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Photo by: Jackson Bilawa/Utah Athletics
What They're Saying: Playing for the Seniors
11/22/2023 6:00 AM | Football
Utah aims to finish the regular season strong in a Senior Day showdown vs. Colorado
SALT LAKE CITY – It's the regular season finale this Saturday as the Utah Football team hosts Colorado for Senior Day at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. MT, but fans are encouraged to arrive early for pregame ceremonies beginning at about 12:35 p.m.
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Exactly how many Utes will walk for Senior Day is still being sorted out. Traditionally, players who are exhausting their eligibility will participate, as well as any underclassmen who might be on the fence about returning next season. The coaching staff encourages players in the latter group to participate, as a safety net if they later decide to pursue the 2024 NFL Draft or otherwise move on.
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Once the ceremony is in the books and toe meets leather, the Utes will be looking to snap out of back-to-back losses and earn their eighth win of the year.
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This will also be Utah's final regular season conference game as a member of the Pac-12. Head coach Kyle Whittingham briefly reflected on the transformation felt not just in the football program, but across the University of Utah and beyond since the move became official in 2011.
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"The Pac-12 was instrumental in building the program, not just beneficial," he said. "Having that Pac-12 moniker on our shirt; that conference affiliation ramped up everything in this program. Facilities, recruiting, budget, salaries, everything. Making the move to Power Five was a game-changer for the program, the university and the community in my opinion.
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"There was some tough sledding early…About 2016 or 2017, we started to really get traction. Then the last four years we've played in the (Pac-12) Championship Game and won the last two. I'd say it's turned out as good as we could have hoped it would."
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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Kyle Whittingham | Head Coach
On avoiding complacency this week…
"We didn't play well last week. That should be motivation enough to come out and play our best football. It was a very disappointing game for us last week. It's the last time that the seniors and a handful of the underclassmen will be playing in Rice-Eccles. It's all about playing for them. We're trying to finish the season the right way for the seniors."
Â
On the impact of the seniors and guys who will be moving on…
"It's always a sad day when you see them leave. They've done so much for the program and won so many games, accomplished so much academically. They've been great leaders for us. But it's the cycle of college football. Everything turns over every four years and a new class comes in. It's something you do get used to, but you still never come to terms with those guys walking out the door, because they did so many good things."
Â
Sharrieff Shah | Cornerbacks Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
On where he sees his group now versus last Spring…
"To take a moment and reflect; what I can honestly say is we got a little bit tougher, although that was not on display last week…I thought we were better communicators, we leaned on each other. I saw players who started splitting time. Instead of having a level of animosity, I saw them coaching each other on the sideline. That was a reflection of what I felt like I've tried to foster in my room. If I'm really going to be a good player, then I'm going to help my teammate become a really good player. And I saw that. That really gave me a sense of pride.
Â
"We've made some plays where we didn't last year. I will always say that we left too many (plays) out there and that we made some that I was really proud of. I thought we've gotten better as a group, incrementally every week. Everyone started doing something a little different than we had the week prior, which has made us a better unit."
Â
How has Miles Battle grown this season?
"I've seen his knowledge of our system grow exponentially, and it's been quick. Miles studies. He likes film, he enjoys being critiqued. He wants to know how he can get better. Whether you're sending him snapshots of coverages, or videos; whatever it is he's going to digest it. I love that he is a consummate student. I also love that he became a more physical player…He's done a much better job of trying to find the ball. He's grown by leaps and bounds in his short time with us."
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On the younger guys coming along…
"CJ Blocker has done a nice job. He's been mostly relegated to this point on the scout team. I'm excited for his (upcoming) Spring. Smith Snowden was kind of thrown into the fire. His first game was Arizona State and he did a fantastic job. I was a little worried because of the run game and how he was going to take on certain blocks…but it's how you maneuver with big people.
Â
"We've had a number of good inside corners who've had blazing speed, not all very tall but equally effective. Javelin Guidry, Justin Thomas, I can name quite a few over the years. (Snowden's) learning. We're making him drink out of a water hose right now. It's a lot on him, but he's done a fantastic job as a true freshman. I'm proud of him."
