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Football
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The University of Utah Athletics
Why U Play: Senior Edition
11/28/2019 10:49 PM | Football
#13 Francis Bernard
"The reason why I play football is for my family, I play football for myself. There's a lot of people growing up who doubted me and I like to prove those doubters wrong. Just for my family, there's a lot riding on me. They made a big sacrifice coming from Samoa to the United States and so I'm just making the most of it and hopefully that transitions into me going into the NFL."
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#26 Terrell Burgess
"I play the game for my family. My family's always loved football and I grew up watching football so I play for them. I also play for those who aren't able to play. I know there's a lot of people that weren't born with the same abilities that I was so I think I just play for the ones that grew up with different disabilities and weren't able to play the game I love to play."
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#95 Malik Haynes
"Why I play football is because I play for my family and my sisters and to be a good role model to them."
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#1 Tyler Huntley
"The reason why I play football is because I want to be able to support and just put my family in a great position of life. I want to be that good figure for the young kids growing up to look up to."
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#66 Kyle Lanterman
"I play the game to make my loved ones proud and to win a championship."
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#5 Tareke Lewis
"I play the game because first of all, I love it. It's just something I've been doing since I was young, from high school to college, and just growing up on field with your teammates every day and just enjoying the moment."
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#75 Alex Locklear
"Football is something that I've been doing since I can remember so the love for the game and the opportunities it's been able to bring to me over the course of my life, I can't really bring it to words but my love for football is really my why."
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#2 Zack Moss
"I play football because I'm very passionate about the game. I definitely play for my family and trying to make them have a better life than I had for my future."
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#14 Josh Nurse
"The reason why I play the game is because people always told me I was never big enough, fast enough, strong enough. I always take things to heart and it really inspired me to go harder and really work on myself, accomplishing my dreams."
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#77 Darrin Paulo
"I play football for my family. We love football and it presents so many opportunities especially playing for a program like the University of Utah."
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#52 John Penisini
"I play football mostly for my parents. My mom and dad worked so hard to get me here, bringing me from California and raising me here. I'm grateful for my parents and everything they've provided for me. I'm just finding a way to give back to them."
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#3 Demari Simpkins
"I play football because it's all I've been playing my whole life. It's not all I knew but this is what I love to do."
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#17 Andrew Strauch
"I mainly play for my family. They're huge supporters of me in everything I do and I wouldn't be where I am today without them. They sacrificed an incredible amount for me to come here and do a fifth year and just be a part of this team. I'm forever grateful for them and they push me every single day to be a better person."
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#85 Hunter Thedford
"I play football because I've always loved the games. It's just always been a love and a passion for me. I play for my family and my wife and my daughter, and that's just what always drives me to play."
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#65 Paul Toala
"I play football for my wife and my little daughter and especially to see all my brothers that I've been here with, to send them out the right way."
#23 Julian Blackmon
"For my family. The opportunities that it's opened up in my family and just knowing that I have the chance to change something in my family."
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#99 Leki Fotu
"I play this game because I just love being around my brothers every day and competing against them to be the best that I can and to become a better man."
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#6 Bradlee Anae
"I play the game because my family, I just want to represent my family and where I'm from and just to be the best I can be at the game. Just striving to be the best every day."
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#8 Derrick Vickers
"I play this game, I've been playing since I was seven years old. I try to get better and take care of my family."
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Players Mentioned
DE
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LB
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DB
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DB
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DE
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QB
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OL
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DB
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OL
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DB
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OL
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DT
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WR
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PK
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TE
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OL
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WR
/ FootballHead Coach Kyle Whittingham weekly press conference - 11.24.25
Monday, November 24
Utah vs. Kansas State | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, November 22
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham weekly press conference - 11.17.25
Monday, November 17
Utah: 55, Baylor: 28 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Sunday, November 16