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The University of Utah Athletics
Photo by: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
#UtahvsBYU: News Out Of Practice
9/5/2017 6:23 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah football program is in week two of the 2017 season, preparing to take on in-state rival BYU on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 8:15 p.m. MDT at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. The game will air live on ESPN2.Â
Use the hashtag #UTAHvsBYU all week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Depth Chart News...
• Matt Gay has taken over the starting spot at placekicker.
• Alex Whittingham won the starting job at snapper.Â
• Samson Nacua moved into the starting E wide receiver spot.
Samson Nacua on earning a starting spot and his first rivalry game...
"It is exciting, it really is. I feel like I have been waiting on this for like 10 years honestly. Now that it is finally here, I am just ready to show them what I got and give it everything I got."Â
Coaches Morgan Scalley and Jim Harding were available to the media today after practice, both giving recaps on their positions' performances against North Dakota and what they expect to see against BYU.Â
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Offensive Line Coach Jim Harding
On if the starting lineup will change and what he thought of the first game...
"It will be the same five unless something changes. It wasn't mental errors or assignments, I just think that it was nerves. We weren't coming off the ball the way we should and we were more or less reacting to them versus dictating what we were trying to accomplish."
On if it has become even more important to stop sacks because of Tyler Huntley being a running quarterback...
"We would never want a guy to be sacked regardless on if he was running the ball or not. So, we obviously need to block no matter how long the play gets extended and it doesn't matter how many times we run the ball, we still have to protect it."Â
On how it feels having four offensive lineman on NFL rosters...
"It is awesome. I have texted with all of them and talked to a few of them and they are all excited. I was a little nervous on Saturday because that was a cut day to get to the 53 man roster. It was awesome to see and we will see what they can do this weekend."
On if his approach to the rivalry with BYU is different...
"No, I mean I have a lot of respect for those coaches. A lot of them we know on a personal level. Those kids play hard and they are well coached. So, we have a tremendous challenge in front of us."
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Defensive Coordinator Morgan Scalley
On if the secret to the game against BYU is somewhat replicating what LSU did defensively...
"LSU is a very good football team with a very good defense, but BYU is tough up front. They have a good physical offensive line and they have showed that game after game in the past. Our job is to stop the run first and then we have athletes in the backend that will have to play man coverage. So stop the run, play man coverage. That is who we are."Â
On Chase Hansen and if he is back full strength...
"He is still not in shape like he wants to be. But he is so smart and he understands what we are trying to do in terms of scheme and disguise, so what he brings is experience. So, I think he got in the neighborhood of full reps in the game against North Dakota, hopefully we will get to the point where he can play the full load. The thing that we have on our side right now is some depth. Marquise Blair showed up and did some really nice things as well as the two free safeties that got playing time."
Head coach Kyle Whittingham also did his Monday press conference this week, previewing the in-state rivalry on Facebook Live.Â
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Use the hashtag #UTAHvsBYU all week to follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Â
#AllRedEverything #UTAHvsBYU #UteArmour pic.twitter.com/IB40A9qLVr
— UtesEquipment (@UtesEquipment) September 5, 2017
Stat of the day: @Utah_Football is tied for the national lead in red zone efficiency (1.000, 7-of-7). #goutes pic.twitter.com/ps5P7yeFsE
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 5, 2017
Depth Chart News...
• Matt Gay has taken over the starting spot at placekicker.
• Alex Whittingham won the starting job at snapper.Â
• Samson Nacua moved into the starting E wide receiver spot.
Samson Nacua on earning a starting spot and his first rivalry game...
"It is exciting, it really is. I feel like I have been waiting on this for like 10 years honestly. Now that it is finally here, I am just ready to show them what I got and give it everything I got."Â
Coaches Morgan Scalley and Jim Harding were available to the media today after practice, both giving recaps on their positions' performances against North Dakota and what they expect to see against BYU.Â
Â
?? moments from #NDvsUTAH pic.twitter.com/rSAweT4xVJ
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 5, 2017
Offensive Line Coach Jim Harding
On if the starting lineup will change and what he thought of the first game...
"It will be the same five unless something changes. It wasn't mental errors or assignments, I just think that it was nerves. We weren't coming off the ball the way we should and we were more or less reacting to them versus dictating what we were trying to accomplish."
On if it has become even more important to stop sacks because of Tyler Huntley being a running quarterback...
"We would never want a guy to be sacked regardless on if he was running the ball or not. So, we obviously need to block no matter how long the play gets extended and it doesn't matter how many times we run the ball, we still have to protect it."Â
On how it feels having four offensive lineman on NFL rosters...
"It is awesome. I have texted with all of them and talked to a few of them and they are all excited. I was a little nervous on Saturday because that was a cut day to get to the 53 man roster. It was awesome to see and we will see what they can do this weekend."
On if his approach to the rivalry with BYU is different...
"No, I mean I have a lot of respect for those coaches. A lot of them we know on a personal level. Those kids play hard and they are well coached. So, we have a tremendous challenge in front of us."
Â
Hey @NFL, are you guys looking to add a 33rd team? Asking for a friend. #UtesInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/kmdCkZuFAZ
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 5, 2017
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Defensive Coordinator Morgan Scalley
On if the secret to the game against BYU is somewhat replicating what LSU did defensively...
"LSU is a very good football team with a very good defense, but BYU is tough up front. They have a good physical offensive line and they have showed that game after game in the past. Our job is to stop the run first and then we have athletes in the backend that will have to play man coverage. So stop the run, play man coverage. That is who we are."Â
On Chase Hansen and if he is back full strength...
"He is still not in shape like he wants to be. But he is so smart and he understands what we are trying to do in terms of scheme and disguise, so what he brings is experience. So, I think he got in the neighborhood of full reps in the game against North Dakota, hopefully we will get to the point where he can play the full load. The thing that we have on our side right now is some depth. Marquise Blair showed up and did some really nice things as well as the two free safeties that got playing time."
Head coach Kyle Whittingham also did his Monday press conference this week, previewing the in-state rivalry on Facebook Live.Â
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Players Mentioned
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