
Make that TWENTY consecutive seasons with a pick-6!!
10:17 — Utah opened the second half with a very efficient march down the field, and running back Jaylon Glover punctuated the 9 play, 68-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Second quarter
Utah 17, Weber State 7
5:00 — With the offense struggling, Utah’s Mikey Matthews caught a pass from Nate Johnson on 3rd and 16 and took it 40 yards. Four plays later, Money Parks took another pass from Johnson and shifted his way 13 yards for a touchdown as the Utes stretched their lead back out to 10.
10:46 — Keyed by a 47-yard run from Damon Bankston to the Utah 6 yard-line, Weber State punched it into the end zone two plays later to get within one score.
13:29 — Like in their first scoring drive, the Utes moved the ball well before the Wildcats made life hard in the red zone. This time, Utah stalled at the 18 yard-line and was forced to settle for a 37-yard field goal from Joey Cheek.
First quarter
Utah 7, Weber State 0
8:35 — After easily stopping Weber State on the game’s opening drive, Utah methodically moved down the field. They nearly got stopped short of the end zone, but starting quarterback Nate Johnson punched it in from a half yard out on fourth down to give the Utes the early lead.
Pregame prep
Here are a few stories to get you ready as No. 12 Utah and Weber State face off:
Clark set the Indiana Fever’s franchise record for turnovers (10), shot 5-of-15 from the floor and struggled with the Connecticut Sun’s physical defense.
The atmosphere was electric for Clark's home debut and there were brief flashes from the Fever, but it's clear they've got plenty to work on before they can compete with the WNBA's elite teams.
Yahoo Sports NBA draft expert Krysten Peek is back for another season of On the Clock with Krysten Peek. Krysten just spent the week in Chicago at the NBA Draft Combine and kicks off draft season joined by CBS Sports' Kyle Boone.
Gottlieb's repeatedly courted controversy in his media role and will reportedly continue to host his nationally syndicated radio show while coaching Green Bay.
All five of these hitters were drafted highly in fantasy baseball leagues. So far, they have not lived up to their ADPs — and that's an understatement. Scott Pianowski analyzes.
