Micah Bernard Named Utah’s New Team Captain
Oct 15, 2024, 10:29 PM | Updated: Oct 16, 2024, 3:41 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Despite challenges this season, one player has been a consistent bright spot and source of leadership, running back Micah Bernard. On Tuesday, the program announced that he’s been named an offensive team captain.
He will play a key role in helping this team move forward through a difficult time. With the TCU Horned Frogs coming to Salt Lake City this weekend, the Utes have to work diligently to right the ship this week.
RELATED: Kyle Whittingham- Isaac Wilson to start
𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 @ctb_mb 🫡#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/NX9aoshbID
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 15, 2024
Utah football’s newest captain, Micah Bernard
Being named a captain speaks to his leadership qualities and the respect he’s earned from his teammates and coaches. Following the loss of quarterback Cam Rising, Bernard filling the void and stepping up in this captaincy is significant for Utah to move forward through this transition.
“I’m just trying to go out there and play for everybody on this team, do the best I can to the best of my ability,” Bernard said. “Just go out there and put in the work throughout the week and just have fun, put up stats and hopefully try to get us a win, which, we haven’t in the last two weeks.”
RELATED: Utah Football Releases Statement On Cam Rising Injury, Collegiate Eligibility
His appointment as team captain for Utah carries significant implications for the team and its dynamics. Given the time he’s spent with the program– he joined the program in 2019, Bernard has played a big role in Utah’s battles over the years. That gives him a ton of experience to call upon and lead this squad with.
“We can always turn this around, still hope, still trying to keep everybody motivated, and so I’m here smiling because I know, hey, we’ve been here before,” he said. “We’ve all been here before. We got doubters and stuff like that but it don’t matter. It’s only us. The guys know that we had a nice little team meeting today, and the guys know that it’s only us. We don’t care what anybody else says.”
This season, Bernard has been as reliable, productive as ever
Through six games, he’s set a career-high with 676 rushing yards this season. Bernard now has four games of at least 100 rushing yards, which has included some highlight-reel plays for the offense.
“Bernard has been huge for this football team, he’s been so consistent, like clockwork every week,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said of his star back. “He’s averaging [6.6] yards per carry, runs hard, catches the ball out of the backfield, picks up blitzes. He’s done everything. He’s a complete back for us, the clear-cut RB1.”
Bernard has established himself as the top running back on the team and one of the best in the Big 12 Conference. He’s currently No. 5 in average yards per game and No. 3 in average yards per carry in the league. He will play an even bigger role for the program moving forward.
Utah Football 2024 Season Results:
- Utes defeat Southern Utah, 49-0
- Utes defeat Baylor, 23-12
- Utes defeat Utah State, 38-21
- Utes defeat Oklahoma State, 22-19
- Utes fall to Arizona, 23-10
- Utes fall to Arizona State, 27-19
The Rest Of The Utes’ 2024 Schedule:
- Utah Football vs. TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday, October 19
- Utah Football @ Houston Cougars on Saturday, October 26
- Utah Football vs. BYU Cougars on Saturday, November, 9
- Utah Football @ Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday, November 16
- Utah Football vs. Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, November 23
- Utah Football @ UCF Knights on Friday, November 29
