What They’re Saying: Clash in the Coliseum Awaits
10/18/2023 4:50 PM | Football
Utes outbound to USC for Saturday night battle on FOX
SALT LAKE CITY – For the Utah Football team, the preparation for USC this week is no different than any other opponent. The Utes are practicing as usual, keeping up on film study and will head to Los Angeles on Friday before facing the Trojans on Saturday night inside the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
Though the Utes are focused solely on this weekend, there has been no shortage of entertaining ballgames with both teams as members of the Pac-12. From the inaugural meeting as conference foes in 2011 that went down to the wire in the Coliseum, to last year's conference title game in Las Vegas, fans on both sides of the matchup can point to some incredible moments in the Pac-12 era.
"It's been a great back-and-forth series (with USC)," said Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. "Championship implications almost every year…(each game has) turned out to be very a competitive and very intense football game. I'm sure this year will be no different."
As game week rolls on, national honors continue to trickle in to Salt Lake City. Earlier this week, defensive end Jonah Elliss was named Midseason All-America by The Sporting News. Elliss also was named to the Lombardi Award Midseason Watchlist, while safety Sione Vaki picked up a weekly nod from the Paul Hornung Award for his performance last Saturday vs. Cal.
It was time for the coordinators to visit with the media this week. Andy Ludwig gave updates on the state of the offense, Morgan Scalley shared where things stand with the defense and several of the players gave a look into preparation for USC.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Andy Ludwig | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
On managing the quarterback situation this season…
"It's a great challenge. But I'm just trying to put our players in a position to do what they do well and be successful. I think the players have responded well. The quarterback position is competitive. May the best man continue to win."
On Bryson Barnes' performance vs. Cal…
"I believe it was a step forward…He was very productive and moved the football team. He looked very comfortable. He is a very confident young man; unbelievable preparation skills and confidence in what he's doing. I think that showed up (against Cal)."
On Sione Vaki's workload expanding…
"If that's what Coach Whitt says, then that's what we're doing. (Vaki) is a dynamic football player. He needs the football in his hands."
On comparisons of Vaki to Eric Weddle…
"I think the Eric Weddle comparison is very fair and accurate. Those have been the two primary defenders I've used (on offense) in my career. Eric had a lot of success; would've been a 1,500-yard rusher had he been a full-time offensive player. But obviously things worked out for him."
Morgan Scalley | Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach
On assessing the defense at this point in the season…
"We need to get better every week. The film never lies; that's the great thing about this game. There's definitely things we can improve upon. I love the effort and energy from our guys. There's things we're doing well and things we can improve upon. This is a big challenge this week. We're excited."
On USC quarterback Caleb Williams…
"He was good last year and he's good this year…He's great at throwing the ball, staying alive in the pocket. Very strong as a runner. There's a reason he was the Heisman Trophy last year and is one of the favorites to win it this year."
On areas that Jonah Elliss has progressed this season…
"Confidence in his pass rush moves. His speed rush, his counter move off of that. A lot of it, too, is that we have good defensive ends playing opposite him. We've got guys covering. He'll be the first to tell you that it's a team effort. We have a lot of guys that care a whole lot, study a whole lot, that use the offseason to their advantage. I think you're seeing the benefits of that."
Bryson Barnes | QB | Jr.
On the Cal game…
"It was a step in the right direction with confidence. As far as the offense goes, we made a big step offensively. It's great to have some momentum coming into this game this week."
On the ebbs and flows of the season…
"There's definitely frustrations and stuff like that. But at the end of the day, you have to deal with the situation you have. You have to control what you can control. What I can control is what I'm doing at practice each and every day, and being ready for these opportunities that could potentially arise in the future. Sure enough, they did. You just have to take care of what you can control."
On his toughness…
"That's just kind of the way you grow up being in a small town; pig farm and things like that. I wrestled in high school. You have to be tough to be a wrestler. Regardless of whether you're hurt, your hair's getting pulled all the time. It's not very fun but the toughness definitely comes from wrestling."
Connor O'Toole | DE | Jr.
On finally getting to play again vs. Cal…
"It felt good. It was a long time coming. Just trying to be patient and take it one day at a time. It felt good to be back out there with the boys."
On challenges that Caleb Williams presents…
"Caleb's an awesome player. The tape speaks for itself; everyone knows it. He's the Heisman Trophy winner. All we can do is focus on ourselves right now and just try to get after him. But he's an amazing player and difficult to play against. But we're excited."
On getting a sack in the Cal game…
"It felt good. My heart felt good after that one for sure. Just trying to knock off some rust now and get back in the swing of things."
Devaughn Vele | WR | Jr.
On memories over the years of playing USC…
"They're always dogfights. If you go back to '21, even in '22 as well, it's never an easy game. We're always going to get their best shot and they're always going to get our best shot. Have a lot of good memories playing USC. We're expecting a lot of big things coming up this Saturday."
On the significance of this game for him and his teammates from California…
"I think I speak for the majority of us who grew up watching USC. I speak for myself as well; I watched USC when I was a kid. Going back home and playing against them, it's a big thing for all of us. We get to play in front of our families and friends. It's a big game for all the Cali boys."
On the passing game last week vs. Cal…
"There was confidence in the schemes and running the right concepts. It was the quarterback having time in the pocket, the O-line giving a good pocket and us (receivers) running the routes to the right depths and getting the separation we needed. But it was just a stepping stone; we're going to need the passing game to step up this week."
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
The Utes are headed to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans on Saturday, Oct. 21. The game is set for a 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT kick on FOX.