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Alvis Whitted | Wide Receivers Coach
On Devaughn Vele's recent increase in targets…
"He's always been a student of the game, in terms of studying and being able to plot things when you teach him the first time. I don't see anything new, he's just taking advantage of the opportunities when the ball is in the air. He's being aggressive in that manner. It's been cool to see. Hopefully we can continue to target him and help him go out in the best way."
Â
On Mikey Matthews' freshman season…
"Really it's just his detail, his preparation. He's a smart kid, very intentional about everything he does. And he works. He practices his tail off every week. He does great things on special teams. I have the utmost trust in him. I'm excited with his progression. He's going to continue to get better in every aspect."
Â
On what Munir McClain has brought lately…
"I was so fired up for that kid (against Arizona State). It was a long time coming. You guys have seen he's coming along very nicely for us. He adds a different dimension to our passing game in regards to physical play and game speed. It doesn't look like he's running, but he's moving. He can play through contact. It's pretty cool. I'm excited for him; he's earned it. He's done a great job. He just works, he doesn't say a whole lot. Very laid back kid who just goes about his business. But when it's time to put the pads on, he shows up. And he's showed up these last couple weeks."
Â
Landen King | TE | Jr.
On reaching this point of the season and reflecting…
"Every team in the country tries to never lose a game. We had big goals: three-peat and the College Football Playoff. It didn't go that way, but we're still very proud of this team. We can still get to nine wins. We're still focused on this season."
Â
On working with Cameron Rising and his return in 2024…
"It goes back to Summer. He was out here helping me get the playbook down. Since I've come here, he's been one of my best friends. Having a chance to play with him (in 2024), have a full offseason and Spring; expectations are through the roof. We've got to do it next year on the grass.
Â
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:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â @Utah_Football
Instagram:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â @UtahFootball
Threads:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â @UtahFootball
Facebook:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Utah Football
TikTok:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
Utah will finish up the regular season at home on Saturday, Nov. 25 when its hosts the Colorado Buffaloes. The game will be Utah's Senior Day with kickoff at 1 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Network.
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Âplease come out and support saturday vs colorado! its all about the seniors!!
— Landen King (@Landen_King3) November 21, 2023
Exactly how many Utes will walk for Senior Day is still being sorted out. Traditionally, players who are exhausting their eligibility will participate, as well as any underclassmen who might be on the fence about returning next season. The coaching staff encourages players in the latter group to participate, as a safety net if they later decide to pursue the 2024 NFL Draft or otherwise move on.
Â
Once the ceremony is in the books and toe meets leather, the Utes will be looking to snap out of back-to-back losses and earn their eighth win of the year.
Â
This will also be Utah's final regular season conference game as a member of the Pac-12. Head coach Kyle Whittingham briefly reflected on the transformation felt not just in the football program, but across the University of Utah and beyond since the move became official in 2011.
Â
"The Pac-12 was instrumental in building the program, not just beneficial," he said. "Having that Pac-12 moniker on our shirt; that conference affiliation ramped up everything in this program. Facilities, recruiting, budget, salaries, everything. Making the move to Power Five was a game-changer for the program, the university and the community in my opinion.
Â
"There was some tough sledding early…About 2016 or 2017, we started to really get traction. Then the last four years we've played in the (Pac-12) Championship Game and won the last two. I'd say it's turned out as good as we could have hoped it would."
Â
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Kyle Whittingham | Head Coach
On avoiding complacency this week…
"We didn't play well last week. That should be motivation enough to come out and play our best football. It was a very disappointing game for us last week. It's the last time that the seniors and a handful of the underclassmen will be playing in Rice-Eccles. It's all about playing for them. We're trying to finish the season the right way for the seniors."
Â
On the impact of the seniors and guys who will be moving on…
"It's always a sad day when you see them leave. They've done so much for the program and won so many games, accomplished so much academically. They've been great leaders for us. But it's the cycle of college football. Everything turns over every four years and a new class comes in. It's something you do get used to, but you still never come to terms with those guys walking out the door, because they did so many good things."
