Kyle Whittingham on win over Florida: ‘It’s just another strengthening of our brand nationally’

Utah entered Thursday night’s matchup with Florida without its starting quarterback as Cameron Rising works his way back from a torn ACL. But the Utes still put together a solid showing en route to a season-opening 24-11 victory to kick off the season.

It might not have been their best night, but Kyle Whittingham was happy to come away with the victory. In fact, by winning the first-ever game against an SEC team in Rice-Eccles Stadium, he thinks the Utes made a statement.

“It’s just another strengthening of our brand nationally, being able to play on this stage, national, ESPN Thursday nighter. All the eyes were on us,” Whittingham told Holly Rowe after the game. “Even though we weren’t at our best, it was good to get the win and let people know we do play football out here in this part of the country.”

Bryson Barnes led the Utah passing game with 159 yards and a touchdown while also adding 11 yards and a score on the ground. Money Parks had the big play of the game early on, though, hauling in a 70-yard touchdown reception to get things started.

Going into the game without Rising — who helped lead the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 titles — could’ve spelled trouble. However, Barnes and Nate Johnson got the job done at quarterback, and Whittingham said they were instrumental in the victory.

“This team’s got a lot of grit. In a word, grit,” Whittingham said. “Next man up mentality. Couldn’t be prouder of these guys. Bryson Barnes, Nate Johnson did what we needed them to do. Wasn’t pretty at the end there. Kind of let them back in. But we got the victory, and on to the next one.”

Kyle Whittingham: Winning the line of scrimmage is ‘our recipe’ at Utah

The story of the game, though, came up front. Both teams went to work on the line of scrimmage as Florida totaled just 13 rushing yards and Utah had 105. Additionally, the Utes didn’t allow a sack, speaking to the job their offensive line did.

Whittingham said that’s the key to the program’s success this season.

“Both sides of line of scrimmage. They didn’t rush for many yards at all,” Whittingham said. “And offensively, we controlled the line even though we didn’t rush for a ton. We really controlled the line of scrimmage. I don’t know if we gave up a sack, maybe one. But anyway, excellent play on the line of scrimmage. Zero turnovers by the offense. That’s our recipe.”