Upcoming Event: Football at Kansas on November 28, 2025 at 10 a.m.
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
Football
at Kansas
The University of Utah Athletics
Coaches’ Corner: Andy Ludwig and Morgan Scalley
9/20/2022 9:32 PM | Football
UtahUtes.com visits with coordinators ahead of Pac-12 opener at Arizona State
SALT LAKE CITY – Pac-12 Conference play has arrived for Utah Football and with that comes a coordinator edition of Coaches' Corner, featuring offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Andy Ludwig alongside defensive coordinator and safeties coach Morgan Scalley.
Â
Â
The Pac-12 lid-lifter takes the No. 13 Utes to Arizona State's Sun Devil Stadium, with an 8:30 p.m. MT kickoff airing on ESPN.
Â
Every game is big, but the league opener in particular can present teams an opportunity to evaluate, note areas of improvement from non-conference play and identify pieces that can benefit from continued fine-tuning.
Â
"We believe [there's been progress]," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "But we'll find out as we go through the Pac-12. We'll be tested and know exactly where we stand. The Pac-12 is the barometer for us. We've got to be able to win games in our conference. We know the conference inside and out, obviously, we've been in it for 10, 12 years. That'll give us a much better idea as we start marching through conference play where we stand as a team."
Â
Ludwig and Scalley provided UtahUtes.com with a look across the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Â
Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Andy Ludwig
On evaluating the offense through three games…
"I think we're getting better each week. Obviously, we're working this week on starting a little faster. We've sputtered a little bit in the first quarter here the last couple games. But that'll be a huge emphasis moving forward."
Â
On what the slow starts can be attributed to…
"Multiple factors. There's some execution, some play calls, some things the [opposing] defense is doing as well. The enemy gets a vote as well, so they have some things to do with it. But I am pleased with the tenacity of the group and the way they are finishing things out."
Â
On if running back Jaylon Glover is ready to step up his role…
"Yes I do. He's got a lot to learn, but he's getting better each week, learning a lot. The time is right now…he's got a great second gear when he puts his foot in the ground and gets North to South on the inside and outside zone play. He runs with good pad level, good ball security. The thing, and usually the last thing to come for a running back, is pass protection, and understanding the complexity of the protection series. But he's shown some real strides in that area."
Â
On the wide receivers getting more involved vs. San Diego State…
"They made the plays when the opportunities presented themselves. You talk about early struggles, we weren't winning at the line of scrimmage early. They figured that out, won some one-on-ones on the perimeter and made some contested catches and nice catches in the game."
Â
On challenges ASU presents for the Utes…
"There's a little bit of an unknown factor going into this game right now. They have really good players. We're going to have to play our A-game."
Â
Â
Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach Morgan Scalley
Assessing the defense through one-quarter of the regular season…
"What you're looking for is progress every week, particularly in the run game. Week 1—not good enough. It starts with us as a coaching staff. Week 2, obviously, you're making your best progress from Week 1 to Week 2 if you're doing it right. And I thought we did that. We play San Diego State [Week 3], a team that thrives on running the ball. To do what we did there, again, another improvement. I like the energy and the focus of our guys. They're intent on getting better. When you've got guys that understand how to handle adversity and how to handle what some would say was a Week 1 failure. That's a tough pill to swallow. They're resilient. It's a fun group to coach. I love these guys. It's a day-to-day, week-to-week deal. I feel like we're practicing the right way. I'm happy with the progress."
Â
On being close at Florida during Week 1…
"The biggest thing was just a focus on the technical details. Assignment-wise, guys were lined up correctly…it is truly an 'own your role' defense with as much man coverage as we play. It just wasn't good enough Week 1. We feel like we've made the corrections. Guys see what needed to happen. That's the thing, you put on the film, that's where you can point out the issues. It's a fun group to coach because they're resilient, they're tough-minded and they made the corrections."
Â
On safeties Cole Bishop and R.J. Hubert…
"They've been in the program, they've had success before, and it's expected from them. From the leaders on your team, it's what you have to have. From the safety position alone, I think we had nine missed tackles Week 1. That's not something that we're used to. They both spent a lot of time, both during practice and after practice, working on coming to balance and making sure their vision's correct on those tackles. It goes to show the resilience they have and the mentality they have. I'm happy for those guys. When you do things right and you do your assignment, plays will eventually come to you. And they've been making them. I'm happy for them."
Â
On Lander Barton…
"Man, has he made strides every single week. Much like Van Fillinger, his freshman year, where you're seeing mistakes, but you keep putting him in there because you believe in his athleticism, you believe in his talent. He's picked it up fairly quickly, and that backer spot's not an easy one to pick up. I'm excited for his future, but he continues to have stuff to work on. He sees it every day and he's got a great [linebackers] coach in Colton Swan."
Â
NEXT UP
The Utes will open conference play on the road, taking on the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday, Sept. 24. The game will kick off at 8:30 p.m. MT on ESPN.
Â
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.
Â
Â
Â
Â
ÂPlayers of the week ?? pic.twitter.com/QcLwRcWkZM
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 19, 2022
The Pac-12 lid-lifter takes the No. 13 Utes to Arizona State's Sun Devil Stadium, with an 8:30 p.m. MT kickoff airing on ESPN.
Â
Every game is big, but the league opener in particular can present teams an opportunity to evaluate, note areas of improvement from non-conference play and identify pieces that can benefit from continued fine-tuning.
Â
"We believe [there's been progress]," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "But we'll find out as we go through the Pac-12. We'll be tested and know exactly where we stand. The Pac-12 is the barometer for us. We've got to be able to win games in our conference. We know the conference inside and out, obviously, we've been in it for 10, 12 years. That'll give us a much better idea as we start marching through conference play where we stand as a team."
Â
Ludwig and Scalley provided UtahUtes.com with a look across the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Â
Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Andy Ludwig
On evaluating the offense through three games…
"I think we're getting better each week. Obviously, we're working this week on starting a little faster. We've sputtered a little bit in the first quarter here the last couple games. But that'll be a huge emphasis moving forward."
Â
On what the slow starts can be attributed to…
"Multiple factors. There's some execution, some play calls, some things the [opposing] defense is doing as well. The enemy gets a vote as well, so they have some things to do with it. But I am pleased with the tenacity of the group and the way they are finishing things out."
Â
On if running back Jaylon Glover is ready to step up his role…
"Yes I do. He's got a lot to learn, but he's getting better each week, learning a lot. The time is right now…he's got a great second gear when he puts his foot in the ground and gets North to South on the inside and outside zone play. He runs with good pad level, good ball security. The thing, and usually the last thing to come for a running back, is pass protection, and understanding the complexity of the protection series. But he's shown some real strides in that area."
Â
On the wide receivers getting more involved vs. San Diego State…
"They made the plays when the opportunities presented themselves. You talk about early struggles, we weren't winning at the line of scrimmage early. They figured that out, won some one-on-ones on the perimeter and made some contested catches and nice catches in the game."
Â
On challenges ASU presents for the Utes…
"There's a little bit of an unknown factor going into this game right now. They have really good players. We're going to have to play our A-game."
Â
Â
Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach Morgan Scalley
Assessing the defense through one-quarter of the regular season…
"What you're looking for is progress every week, particularly in the run game. Week 1—not good enough. It starts with us as a coaching staff. Week 2, obviously, you're making your best progress from Week 1 to Week 2 if you're doing it right. And I thought we did that. We play San Diego State [Week 3], a team that thrives on running the ball. To do what we did there, again, another improvement. I like the energy and the focus of our guys. They're intent on getting better. When you've got guys that understand how to handle adversity and how to handle what some would say was a Week 1 failure. That's a tough pill to swallow. They're resilient. It's a fun group to coach. I love these guys. It's a day-to-day, week-to-week deal. I feel like we're practicing the right way. I'm happy with the progress."
Â
On being close at Florida during Week 1…
"The biggest thing was just a focus on the technical details. Assignment-wise, guys were lined up correctly…it is truly an 'own your role' defense with as much man coverage as we play. It just wasn't good enough Week 1. We feel like we've made the corrections. Guys see what needed to happen. That's the thing, you put on the film, that's where you can point out the issues. It's a fun group to coach because they're resilient, they're tough-minded and they made the corrections."
Â
On safeties Cole Bishop and R.J. Hubert…
"They've been in the program, they've had success before, and it's expected from them. From the leaders on your team, it's what you have to have. From the safety position alone, I think we had nine missed tackles Week 1. That's not something that we're used to. They both spent a lot of time, both during practice and after practice, working on coming to balance and making sure their vision's correct on those tackles. It goes to show the resilience they have and the mentality they have. I'm happy for those guys. When you do things right and you do your assignment, plays will eventually come to you. And they've been making them. I'm happy for them."
Â
On Lander Barton…
"Man, has he made strides every single week. Much like Van Fillinger, his freshman year, where you're seeing mistakes, but you keep putting him in there because you believe in his athleticism, you believe in his talent. He's picked it up fairly quickly, and that backer spot's not an easy one to pick up. I'm excited for his future, but he continues to have stuff to work on. He sees it every day and he's got a great [linebackers] coach in Colton Swan."
Â
NEXT UP
The Utes will open conference play on the road, taking on the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday, Sept. 24. The game will kick off at 8:30 p.m. MT on ESPN.
Â
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.
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
S
/ Football
DE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
S
/ FootballUtah 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
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Baylor's John Morris & Utah Track & Field Head Coach Kyle Kepler
Wednesday, November 12