Â
Sharrieff Shah | Cornerbacks Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
On where he sees his group now versus last Spring…
"To take a moment and reflect; what I can honestly say is we got a little bit tougher, although that was not on display last week…I thought we were better communicators, we leaned on each other. I saw players who started splitting time. Instead of having a level of animosity, I saw them coaching each other on the sideline. That was a reflection of what I felt like I've tried to foster in my room. If I'm really going to be a good player, then I'm going to help my teammate become a really good player. And I saw that. That really gave me a sense of pride.
Â
"We've made some plays where we didn't last year. I will always say that we left too many (plays) out there and that we made some that I was really proud of. I thought we've gotten better as a group, incrementally every week. Everyone started doing something a little different than we had the week prior, which has made us a better unit."
Â
How has Miles Battle grown this season?
"I've seen his knowledge of our system grow exponentially, and it's been quick. Miles studies. He likes film, he enjoys being critiqued. He wants to know how he can get better. Whether you're sending him snapshots of coverages, or videos; whatever it is he's going to digest it. I love that he is a consummate student. I also love that he became a more physical player…He's done a much better job of trying to find the ball. He's grown by leaps and bounds in his short time with us."
Â
On the younger guys coming along…
"CJ Blocker has done a nice job. He's been mostly relegated to this point on the scout team. I'm excited for his (upcoming) Spring. Smith Snowden was kind of thrown into the fire. His first game was Arizona State and he did a fantastic job. I was a little worried because of the run game and how he was going to take on certain blocks…but it's how you maneuver with big people.
Â
"We've had a number of good inside corners who've had blazing speed, not all very tall but equally effective. Javelin Guidry, Justin Thomas, I can name quite a few over the years. (Snowden's) learning. We're making him drink out of a water hose right now. It's a lot on him, but he's done a fantastic job as a true freshman. I'm proud of him."
Â
Alvis Whitted | Wide Receivers Coach
On Devaughn Vele's recent increase in targets…
"He's always been a student of the game, in terms of studying and being able to plot things when you teach him the first time. I don't see anything new, he's just taking advantage of the opportunities when the ball is in the air. He's being aggressive in that manner. It's been cool to see. Hopefully we can continue to target him and help him go out in the best way."
Â
On Mikey Matthews' freshman season…
"Really it's just his detail, his preparation. He's a smart kid, very intentional about everything he does. And he works. He practices his tail off every week. He does great things on special teams. I have the utmost trust in him. I'm excited with his progression. He's going to continue to get better in every aspect."
Â
On what Munir McClain has brought lately…
"I was so fired up for that kid (against Arizona State). It was a long time coming. You guys have seen he's coming along very nicely for us. He adds a different dimension to our passing game in regards to physical play and game speed. It doesn't look like he's running, but he's moving. He can play through contact. It's pretty cool. I'm excited for him; he's earned it. He's done a great job. He just works, he doesn't say a whole lot. Very laid back kid who just goes about his business. But when it's time to put the pads on, he shows up. And he's showed up these last couple weeks."
Â
Landen King | TE | Jr.
On reaching this point of the season and reflecting…
"Every team in the country tries to never lose a game. We had big goals: three-peat and the College Football Playoff. It didn't go that way, but we're still very proud of this team. We can still get to nine wins. We're still focused on this season."
Â
On working with Cameron Rising and his return in 2024…
"It goes back to Summer. He was out here helping me get the playbook down. Since I've come here, he's been one of my best friends. Having a chance to play with him (in 2024), have a full offseason and Spring; expectations are through the roof. We've got to do it next year on the grass.
Â
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:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â @Utah_Football
Instagram:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â @UtahFootball
Threads:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â @UtahFootball
Facebook:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Utah Football
TikTok:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
Utah will finish up the regular season at home on Saturday, Nov. 25 when its hosts the Colorado Buffaloes. The game will be Utah's Senior Day with kickoff at 1 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Network.
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Players Mentioned
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CB
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WR
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