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The University of Utah Athletics
News Out Of Practice: Eight Days Away
8/21/2019 6:47 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY - It was a hot and steamy day out at the Eccles Football Center as the Utah football team continued to prepare for its season opener against BYU on Thursday, Aug. 29.Â
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The game against the Cougars will kick off at 8:15 p.m. MT in Provo, Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The game will air on ESPN.Â
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More preseason awards and watch lists poured in for the Utes today as Bradlee Anae was named to the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List, an honor presented to the top defensive end in college football. The first-team all-conference defensive end led the Utes in sacks as a sophomore and junior and his 17 career sacks is tied for 11th in school history.Â
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Head coach Kyle Whittingham met with the media today after practice.Â
On if the line of scrimmage is a pivotal matchup against BYU...
"I think the line of scrimmage is a pivotal matchup for both sides, and that is typically where the game is won or lost - in the trenches. That is the name of the game. For this game it will be absolutely critical to win that battle."Â
On if he watched tape from the first half of the game last year and what stood out about that half...
"First off right out the gate we had a three-and-out and they had a great play on third-and-short and then we had to punt, it bounced off one of our guys and went right to them. That gave them momentum right there and that was not an ideal way to start the game. We sputtered on offense in that first half, had a field goal blocked. So there were a lot of things that went wrong, but credit to our guys. They kept fighting, they kept swinging and our defense never gave up. Then our offense got it cranking in the second half and fortunately had enough gas left in the tank to get it done."
On if it is different prepping for a rivalry in week one...
"We don't change. The process is what it is and we continue to go through the routine that we have gone through every year. But there is a little more emotion and intensity because of the nature of the first opponent."
On how Britain Covey is looking...
"I am excited to watch him play and it is great to have him back. We missed him in that bowl game last year, so we are excited for his return."
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On former head coach Urban Meyer being in town...
"He is just passing through visiting. He is in Salt Lake for a couple of days, so I invited him to speak to the team after practice. We also had a few former players here today as well."
On coaching with Meyer 15 years ago...
"Those memories come back and Sione Po'uha was on those teams, Morgan Scalley and Lewis Powell were too. It is great to see all of those guys get back together."
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8?? days@King_Vickers @bronsonboyd pic.twitter.com/tCrAkvX7da
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 21, 2019
Tick...tock...?
Only seven more sleeps til we play football! @espn700bill and @19scottmitchell bring the first analysis of the new season while we wait. #goutes pic.twitter.com/hlwdFULt4g
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) August 22, 2019
The game against the Cougars will kick off at 8:15 p.m. MT in Provo, Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The game will air on ESPN.Â
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Watch party next week for students and alumni, courtesy of the @utahalumni! ?? #goutes pic.twitter.com/HCVk8W8ZMm
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) August 21, 2019
More preseason awards and watch lists poured in for the Utes today as Bradlee Anae was named to the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List, an honor presented to the top defensive end in college football. The first-team all-conference defensive end led the Utes in sacks as a sophomore and junior and his 17 career sacks is tied for 11th in school history.Â
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Three #Pac12FB student-athletes selected to the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List, an honor presented to the top defensive end in college football.
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) August 21, 2019
Full list: https://t.co/WS9dHP6dLA#BackThePac pic.twitter.com/IH4FnCcsdw
Head coach Kyle Whittingham met with the media today after practice.Â
On if the line of scrimmage is a pivotal matchup against BYU...
"I think the line of scrimmage is a pivotal matchup for both sides, and that is typically where the game is won or lost - in the trenches. That is the name of the game. For this game it will be absolutely critical to win that battle."Â
On if he watched tape from the first half of the game last year and what stood out about that half...
"First off right out the gate we had a three-and-out and they had a great play on third-and-short and then we had to punt, it bounced off one of our guys and went right to them. That gave them momentum right there and that was not an ideal way to start the game. We sputtered on offense in that first half, had a field goal blocked. So there were a lot of things that went wrong, but credit to our guys. They kept fighting, they kept swinging and our defense never gave up. Then our offense got it cranking in the second half and fortunately had enough gas left in the tank to get it done."
On if it is different prepping for a rivalry in week one...
"We don't change. The process is what it is and we continue to go through the routine that we have gone through every year. But there is a little more emotion and intensity because of the nature of the first opponent."
On how Britain Covey is looking...
"I am excited to watch him play and it is great to have him back. We missed him in that bowl game last year, so we are excited for his return."
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We had a very special guest at practice today. Thank you to @OSUCoachMeyer for stopping by his old stomping grounds! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/D2ZlvGsbLk
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 22, 2019
On former head coach Urban Meyer being in town...
"He is just passing through visiting. He is in Salt Lake for a couple of days, so I invited him to speak to the team after practice. We also had a few former players here today as well."
On coaching with Meyer 15 years ago...
"Those memories come back and Sione Po'uha was on those teams, Morgan Scalley and Lewis Powell were too. It is great to see all of those guys get back together."
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Players Mentioned
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