University President Taylor Randall Drops The Mic At Rose Bowl Rally
Jan 1, 2023, 2:54 PM
SALT LAKE CITY UT- NOVEMBER 5: Swoop the mascot of the Utah Utes leads the team onto the field before the start of their game against the Arizona Wildcats at Rice Eccles Stadium November 5, 2022 in Salt Lake City Utah.
LOS ANGELES– We are one sleep away from Utah football’s second appearance in The Grandaddy of them All and the energy is getting palpable. Utah Athletics held their pep rally Sunday afternoon in Downtown Los Angeles, and it didn’t disappoint. While fans got to cheer on some of their favorite players and sing “Utah Man” with the Spirit Team, it was University of Utah President Taylor Randall who stole the show.
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President Taylor Randall’s Smack Talk
President Randall wasn’t messing around at Utah’s pep rally and came prepared with facts that he laid out for everyone.
“In 1923, 100 years ago, Penn State showed up to play their first Rose Bowl. Guess who they lost to? USC, 14-13. They had a chance to redeem themselves in 2008 when they played the Trojans again. They lost 38-17. And then they showed back up in 2017 and they lost a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter to the Trojans, and lost 52-49. So in the last 100 years they’ve lost three times to the Trojans and we’ve beat them twice in the last 48 days. Maybe that’s why USC wants to join the Big Ten.”
Taylor Randall (@UUtah president) with a mic drop moment 🫢#goutes #rosebowl #utahfootball pic.twitter.com/Cm5YAmlSph
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 1, 2023
President Randall’s speech drew raucous approval and several laughs from the Utah crowd who were in attendance to cheer their team on before Monday’s big game.
Showing Up And Showing Out
Utah fans have once again outdone themselves in their commitment to traveling and supporting the Utes. Both President Randall and Athletic Director Mark Harlan noted how the Utes have greatly impressed the Executive Board of the Rose Bowl in their eagerness to come to the game for a second year in a row.
Scenes from our team from both the @rosebowlgame Fan Bash and @utahathletics’ Pep Rally pic.twitter.com/uHXFsgwlmT
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 1, 2023
“It’s true, the Executive Board for the Rose Bowl said they have never had this happen before,” Harlan said. “The second year of a team in back-to-back years but look at this. This is unbelievable. This is who you are. We’re not here without you.”
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports
