Fans cheer before the Barstool College Football Show and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game.
Fans cheer before the "Barstool College Football Show" and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game. Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Brandon Judd
By Brandon Judd
Brandon covers sports for the Deseret News, with an emphasis on the University of Utah and the NFL.

The University of Utah and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” combined their forces to put on a memorable pregame show Saturday morning ahead of the No. 16 Utes’ Big 12 opener against No. 17 Texas Tech.

With former Utah coach Urban Meter on hand, “Big Noon Kickoff” made its debut in Salt Lake City — and between loud music, a raucous crowd and plenty of football talk, the scene helped showcase what makes Utah football so special.

Here’s a look at what went on during the two-hour pregame special on Utah’s campus.

Videos inside ‘Big Noon Kickoff’

Famous faces

Photos from ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ visit to Salt Lake City

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Commentators wait between a commercial break during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show is held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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A fan holds a sign before the “Barstool College Football Show” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show is held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans walk past a sign before the “Barstool College Football Show” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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DJ Amy Robbins plays before the “Barstool College Football Show” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool sports, speaks during the “Barstool College Football Show” held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans gather before the “Barstool College Football Show” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans react to a commentator during the “Barstool College Football Show” held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Swoop takes a selfie with fans during the “Barstool College Football Show” held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Jenny Taft speaks during the “Barstool College Football Show” held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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A fan wears a “Big Noon Kickoff” hat before Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, speaks during the “Barstool College Football Show” held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, speaks during the “Barstool College Football Show” held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Urban Meyer listens as other commentators are announced during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans cheer during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, speaks during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Jenny Taft holds a card during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans listen during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Mark Ingram II speaks during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Urban Meyer listens to another commentator during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans cheer during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Marcus Williams speaks during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Urban Meyer speaks during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Zack Moss speaks during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Mark Ingram II takes a selfie with fans during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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From right, Uncle Chaps talks with Dave Portnoy and Chris Fallica during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Commentators, from left, Rob Stone, Brady Quinn, Steve Smith Sr., Matt Leinart and Urban Meyer present Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, before the No. 16 Utah Utes played the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show sets up before the game between the Utah Utes and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Urban Meyer flashes the “U” to the crowd during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game.
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Urban Meyer flashes the “U” to the crowd during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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The FOX Big Noon Kickoff show sets up near the south end zone at Rice-Eccles Stadium before the game between the Utah Utes and the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show is held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game.
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Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show is held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Urban Meyer, center, joins the Barstool College Football Show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game.
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Urban Meyer, center, joins the Barstool College Football Show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, talks about pizza he had locally at The Pie Pizzeria during the Barstool College Football Show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game.
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, talks about pizza he had locally at The Pie Pizzeria during the Barstool College Football Show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Fans cheer before the Barstool College Football Show and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game.
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Fans cheer before the Barstool College Football Show and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Ute Village tailgate area near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the University of Utah Utes versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Barstool founder and Fox college football personality Dave Portnoy looks onto the field before the game between the Utah Utes and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Fans cheer at the start of Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans cheer before the “Barstool College Football Show” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Urban Meyer, center, joins the “Barstool College Football Show” held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Rob Stone holds a sign to the crowd at the start of Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool sports, speaks during the “Barstool College Football Show” held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show is held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Utah men’s basketball head coach Alex Jensen flashes the “U” during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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From right, Urban Meyer puts his arm around Zack Moss while also joined by Marcus Williams during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. Moss and Williams formerly played for the Utah Utes and also play currently in the NFL. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Commentators speak during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Mark Ingram II talks with Steve Smith Sr. during Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. Smith formerly played for the Utah Utes and also played in the NFL. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Commentators, from left, Rob Stone, Brady Quinn, Steve Smith Sr., Matt Leinart and Urban Meyer present Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Anthony Russo emcees Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Fans pose for a photo before the “Barstool College Football Show” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Urban Meyer flashes the “U” at the start of Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show held at the Smith’s Ultimate Tailgate Experience near Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, preceding the No. 16 University of Utah Utes versus the No. 17 Texas Tech University Red Raiders football game. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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