UTAH UTES
Tavion Thomas Caps Strong Utah Offensive Possession With TD Run
Sep 3, 2022, 8:04 PM
Tavion Thomas #9 of the Utah Utes celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter in the Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Utah football single-season touchdown record holder Tavion Thomas ran in his first score of the 2022 season in the 4th quarter versus Florida.
Tavion Thomas found the end zone from four yards out and gave Utah a 26-22 lead with 6:26 remaining in the game.
It’s the 22nd career touchdown for Thomas in a Utah uniform.
@thiagoothomas9 finds the ENDZONE‼️ pic.twitter.com/6QH9fkywSU
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 4, 2022
The last time Utah and Florida played each other was 45 years ago in 1977. The Utes lost 38-29 in that contest. Since that first and only meeting, Utah has had a bit of a glow-up “busting” the BCS twice, including walloping fellow SEC conference-mate Alabama 31-17 and earning their way into a Power Five conference. This will be the first time Florida has played a Pac-12 team since 1989 (33 years ago) against Washington in the Freedom Bowl where they lost 34-7.
Most expect this meeting to go a little differently than the last one. Utah is ranked #7 in the country ahead of their season opener against the Gators who are in the process of breaking in a new head coach. Make no mistakes, this Florida team is talented enough to upset the Utes if opportunity presents itself, but if Kyle Whittingham and his crew continue the trajectory they were on in 2021 they should be able to take care of business.
Last season was underwhelming for Florida going 6-7 despite the talent they possessed. It resulted in former head coach Dan Mullen being fired and new head coach Billy Napier being brought on to right the ship. Napier spent four seasons as Louisiana’s head coach and racked up a win/loss record of 40-12 with four consecutive West Division Titles in the Sun Belt Conference, and two Sun Belt Titles- one shared in 2020, and one out-right in 2021.
Florida is returning 13 total starters from last season’s team, six on offense and seven on defense. They have 43 Lettermen players returning in 2022.
Utah’s game against Florida can be seen on ESPN.
