Best Off-Field Moments From 2019 Utah Football Season
Dec 13, 2019, 9:48 AM
Devin Lloyd #20 of the Utah Utes is congratulated by teammate Francis Bernard #13 after sacking Steven Montez of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The 2019 regular season for the Utes has come to an end. There are so many moments and memories on the field that will never be forgotten by players, coaches and fans, but there was plenty of moments that happened off the field that should be remembered.
From scholarships being awarded to walk-ons to a nice throwback uniform combinations to feel good stories, Utah football had many memorable moments off the field.
Here is the top five off-field moments from the 2019 Utah football season:
5. Whittingham Hands Out Scholarships
Who doesn’t love a good story of a walk-on receiving the news that they were put on scholarship? Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham handed out three scholarships to walk-ons in three days during fall camp. He did so in creative ways.
.@AliiNiumatalolo YOU’RE ON SCHOLARSHIP!
A very special thank you to Ali’i’s father, @NAVYCoachKen, & the entire @NavyFB Team for making this moment possible. #NavyFB #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/9ipCdfrv2O
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 16, 2019
When a pizza delivery turns into a walk-on being awarded his SCHOLARSHIP!
CONGRATULATIONS MALIK HAYNES! pic.twitter.com/5i218WD1ox
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 17, 2019
Mason Woodward is about to be put on scholarship… he has no idea. https://t.co/J5TggT8zpU
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 17, 2019
4. Hand Painted Helmets/Throwback Uniforms
The last couple of seasons, the Utes have featured hand-painted helmets and this season, they designed a throwback helmet to go with uniforms from 1966. The Utes wore the combination in their wins over UCLA and Colorado.
Game 10#UCLAvsUTAH pic.twitter.com/uq8XnQimT2
— UtesEquipment (@UtesEquipment) November 12, 2019
3. Utes Schedule Home-And-Home With Florida
The Utes announced a home-and-home series with the Florida Gators that will begin in 2022 in Gainesville and 2023 in Salt Lake City. It is that potential resume building game for the Utes that could have been used this season to help make their case for the College Football Playoff. Utah announced they are taking a break from the rivalry series against BYU for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Home & home with @GatorsFB. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/aZRZAH7IWs
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 27, 2019
2. Francis Bernard’s Second Chance
Leading up to the season opener against BYU, KSL Sports’ Jeremiah Jensen had an exclusive one-on-one interview with Utah linebacker Francis Bernard on his second chance to play football after things didn’t workout at BYU. At his darkest time, Bernard was worried that he would never play football again. Now, Bernard will participate in the Senior Bowl after nearly leading the Utes in tackles.
Francis Bernard had himself a game yesterday!
2 TFLs, 2 Tackles, and a PICK SIX 🙌#UBoyz pic.twitter.com/3Vex2I6GGh
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 30, 2019
1. Utah & BYU Coaches, Players Defend Tyler Huntley
Following Utah’s 33-28 win over the Washington Huskies on Saturday, quarterback Tyler Huntley was interviewed by the national television broadcast after a spectacular performance. After the interview, a person on Twitter who claims to be a fan of the Utes sent out a tweet that was disrespectful towards Huntley. Many of Huntley’s teammates and coaches defended him on Twitter as well as former offensive coordinator and current BYU OC Aaron Roderick and Cougars offensive line coach Eric Mataeos.
Graduated in 3.5 yrs, honor roll, academic all conf. honorable mention… Extremely high football IQ, extremely high emotional intelligence, the kindest person and his WHOLE TEAM would run through a brick wall for him.
Your tweet is only indicative of your education level, sir. https://t.co/0zU8ChOb5e
— Britain Covey (@brit_covey2) November 3, 2019
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