Utah Football Cleans House With Pac-12 Weekly Awards
Oct 23, 2023, 3:14 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – It’s only fitting that after winning four-straight against USC that Utah football is awarded four Pac-12 weekly awards.
Quarterback Bryson Barnes, defensive end Van Fillinger, kicker Cole Becker, and offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea were all recognized by the Pac-12 conference for their efforts in lifting the Utes over the Trojans last Saturday.
Stacked ‼️https://t.co/LjjCm1Txq8 pic.twitter.com/IxGdr2WdhK
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 23, 2023
Quarterback Bryson Barnes: Pac-12 Offensive Player Of The Week
There is no more question surrounding Utah’s quarterback situation, Bryson Barnes is the guy moving forward after starter Cam Rising has shut it down for the rest of the season.
Barnes went into the Coliseum determined to get Utah a victory and he did just that.
Barnes was 14 of 23 through the air for 235 yards, and three touchdowns. He was also affective on his feet with 10 rushes for 57 yards and one more touchdown.
The lone flaw of the night for the “beloved pig farmer” was a pick six which he recovered from effortlessly leading the Utes down the field for a clap-back score.
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Defensive End Van Fillinger: Pac-12 Defensive Lineman Of The Week
It’s been a bit of a struggle for Van Fillinger to get going in 2023 due to illness and injury, but if there was any week to make a comeback splash, USC was it.
Defense holding strong to start the second half 💪 pic.twitter.com/gBaUn1fDhm
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 22, 2023
Right Tackle Sataoa Laumea: Pac-12 Offensive Lineman Of The Week
Utah’s offense had season-high numbers against USC, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the offensive line and right tackle Sataoa Laumea was a big piece of that.
Barnes was kept relatively clean all game long, only taking one sack on the night thanks to the protection Laumea and crew provided.
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Additionally, the run game had another nice outing racking up 235 yards on the night. Primary running back Ja’Quinden Jackson produced 117 of those rushing yards and hit a career milestone of 1000 yards rushing. Safety Sione Vaki easily added another 68 yards rushing.
All together, thanks to Laumea and the offensive line, the Utes put up 482 total yards of offense.
Kicker Cole Becker: Pac-12 Special Teams Player Of The Week
Utah found themselves down by one with five seconds left to play. All they needed was a 38-yard field goal that was set up off a 26-yard scramble by Bryson Barnes.
It was a high-pressure moment, but kicker Cole Becker made it look easy putting the ball through the uprights and securing the 34-32 win over USC in the Coliseum.
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Earlier in the game, Becker was also good for a 33-yard field goal along with four-made PATs.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.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 X, Instagram, and Threads: @BodkinKSLsports
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