Utah continues its record pick-six streak with interception return for touchdown against Cincinnati

CINCINNATI — The streak lives for another year.

Utah cornerback Elijah Davis extended the program’s run of consecutive years with an interception return for a touchdown to a record 23 seasons on Saturday against Cincinnati.

Late in the second quarter after the Utes went up 35-6 over the Bearcats, Davis added to the lead by reading Cincinnati quarterback JC French IV the entire way and jumping the route.

“We knew all week from film he likes the field side flats, so we were really just waiting for the right call and we got the right call and it happened,” Davis said.

There was nothing but green grass in front of Davis as he raced to the end zone to give Utah a 42-6 lead just before halftime and continue one of the nation’s most impressive streaks.

“It was definitely important. We talk about that all year, and for it to finally happen, just give myself a pat on the back,” Davis said about extending the streak.

The Utes have had at least one pick-six in each year since 2004.

“Well, yeah, because it started my senior year,” said head coach Morgan Scalley of the importance of extending the streak. “We got to keep it going.

“Super happy for Scooby. He had one last year against Kansas. He studied and studied and studied his butt off. He knew that was coming, took the opportunity, took the chance and capitalized on it.”

The Utes had multiple pick-sixes in their BCS-busting undefeated season 23 years ago, but the one that stands out the most from that year is when defensive tackle Steve Fifita picked off UNLV quarterback Shane Steiche and dove forward into the end zone for six points.

In each ensuing year, Utah has found a way to get at least one pick-six. The list of names with interception returns for touchdowns over the past 23 seasons includes Eric Weddle, Stevenson Sylvester, Joe Krueger, Justin Thomas, Julian Blackmon, Jaylon Johnson, Devin Llloyd, Clark Phillips III and Lander Barton.

Some have comes in pivotal moments, like Johnson’s vs. Washington in 2019 that helped the Utes to the Pac-12 championship game the year.

Lloyd’s pick-six vs. Oregon in 2021 set the tone in Utah’s first-ever Pac-12 championship, while Blackmon’s pick-six of Zach Wilson sparked a second-half comeback against BYU in 2018.

Davis’s interception return for a touchdown on Saturday capped an absolutely dominant first half for the Utes against Cincinnati. Utah scored on all four of its offensive possessions and scored twice off turnovers — the Davis pick-six and a fumble return for a touchdown.

Early in the second quarter, defensive end Ethan Day stripped Bearcats running back Gi’Bran Payne, and Ute safety Rabbit Evans was right there to pick up the ball and run 51 yards for a pivotal touchdown that pushed Utah’s lead to 21-3.

Utah won 49-25.

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