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The University of Utah Athletics
Quotes from Kyle Whittingham's Weekly Press Conference
10/26/2009 12:00 AM | Football
Oct. 26, 2009
Opening statement:
Our players showed a lot of toughness and determination in our overtime victory over Air Force. It wasn't pretty, but in the end we found a way to win. It was nothing different than the last several games with Air Force - it has come down to the last series or the last possession. Like we talked about, you will get the full 60 minutes from Air Force. They have no quit and they are tough, disciplined and determined and we needed to match them and I think we did.
Offensively, David Reed and Eddie Wide both had good days. The defense was really the key to the game. I am proud of how our defense played. They allowed only one touchdown, which was on a turnover on a punt return. It was a very good defensive effort. We lost Kenape Eliapo on Thursday to an eye situation and we had to have some other guys step up, and they did. Dave Kruger, Sealver Siliga, Viliamu Nau had solid performances.
This week is our second-annual blackout game. We should have a good crowd and are looking forward to the game. We have to be ready to play. Wyoming is doing a nice job this year and we are trying to stay in the hunt for the MWC Championship. We have deficiencies and are looking forward to becoming a better team each and every week.
Injury report:
Kenape Eliapo (eye injury) is probable. Lei Talamaivao (broken leg) and Walter Watts (knee) are both back. Joe Dale (knee) remains out another week or two. Shaky Smithson (ankle) is at 100%. Eddie Wide (ankle) is also ok. He had a fairly significant ankle sprain and showed a lot of toughness and determination and did a nice job coming back on Saturday.
On the interior defense:
Air Force racked up a lot of rushing yards, but it took them a lot of plays to get those yards. They averaged 3.4 yards per carry, and that's not going to cut it for them. If it's going to take them 85 tries to get that, it's indicative of a good run defense. Dave Kruger, Sealver Siliga, Koa Misi and Derrick Shelby and Nai Fotu - our proven guys and our up and comers - have all done a nice job this season. We have seen a lot of development in the first seven weeks.
On Dave Kruger:
He is an active defensive tackle and moves and runs very well. He needs to add a few pounds, but he will be there next year. It's difficult for young guys to play in the trenches and I think he has handled that very well. He is a different type of player than Paul was - Dave is more of a physical banger. He has a lot of football left to play and will develop into a very good player.
On big plays on offense:
David Reed went 90 yards on a slant for a touchdown and Eddie Wide scooped up a fumble and got some yard. We are getting production from the guys we term as `big play guys' and they have done a solid job. David is 10th in the nation in receiving yards and Eddie is second in the conference in rushing.
On Wyoming's defense:
There is a lot of carryover from Air Force to Wyoming. Both employ an odd front and have a similar scheme. Air Force does a good job disguising it and everyone has had problems moving the ball on them. Hopefully the similarities in schemes will carry over and we will be able to make progress, but ball security supercedes anything else.
On the play calling:
We want to play to our strengths and build our game plan around our players. We want to make sure we are using Eddie properly, getting the ball to David Reed, making sure Terrance is comfortable with his throws and letting Luke Matthews take some snaps. Terrance's throwing has been fairly solid this year. He hasn't thrown a lot of bad balls. We are trying to stay balanced and tailor to the strengths of our personnel.
Players Mentioned
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