The No. 19 Utah Utes have learned they will participate in the Foster Farms Bowl in Santa Clara, California against the Indiana Hoosiers on December 28.
The No. 19 Utah Utes will participate in the Foster Farms Bowl in Santa Clara, California against the Indiana Hoosiers on December 28.
Utah finished 8-4 overall in the regular season, 5-4 in Pac-12 play. Indiana finished at 6-6, 4-5 in Big Ten conference play, and finished fourth in the Big Ten East division, and ninth in the conference overall.
“It should be a great destination for our players and for our fans,” said head coach Kyle Whittingham. “Indiana is a very good opponent. I haven’t had a chance to research them in depth, but I know they throw the ball well.”
The Hoosiers are in the midst of a head coaching change after Kevin Wilson resigned on Thursday for off-field issues.
“I’m just excited about going,” said Utah quarterback Troy Williams. “It’s a great opportunity for all of us to go out there and be with the seniors for the last time, have fun out there, and come out with a win.” Williams said he’s already started watching Indiana games to get familiar with the team.
“I think this is the biggest bowl we’ve been in since we’ve been in the Pac-12,” said senior defensive end Hunter Dimick. “Obviously, we aspired to make the playoffs, that didn’t happen, but we’re very excited and ready to get to work for this one.”
Utah was in the Sun Bowl in 2011, when they beat Georgia Tech in overtime in El Paso, 30-27. The Utes were ineligible for bowls in 2012 and 2013 with 5-7 seasons, then won the Las Vegas Bowl in 2014 and 2015 against Colorado State and BYU, respectively.
Whittingham also called the game a “plus” when it comes to recruiting, with his team playing in the Bay Area hotbed. Several Utah players will be able to play in front of their families in their home area as well.
Other Pac-12 Bowls:
Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl—#4 Washington vs. #1 Alabama – Sat Dec 31
Rose Bowl game—#9 USC vs. #5 Penn State – Mon Jan 2
Valero Alamo Bowl—#12 Oklahoma State vs. #10 Colorado – Thur Dec 29
Holiday Bowl—Washington State vs. Minnesota – Tue Dec 27
Hyundai Sun Bowl—North Carolina vs. #18 Stanford – Fri Dec 30
Kyle Whittingham Press Conference:
DE Hunter Dimick:
QB Troy Williams:
OL Isaac Asiata:
