Salt Lake City, UT – One of the most remarkable records in college football continued this past Saturday as the Utah Utes celebrated their 22nd consecutive season with a pick-six, thanks to a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jackson Bennee during their game against Cal Poly. This achievement marks an NCAA-record streak that started back in 2004. Over these 22 years, the Utes have also recorded the most interceptions returned for touchdowns in college football, racking up a total of 49.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham praised the streak, attributing it to past and present coaching staff. “It’s the all-time record, so credit to coach Morgan Scalley and coach John Pease before that and coach Kalani Sitake before that. I mean there’s been a lot of guys that have had a hand in that, and it was great to see it today,” he stated. “It’s something to be proud of. We don’t talk about it ever or think about it. It’s just something that happens.”
Unlike last season, when the Utes waited until the second-to-last game for a pick-six, they struck early this time. Bennee capitalized on a Cal Poly route and streaked 46 yards for his first career touchdown. He expressed his excitement, saying, “It was super fun, I’m not going to lie. Just kind of in the right spot at the right time when he threw it. I was kind of in disbelief, but right as I caught it, I just didn’t look back. Just decided to run as fast as I could.”
On top of scoring a touchdown, Bennee showcased his defensive skills by recording five tackles and breaking up three passes, making him one of the standout players in Utah’s dominant 63-9 victory over Cal Poly. This season, the Utes have moved Bennee from safety to the nickel position, allowing him to better utilize his talents. He reflected on the transition, stating, “I’ve kind of bounced around from nickel to safety, but in the spring I played a lot of nickel and that’s when I got a little bit more comfortable there.”
Bennee’s versatility is invaluable, as he not only plays defense but adds depth to Utah’s offense. Although he didn’t record any offensive statistics against Cal Poly, he previously had a 17-yard reception against UCLA. His adaptability allows him to relieve teammate Smith Snowden, especially when Snowden is getting a lot of offensive action.
Coach Whittingham was full of praise for Bennee’s performance. He elaborated on the complexities of the nickelback position, saying it’s the most demanding, requiring both coverage skills and run support. “What he’s doing so far has been outstanding, especially when you consider that he’s splitting time and playing wide receiver about 30 or 40 percent of the time. So he’s been a huge surprise. He’s probably the biggest surprise in a good way on the football team this fall so far,” Whittingham remarked.
