This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Utes already expected to come in thin after losing two players for the season in the last week, but the starting lineup was even more checkered than expected.
Starting right tackle Sam Tevi did not play, wearing a polo instead of pads. The senior missed his first start in two seasons with a sore back, opening the way for sophomore Jackson Barton to start his first game.
Tyrone Smith had been removed from the two-deep earlier in the week, and did travel with the team but did not suit up. The sophomore entered the game second on the team with 91 receiving yards on five receptions. Sophomore Raelon Singleton made the start opposite Tim Patrick at receiver.
Utah traveled without captain Dominique Hatfield, who missed his third straight start at cornerback. Fellow senior Brian Allen started in his place.
The Utes had anticipated the absence of senior running back Joe Williams (retirement) and senior defensive end Kylie Fitts (foot, out for the season) after announcing developments earlier in the week. Freshman Zack Moss and junior Troy McCormick both started for the first time in their careers, and junior Filipo Mokofisi replaced Fitts at defensive end with senior Pasoni Tasini occupying one of the defensive tackle spots.
Butler-Byrd makes early impact
Cory Butler-Byrd's first touch of the season was a memorable one.
The senior receiver took a short pass from Troy Williams for 45 yards, making a cut and going up the sideline on a drive that eventually wrapped with a field goal.
Butler-Byrd made his first start after serving a two-game suspension following being charged with misdemeanor criminal michief after damaging a police vehicle and building in July. After entering a guilty plea in abeyance last month, Butler-Byrd rejoined practice but wasn't allowed to participate in games until Saturday.
The 45-yarder was only Butler-Byrd's second career catch.
Busy night in Bay Area
Of all the plays run Saturday night, the most successful Formation was at Levi's Stadium.
That would be the name of singer Beyonce's world tour — "Formation" — which played Saturday night to an estimated crowd of 45,000.
While the Spartans aren't known for their robust attendance, the game was further affected by a busy night in the Bay Area. Beyond Beyonce, local teams Stanford and Cal were in action, hosting headliners USC and Texas, respectively. Much of the end zone sections at CEFCU Stadium were empty for SJSU-Utah.
The Utes did have a strong visiting presence, with several hundred fans wearing red on the east side of the bowl.
Twitter: @kylegoon