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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Football Quotes: Northwestern (Dec. 12)
12/13/2023 12:13 PM | Football
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On bowl prep…
"It's going good. We're happy to be in full game week mode. We'll go through it Monday through Friday, then repeat it next week. All the practices we have had have been very spirited and focused. No negatives right now, everything's positive."
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On how bowl season has changed with moving parts such as the transfer portal…
"It's so dramatically different. I'm sure every team in the country is having similar issues where the team has been dramatically changed between the last regular season game and the bowl game; with the exception of the playoff teams…I think everyone in the country has the same issue."
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On what leads to looking for roster adds out of the portal (NFL, graduation, and so forth)…
"All of the above. Just trying to plug the holes and fill the gaps where you've got guys that you thought were going to come back, but now are not. (In some cases,) the young guys behind them aren't quite ready (to play). That's when you go to the portal and try to get (guys to fill the gaps)."
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On where Brandon Rose is at…
"That time lost has still hindered him somewhat, but he has ramped back up to where he's got a good feel for everything and is getting good exposure to the gameplan."
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Landen King | TE | So.
How's bowl prep going?
"It's been kind of fun, honestly. Next man up mentality—we've been like that the whole season. It's nothing different, but it's been fun."
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Ja'Quinden Jackson | RB | So.
On staying focused on football with parts of the roster being in flux…
"It ain't nothing new to us. We all knew it was coming. We're just focused on the game right now and trying to get better every day."
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On guys getting healthy and back to the field…
"Everybody's feeling better. Everybody's flying around. We're just having fun right now. That's all we can do right now—just have fun."
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How are the young running backs looking?
"They're coming along very well. John Randle Jr. and Dijon Stanley, those guys can fly. Mike Mitchell runs as hard as any freshman I've ever seen. They're coming along. Coach Q is one of the best running backs coaches in the country. He's helping them get better every day. Hopefully they take it in."
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Who's stood out in practice as the team continues to embrace "next man up"?
"Luca Caldarella has been standing out a lot. A lot of players are standing out. We're having fun right now; we're just playing football and playing the sport we love. That's all we can do."
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On bowl prep…
"It's going good. We're happy to be in full game week mode. We'll go through it Monday through Friday, then repeat it next week. All the practices we have had have been very spirited and focused. No negatives right now, everything's positive."
Â
On how bowl season has changed with moving parts such as the transfer portal…
"It's so dramatically different. I'm sure every team in the country is having similar issues where the team has been dramatically changed between the last regular season game and the bowl game; with the exception of the playoff teams…I think everyone in the country has the same issue."
Â
On what leads to looking for roster adds out of the portal (NFL, graduation, and so forth)…
"All of the above. Just trying to plug the holes and fill the gaps where you've got guys that you thought were going to come back, but now are not. (In some cases,) the young guys behind them aren't quite ready (to play). That's when you go to the portal and try to get (guys to fill the gaps)."
Â
On where Brandon Rose is at…
"That time lost has still hindered him somewhat, but he has ramped back up to where he's got a good feel for everything and is getting good exposure to the gameplan."
Â
Landen King | TE | So.
How's bowl prep going?
"It's been kind of fun, honestly. Next man up mentality—we've been like that the whole season. It's nothing different, but it's been fun."
Â
Ja'Quinden Jackson | RB | So.
On staying focused on football with parts of the roster being in flux…
"It ain't nothing new to us. We all knew it was coming. We're just focused on the game right now and trying to get better every day."
Â
On guys getting healthy and back to the field…
"Everybody's feeling better. Everybody's flying around. We're just having fun right now. That's all we can do right now—just have fun."
Â
How are the young running backs looking?
"They're coming along very well. John Randle Jr. and Dijon Stanley, those guys can fly. Mike Mitchell runs as hard as any freshman I've ever seen. They're coming along. Coach Q is one of the best running backs coaches in the country. He's helping them get better every day. Hopefully they take it in."
Â
Who's stood out in practice as the team continues to embrace "next man up"?
"Luca Caldarella has been standing out a lot. A lot of players are standing out. We're having fun right now; we're just playing football and playing the sport we love. That's all we can do."
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Players Mentioned
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TE
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QB
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/ FootballHead 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
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham weekly press conference - 11.10.25
Monday, November 10