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Jared Goff threw seven interceptions in 509 attempts last season.
He threw five in 47 Saturday night.
It had been something of a running joke among Utah fans heading into No. 5 Utah's 30-24 win against No. 23 Cal, that the defense that had led the nation in sacks last season and inspired the tag "Sack Lake City" might more accurately (though less wittily) be described now as "Pick Lack City."
That's becoming less of a joke.
"He's a good quarterback," sophomore cornerback Boobie Hobbs said of Goff. "All props given. But we have a better secondary."
Junior nickel Justin Thomas poached his second interception of the season.
Junior cornerback Dominique Hatfield, who missed the opener against Michigan because he'd been dismissed from the team, snagged his second and third.
Sophomore safety Marcus Williams grabbed his fourth interception in five games.
A team that, two years ago, never seemed to be able to punish quarterbacks for their mistakes was able to punish one of the nation's best quarterbacks, for what were somewhat marginal mistakes.
It was not a game in which teams waited their turn. Cal entered the game leading the nation in turnovers, with 18, but the Utes won the turnover battle by a lopsided margin — 6-3.
The five interceptions were the most since Utah beat BYU in November 2008.
Asked whether he could recall a secondary performance like that, Kyle Whittingham exhaled.
"That's a tough one. There may be one in there somewhere, but the secondary did a great job, especially against a team and a quarterback like that. They were ball hawks back there tonight."
Whittingham had said during fall camp that this team's secondary was a pleasant surprise, but he only started to realize it's full potential, he said, "about the end of the first quarter."
It came as no surprise to junior corner Cory Butler-Byrd, though. They strive for 20 interceptions in practice each week, he said, and Utah's coaches told them what to expect from Cal's receivers. The Golden Bears tweaked their routes, he said, but the Utes were able to adjust.
Utah is known for man coverage, said Hobbs. The know they'll be beaten sometimes, but "big-time players make big-time plays, and you're going to get a chance."
Butler-Byrd dove for a fourth-and-goal pass breakup that forced a Cal field goal, and also saw a few snaps on offense, and caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Travis Wilson for his first career reception.
Hobbs, wanting to get in on the act, promised his teammates a game-ending pick-six as Goff threatened in the final minute, recalling Washington State's rally during last year's conference home opener.
Alas. Hobbs had to settle for a game-ending pass breakup.
Twitter: @matthew_piper