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The University of Utah Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Utah at Stanford
11/6/2021 1:41 AM | Football
Postgame Quotes
Utah 52, (at) Stanford 7
Stanford, Calif. (Stanford Stadium)
Fri., Nov. 5, 2021
Kick: 7:40 p.m. PT | End: 10:41 p.m.
Attendance: 26,410
Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
Opening Statement
"Obviously proud of our guys and the way they played the game tonight. Started fast. Never really let up. Offensively just kept executing and doing things the way they're supposed to be done. All first half defense smothered them, played exceptional. The statistics at halftime were so skewed. I don't know how we could play much better than we did. But we were hitting on all cylinders tonight. Run game was in high gear. That was really the key to the game, was our ability to run the football efficiently and effectively and for a bunch of yards. Then we did turn the ball over once, but other than that, we took care of it. Like I said, we played smothering defense. Had the shut-out at halftime and put a nice drive together in the second half, but then we stiffened up and played well in the end. Had a chance to play a lot guys, which is a positive. A lot of guys got experience in this game. Helps us obviously in the position we're in in the conference, but we got a lot more work to do. There are games left, plenty of games left, and so we don't focus on that, but it's something certainly we're aware of. Give players a weekend off, Saturday, Sunday off, bring them in Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. and get going on the next [opponent]."
On electing to receive again at the start of the game and if it might pose an advantage...
"We thought tonight it was, and last week as well obviously. They've been playing with such confidence on that side of the ball and the execution level has been so high that we figured that it was another good opportunity to start fast and see if we can put points on the board in the first drive."
On Devin Lloyd's pick-six...
"It was incredible. I saw it happen in real time and watched the replay and still couldn't believe that he could have the reflexes and the athleticism to make that catch, and then find his way into the end zone. It was only couple yards, but that's who he is. He's a big play guy."
On the depth in the running back room...
"We feel really good about the running back room, like we been saying all year. It's the point now with Tavion is the lead back. He is the primary ball carrier and he is going to get the most carries most weeks, barring unforeseen circumstances. Micah Bernard and TJ Pledger both added some big plays, and Chris Curry came in and showed what he could do in the second half. He did a nice job. We feel we've got a good stable of backs, and they're doing a great job for us right now."
On what sticks out lately...
"Well, offensive line I think has continued to get better and better each week, so that was a positive. The tight ends were terrific. Wide receivers made plays. Special teams got some yardage. In the punt return game, Britain Covey got some things going there. We only had to punt the one time, so that was good. The less you punt the better. And then the kickoff game, I think our kickoff coverage continues to be improved, vastly improved from what we saw earlier in the year."
Utah Sophomore Running Back Tavion Thomas
On producing another four-touchdown night...
"It felt good. Like I said, we doing our job every day, we work hard, and it's paying off. Starting to see it pay off for us. O-block, baby."
On the offensive line and what's helped that group progress of late...
"I'd say just to the coaches that we been working every day. We stay after and do extra work and the boys been working and they been in the playbook, we all have, so it just keep working for us."
On the excitement of several teammates also having a productive game...
"It was really good. I want to see all my brothers eating, man. We all got a goal...I was happy for them. I just want to see them keep doing they thing. We going to finish this thing, we going to need everybody."
Utah Junior Linebacker Devin Lloyd
On the pick-six...
"I was kind of in shock obviously honestly. I was like, I can't believe. Yeah, felt really good to get back in the end zone. Being a former receiver, you know, love getting in the end zone, and on the defensive side, so always feels good to get back in there."
On what went well for the team...
"I think everyone was just playing assignment-sound football. We pride ourselves on playing hard every time we're on the field, so I think that's something our team does a great job of doing as far as technique and doing our assignment properly. I think we did a really good job of that."
On where things go from here...
"Like Cam said, really just taking everything one day at a time, too. Obviously wins like this are great for our confidence as a team, understanding how good we are. But we can't get too high on ourselves because I'm almost certain on both sides of the ball there were mistakes made.
Utah Sophomore Quarterback Cameron Rising
On the first drive of the game...
"I think just Coach Whitt has a tremendous amount of confidence in this offense and just knows we like to start fast and we like to get things going early, and shout out to O-block. They did a great job with our first drive, set the tone, really dominated up front, and that's why we ended up getting in the end zone."
On where things go from here...
"Pedal to the metal. It has to stay down. We have a job to do and a goal we want to accomplish. We still have to keep going, come in, and show up like this game never happened pretty much on Monday and take it from there."
