SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 27, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah is planning for full capacity fan attendance at Rice-Eccles Stadium when the 2021 season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 2, officials announced Thursday.
The kickoff times and broadcast information for Utah’s three non-conference games, along with select Friday night Pac-12 games, have also been announced, said a news release from U of U Athletics.
“The season opener against Weber State will mark the opening of the expanded Rice-Eccles Stadium with the unveiling of the Ken Garff Performance Zone,” the news release said. “The game will be televised by Pac-12 Network. The Utes’ game at BYU on Saturday, Sept. 11 will kick off at 8:15 p.m. MT on ESPN, and the following week, Sept. 18 at San Diego State, kicks off at 5 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network.” In addition, Utah’s game at Stanford on Friday Nov. 5 will start at 8:30 p.m. MT on FS1, while both the Utes’ Sat., Oct. 9 game at USC and Friday, Nov. 26 contest at Colorado will be televised by either FOX or FS1, but kick off times have not been determined for those games.
“We are incredibly excited to be planning for a sold-out, full-capacity environment at Rice-Eccles Stadium for the 2021 football season,” said Mark Harlan, director of athletics. “We are so grateful for our passionate, loyal fans, who have stood by us and supported our department through a very challenging time. I’m also thrilled for our student-athletes, coaches and staff, who have worked so hard and maintained a high standard throughout everything, and will again be able to experience the roar of the home crowd. We can’t wait for Sept. 2 when we open the expanded Rice-Eccles Stadium and unveil the Ken Garff Performance Zone with 51,444 in the building.”
The Utes will play 12 regular season games in 2021, which includes a nine-game Pac-12 slate. Utah will host six home games in Rice-Eccles Stadium this year with the Utes’ season opener against Weber State marking the 12th time in the past 13 seasons that Utah has opened the season at home.
Utah will return 20 starters to the gridiron this fall, including 10 on the defensive side of the ball. Of Utah’s 20 returning starters, 10 earned All-Pac-12 honors in 2020 which includes Britain Covey (WR/RS), Nick Ford (OL), Devin Lloyd (LB), Jadon Redding (K), Brant Kuithe (TE), Sataoa Laumea (OL), Mika Tafua (DE), JaTravis Broughton (CB), Keegan Markgraf (LS) and Nephi Sewell (LB).
“Joining Utah’s returning talent is a group of hungry newcomers ready to see their first action in a Utah uniform,” the news release said. “In December of 2020, the Utes announced the No. 29 recruiting class in the country and fourth-best in the Pac-12, also making moves this spring in the transfer portal by bringing in Power Five talent from all over the country that includes College Football Playoff experience and a CFP National Championship.”