Though the Utes are focused solely on this weekend, there has been no shortage of entertaining ballgames with both teams as members of the Pac-12. From the inaugural meeting as conference foes in 2011 that went down to the wire in the Coliseum, to last year's conference title game in Las Vegas, fans on both sides of the matchup can point to some incredible moments in the Pac-12 era.
"It's been a great back-and-forth series (with USC)," said Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. "Championship implications almost every year…(each game has) turned out to be very a competitive and very intense football game. I'm sure this year will be no different."
Hear from Head Coach Kyle Whittingham as the Utes prepare to face the USC Trojans in Southern California this weekend ???#GoUtes | @Utah_Football
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 17, 2023
Numbers don't lie ?? pic.twitter.com/7hAVlBuWnw
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 18, 2023
As game week rolls on, national honors continue to trickle in to Salt Lake City. Earlier this week, defensive end Jonah Elliss was named Midseason All-America by The Sporting News. Elliss also was named to the Lombardi Award Midseason Watchlist, while safety Sione Vaki picked up a weekly nod from the Paul Hornung Award for his performance last Saturday vs. Cal.
Congrats @jonah_elliss on being named to the Lombardi Award Midseason Watchlist ??https://t.co/nZOX7ijPJS pic.twitter.com/q3ERDx6KSw
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 17, 2023
Sione Vaki has been awarded as the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week, given to the nation's most versatile player ?? https://t.co/Nm5I3RJ0bQ pic.twitter.com/W3GLcukRN3
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 17, 2023
It was time for the coordinators to visit with the media this week. Andy Ludwig gave updates on the state of the offense, Morgan Scalley shared where things stand with the defense and several of the players gave a look into preparation for USC.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Andy Ludwig | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
On managing the quarterback situation this season…
"It's a great challenge. But I'm just trying to put our players in a position to do what they do well and be successful. I think the players have responded well. The quarterback position is competitive. May the best man continue to win."
On Bryson Barnes' performance vs. Cal…
"I believe it was a step forward…He was very productive and moved the football team. He looked very comfortable. He is a very confident young man; unbelievable preparation skills and confidence in what he's doing. I think that showed up (against Cal)."
On Sione Vaki's workload expanding…
"If that's what Coach Whitt says, then that's what we're doing. (Vaki) is a dynamic football player. He needs the football in his hands."
On comparisons of Vaki to Eric Weddle…
"I think the Eric Weddle comparison is very fair and accurate. Those have been the two primary defenders I've used (on offense) in my career. Eric had a lot of success; would've been a 1,500-yard rusher had he been a full-time offensive player. But obviously things worked out for him."
Morgan Scalley | Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach
On assessing the defense at this point in the season…
"We need to get better every week. The film never lies; that's the great thing about this game. There's definitely things we can improve upon. I love the effort and energy from our guys. There's things we're doing well and things we can improve upon. This is a big challenge this week. We're excited."
On USC quarterback Caleb Williams…
"He was good last year and he's good this year…He's great at throwing the ball, staying alive in the pocket. Very strong as a runner. There's a reason he was the Heisman Trophy last year and is one of the favorites to win it this year."
On areas that Jonah Elliss has progressed this season…
"Confidence in his pass rush moves. His speed rush, his counter move off of that. A lot of it, too, is that we have good defensive ends playing opposite him. We've got guys covering. He'll be the first to tell you that it's a team effort. We have a lot of guys that care a whole lot, study a whole lot, that use the offseason to their advantage. I think you're seeing the benefits of that."
Bryson Barnes | QB | Jr.
On the Cal game…
"It was a step in the right direction with confidence. As far as the offense goes, we made a big step offensively. It's great to have some momentum coming into this game this week."
On the ebbs and flows of the season…
"There's definitely frustrations and stuff like that. But at the end of the day, you have to deal with the situation you have. You have to control what you can control. What I can control is what I'm doing at practice each and every day, and being ready for these opportunities that could potentially arise in the future. Sure enough, they did. You just have to take care of what you can control."
On his toughness…
"That's just kind of the way you grow up being in a small town; pig farm and things like that. I wrestled in high school. You have to be tough to be a wrestler. Regardless of whether you're hurt, your hair's getting pulled all the time. It's not very fun but the toughness definitely comes from wrestling."
Connor O'Toole | DE | Jr.
On finally getting to play again vs. Cal…
"It felt good. It was a long time coming. Just trying to be patient and take it one day at a time. It felt good to be back out there with the boys."
On challenges that Caleb Williams presents…
"Caleb's an awesome player. The tape speaks for itself; everyone knows it. He's the Heisman Trophy winner. All we can do is focus on ourselves right now and just try to get after him. But he's an amazing player and difficult to play against. But we're excited."
On getting a sack in the Cal game…
"It felt good. My heart felt good after that one for sure. Just trying to knock off some rust now and get back in the swing of things."
Devaughn Vele | WR | Jr.
On memories over the years of playing USC…
"They're always dogfights. If you go back to '21, even in '22 as well, it's never an easy game. We're always going to get their best shot and they're always going to get our best shot. Have a lot of good memories playing USC. We're expecting a lot of big things coming up this Saturday."
On the significance of this game for him and his teammates from California…
"I think I speak for the majority of us who grew up watching USC. I speak for myself as well; I watched USC when I was a kid. Going back home and playing against them, it's a big thing for all of us. We get to play in front of our families and friends. It's a big game for all the Cali boys."
On the passing game last week vs. Cal…
"There was confidence in the schemes and running the right concepts. It was the quarterback having time in the pocket, the O-line giving a good pocket and us (receivers) running the routes to the right depths and getting the separation we needed. But it was just a stepping stone; we're going to need the passing game to step up this week."
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
The Utes are headed to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans on Saturday, Oct. 21. The game is set for a 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT kick on FOX.
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