Â
Utah 52, (at) Stanford 7
Stanford, Calif. (Stanford Stadium)
Fri., Nov. 5, 2021
Kick: 7:40 p.m. PT | End: 10:41 p.m.
Attendance: 26,410
Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
Opening Statement
"Obviously proud of our guys and the way they played the game tonight. Started fast. Never really let up. Offensively just kept executing and doing things the way they're supposed to be done. All first half defense smothered them, played exceptional. The statistics at halftime were so skewed. I don't know how we could play much better than we did. But we were hitting on all cylinders tonight. Run game was in high gear. That was really the key to the game, was our ability to run the football efficiently and effectively and for a bunch of yards. Then we did turn the ball over once, but other than that, we took care of it. Like I said, we played smothering defense. Had the shut-out at halftime and put a nice drive together in the second half, but then we stiffened up and played well in the end. Had a chance to play a lot guys, which is a positive. A lot of guys got experience in this game. Helps us obviously in the position we're in in the conference, but we got a lot more work to do. There are games left, plenty of games left, and so we don't focus on that, but it's something certainly we're aware of. Give players a weekend off, Saturday, Sunday off, bring them in Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. and get going on the next [opponent]."
On electing to receive again at the start of the game and if it might pose an advantage...
"We thought tonight it was, and last week as well obviously. They've been playing with such confidence on that side of the ball and the execution level has been so high that we figured that it was another good opportunity to start fast and see if we can put points on the board in the first drive."
On Devin Lloyd's pick-six...
"It was incredible. I saw it happen in real time and watched the replay and still couldn't believe that he could have the reflexes and the athleticism to make that catch, and then find his way into the end zone. It was only couple yards, but that's who he is. He's a big play guy."
On the depth in the running back room...
"We feel really good about the running back room, like we been saying all year. It's the point now with Tavion is the lead back. He is the primary ball carrier and he is going to get the most carries most weeks, barring unforeseen circumstances. Micah Bernard and TJ Pledger both added some big plays, and Chris Curry came in and showed what he could do in the second half. He did a nice job. We feel we've got a good stable of backs, and they're doing a great job for us right now."
On what sticks out lately...
"Well, offensive line I think has continued to get better and better each week, so that was a positive. The tight ends were terrific. Wide receivers made plays. Special teams got some yardage. In the punt return game, Britain Covey got some things going there. We only had to punt the one time, so that was good. The less you punt the better. And then the kickoff game, I think our kickoff coverage continues to be improved, vastly improved from what we saw earlier in the year."
Utah Sophomore Running Back Tavion Thomas
On producing another four-touchdown night...
"It felt good. Like I said, we doing our job every day, we work hard, and it's paying off. Starting to see it pay off for us. O-block, baby."
On the offensive line and what's helped that group progress of late...
"I'd say just to the coaches that we been working every day. We stay after and do extra work and the boys been working and they been in the playbook, we all have, so it just keep working for us."
On the excitement of several teammates also having a productive game...
"It was really good. I want to see all my brothers eating, man. We all got a goal...I was happy for them. I just want to see them keep doing they thing. We going to finish this thing, we going to need everybody."
Utah Junior Linebacker Devin Lloyd
On the pick-six...
"I was kind of in shock obviously honestly. I was like, I can't believe. Yeah, felt really good to get back in the end zone. Being a former receiver, you know, love getting in the end zone, and on the defensive side, so always feels good to get back in there."
On what went well for the team...
"I think everyone was just playing assignment-sound football. We pride ourselves on playing hard every time we're on the field, so I think that's something our team does a great job of doing as far as technique and doing our assignment properly. I think we did a really good job of that."
On where things go from here...
"Like Cam said, really just taking everything one day at a time, too. Obviously wins like this are great for our confidence as a team, understanding how good we are. But we can't get too high on ourselves because I'm almost certain on both sides of the ball there were mistakes made.
"So more so a matter of just getting back to the drawing board, correcting those mistakes, and building on top of what we been doing good at."
Utah Sophomore Quarterback Cameron Rising
On the first drive of the game...
"I think just Coach Whitt has a tremendous amount of confidence in this offense and just knows we like to start fast and we like to get things going early, and shout out to O-block. They did a great job with our first drive, set the tone, really dominated up front, and that's why we ended up getting in the end zone."
On where things go from here...
"Pedal to the metal. It has to stay down. We have a job to do and a goal we want to accomplish. We still have to keep going, come in, and show up like this game never happened pretty much on Monday and take it from there."
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Players Mentioned
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