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Utah vs. Michigan Postgame Quotes
9/20/2014 12:00 AM | Football
Sept. 20, 2014
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | USATSI Gallery 
Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On the game ... "It was a good road win for us, which have been hard to come by the last few years, so it was good to get a road win. [Our] defense played their tails off. One field goal is what they yielded. The touchdown was obviously on the pick six. I'm very proud of the defensive effort. [Our] offense never really got quite on track. But we did enough to put 26 points on the board, or I guess 19 with the punt return for a touchdown. We took care of the football other than the one interception. That was only turnover of the day, offensively. We were able to take the ball away four times for a plus three [turnover margin], which I think week after week if you win the turnover margin your chances of winning are astronomical. We were plus three, and that was probably the biggest difference in the game."
On the key to stopping Michigan's drives once they crossed into Utah territory ... "The turnovers were timely. I'm not sure how many of those turnovers occurred in that particular field position, but that obviously played into it. Getting out of the key third-down situations. I can't remember how many times they went for it on fourth down. But getting stops in a timely fashion. We're not a bend-but-don't-break defense, but when you give up a little bit, they were just at 300 [yards], 308 yards, that's a pretty good afternoon for your defense. The pass defense was much improved. They we're less than 50 percent throwing the football in completion percentage. We had three picks and [allowed] no touchdowns. That was great to see the pass defense step up."
On how they handled the weather delay ... "That was an interesting two hours, a little over two hours. We went in not knowing whether it was going to be 10 minutes or four hours, two hours or never finished. We didn't know what the situation was going to be. We kept our guys focused, got some nutrition in them and fed them. We got the pads off them. We had them lay down, relax. We've got a sports scientist that worked closely with us and told us to get them up and walk around every 20 minutes or so and then lay back down on their backs. We just followed his protocol and but really it's all up here [in your head]. You can do all that stuf,f but it's what's here [in your head] and here [in your heart]. They responded very well and came out and finished the game the way it's supposed to be finished."
On the defensive effort and containing Devin Funchess ... "(Gionni Paul) kept showing up as did Tevin Carter. Tevin Carter played really well at first glance. We have to watch the tape. There's still I'm sure mistakes that we've gotta clean up. But having Gionni in there, he's a playmaker, and that's exactly what he does in practice. He came away with an interception. He's the one that came up with that fumble recovery at the end there. He has a knack for turning the ball over. That's exactly what this defense needs. You see (Brian) Blechen get a pick as well as Tevin. (Devin) Funchess got some yards and got some catches, but Dominique Hatfield was on him a great deal of the time and a great deal of the time in man coverage with no help. He did a very good job."
Utah Junior Linebacker Jared Norris
On the big win and the 3-0 start ... "We prepared our butts off. We had two weeks to prepare for this game. This is a big game; it's a Big Ten team that was ranked in the top 25 at the beginning of the season. The biggest thing was that we couldn't take them lightly when we came out, and I feel like as a defense once we started hitting them a little bit, it didn't stop. Our offense ended up putting points on the board and controlling the football."
On how the fourth-down play unfolded ... "I couldn't tell you. I saw him running out, and I have to give credit to Marcus Williams because he made him cut back, so I could lay the hit on him and make the play. If it wasn't for my teammate, I would have never made that play."
On playing on the road this year compared to last year ... "First off, we have a lot of guys returning who have experienced those road trips. We have a lot more trust for each other on the field. I can feel it being more of a brotherhood already only three games into the season. I think we're winning games because everyone has each other's back and everybody knows where they need to be. If somebody is out of place, then you have your brother that is going to make up for you. Home or away, I don't think it will matter this season. It's all about the trust we have in each other."
Utah Junior Linebacker Gionni Paul
On playing for the first time in two years ... "It was fun. I feel like we're a family, and I've never felt nothing like it. It was a great win, and I'm happy and blessed to be here."
On Jason Whittingham not being able to play this week ... "Jason still traveled with us, and he is a leader on the field and off the field. For us playing without him, it was just like us playing with him. He was right there by our side and helping us out."
On getting an interception ... "As you know, I didn't play last season. We focused mainly on making turnovers as a defense and playing fast and physical. We worked on ball drills, interception drills, making forced fumbles, and it paid off in the game."
Utah Senior Wide Receiver Kaelin Clay
On his touchdown and how the year is unfolding ... "As far as the touchdown, I just went out there and trusted the special teams unit on the field. I did what the coaches brought me here to do, and that's make plays. As far as the season, it's going great. We're 3-0, and my accomplishments don't mean anything. I'm a team guy, and I want to win, so that's all that matters."
Utah Senior Defensive Back Brian Belchen
On getting the first interception of the game ... "It's something we've been doing a lot of drills for in practice. Our coaches tell us that it's going to happen and when it does, they will keep coming. It takes a lucky tip to get the first one. Then after that, it seemed like our guys were hungry for the ball and anticipating the passes and capitalizing."
On the moment when the team displayed the turnaround from last season ... "I think it was when Kaelin returned the punt for a touchdown. They were playing us tough, and we were playing them tough, and it was a huge momentum change. All week, we knew this was going to be our night. We practiced like there was no other option and tonight, the preparation paid off.
On the rain delay ... "It was restless. We were in this little locker room eating snacks, stretching, listening to music. Coach would update us every 15 minutes about when we could start again. Then they said 30 minutes until we're out there, and five minutes later they were kicking us out the door back to the field. We tried to stay loose and relax, but when we got back out there we knew we had seven minutes left to finish the game."
Utah Senior Wide Receiver Dres Anderson
On the third-quarter touchdown and all three phases of the game ... "All three phases started kicking in. Our defense was doing great all game. Kaelin did great along with the punt return team. In the third quarter, the offense got everything going, and we started getting first downs. When you start getting first downs, everything starts to roll after that."
On halftime adjustments ... "Get that first down and keep pushing the tempo. We could tell with the tempo that it was wearing them down because that is what we did at the end of the second quarter. We knew coming into the third quarter that we had to do the same thing, so we did, and it was successful."
On the return of Travis Wilson in the second half ... "Travis has been through a lot, and I knew that wasn't going to hold him back. It was just a little nose bleed. He came back and gave it his all. He did great."
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QB
/ FootballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Keith Kelley, voice of the Wyoming Cowboys
Tuesday, September 09
Ute greats Ron McBride and Roy Jefferson Ring of Honor Induction
Monday, September 08
Utah: 63, Cal Poly: 9 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, September 06
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Ron McBride
Wednesday, September 03