Utah working again Micah Bernard stiff-arms Ohio State’s Ronnie Hickman through the Rose Bowl sport in Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Bernard and the Utes can be again in Pasadena to play UCLA Saturday afternoon. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
LOS ANGELES — A bit of greater than 10 months in the past, Utah performed in “The Granddaddy of Them All” for the primary time.
It was a basic sport that Ohio State gained 48-45 on New 12 months’s Day.
“We’ve simply performed nicely down there. It’s an incredible venue — some of the storied, historic venues within the nation. I feel our guys have loved happening to Pasadena and enjoying there.” — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham
The No. 11 Utes are returning to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl, house of No. 18 UCLA, Saturday after they tackle the Bruins.
“Will probably be enjoyable. It’s a great place to play,” mentioned quarterback Cam Rising, who suffered an harm early within the fourth quarter towards the Buckeyes and was changed by backup Bryson Barnes. “I’m trying ahead to getting again down there to Pasadena and having some enjoyable.”
Stated vast receiver Devaughn Vele about going again to Pasadena: “It in all probability gained’t be the identical ambiance however simply being again there, it’s going to be nostalgic. I’m trying ahead to it. It’s going to be an incredible sport.”
Final January, an estimated 60,000 Utah followers confirmed up on the Rose Bowl. The whole attendance was 87,842.
Working again Micah Bernard additionally performed cornerback in that sport because of accidents within the secondary.
Bernard, a Lengthy Seashore native, is raring for his group to redeem itself on the Rose Bowl.
“It’s going to be a special feeling. You’re not going to see all that crimson. You’re going to see some (UCLA) blue on the sphere,” he mentioned. “It in all probability gained’t even really feel like the identical stadium, to be sincere. If we go on the market and get a win in that stadium and kill the curse that I really feel like now we have — probably not a curse however you already know what I imply, simply dropping the Rose Bowl — simply going again there and profitable in that stadium could be an incredible feeling.”
Bernard added there’s some blended emotions about returning to the Rose Bowl after what occurred towards the Buckeyes.
“Simply fascinated about the expertise we went by that complete season simply to get there and to that stage, you’ve received to be ok with your self and concerning the group,” he mentioned. “We nonetheless have that style as a result of a loss is a loss. However the buildup to that was an incredible season to show round and be capable to do this.”
Since becoming a member of the Pac-12 in 2011, Utah has a 3-1 report towards UCLA on the Rose Bowl.
Why have the Utes loved a lot success towards the Bruins at that stadium?
“I couldn’t inform you. We’ve simply performed nicely down there,” mentioned coach Kyle Whittingham. “It’s an incredible venue — some of the storied, historic venues within the nation. I feel our guys have loved happening to Pasadena and enjoying there.”
Utes on the air
No. 11 Utah (4-1, 2-0)
at No. 18 UCLA (5-0, 2-0)
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. MDT
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California
TV: Fox
Radio: ESPN 700