Utah Football Fires Back At Florida Player Who Made Joke About Rice-Eccles Stadium

Sep 1, 2023, 4:10 PM

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – Prior to Utah Football’s season opener against Florida, Gator defensive end Princely Umanmielen poked fun at the size of Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Umanmielen posted a picture to his Instagram story calling Utah Football’s home small.

College Football trash talk >> pic.twitter.com/vWq4uQfKUl

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 31, 2023

In comparison to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Rice-Eccles is smaller. The Swamp has a capacity of over 88,000.

However, some things are better left unsaid. Umanmielen learned that the hard way.

Utah Football fired back at the Gator’s defensive end on social media.

Lil ah dub#GoUtes | @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/EshmJsT2jf

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 1, 2023

Ironically, Utah Football’s game against the Gators set an all-time attendance record at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

53,644 people filled the stands, breaking the former record of 53,609 people at Utah vs. USC in 2022.

We have set an all-time attendance record at Rice-Eccles Stadium of 53,644!!

Breaking the old record of 53,609 vs. USC in 2022! 🙌#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/WJNDMvz1no

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 1, 2023

Three Takeaways From Utah vs. Florida

Takeaway No. 1: Sack Lake City Is Back

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said the defense was the story of the game and it’s hard to argue that when looking over the numbers.

Florida walked away with only 13 rushing yards. They did rack up 333 yards passing, but they only had one touchdown that came in the fourth quarter to show for it.

The Utes also brought back “Sack Lake City” posting five sacks for a loss of 47 yards for the Gators. The Utah defense also brought in one interception.

Mayor of Sack Lake City. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/TlLRZYzuHF

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 1, 2023

“The defense was suffocating,” Whittingham said. The defense was the storyline of the game. Didn’t allow them to get a touchdown until the fourth quarter and had a bunch of sacks.”

Takeaway No. 2: Utah Can Manage Without Cam Rising

The Utes will not want to go the entire season without QB1 Cam Rising, but they can certainly manage a game or two without him.

Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson did a good job managing the game in Rising’s absence. It wasn’t always pretty, but both had moments where they showed they can be trusted to get it done.

Barnes’ moment came his very first play of the game- a 70-yard touchdown bomb to wide receiver Money Parks that pretty well set the tone for the rest of the game.

Johnson on the other hand did his best Anthony Richardson impression for the Florida defense, rushing his way 27 yards for a touchdown.

chomp chomp pic.twitter.com/7HaWX2ANGV

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 1, 2023

“I thought Andy [Ludwig] called an excellent game,” Whittingham said. “We had the two-quarterback system. Nate came in for some select plays and I thought Bryson Barnes did a nice job. What? A 67% completion- 160 yards. Not gaudy numbers but didn’t turn it over and he ran the offense.”

Takeaway No. 3: Utes Kicking Game Appears To Be In Good Shape

One of the biggest hangups for the Utes the past few years has been a poor kicking game.

While there is still a lot of football left to be played, it appears Whittingham and company have found their guys in punter Jack Bouwmeester and kicker Cole Becker.

This Utah punter is an artist with the rock

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 1, 2023

Bouwmeester averaged 51.8 yards per punt in Thursday’s opener with Florida and Becker showed he has the leg to hit 50-plus yard field goals for Utah if needed.

“I thought the punter did outstanding,” Whittingham said. “I thought Jack Bouwmeester really hit the ball well tonight. The placekicker did a pretty good job.”

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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.