Utah Utes football: Seniors to play final home game at Rice-Eccles

Utah linebacker Kepa Gaison hadn't really thought about it until the team left for TCU last week. He and other seniors talked about their collegiate careers coming to an end.

The trip to Fort Worth was their final regular-season journey out of state (They'll travel to BYU on Nov. 28). Saturday's game against San Diego State will be their finale at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"It's something special I guess you could say," Gaison said. "We're excited about it."

Gaison and 23 other seniors will be honored in pregame ceremonies before the Utes and Aztecs square off.

"I don't think it'll be weird," he added. "It'll just be one of those things you're going to remember for a while and just kind of take it all in."

Besides Gaison, the senior class includes: Matt Asiata, Zane Beadles, Joe Dale, Tatum Drecksel, Kenape Eliapo, Junior Fonua, Ben Hendy, Robert Johnson, Justin Jones, Chris Joppru, Aiona Key, Koa Misi, Trevor Moss, Viliamu Nau, John Peel, David Reed, R.J. Stanford, Ray Stowers, Stevenson Sylvester, Ben Vroman, Elijah Wesson, Tyler Williams and Mike Wright.

"It's important for us to send them out the right way," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "This group of seniors has made a tremendous contribution to our program during their time here."

And they vow they're not finished.

"To be able to win my last game in that stadium is huge to me," Beadles said. "That's the plan this week."

Sylvester agrees.

"It's very important," he said. "The last memory you're going to have in this stadium, when you go back, is how you played against San Diego State. So we've got to do it right."

Wright, meanwhile, is trying not to think about it being his last home game.

"I don't think it's hit me yet. I don't think it will until Saturday," he said. "It's kind of weird thinking that this season is winding down. It's an interesting feeling. I never thought this day would come."

Senior Day tends to be an emotional outing for those involved.

"It's going to be bittersweet. I've played a ton of games in that stadium. I love playing games here. I love playing in front of that crowd," Beadles said. "I can't believe it's already here. It's gone so fast. I'm looking forward to it. At the same time I don't want it to end."

Sylvester admits he's reminiscing about all his home games at Utah. It's also brought back memories of the last high school home game he played.

"It's crazy to think about it," Sylvester said. "I've had fun my whole career here and I just want to end it the right way."

One of the seniors, Asiata, may end up coming back next season. He may seek a medical hardship with the NCAA after suffering a knee injury in the Louisville game on Sept. 26.

"We sure hope he comes back," Whittingham said while noting that he expects Asiata to make a decision soon.