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The University of Utah Athletics
#UtahvsWSU: News Out Of Practice
9/25/2018 7:37 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah football program is back in action this week as they take on the Washington State Cougars in Pullman on Saturday, Sept. 29. The game is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Networks.Â
The Utes just wrapped up its bye week, giving the team ample time to improve and prepare for the Cougars. Search #UTAHvsWSU for conversation.
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Head Coach Kyle Whittingham on coming out of bye week…
"The team has a good attitude and we've had good practices. Everything is really positive right now."
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The Utes head into the weekend ranking No. 1 in the Pac-12 and in the nation in pass defense with Washington State entering the game ranking No. 2 in the nation in pass offense. With veterans at both cornerback and safety, the Utes are prepared to take on the Cougars.Â
Whittingham on what he expects out of Utah's defense this Saturday…
"This will be that group's biggest challenge to date, without a doubt. Washington State is averaging 500 yards of total offense a game, so it will be a big challenge. It is not just the secondary, it will be about getting the quarterback uncomfortable and throwing him out of his rhythm. It will be a good match-up. We are doing a decent job in pass coverage and they are doing a good job in the pass game."
Whittingham along with Matt Gay and Mitch Wishnowsky appeared on this week's ESPN 700 Smith's Coach's Show to preview the game against Washington State.
Fun Facts:
Voices from Practice:Â
Running Backs Coach Kiel McDonald on Zack Moss's health…
"You know he is getting healthier every day. He really works on his body. So hopefully we will get him more carries very soon."
On what the last 10 days have been like for the offensive staff…
"We have a lot of good players and we want to make sure we put them in positions to be successful every day. We expect them to score more points because that is what we are here to do. We are working around the clock to do that."
Candid Camera: A certain standout running back had quite the fan club at practice today...
Cornerbacks Coach Sharrieff Shah on Washington State's pass game…
"This week is so tough for the secondary primarily because you know the ball will be thrown 50 to 60 times with them averaging 85 or 90 plays a game. With that in mind, you recognize that your players, the ones that you coach, are going to be strapped with the task with guarding good receivers. They have a quarterback that is kind of finding his stride right now. He is throwing the ball at a high rate. Most of them are short to intermediate throws, but he is throwing is effectively and making good reads. All of that spells the same thing – play assignment sound, and not for just one or two quarters, for four. Eighty-five to 90 reps, that is a lot and it is a tall task for any corner coach in the country. And, we recognize as they do too, that this is a very important game that both teams want to win."
On if he almost has to prepare his cornerbacks for failure because of their ability to move the ball…
"I would never say failure, but they are going to make catches. You just want to minimize the damage. I always tell my boys to manage the damage. They are going to get plays, especially in man coverage. If a ball is caught over one of the players and we are playing man coverage, rarely am I upset. It is when you are in zone and the lead of the coverage that I go crazy. Nonetheless, I am recognizing that this week is not like others and I will have to check my own emotions. I have to be more level headed and more calm, even if they get something over the top in a zone concept, we just have to play for the next play with the intention that we get better and fix it."
Â
The Utes just wrapped up its bye week, giving the team ample time to improve and prepare for the Cougars. Search #UTAHvsWSU for conversation.
Â
ÂTFW you remember @Utah_Football is back this weekend... #goutes pic.twitter.com/gKpGCtMjQ0
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) September 25, 2018
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham on coming out of bye week…
"The team has a good attitude and we've had good practices. Everything is really positive right now."
Â
????Game 4 unis????@UtesEquipment pic.twitter.com/ModuRETH1N
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 24, 2018
The Utes head into the weekend ranking No. 1 in the Pac-12 and in the nation in pass defense with Washington State entering the game ranking No. 2 in the nation in pass offense. With veterans at both cornerback and safety, the Utes are prepared to take on the Cougars.Â
Whittingham on what he expects out of Utah's defense this Saturday…
"This will be that group's biggest challenge to date, without a doubt. Washington State is averaging 500 yards of total offense a game, so it will be a big challenge. It is not just the secondary, it will be about getting the quarterback uncomfortable and throwing him out of his rhythm. It will be a good match-up. We are doing a decent job in pass coverage and they are doing a good job in the pass game."
Whittingham along with Matt Gay and Mitch Wishnowsky appeared on this week's ESPN 700 Smith's Coach's Show to preview the game against Washington State.
Fun Facts:
- The Utes are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in four different categories (passing defense, pass efficiency defense, total defense and scoring defense).Â
- Eight true freshmen have played this season including Devin Brumfield (RB), Braeden E. Daniels (OL), Solomon Enis (WR), Cole Fotheringham (TE), Maddie Golden (SNP), R.J. Hubert (DB), Brant Kuithe (TE) and Malone Mataele (DB).Â
- Eight
- Utah's game at Washington State will be the third time that they have been featured on The Pac-12 Networks "The Pregame" (vs. Weber State; vs. Washington).Â
- Philip Afia grew up playing soccer and had never even seen a football game before trying out for his high school team as a freshman kicker (he plays safety at Utah).Â
Voices from Practice:Â
Running Backs Coach Kiel McDonald on Zack Moss's health…
"You know he is getting healthier every day. He really works on his body. So hopefully we will get him more carries very soon."
On what the last 10 days have been like for the offensive staff…
"We have a lot of good players and we want to make sure we put them in positions to be successful every day. We expect them to score more points because that is what we are here to do. We are working around the clock to do that."
Candid Camera: A certain standout running back had quite the fan club at practice today...
Cornerbacks Coach Sharrieff Shah on Washington State's pass game…
"This week is so tough for the secondary primarily because you know the ball will be thrown 50 to 60 times with them averaging 85 or 90 plays a game. With that in mind, you recognize that your players, the ones that you coach, are going to be strapped with the task with guarding good receivers. They have a quarterback that is kind of finding his stride right now. He is throwing the ball at a high rate. Most of them are short to intermediate throws, but he is throwing is effectively and making good reads. All of that spells the same thing – play assignment sound, and not for just one or two quarters, for four. Eighty-five to 90 reps, that is a lot and it is a tall task for any corner coach in the country. And, we recognize as they do too, that this is a very important game that both teams want to win."
On if he almost has to prepare his cornerbacks for failure because of their ability to move the ball…
"I would never say failure, but they are going to make catches. You just want to minimize the damage. I always tell my boys to manage the damage. They are going to get plays, especially in man coverage. If a ball is caught over one of the players and we are playing man coverage, rarely am I upset. It is when you are in zone and the lead of the coverage that I go crazy. Nonetheless, I am recognizing that this week is not like others and I will have to check my own emotions. I have to be more level headed and more calm, even if they get something over the top in a zone concept, we just have to play for the next play with the intention that we get better and fix it."
Â
Players Mentioned
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