What They're Saying: Focusing on the Sun Devils
11/2/2023 12:00 PM | Football
Salute America Game pits Utah against ASU at Rice-Eccles in a noon kickoff
SALT LAKE CITY – The mindset entering this week was simple: moving forward.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham put it best in his Monday morning press conference. Last week's matchup with now-No. 6 Oregon did not play out how the Utes would have liked. But that game is in the past—now it's all about Arizona State, which visits Rice-Eccles Stadium this Saturday in a noon kickoff.
"We've all got to flush (the Oregon game) and move forward, and get ready for the next challenge," said Whittingham. "You can't let someone beat you twice; that is very applicable this week for us. We've got to be able to put that game behind us and set our sights on the Sun Devils."
The Utes still boast one of the stingiest defenses in the Pac-12 and nationally: opponents are averaging 17.5 points per game to rank 18th in FBS. The offense continues to embrace the "next man up" mentality: underclassmen have accounted for 86% of the team's rushing yardage this season. Special teams have been another strength: punter Jack Bouwmeester remains on the Ray Guy Award Watch List and is atop the Pac-12 with an average punt of 46.1 yards.
All of the elements are there. Now it's just a matter of preparing well throughout the week and putting it all together on Saturday.
With the final month of the regular season upon us, several national awards are beginning to reveal their semifinalists. This week, safety Cole Bishop was named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award—presented to the nation's top defensive back. In addition, defensive end Jonah Elliss was selected among 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, recognizing an offensive or defensive lineman who exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi.
Quarterback Bryson Barnes was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, an annual honor that goes to the most outstanding collegiate player to have begun their career as a walk-on.
Utah's offensive line, collectively known as the O-Block, received some national praise this week as center Kolinu'u Faaiu was graded by PFF as an 85.1 in Week 9. It was the second-highest grade of any Power Five offensive lineman.
As the Utes finish up prep for ASU, several of the players and assistant coaches visited with the media to preview Saturday's game.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Quinton Ganther | Running Backs Coach
On the Oregon game…
"What's done is done. It's over now. We can't cry over spilled milk. The thing we have to do is keep pushing forward. We can't dwell on it; that is over with and now we are focusing on our next opponent."
On making the most of Sione Vaki's time on offense…
"What he does well, we have to make sure we capitalize on. We have to make sure we feed him in the right areas and use him as needed. He's an explosive kid and he has helped us tremendously. We want to continue to use him."
Lewis Powell | Defensive Ends Coach
What stood out on film vs. Oregon?
"(Oregon) have done a good job throughout the year. They've only given up four sacks. They did a good job again (against Utah). They didn't give us time to get home. But we are excited for this new challenge this week. We've put last Saturday away and behind us. The guys came to work today with a great mindset. We're excited to attack who we've got next."
How does your group return to form from earlier in the year?
"I think we've just got to do our jobs. We've got to execute at a high level like we were. We'll be right back where we want to be."
Bryson Barnes | QB | Jr.
On looking back at the film from Oregon…
"I would say it's more so relieving. You sit the weekend, watch the film, find out where we need to improve and move on from it."
On areas to improve upon…
"There's a lot of things we need to improve as a whole offensive unit. It definitely was not our best showing. We're excited for (this) Saturday to be able to put more stuff on tape."
Zemaiah Vaughn | CB | Jr.
On the vibe in practice this week…
"We're trying to pick up the energy, trying to bounce back. We're not trying to let (the Oregon game) bleed into this week and make us play down. We're trying to bounce back and play better."
On the aggressiveness going after receivers…
"There were some times where us corners on the edges should have made plays and we didn't. We've just got to be better, and it starts right here in practice."
Devaughn Vele | WR | Jr.
On his performance vs. Oregon…
"It wasn't anything special; I think it was just opportunities to make plays. We had one-on-one matchups that we game-planned against. Bryson was giving me opportunities to make plays and I made the most of them. I don't think it was anything different; it was just waiting for opportunities to come, and they came."
On getting back to offensive success in previous weeks…
"Players just have to make plays. I think that's what it boils down to. You can execute an entire game plan and say this is going to work, but if we can't make the plays it's not going to happen. As an offensive unit, we need to be bigger play-makers, we need to make chunk plays. Overall, being more explosive in everything that we do. Two- and three-yard gains can work as we (chip) away, but you need those big shots and big runs if you want to win games against explosive offenses."
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
Utah will play at home for the second week in a row with the Arizona State Sun Devils coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4. The game is set for a 12 p.m. MT kick and will air on Pac-12 Networks.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham put it best in his Monday morning press conference. Last week's matchup with now-No. 6 Oregon did not play out how the Utes would have liked. But that game is in the past—now it's all about Arizona State, which visits Rice-Eccles Stadium this Saturday in a noon kickoff.
