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Utah trolls Florida after win, takes aim at Gators’ player's pre-game post

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•09/01/23•

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Utah QB Bryson Barnes
Jeff Swinger | USA TODAY Sports

Utah tied their series with Florida after losing to the Gators a year ago with a 24-11 win in their opener on Thursday night. However, that wasn’t enough for the Utes as they also took a parting shot at their SEC opponent following the victory.

Before the game, Florida DE Princely Umanmielen trolled Rice-Eccles Stadium by calling it little, specifically a “lil ah stadium.” In retaliation, Utah used the same caption from Umanmielen’s story on Instagram to describe their double-digit win over the Gators on Twitter.

Utah made a statement early in what became the 13-point victory on their home field. They opened their first offensive series of the season with a 70-yard touchdown pass from Bryson Barnes to Money Parks to give them an immediate lead that they’d never relinquish.

They only further extend that margin with 10 more points in the second quarter before opening the third with another quick touchdown after an interception by Graham Mertz. That gave them their largest lead of the night of 17 points.

Utah’s defense forced Florida to go 1-13 on third down and only allowed one touchdown that came in the fourth quarter. They also held the Gator’s rushing attack to just 13 yards overall for 0.6 yards per carry.

The Utes have been waiting a year to get their payback against the Gators. With one “lil ah dub” under their belt, especially without their starting quarterback available, Utah has to feel very good now as they head into the rest of their campaign on the right foot.

Kyle Whittingham on Florida win: ‘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. Still, 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.”

“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.”