Utes Prepare for Showdown Against #17 Cincinnati After 53-7 Win

UPDATE: The Utah Utes are gearing up for a crucial top-25 matchup against the #17 Cincinnati Bearcats following a staggering 53-7 victory over Colorado. This dominant win has set the stage for a high-stakes showdown, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 PM on October 28, 2023, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

In a post-game statement, head coach Kyle Whittingham expressed elation over the team’s performance, stating, “You know, just all positives. Really nothing negative coming out of that game.” The Utes’ defense was relentless, recording seven sacks and limiting Colorado to under 150 yards total offense.

A standout player in this victory was freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin, who stepped up in place of the injured Devon Dampier. Ficklin rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown while also throwing for two touchdowns, earning him the title of Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. “My phone was blowing up,” Ficklin commented after the game. “First start, first win—I was just enjoying the moment with my teammates.”

The return of ESPN’s College GameDay to Utah for the sixth time adds to the excitement. However, Whittingham emphasized that the spotlight shouldn’t distract the team. In previous visits, the Utes have struggled, losing three of their last four appearances on GameDay. “Those shows do a good job of not really being a distraction,” Whittingham noted. “The biggest distraction is guys just knowing that they’re on center stage.”

As for the starting quarterback position for the upcoming game, Whittingham indicated that Dampier is improving daily but didn’t confirm who would start. “If he’s not ready, then we know Byrd is ready to go again if he needs to be,” Whittingham stated.

With the Utes currently sitting at 6-2 and 3-2 in the Big 12, and Cincinnati boasting a record of 7-1 and 5-0 in the Big 12, this game is critical for both teams’ aspirations for postseason play.

Fans are eager to see if Utah can maintain their momentum and capitalize on their recent success. As the excitement builds, the community rallies behind the Utes, hoping for a strong performance that will propel them into the national spotlight.

Stay tuned for live updates as the Utes prepare for this thrilling clash against the Bearcats!