Photo by: Eli Rehmer/Utah Athletics
What They're Saying: Be at Our Best
11/8/2023 4:15 PM | Football
Utah is getting ready for a Saturday challenge at No. 5 Washington on FOX
SALT LAKE CITY – Perhaps its biggest challenge of the season, to date, awaits the Utah Football team on Saturday in Seattle.
The Utes will make their second trip of the year to the Pacific Northwest, squaring off this time with No. 5-ranked Washington on Saturday inside Husky Stadium. FOX will have television coverage of the game at 1:30 p.m. MT.
"We have to be at our best," said head coach Kyle Whittingham on Monday. "We can't just play good, we need to play great and that is what it is going to take. It will take another week of great preparation and focus on our players' part, and that is exactly what they did last week (vs. Arizona State). We are excited about the opportunity."
Utah's preparation showed against ASU: 513 total yards of offense and just 83 yards allowed. It was a dominant performance on both sides of the ball in the 55-3 victory, but now a new opponent awaits and the Utes are locked in on getting ready for the Huskies.
As the Utes get ready for wheels up to Seattle, defensive tackles coach Luther Elliss, offensive line coach Jim Harding and the players visited with the media to preview the matchup.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Luther Elliss | Defensive Tackles Coach
On slowing down Washington…
"When you have that type of offense, it's hard to slow them down. They have a great quarterback, great offensive line, great (at the skill positions), just a really good team overall. When you're facing an opponent like this, you just have to go out there and play great. You have to play your best game of the year. You've got to get out there and do things at a high level, in order to keep up with them and do the things we need to do."
On Michael Penix…
"He has an arm, he's accurate, he gets (the ball) out quick. He's a complete player. (The Pac-12) this year probably has three or four of the best quarterbacks in the country…he's up there. He's one of the best in the game."
On the defensive line factoring into this game…
"I believe that (is a factor) for every game…You're going to go as your offensive and defensive lines go. If they struggle, the team's going to struggle. We have to get out there. First and foremost, we have to stop the run…After that we have to get after them pass-rush wise. You're going to have nuances, different wrinkles and things of that nature. You just have to fight through it, see it, recognize it, and play through it."
Jim Harding | Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach
On assessing the offensive line…
"This past week I was very proud of (the offensive line). They were very productive. But we know this week is a different challenge. We certainly have to be at our best in order to be successful in a very tough environment."
On the consistency of this coaching staff throughout the years…
"I've been fortunate to be here for 10 years…This is a great staff to be a part of and I think it's a reflection of Coach Whitt. The stability, I think, speaks for itself. It's a good environment."
On the group of players in the program…
"It's a great group of kids. Being here at long as (this staff has been), we've recruited all of these kids. They are us and they've adapted to our program. It really is a situation that is unique in college football this day and age."
On Kolinu'u Faaiu's growth at center…
"(He) is a kid that had never played center prior to getting here. He was a tackle. His senior year (of high school) was during COVID and it was a shortened season. He's developed in the weight room. The football IQ part of it is something that can always improve. His biggest improvement since arriving would be having never had to make the calls before. To be able to do that now…he's getting better. He's trending in the right direction."
Jaylon Glover | RB | So.
On takeaways from ASU heading into Washington…
"I think things have started clicking. Ultimately, coming into this week we'll have to be not just good, but great on offense. I think we made the right strides this past week. I feel like we understand where we can play up to and what our capabilities are on offense. We just have to keep our stride. The season is nearing its end. If we're going to hit our stride now, this is a great time to do it."
On his individual performance vs. ASU…
"I probably sound like a broken record, but coming to this next level from high school, you've got to understand that when your number is called you've to value it. Value those reps that you get. I've been preparing every week like I'm going to take every snap. That's what helped me play fast last Saturday. I'm continuing to get better and when my number is called, I'll be ready to go."
On Bryson Barnes…
"Bryson is the epitome of grit, hunger, and being a leader. I couldn't be prouder of him. You see a guy that works hard day in and day out no matter what the circumstances are. Whether he gets booted down the depth chart or is the starter, you're going to get the same Bryson that's going to be a leader. You want to go to war with him. I'm happy for him and for the QB room to rally behind him. He's been taking charge. I'm proud of him."
Munir McClain | WR | Jr.
On taking steps forward…
"We've been doing good as a whole offense and as a team. I'm proud of what I've been seeing. We won (vs. ASU) so that was a good thing. Bryson Barnes went for four touchdowns, a career-high. I'm happy with how he did."
On Bryson Barnes…
"I'm happy for him and all the progress he's made. He's real tough. I like everything he does on and off the field."
What does Devaughn Vele mean both in the receivers room and on the field?
"He's a good person. Good player, as you can see. He's always helping everyone. I love to be around him. I like having him in the receivers room. On the field, he's a big receiver that can run and he separates. He's a threat on the field."
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 will head to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Washington Huskies on Saturday, Nov. 11 in Seattle. Kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m. MT on FOX.
