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The University of Utah Athletics
Photo by: Rob Gray
#UTAHvsUO: News Out Of Practice
10/24/2017 6:31 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utes will look to break a three-game skid this week as they take on the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, Oct. 28. The game is set for a 3:45 p.m. MT kick, the Utes first game of the season on the Pac-12 Networks.Â
Use the hashtag #UTAHvsUOÂ all week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.Â
Weekend Recap: NFL greats Steve Smith Sr. and Jordan Gross were inducted into the Crimson Club Hall of Fame this past weekend.Â
First Timers, career-highs, key numbers...
• Kavika Luafatasaga notched his first career interception against Arizona State.Â
• Corrion Ballard recorded a career high 10 tackles against the Sun Devils.Â
 • Matt Gay drove home his third 50-plus yard field goal of the season against ASU, converting a 53-yarder.Â
• Donavan Thompson made his first career start as a Ute.Â
• Devonta'e Henry-Cole scored his second rushing touchdown of the season vs. ASU.Â
Voices from Practice...
Head coach Kyle Whittingham
On how concerning it is to him that Chase Hansen can't stay healthy...
"He is a tough kid. He plays the game with unbelievable agression and he really throws his body around. It has been unfortunate that he has had a string of setbacks. But he is a tough kid and keeps bouncing back. I am sure it has been frustrating for him, it's been frustrating for us. It is not his fault. Hopefully it is just a string of bad luck and he can get healthy and remain healthy the rest of the year. He is a very good player."
On if there will be any coaching changes as far as who goes in the booth and who stays on the field for Oregon...
"Yeah Troy Taylor will be up in the box this week and Freddie Whittingham will be down. They will just switch places. Troy has been down, but he feels like he can get a better vantage point up there, so that is something that we are going to do."
On if Troy has been in the booth before and if he prefers to stay on the field...
"Just like Morgan Scalley was in the box all year last year until the end, sometimes a change can help you out. If it gives him a better view of the big picture, I am all for it. It was his decision, and I support him."
On if Tyler Huntley got into a rhythm this week in practice...
"Yeah I think so. Last week with his first week back, he wasn't 100-percent healthy. Now he is much closer to 100-percent. You can see more zip on the ball. It has only been one day, but he had a really good practice today, much better than last week."
Wide receivers coach Guy Holliday
On what makes a good receiver...
"Run really fast and catch the ball really well, and that's a really good receiver. Whether he is 5-9 or 6-4, when they can do that, we have a good football player. They also have to love the game. That is the number one priority that I see kids missing, is how much they really love the game and not the attention. We have kids in love with social media, but you have to be in love with green grass and having football and contact will go a long way to be successful at this level."
Rapid Fire with #23Â Julian Blackmon
Q: Favorite Restaurant in Salt Lake City?
A: P.F. Chang'sÂ
Q: Favorite type of food?
A: Chinese.Â
Q: What are you going to be for Halloween?
A: I might be myself. I'll just put on my football jersey.
Q: Favorite Halloween candy?
A: Reese's
Q: Favorite moment at Utah so far?
A: Beating BYU this season.
Q: Favorite color?
A: Green.
Use the hashtag #UTAHvsUOÂ all week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.Â
3 Keys to Success
— Jaylon Johnson (@NBAxJay7) October 22, 2017
??Show up
??Care about what you're doing
??Repeat
#UniAuthority Week 8 Uniform of the Week:
— Uniform Authority (@UniAuthority) October 23, 2017
2. @Utah_Football #UAWeek8 pic.twitter.com/rtooqqH8Wo
Weekend Recap: NFL greats Steve Smith Sr. and Jordan Gross were inducted into the Crimson Club Hall of Fame this past weekend.Â
Honored to have @89SteveSmith and @J2theGross here. Congratulations on your induction into the Hall of Fame! #UtahFootballFamily pic.twitter.com/xd6EQ98ERI
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 21, 2017
First Timers, career-highs, key numbers...
• Kavika Luafatasaga notched his first career interception against Arizona State.Â
• Corrion Ballard recorded a career high 10 tackles against the Sun Devils.Â
 • Matt Gay drove home his third 50-plus yard field goal of the season against ASU, converting a 53-yarder.Â
• Donavan Thompson made his first career start as a Ute.Â
• Devonta'e Henry-Cole scored his second rushing touchdown of the season vs. ASU.Â
#PickLakeCity courtesy of Kavika Luafatasaga. #goutes #ASUvsUTAH pic.twitter.com/Mua8sPHLik
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 21, 2017
Devonta'e Henry-Cole gets 6?? for @Utah_Football. #ASUvsUTAH
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) October 21, 2017
??:FS1 pic.twitter.com/9BZ7bj4dz8
Voices from Practice...
Head coach Kyle Whittingham
On how concerning it is to him that Chase Hansen can't stay healthy...
"He is a tough kid. He plays the game with unbelievable agression and he really throws his body around. It has been unfortunate that he has had a string of setbacks. But he is a tough kid and keeps bouncing back. I am sure it has been frustrating for him, it's been frustrating for us. It is not his fault. Hopefully it is just a string of bad luck and he can get healthy and remain healthy the rest of the year. He is a very good player."
On if there will be any coaching changes as far as who goes in the booth and who stays on the field for Oregon...
"Yeah Troy Taylor will be up in the box this week and Freddie Whittingham will be down. They will just switch places. Troy has been down, but he feels like he can get a better vantage point up there, so that is something that we are going to do."
On if Troy has been in the booth before and if he prefers to stay on the field...
"Just like Morgan Scalley was in the box all year last year until the end, sometimes a change can help you out. If it gives him a better view of the big picture, I am all for it. It was his decision, and I support him."
On if Tyler Huntley got into a rhythm this week in practice...
"Yeah I think so. Last week with his first week back, he wasn't 100-percent healthy. Now he is much closer to 100-percent. You can see more zip on the ball. It has only been one day, but he had a really good practice today, much better than last week."
Wide receivers coach Guy Holliday
On what makes a good receiver...
"Run really fast and catch the ball really well, and that's a really good receiver. Whether he is 5-9 or 6-4, when they can do that, we have a good football player. They also have to love the game. That is the number one priority that I see kids missing, is how much they really love the game and not the attention. We have kids in love with social media, but you have to be in love with green grass and having football and contact will go a long way to be successful at this level."
Rapid Fire with #23Â Julian Blackmon
Q: Favorite Restaurant in Salt Lake City?
A: P.F. Chang'sÂ
Q: Favorite type of food?
A: Chinese.Â
Q: What are you going to be for Halloween?
A: I might be myself. I'll just put on my football jersey.
Q: Favorite Halloween candy?
A: Reese's
Q: Favorite moment at Utah so far?
A: Beating BYU this season.
Q: Favorite color?
A: Green.
Players Mentioned
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LB
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