Utah gamers stroll off the sector after they and Florida performed in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Florida gained 29-26. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
On a sweltering Saturday evening at The Swamp, the Florida Gators took a chunk out of No. 7 Utah’s Faculty Soccer Playoff aspirations.
It was a painful 29-26 loss for the Utes, however, after all, the season is simply getting began.
Utah (1-0) hosts Southern Utah (11:30 a.m., MDT, Pac-12 Community) Saturday in its home-opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“I’m pleased with our guys. We’ve acquired to regroup; you’ve acquired to carry your head up and never really feel sorry for your self,” mentioned coach Kyle Whittingham. “We’ve acquired a number of soccer left, clearly. That’s a ridiculous assertion — it’s the primary sport of the 12 months. It was a gut-wrencher however we got here out wholesome, which is a optimistic.”
Whittingham mentioned “no doubt” he realized extra about his crew from a slender setback to a Southeastern Convention crew on the street, in a hostile setting that featured greater than 90,000 followers, than he may have realized by taking part in towards an FCS opponent within the opener.
“You may win a sport towards a lesser opponent however a bunch of issues are masked since you’re so superior bodily and athletically,” Whittingham mentioned. “It hides itself. A sport like it will expose something that you need to work on and the place your deficiencies are. In that regard, I don’t remorse taking part in these guys. It’s an amazing alternative for our college and our crew … We had been excited to play these guys.”
Whittingham added that his crew deliberate to observe movie of the loss on the lengthy airplane experience residence from Gainesville to Salt Lake Metropolis.
In fact, Utah had a shot to beat the Gators. However on second-and-goal from the Florida 6-yard line, quarterback Cam Rising was intercepted ultimately zone by Gator linebacker Amari Burney.
“Amari Burney is considered one of my favourite gamers. He’s in his sixth 12 months, he’s performed like 1,600 snaps right here,” mentioned Florida coach Billy Napier, who made his debut because the Gator coach Saturday. “I name him outdated man… to see that man make the play. I believe that’s a particular second for that locker room.”
Tight finish Brant Kuithe mentioned he and his teammates will rally round Rising.
“We’ve been taking part in this sport without end. Folks make errors. On the finish of the day, issues occur. We’re out right here taking part in the sport,” Kuithe mentioned. “I had a number of alternatives I may have made and I didn’t. You may’t return and alter that. The one factor you are able to do is enhance. We’ve acquired to return again Monday and have a look at the movie and see what we will do and go on with the subsequent.”
Security R.J. Hubert mentioned he’s pleased with his crew, regardless of Saturday’s final result.
What's going to he take from this sport transferring ahead?
“We now have guts. I like this crew. I’ll go to conflict with this crew. I like our offense,” he mentioned. “It’s troublesome as a protection to play a sport when the offense is gashing you. Our offense does such an amazing job of that … I like taking part in with this offense. I like these guys.”
One of many many causes Utah scheduled this sport with Florida was to reinforce the recruiting pipeline within the Sunshine State. Through the years, the Utes have boasted a number of star gamers which have hailed from Florida.
Presently, Utah has 5 gamers from Florida on the roster, together with working backs Chris Curry and Jaylon Glover.
“That performed a component in it. We’ve had via the years athletes from Florida. It’s in our footprint. We’ll proceed to recruit that space,” Whittingham mentioned earlier this week about scheduling the Gators. “We’ve had a number of success with these guys — Zack Moss, Tyler Huntley, and guys which have been main contributors for us. It made sense for the sequence — one of many causes was recruiting.”
Subsequent 12 months, Utah can have a chance to avenge Saturday’s loss as Florida is slated to open the 2023 season at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Southern Utah (1-0) at No. 7 Utah (0-1)
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. MDT
Rice-Eccles Stadium
TV: Pac-12 Community
Radio: ESPN 700