The Utes will make their second trip of the year to the Pacific Northwest, squaring off this time with No. 5-ranked Washington on Saturday inside Husky Stadium. FOX will have television coverage of the game at 1:30 p.m. MT.
"We have to be at our best," said head coach Kyle Whittingham on Monday. "We can't just play good, we need to play great and that is what it is going to take. It will take another week of great preparation and focus on our players' part, and that is exactly what they did last week (vs. Arizona State). We are excited about the opportunity."
Utah's preparation showed against ASU: 513 total yards of offense and just 83 yards allowed. It was a dominant performance on both sides of the ball in the 55-3 victory, but now a new opponent awaits and the Utes are locked in on getting ready for the Huskies.
Players of the Game ?? pic.twitter.com/0RYF9JdLlp
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 7, 2023
Congrats to @bryson_barnes10 on being a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, honoring the most outstanding football player that started his career as a walk-on ?? pic.twitter.com/4BMCQKseEE
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 7, 2023
As the Utes get ready for wheels up to Seattle, defensive tackles coach Luther Elliss, offensive line coach Jim Harding and the players visited with the media to preview the matchup.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Luther Elliss | Defensive Tackles Coach
On slowing down Washington…
"When you have that type of offense, it's hard to slow them down. They have a great quarterback, great offensive line, great (at the skill positions), just a really good team overall. When you're facing an opponent like this, you just have to go out there and play great. You have to play your best game of the year. You've got to get out there and do things at a high level, in order to keep up with them and do the things we need to do."
On Michael Penix…
"He has an arm, he's accurate, he gets (the ball) out quick. He's a complete player. (The Pac-12) this year probably has three or four of the best quarterbacks in the country…he's up there. He's one of the best in the game."
On the defensive line factoring into this game…
"I believe that (is a factor) for every game…You're going to go as your offensive and defensive lines go. If they struggle, the team's going to struggle. We have to get out there. First and foremost, we have to stop the run…After that we have to get after them pass-rush wise. You're going to have nuances, different wrinkles and things of that nature. You just have to fight through it, see it, recognize it, and play through it."
Jim Harding | Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach
On assessing the offensive line…
"This past week I was very proud of (the offensive line). They were very productive. But we know this week is a different challenge. We certainly have to be at our best in order to be successful in a very tough environment."
On the consistency of this coaching staff throughout the years…
"I've been fortunate to be here for 10 years…This is a great staff to be a part of and I think it's a reflection of Coach Whitt. The stability, I think, speaks for itself. It's a good environment."
On the group of players in the program…
"It's a great group of kids. Being here at long as (this staff has been), we've recruited all of these kids. They are us and they've adapted to our program. It really is a situation that is unique in college football this day and age."
On Kolinu'u Faaiu's growth at center…
"(He) is a kid that had never played center prior to getting here. He was a tackle. His senior year (of high school) was during COVID and it was a shortened season. He's developed in the weight room. The football IQ part of it is something that can always improve. His biggest improvement since arriving would be having never had to make the calls before. To be able to do that now…he's getting better. He's trending in the right direction."
Jaylon Glover | RB | So.
On takeaways from ASU heading into Washington…
"I think things have started clicking. Ultimately, coming into this week we'll have to be not just good, but great on offense. I think we made the right strides this past week. I feel like we understand where we can play up to and what our capabilities are on offense. We just have to keep our stride. The season is nearing its end. If we're going to hit our stride now, this is a great time to do it."
On his individual performance vs. ASU…
"I probably sound like a broken record, but coming to this next level from high school, you've got to understand that when your number is called you've to value it. Value those reps that you get. I've been preparing every week like I'm going to take every snap. That's what helped me play fast last Saturday. I'm continuing to get better and when my number is called, I'll be ready to go."
On Bryson Barnes…
"Bryson is the epitome of grit, hunger, and being a leader. I couldn't be prouder of him. You see a guy that works hard day in and day out no matter what the circumstances are. Whether he gets booted down the depth chart or is the starter, you're going to get the same Bryson that's going to be a leader. You want to go to war with him. I'm happy for him and for the QB room to rally behind him. He's been taking charge. I'm proud of him."
Munir McClain | WR | Jr.
On taking steps forward…
"We've been doing good as a whole offense and as a team. I'm proud of what I've been seeing. We won (vs. ASU) so that was a good thing. Bryson Barnes went for four touchdowns, a career-high. I'm happy with how he did."
On Bryson Barnes…
"I'm happy for him and all the progress he's made. He's real tough. I like everything he does on and off the field."
What does Devaughn Vele mean both in the receivers room and on the field?
"He's a good person. Good player, as you can see. He's always helping everyone. I love to be around him. I like having him in the receivers room. On the field, he's a big receiver that can run and he separates. He's a threat on the field."
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 will head to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Washington Huskies on Saturday, Nov. 11 in Seattle. Kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m. MT on FOX.
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