On a night with special tributes to Ty Jordan, the Utes surely weren’t going to lose as they hosted in-state foe Weber State Thursday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
While the game was closer than many expected through the first three quarters, the Utes finished it off with a 40-17 victory in the season opener.
Charlie Brewer — the transfer from Baylor — looked great as the senior completed 19-of-27 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Utes to victory.
On the ground, the Utes used a running back by committee approach with Tavion Thomas, Micah Bernard, TJ Pledger (Oklahoma transfer) and Chris Curry (LSU transfer) all getting touches. Thomas led the way with 107 yards and two touchdowns, while Bernard, Pledger and Curry combed for 53 yards and more than four yards per carry.
Dalton Kincaid and Solomon Enis led the way in the receiving department as Kincaid hauled in four catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns, while Enis added four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Utah’s defense also came to play as the Utes forced two turnovers and held the Wildcats to just 270 total yards. Most impressively, the Utes held Weber State to just 1.9 yards per carry on the ground.
Here’s how the media, fans and players reacted after the game:
Big start to the season in front of a big crowd for the Utes! 🙌#GoUtes | @Utah_Football | @tacobell pic.twitter.com/Irfpf2UmLk
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 3, 2021
The best it’s ever sounded.#UtahMan pic.twitter.com/77l79ZuC5F
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 3, 2021
FINAL
Utah 40-17
1-0 on the season
12-1 in season home openers under Kyle Whittingham
Whittingham now 7 wins from becoming Utah's all time winningest Head Coach..#Utes— Bill Riley (@espn700bill) September 3, 2021
First game. First game issues. Plus that crazy delay. All good. The Utes eventually did what they were supposed to do. Lots of talent, indeed. For me, thrilled with the talent in the running back room! This should be a fun season. 1-0. #GoUtes
— Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird) September 3, 2021
Proud of our Utes on the way they came out tonight and performed. Yes, there’s still things to clean up but this team has a bright future. Going to be a fun year! 1-0! #GoUtes #LightTheU
— Kenneth Goobie Scott (@Kscott_2) September 3, 2021
1. Brewer looked awesome & is set to have a fab season
2.OL has a few things to clean up,but no need to worry yet
3. TEs will be a serious pain for every UU opp
4. Def was great overall but especially inside 35
5. STs w/some BAD moments
6. A+ on the tributes to Ty Jordan
— Tony Parks (@tonyparks801) September 3, 2021
There will be words. Of course, there will be words, but knee-jerk…..
Positives: Charlie Brewer, Devin Lloyd, Dalton Kincaid, Tavion Thomas, general play calling and allowing Brewer to operate.
Negatives: Catch the ball, red zone, converting third downs, where's Chris Curry?
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) September 3, 2021
My takeaways for the game.
1. The TJ tributes were awesome. I wasn't crying I just had allergies during them.
2. Lloyd is that freaking dude. And the defense looks solid as always.
3. Throw game is looking pretty damn good.
4. OLine needs to step it up against P12 defenses— JeepingUte (@JeepingUte) September 3, 2021
DALTON KINCAAAAAID!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/C8fW5tKJlZ
— Steve Bartle (@SBartle247) September 3, 2021
Great game tonight. Brewer was accurate, the tight ends are going to cause problems, wide receivers are deep with Kincaid Enis and Covey showing out, and the defense is amazing as always. Clean up the few mistakes, and this year could be special. #GoUtes
— Utah Steve (@sknewbie) September 3, 2021
The best part of being 1-0…knowing you play BYU next week so soon you’ll have a chance at being 3-0. #GoUtes
— 🌹 Back✌🏼Back🌹 (@TheStreak3) September 3, 2021
Game was ugly at times with plenty to improve on, but in the end they won by about as much as I expected. This team is going to be fun! Can’t believe how much we’re throwing it. #GoUtes
— 🌹Jeremy Olsen🌹 (@JeremyOlsen41) September 3, 2021
Overall, I would call Kyle Whittingham mildly displeased with the evening.
You don’t realize how many things went wrong until Whittingham walked in with a small sheet of paper and started rattling them off.
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) September 3, 2021
Utah 13 possessions
5TD
2FG
1 End of Game
2 Turnovers
1 Downs
2 Punts
Avg start own 39yd line#Utes— Bill Riley (@espn700bill) September 3, 2021
It’s time for @Utah_Football baby!
What a first game! After a rain delay during the first few minutes of the game, the majority of 51,444 fans sheltered in The concourse for over an hour, the Utes won 40 to 17.
Honoring Alex Smith and Ty Jordan was incredible! #LLTJ #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/57RleNdlxZ— Macy Lewis (@MacyLewis6) September 3, 2021
Utah defensively has been elite tonight
Our o-line needs to get itself together but other than that the biggest issue offensively is just missed opportunities
Not a huge concern for week 1, as long as they are addressed before league play
We have ourselves a GOOD football team
— UtePilot (@ute_pilot) September 3, 2021
Looks like Tavion Thomas is our dude.
— UtePilot (@ute_pilot) September 3, 2021
Tavion Thomas has been impressive tonight. His ability to gain yards after contact is cut from the mold of a Utah running back. He has emerged as the lead back in the #Utes offense.#GoUtes l @KSLSports
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) September 3, 2021
Light that U.
See you guys next week in Provo.#GoUtes #LLTJ— ⛈👨🏻💻⛈ (@inkedtater) September 3, 2021
That touchdown pass from Cam Rising to Dalton Kincaid is the first TD pass of Rising's career.#GoUtes l @KSLSports
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) September 3, 2021
The Utes just did a “moment of loudness” for the late, great Ty Jordan…
Jordan, of course, played only in front of an empty RES last season. #LLTJ pic.twitter.com/gYdiZjZ1RP
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) September 3, 2021
Cheering for you today and every day!
You are always in our heart Ty! #LLTJ pic.twitter.com/D0n9RFU8dN
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 3, 2021