"We've all got to flush (the Oregon game) and move forward, and get ready for the next challenge," said Whittingham. "You can't let someone beat you twice; that is very applicable this week for us. We've got to be able to put that game behind us and set our sights on the Sun Devils."
The Utes still boast one of the stingiest defenses in the Pac-12 and nationally: opponents are averaging 17.5 points per game to rank 18th in FBS. The offense continues to embrace the "next man up" mentality: underclassmen have accounted for 86% of the team's rushing yardage this season. Special teams have been another strength: punter Jack Bouwmeester remains on the Ray Guy Award Watch List and is atop the Pac-12 with an average punt of 46.1 yards.
All of the elements are there. Now it's just a matter of preparing well throughout the week and putting it all together on Saturday.
With the final month of the regular season upon us, several national awards are beginning to reveal their semifinalists. This week, safety Cole Bishop was named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award—presented to the nation's top defensive back. In addition, defensive end Jonah Elliss was selected among 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, recognizing an offensive or defensive lineman who exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi.
Congrats to @jonah_elliss on being named one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award ??https://t.co/AsLuJCgHZT pic.twitter.com/FPYp4EgSIG
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 1, 2023
Congrats @Cole_bishop_8 on being named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's defensive back! https://t.co/fsFhV0EvFW pic.twitter.com/2P2r1YyUeK
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 31, 2023
Quarterback Bryson Barnes was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, an annual honor that goes to the most outstanding collegiate player to have begun their career as a walk-on.
Congrats Bryson Barnes for being nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, honoring the most outstanding football player who started his career as a walk-on ??https://t.co/ycP4QLZ3hm pic.twitter.com/WLQZF3D7Xl
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 31, 2023
Utah's offensive line, collectively known as the O-Block, received some national praise this week as center Kolinu'u Faaiu was graded by PFF as an 85.1 in Week 9. It was the second-highest grade of any Power Five offensive lineman.
?? @UFaaiu https://t.co/ugr5e6syIT
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 31, 2023
As the Utes finish up prep for ASU, several of the players and assistant coaches visited with the media to preview Saturday's game.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Quinton Ganther | Running Backs Coach
On the Oregon game…
"What's done is done. It's over now. We can't cry over spilled milk. The thing we have to do is keep pushing forward. We can't dwell on it; that is over with and now we are focusing on our next opponent."
On making the most of Sione Vaki's time on offense…
"What he does well, we have to make sure we capitalize on. We have to make sure we feed him in the right areas and use him as needed. He's an explosive kid and he has helped us tremendously. We want to continue to use him."
Lewis Powell | Defensive Ends Coach
What stood out on film vs. Oregon?
"(Oregon) have done a good job throughout the year. They've only given up four sacks. They did a good job again (against Utah). They didn't give us time to get home. But we are excited for this new challenge this week. We've put last Saturday away and behind us. The guys came to work today with a great mindset. We're excited to attack who we've got next."
How does your group return to form from earlier in the year?
"I think we've just got to do our jobs. We've got to execute at a high level like we were. We'll be right back where we want to be."
Bryson Barnes | QB | Jr.
On looking back at the film from Oregon…
"I would say it's more so relieving. You sit the weekend, watch the film, find out where we need to improve and move on from it."
On areas to improve upon…
"There's a lot of things we need to improve as a whole offensive unit. It definitely was not our best showing. We're excited for (this) Saturday to be able to put more stuff on tape."
Zemaiah Vaughn | CB | Jr.
On the vibe in practice this week…
"We're trying to pick up the energy, trying to bounce back. We're not trying to let (the Oregon game) bleed into this week and make us play down. We're trying to bounce back and play better."
On the aggressiveness going after receivers…
"There were some times where us corners on the edges should have made plays and we didn't. We've just got to be better, and it starts right here in practice."
Devaughn Vele | WR | Jr.
On his performance vs. Oregon…
"It wasn't anything special; I think it was just opportunities to make plays. We had one-on-one matchups that we game-planned against. Bryson was giving me opportunities to make plays and I made the most of them. I don't think it was anything different; it was just waiting for opportunities to come, and they came."
On getting back to offensive success in previous weeks…
"Players just have to make plays. I think that's what it boils down to. You can execute an entire game plan and say this is going to work, but if we can't make the plays it's not going to happen. As an offensive unit, we need to be bigger play-makers, we need to make chunk plays. Overall, being more explosive in everything that we do. Two- and three-yard gains can work as we (chip) away, but you need those big shots and big runs if you want to win games against explosive offenses."
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
Utah will play at home for the second week in a row with the Arizona State Sun Devils coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4. The game is set for a 12 p.m. MT kick and will air on Pac-12 Networks.
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