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The University of Utah Athletics
Coaches’ Corner: Luther Elliss and Jim Harding
11/2/2022 11:50 AM | Football
Going in the trenches this week to check on the offensive line and defensive tackles
SALT LAKE CITY - The penultimate home game of the 2022 regular season awaits the Utah football team, as the Utes welcome Arizona to Rice-Eccles Stadium this Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. MT kickoff.
Utah is looking for its third straight win, coming off an Oct. 27 triumph on the road at Washington State that head coach Kyle Whittingham described as "gusty and resilient". That was true in all three phases, but highlighted in part by a defensive effort that held the Cougars to 264 yards of total offense and just 42 on the ground.
"We've played some really good offenses. We'll have another one this week," Whittingham said on Tuesday. "I think (Arizona is) second in the league in offense. It's been a year of a little bit of ups and downs (for us). But when you look at the numbers, we're No. 1 in the league in total defense. Apparently other people are struggling more than we have. When you judge the season as a whole to this point, I think we've done a really nice job defensively in a lot of areas. There's still some deficiencies, but for the most part, very good defense."
Coaches' Corner returns this week, taking a look up front as defensive tackles coach Luther Elliss and offensive line coach Jim Harding visit with UtahUtes.com to give updates on their groups.
Defensive Tackles Coach Luther Elliss
On where the defense has progressed the most the last few weeks…
"I think in tackling overall, confidence, guys executing assignments. I think Coach Scalley did a great job coming up with the scheme (at Washington State) and the things we needed to do. But then the guys really understood and executed. Anytime you have that, we have the talent to play at a high level, we just need to continue to execute and do things well."
On the youth of his position group…
"I'm very excited about the future and even the rest of this year. I think guys every week keep getting better and better, understanding how to do things, understanding how to be a 'professional'. Even at this level now, you have to be well-prepared. It's not just, forgive me, a kids' game. It's a game that you have to take and really spend the extra time like Coach Whitt tells us. You have to prepare, watch that film, just what you believe about yourself. I think the guys are understanding that more and more and getting it done."
Is the defensive line starting to get more comfortable in their roles and what's expected?
"I think not only what's expected, but the techniques and the things we're asking them to do. They're finally starting to see 'I get how that works and how that affects this play or that play, or different blocking and different schemes'…I think it's starting to come together for them."
On things coming together for Van Fillinger lately…
"Well Van's just a beast. [laughs] He's a pretty big, strong guy. He does some great things. He just coming into his own. He had a great year last year, he's doing great again this year. He's just one of those guys that's blue collar, shows up, gets the work done. Doesn't say much, but he just gets out there and makes plays."
Offensive Line Coach Jim Harding
On where the offense is at this point and specifically the offensive line…
"Well, we certainly need to be more consistent in running the football. Obviously, it's great to win. But as an offensive line coach, you certainly want to run the ball more efficiently and have more explosive plays in the run game. But I am pleased with how the kids are protecting the quarterback right now. Today is a good day to focus on a couple things to try to get better at as we start on the last third of the season."
On what is needed to make that progress…
"I think right now, we're just not getting the initial push, the initial surge at the line of scrimmage—on the inside in particular. So we need to do a better job with our combination blocks. We're seeing a lot of movement up front, rather than teams just playing straight up. We need to do a better job hitting movement and getting that initial surge."
Does having different backs change anything for your group?
"I don't think so. Obviously, each of those guys have their strengths. But at the same time, I feel if we do our job, any of them will be successful."
On what Arizona presents up front…
"They've got good length, good size up front in their front four. I think they play really hard and seem to get better each and every week. We certainly have a big challenge in front of us. We've got to improve ourselves. But it'll be a good challenge for us Saturday night."
NEXT UP
The Utes return to Salt Lake City for back-to-back home games, starting with the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 5. The game kicks at 5:30 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Networks.
FOLLOW ALONG!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program, follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @Utah_Football | Instagram: @UtahFootball | Facebook: Search Utah Football), along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com for news, schedule and roster updates throughout the season.
Utah is looking for its third straight win, coming off an Oct. 27 triumph on the road at Washington State that head coach Kyle Whittingham described as "gusty and resilient". That was true in all three phases, but highlighted in part by a defensive effort that held the Cougars to 264 yards of total offense and just 42 on the ground.
"We've played some really good offenses. We'll have another one this week," Whittingham said on Tuesday. "I think (Arizona is) second in the league in offense. It's been a year of a little bit of ups and downs (for us). But when you look at the numbers, we're No. 1 in the league in total defense. Apparently other people are struggling more than we have. When you judge the season as a whole to this point, I think we've done a really nice job defensively in a lot of areas. There's still some deficiencies, but for the most part, very good defense."
Coaches' Corner returns this week, taking a look up front as defensive tackles coach Luther Elliss and offensive line coach Jim Harding visit with UtahUtes.com to give updates on their groups.
Defensive Tackles Coach Luther Elliss
On where the defense has progressed the most the last few weeks…
"I think in tackling overall, confidence, guys executing assignments. I think Coach Scalley did a great job coming up with the scheme (at Washington State) and the things we needed to do. But then the guys really understood and executed. Anytime you have that, we have the talent to play at a high level, we just need to continue to execute and do things well."
On the youth of his position group…
"I'm very excited about the future and even the rest of this year. I think guys every week keep getting better and better, understanding how to do things, understanding how to be a 'professional'. Even at this level now, you have to be well-prepared. It's not just, forgive me, a kids' game. It's a game that you have to take and really spend the extra time like Coach Whitt tells us. You have to prepare, watch that film, just what you believe about yourself. I think the guys are understanding that more and more and getting it done."
Is the defensive line starting to get more comfortable in their roles and what's expected?
"I think not only what's expected, but the techniques and the things we're asking them to do. They're finally starting to see 'I get how that works and how that affects this play or that play, or different blocking and different schemes'…I think it's starting to come together for them."
On things coming together for Van Fillinger lately…
"Well Van's just a beast. [laughs] He's a pretty big, strong guy. He does some great things. He just coming into his own. He had a great year last year, he's doing great again this year. He's just one of those guys that's blue collar, shows up, gets the work done. Doesn't say much, but he just gets out there and makes plays."
Offensive Line Coach Jim Harding
On where the offense is at this point and specifically the offensive line…
"Well, we certainly need to be more consistent in running the football. Obviously, it's great to win. But as an offensive line coach, you certainly want to run the ball more efficiently and have more explosive plays in the run game. But I am pleased with how the kids are protecting the quarterback right now. Today is a good day to focus on a couple things to try to get better at as we start on the last third of the season."
On what is needed to make that progress…
"I think right now, we're just not getting the initial push, the initial surge at the line of scrimmage—on the inside in particular. So we need to do a better job with our combination blocks. We're seeing a lot of movement up front, rather than teams just playing straight up. We need to do a better job hitting movement and getting that initial surge."
Does having different backs change anything for your group?
"I don't think so. Obviously, each of those guys have their strengths. But at the same time, I feel if we do our job, any of them will be successful."
On what Arizona presents up front…
"They've got good length, good size up front in their front four. I think they play really hard and seem to get better each and every week. We certainly have a big challenge in front of us. We've got to improve ourselves. But it'll be a good challenge for us Saturday night."
NEXT UP
The Utes return to Salt Lake City for back-to-back home games, starting with the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 5. The game kicks at 5:30 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Networks.
FOLLOW ALONG!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program, follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @Utah_Football | Instagram: @UtahFootball | Facebook: Search Utah Football), along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com for news, schedule and roster updates throughout the season.
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