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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Meets the Press
7/14/2016 7:27 PM | Football
Utes meet with TV, radio and print media outlets.
HOLLYWOOD - Head coach Kyle Whittingham, senior offensive lineman J.J. Dielman and senior nickelback Justin Thomas of the Utah football team met with TV, radio and print media outlets during Day 1 of Pac-12 Media Days Thursday at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.
Whittingham, Dielman and Thomas went through a circuit of radio and TV interviews mixed in with photo shoots for the Pac-12 and more in-depth interviews with print media.
Check out some of the highlights below ...
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"We've got to win a championship." Check out full interview with @UtahCoachWhitt from #Pac12FB Media Day! #goutes https://t.co/CPhWk1fXLn
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) July 14, 2016
Opening statement from Coach Whittingham's press conference ...
"We're excited about the upcoming season. Been in the league five years now. We feel we're starting to get some traction, ended up 10-3 last year, thought we took another step forward. As a football team we think we're in a lot better place right now. We know we're in a lot better place right now than we were when we entered the league as far as playing field and being able to compete and have some success in the Pac-12 Conference. Biggest thing we've got going on heading into this season, we've got to get our quarterback situation solved. We had obviously Travis Wilson departing as a senior, been our starter for nearly the last four years, three and a half years, so we've got three candidates that are all vying for that job, Troy Williams, Brandon Cox and Tyler Huntley. They'll have an open competition, starts as soon as the first day of fall camp begins. It was that same way through spring ball. We did not really see much separation, and so that competition will continue this fall. But it's going to be key, obviously, to our season is how that position battle turns out. I feel very strong about our play at the line of scrimmage, both sides, offensive and defensive line. We expect to be among the best in the Pac-12. It's a good starting point. If you want to have a good football team, it's obviously important to be good up front.
"A couple other positions of note that need to respond, wide receivers. We didn't throw the ball nearly as well as we needed to last year. We need to have a big step forward in production at that position. And then on defense, our linebacker crew. It's a rebuild at that position group, so we've got to have guys step up and produce for us in that capacity. Other than that, we feel strongly about the tight ends, defensive line, like I said, secondary, kicking game should be solid again. We replaced our Ray Guy Award winner Tom Hackett with another Australian, Mitch Wishnowsky. That's a name you'll want to remember. He has a big leg. He's an Aussie kicker just like Tom was, able to do the rugby-style kick. So obviously we have no drop-off in the punt game.
"Brought two players with us, J.J. Dielman, offensive tackle, fifth-year senior. He will have his degree in December. He just lacks one class. He'll be graduating in mid-year. Justin Thomas, our nickelback, same thing. He's a guy that's played a lot of good football for us and is also one class away. He'll be finished this December, as well. Very proud of what those guys have brought to the program. Hard-working guys, do everything right, and represent us the right way. So it's great to have them with us."
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"Ended up 10-3 last year, thought we took another step forward as a football team" -@Utah_Football Coach Whittingham pic.twitter.com/9bZbWbyhQX
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) July 14, 2016
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Coach Whitt, JJ and JT compete in h2O bottle challenge. #pac12fb #goutes https://t.co/mF2p3UTnrr
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) July 14, 2016
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Caricature game is on point for @Utah_Football ?? #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/7CBAc2MkJX
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) July 14, 2016
Players Mentioned
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