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The University of Utah Athletics
#UTAHvsAZ: News Out Of Practice
9/19/2017 7:05 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah football program enters Pac-12 play 3-0 after a dominating performance against San Jose State where the Utes came away with a 54-16 victory. It is a short week for Utah, taking on Arizona on Friday, Sept. 22 at 8:30 p.m. MDT. The game will air live on FS1.Â
Use the hashtag #UTAHvsAZ all week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Utes in the Rankings:Â Utah has cracked the AP poll for the first time this season, checking in at No. 23. The Utes have been ranked in the Coaches' poll since the preseason, moving up three positions to No. 21 this week.
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Depth Chart News...
• True freshman Javelin Guidry has moved into the two deep at nickel back.
• Redshirt freshman Samson Nacua notched his first career start against San Jose State.Â
• Marquise Blair picked up his first career start against San Jose State, leading the team in tackles (8) and pass breakups (2).Â
Team Awards...
• Defensive Player of the Week: Bradlee Anae
• Offensive Player of the Week: Lo Falemaka
• Special Teams Players of the Week: Matt Gay and Boobie Hobbs
• Scout Special Teams Player of the Week: Batchlor Johnson
• Scout Defensive Player of the Week: Jaylen Dixon
• Scout Offensive Player of the Week: Aaron Amaama
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Rapid Fire with Bradlee Anae...
Favorite ice cream: Green Tea
Favorite movie: Transformers, the first one
Favorite place to eat in Salt Lake City: Simply Sushi
Favorite player in the NFL: JJ Watt
If you could draft one of the current Utah football coaches to be on your team, who would it be: Coach Morgan Scalley
Favorite memory since moving to Utah: Going to the lake and jumping off a 60-foot-high rock
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Voices from Practice...
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On if there is an advantage to playing the conference opener on a Friday instead of a Saturday...
"No I don't see any advantage to that. The schedule is set up and I think we have three non-Saturday games this year and this is one of them. I don't see that there is any advantage to that or really a disadvantage. We have one day less to prepare, so what, you just have to deal with it."Â
On the strong Utah running defense going against a strong Arizona rushing offense...
"It is a great matchup. Our run defense against there rush offense, they are as good as anyone in the country at running the ball. Well over 300 yards a week running the football and our defense has given up very little so far, so that will be the biggest matchup and the most critical to the outcome of the game."
Tight Ends Coach Freddie Whittingham
On the tight ends and their production in the new offense...
"In the passing game so far, they have not been a huge part of the route structures, but it is a position where, like the offensive line, you have to do what your role is that you are assigned to do to win. Right now that is blocking. I have asked the tight ends to embrace that role and to figure out a way to help the team win."Â
Linebackers Coach Justin Ena
On Sunia Tauteoli's knowledge of football...
"He puts a lot of time and effort into the film room. When I first got here, Sunia was one of those guys that things took a little bit longer, but now he is working his butt off and learning the film. He has done a really good job."Â
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Use the hashtag #UTAHvsAZ all week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Â
This week's uni combo:@alexwutangham @UtesEquipment pic.twitter.com/0CYkLMUfLK
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 19, 2017
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Utes in the Rankings:Â Utah has cracked the AP poll for the first time this season, checking in at No. 23. The Utes have been ranked in the Coaches' poll since the preseason, moving up three positions to No. 21 this week.
Â
Depth Chart News...
• True freshman Javelin Guidry has moved into the two deep at nickel back.
• Redshirt freshman Samson Nacua notched his first career start against San Jose State.Â
• Marquise Blair picked up his first career start against San Jose State, leading the team in tackles (8) and pass breakups (2).Â
Team Awards...
• Defensive Player of the Week: Bradlee Anae
• Offensive Player of the Week: Lo Falemaka
• Special Teams Players of the Week: Matt Gay and Boobie Hobbs
• Scout Special Teams Player of the Week: Batchlor Johnson
• Scout Defensive Player of the Week: Jaylen Dixon
• Scout Offensive Player of the Week: Aaron Amaama
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Hey @pac12, we here.
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 19, 2017
PAC12 play starts this weekend ?? pic.twitter.com/ijnhF1Bbw9
Rapid Fire with Bradlee Anae...
Favorite ice cream: Green Tea
Favorite movie: Transformers, the first one
Favorite place to eat in Salt Lake City: Simply Sushi
Favorite player in the NFL: JJ Watt
If you could draft one of the current Utah football coaches to be on your team, who would it be: Coach Morgan Scalley
Favorite memory since moving to Utah: Going to the lake and jumping off a 60-foot-high rock
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??3 TFLs
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 18, 2017
??1 Sack
??1 FF
??1 Fumble Recovery
??1 Asst. Tackle
??3 QB Hurries
??1 QB Hit
HAVE A DAY @BradleeAnae pic.twitter.com/GWz72lRvNZ
Voices from Practice...
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On if there is an advantage to playing the conference opener on a Friday instead of a Saturday...
"No I don't see any advantage to that. The schedule is set up and I think we have three non-Saturday games this year and this is one of them. I don't see that there is any advantage to that or really a disadvantage. We have one day less to prepare, so what, you just have to deal with it."Â
On the strong Utah running defense going against a strong Arizona rushing offense...
"It is a great matchup. Our run defense against there rush offense, they are as good as anyone in the country at running the ball. Well over 300 yards a week running the football and our defense has given up very little so far, so that will be the biggest matchup and the most critical to the outcome of the game."
Tight Ends Coach Freddie Whittingham
On the tight ends and their production in the new offense...
"In the passing game so far, they have not been a huge part of the route structures, but it is a position where, like the offensive line, you have to do what your role is that you are assigned to do to win. Right now that is blocking. I have asked the tight ends to embrace that role and to figure out a way to help the team win."Â
Linebackers Coach Justin Ena
On Sunia Tauteoli's knowledge of football...
"He puts a lot of time and effort into the film room. When I first got here, Sunia was one of those guys that things took a little bit longer, but now he is working his butt off and learning the film. He has done a really good job."Â
Â
Waking up remembering you're 3 and 0! #AUtahManAmI pic.twitter.com/2Qj2q4wmTg
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 17, 2017
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Players Mentioned
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