The celebration continues.
The undefeated No. 2 Utes will participate in a parade ceremony celebrating Utah’s 13-0 season Friday.
Beginning at 3 p.m., the Utes, alongside the cheerleaders, Utah band, Swoop and the MUSS, will start a commemoration walk from the Eagle Gate entrance on South Temple and State Street to the Salt Lake City-County Building at Washington Square on 400 South.
“What a fitting end to a great football season for our guys,” said head coach Kyle Whittingham. “I could not be prouder of a group of individuals as I am of this football team.”
Utah fans have been called to line both sides of South Temple to enjoy the parade, which will conclude on the west side of the City-County Building.
Those walking in the parade will march behind a convoy of cars carrying coaches, administrators and officials.
For those that make it to the tribute, the marchers will toss out red Sugar Bowl beads to the crowd and 10,000 commemorative buttons will be handed out to fans lining the streets.
“We talked about football teams having passion and emotion,” Whittingham said. “I think our fans did, and all season long. We averaged more than a sellout for the home schedule, what more can you say? Those guys are behind this team.”
This won’t be the first time a Utah team has returned home as the No. 2 team in the country.
In 1997, the Runnin’ Utes finished runner-up to the Kentucky Wildcats after falling 72-59 in the NCAA National Championship, but came back to Salt Lake City to a wave of red. The parade was also held in the downtown area.
The original BCS-busting year, 2004, showed Urban Meyer, Alex Smith, Eric Weddle and Co., 12-0 en route to a 35-7 beating of an 8-4 Pittsburgh Panthers team in the Fiesta Bowl. Despite finishing the season ranked No. 4 in the final Associated Press poll, there was no epic celebration like what will ensue Friday.
The unforgettable season Utah had will be wrapped up by coach Whittingham and players as they address the crowd in Washington Square.
“It’s been a miracle-type season,” said defensive end Paul Kruger. “We just have a phenomenal group.”
No doubt the Utes will be looking forward to having one last hurrah and reveling in their historic season with those that believed in them all year long.
Free safety Robert Johnson, who finished with two interceptions in Utah’s 31-17 victory over Alabama, credited the Utah faithful after the win.
“(Alabama’s crowd) was really loud, but our MUSS and our fans that came out here, they helped out a lot,” he said.
Tyler CobbUtah left tackle Zane Beadles raises the Sugar bowl trophy to the fans during the post game celebration. Fans can celebrate with the team again on Friday afternoon during a parade.