Five Players That Stood Out In Utah’s Season Opening Win Over Weber State
Sep 4, 2021, 8:16 PM
Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) in a game between the Weber State Wildcats and the Utah Utes on September 2, 2021 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah (Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah football team showed signs of being a really good team in 2021 but they also have a lot to work on after their win over Weber State.
Utah beat Weber State 40-17 in the 2021 season opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday night.
Here is the Crimson Corner’s five standout performers from Utah’s win over Weber State in no particular order.
Charlie Brewer, Quarterback
Charlie Brewer’s debut has gotten the Utah fan base excited about what the season could bring on offense. The Baylor transfer completed 19 of his 27 pass attempts for 233 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball four times for 15 yards. Brewer was really accurate for most of the night. Two of his pass attempts were dropped by the receiver and would have given Utah two more touchdowns.
It’s going to be a very exciting season watching Brewer as the signal caller.
Do you love this Charlie Brewer to Solomon Enis connection as much as we do? #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/GBpMHEBv6W
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 3, 2021
Dalton Kincaid, Tight End
With all eyes set on Brant Kuithe and Cole Fotheringham in Utah’s tight end room, it was Dalton Kincaid stealing the show. Kincaid had four receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Kyle Whittingham called him the “best kept secret in the Pac-12.” It’s probably safe to say that the San Diego transfer is not a secret anymore.
Utah has a ton of weapons and the emergence of Kincaid has made the offensive potential for the Utes very scary.
The weather delay did not stop the Utes momentum! 🙌@CBrewerII connects with @_DaltonKincaid for their first TD in a @Utah_Football uniform.
📺 Pac-12 Network
📱 https://t.co/emiPff0UwP#GoUtes | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/IxflPb9kUP— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 3, 2021
Tavion Thomas, Running Back
Kyle Whittingham might have found his lead back on Thursday. Tavion Thomas showed why he was getting high praise during fall camp. The Independence Community College transfer racked up 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The one issue was that he fumbled the ball early in the third quarter. Thomas took off in the second half and made some tough, physical runs.
Micah Bernard should be in the mix for carries as well but he really showed out in the pass game with three catches for 41 yards to go with his six carries for 35 yards.
Another one for @nextupp5! 🤩
📺 Pac-12 Network
📱 https://t.co/emiPff0UwP#GoUtes | @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/c5ysNNcMcF— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 3, 2021
Devin Lloyd, Linebacker
It looked like the preseason All-American was trying to get into every slot of the stat sheet and he nearly did so. Lloyd finished with a team-high 12 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and an interception. Basically, Lloyd only needed a safety and a fumble recovery to get into every slot of the stat sheet. Lloyd was everywhere and this is the expectation he and the coaching staff have every week. This is only the beginning.
Clark Phillips gets his helmet on a pass by Bronson Barron. Devin Lloyd dives for the interception.#GoUtes @kslsports
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) September 3, 2021
Clark Phillips III, Cornerback
I understand that Phillips is my co-host on the Faith, Family and Football podcast but you can’t deny the strong performance from the second year cornerback against Weber State. Phillips finished with six tackles, which was the second-most on the team. He also had a half a tackle for loss, one pass breakup and he helped Devin Lloyd haul in an interception when the ball bounced off of his helmet.
Nice PBU on the sideline by Clark Phillips.#GoUtes @kslsports
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) September 3, 2021
Despite being listed at right cornerback on the depth chart, Phillips was seen playing on the left side and defending the best receivers that Weber State had to offer. It can also be mentioned that JaTravis Broughton had a strong performance on the right side.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
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