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Midweek Notebook: 48 Hours to the Pac-12 Championship
11/30/2022 3:24 PM | Football
Utah and USC will kickoff at 6 p.m. MT on Friday at Allegiant Stadium
SALT LAKE CITY – Later this week, Interstate 15 should look similar to this time last year.
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Thousands of Block U window stickers, Utes license plate frames and just a sea of red are expected to line the freeway as fans head to Las Vegas to cheer on the No. 11-ranked Utes in Friday's Pac-12 Championship vs. No. 4 USC at Allegiant Stadium.
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The Utes returned to practice on Monday in Salt Lake City, preparing for a stage the team is familiar with. Utah won the league title a year ago at Allegiant Stadium, and reached the conference championship game both in 2018 and '19.
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"I think there was half a dozen hands (raised) that have been in all four games," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "I think it helps a lot. The stage shouldn't be too big. We've got guys that have been there and done that. Handful of guys are going to their fourth (championship game). Experience in that regard is a good thing."
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"As we all know, it's very difficult to beat a really good team twice," Whittingham added. "But that's what our challenge is. USC is ultra-talented. Very efficient on offense. I know they're not No. 1 in total offense, but they're No. 1 in yards per play, which is, to me, more important than the total offense number. Quarterback is terrific, No. 1 passer efficiency rating in the conference."
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Many point to October's instant classic between Utah and USC as a turning point for the Utes' defense. After allowing touchdowns on the Trojans' first three drives, Utah refocused. A pair of fourth-down defensive stops, two punts and physical all-around play, combined with success on offense, helped the Utes claw back and ultimately grind out the 43-42 win inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
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Defensive end Gabe Reid recalled how things started that night. "Coach Whitt came over the D-Line…and said 'Hey, we've got to figure it out or it's going to be a long night.' It took us a little while to get going, but I really think that was a turning point for our defense where we rallied together and said 'hey, it's on us.' We have the guys to make the plays. We did that, and we've continued to do that week in and week out."
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In the Utes' five games since then, the team is averaging 271.8 yards allowed per game—fewest in the Pac-12.
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Improved, too, are the Trojans, who have won their last five heading into Friday's rematch. Whittingham praised USC's ability to force turnovers and limit their own on offense.
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"Probably their most impressive statistic, overall, without a doubt in my opinion, is their turnover margin. They've only turned it over four times and gained 27. That's got to be No. 1 in the nation, if not close to it. That's really been the biggest factor in their successful season, how they take care of the football and how they take it away on defense."
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No matter the opponent, no matter what happened the week before, no matter what stands ahead, there's something special about the Utes.
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They just believe.
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"We never stopped believing, even after a game went bad," said quarterback Cameron Rising. "It didn't matter. Just kept the course. That's why we're here. Just got to go execute and finish it out."
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NEXT UP
The No. 11 University of Utah Football team is set to defend its title on Friday, Dec. 2 when they take on the No. 4 USC Trojans in Las Vegas, Nev., for the 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game. The game will kick off in Allegiant Stadium at 6 p.m. MT on FOX.
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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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Thousands of Block U window stickers, Utes license plate frames and just a sea of red are expected to line the freeway as fans head to Las Vegas to cheer on the No. 11-ranked Utes in Friday's Pac-12 Championship vs. No. 4 USC at Allegiant Stadium.
Â
The Utes returned to practice on Monday in Salt Lake City, preparing for a stage the team is familiar with. Utah won the league title a year ago at Allegiant Stadium, and reached the conference championship game both in 2018 and '19.
Â
"I think there was half a dozen hands (raised) that have been in all four games," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "I think it helps a lot. The stage shouldn't be too big. We've got guys that have been there and done that. Handful of guys are going to their fourth (championship game). Experience in that regard is a good thing."
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 Nevertheless, it's a new challenge this week as Utah looks to defend its crown against the Trojans.Being recruited by Utah in 2017, the coaches told me they were close to contending for the PAC12 Championship. Been blessed and fortunate for the team to be a part of it every year of my college career! Here's to one more! #GoUtes
— Solomon Enis (@SolomonEnis) November 27, 2022
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"As we all know, it's very difficult to beat a really good team twice," Whittingham added. "But that's what our challenge is. USC is ultra-talented. Very efficient on offense. I know they're not No. 1 in total offense, but they're No. 1 in yards per play, which is, to me, more important than the total offense number. Quarterback is terrific, No. 1 passer efficiency rating in the conference."
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Many point to October's instant classic between Utah and USC as a turning point for the Utes' defense. After allowing touchdowns on the Trojans' first three drives, Utah refocused. A pair of fourth-down defensive stops, two punts and physical all-around play, combined with success on offense, helped the Utes claw back and ultimately grind out the 43-42 win inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
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Defensive end Gabe Reid recalled how things started that night. "Coach Whitt came over the D-Line…and said 'Hey, we've got to figure it out or it's going to be a long night.' It took us a little while to get going, but I really think that was a turning point for our defense where we rallied together and said 'hey, it's on us.' We have the guys to make the plays. We did that, and we've continued to do that week in and week out."
Â
In the Utes' five games since then, the team is averaging 271.8 yards allowed per game—fewest in the Pac-12.
Â
Improved, too, are the Trojans, who have won their last five heading into Friday's rematch. Whittingham praised USC's ability to force turnovers and limit their own on offense.
Â
"Probably their most impressive statistic, overall, without a doubt in my opinion, is their turnover margin. They've only turned it over four times and gained 27. That's got to be No. 1 in the nation, if not close to it. That's really been the biggest factor in their successful season, how they take care of the football and how they take it away on defense."
Â
No matter the opponent, no matter what happened the week before, no matter what stands ahead, there's something special about the Utes.
Â
They just believe.
Â
"We never stopped believing, even after a game went bad," said quarterback Cameron Rising. "It didn't matter. Just kept the course. That's why we're here. Just got to go execute and finish it out."
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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 29, 2022
ÂRT if you're ready to run it back. pic.twitter.com/FLza0hOW5F
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 27, 2022
NEXT UP
The No. 11 University of Utah Football team is set to defend its title on Friday, Dec. 2 when they take on the No. 4 USC Trojans in Las Vegas, Nev., for the 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game. The game will kick off in Allegiant Stadium at 6 p.m. MT on FOX.
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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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Players Mentioned
Utah: 63, Cal Poly: 9 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, September 06
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Ron McBride
Wednesday, September 03
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham weekly press conference - 9.1.25
Monday, September 01
Utah Football Postgame Press Conference | Utah: 43, UCLA: 10
Sunday, August 31