Grand Canyon defeated Utah Valley 43-5 to open up the 2022 campaign for both teams.

This was a relatively late addition to the schedule as UVU was looking for a winter game and GCU was able to fit the Wolverines in. 

"We're so grateful to Coach Orlando [Tupou] and UVU for traveling down," said Grand Canyon Head Coach Sean O'Leary.

The 'Lopes were led by No. 8 Jared Taveres, who powered through the UVU defenders. O'Leary said his freshmen players are starting to mature.

"I like what I am starting to see," added O'Leary. "We need to be more disciplined around the ground game so that will be our focus as we prepare for UofA in the second leg of the Cactus Cup. We will have work to do."

O'Leary said this was a good start and added that he'd like to make the Utah Valley clash an annual thing.

Next up for Grand Canyon is Arizona, followed by three California Conference games in the space of nine day.