Upcoming Event: Football versus Kansas State on November 22, 2025 at 2 p.m.
Football
vs Kansas State
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
Coordinator Corner: Single Digits to Game Day
12/14/2023 1:00 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – It's officially a single-digit countdown to the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl as Thursday marks nine days out from Utah Football's matchup with Northwestern. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. MT on Dec. 23 inside Allegiant Stadium—nicknamed "Rice-Eccles South" in recent years around these parts.
The Utes will depart for Las Vegas early next week, with the trip culminating on Saturday, Dec. 23 with the main event vs. Northwestern. Utah owns a 17-8 all-time bowl record, though the Utes are looking to snap out of a four-game slide in bowl play.
It'll mark the 10th straight year the Utes have been bowl eligible and third straight Big Ten bowl opponent. The last time Utah faced three straight bowl opponents from the same conference was in 1992-94, when the squad was a member of the WAC and faced Washington State, USC and Arizona out of what was then the Pac-10 Conference.
As the players and coaches get ready to pack their bags for Las Vegas, offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig and defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley visited with the local media to offer some insight on both sides of the ball.
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Andy Ludwig
On next man up heading into the bowl game…
"There is the next-man-up mentality, and fortunately it gives the opportunity for the Utes' depth to show up. We have good players all through the program, and you've got some opportunities that are going to present themselves to some young men that may not have presented themselves otherwise."
Does the bowl game serve as a "startup" of sorts for spring ball and next season?
"You've always looked at the additional bowl practices as opportunities for younger players to develop. With the portal and things that are going on right now, it does kick that up to the next step. I don't see that changing in the near future."
On Brandon Rose's growth over his two seasons in the program…
"Tremendous growth. It was really unfortunate, the injury that happened in Fall camp that set him back. He was on the sidelines for about six weeks, I think, before he got back with us. He was just so far removed from what we were doing. But I think he really has made progress and matured as a player, working with the scout team offense and working against one of the best defenses in the country every day. It's going to be nothing but a benefit for him and for the Utes."
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Morgan Scalley
On preparing the defense knowing the transition going on…
"I feel comfortable. You respect everyone you play, and you have to be able to control what you can control. Guys are going to leave for the NFL; guys are going to hit the portal. That's the new normal, and that's something that we've explained to our guys. That's why you recruit, develop and manage. We've got a good group and we're fired up for this opportunity (in the bowl game)."
On how things look at safety…
"You've got Nate Ritchie and Johnathan Hall, who've both had game-time experience this season. You've got Briton Allen, who's a transfer from USC, and then you've got Tao Johnson, who's bounced from nickel to safety in some of our packages. Those are the four right now getting the reps."
On guys moving on to the NFL Draft…
"Our mentality is that you play. But at the same time, you tell your players that we can have a disagreement, and I'll still love you and support you, and ready for you to do what you want to do. That's just how it is. The guys that have moved on; we love them and we're grateful for everything they gave to the program. We're going to help them throughout the process."
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 is set to play in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 against the Northwestern Wildcats in Allegiant Stadium. For more information about the bowl and to stay up-to-date on all things Utah, visit the Bowl Central Page here.
The Utes will depart for Las Vegas early next week, with the trip culminating on Saturday, Dec. 23 with the main event vs. Northwestern. Utah owns a 17-8 all-time bowl record, though the Utes are looking to snap out of a four-game slide in bowl play.
It'll mark the 10th straight year the Utes have been bowl eligible and third straight Big Ten bowl opponent. The last time Utah faced three straight bowl opponents from the same conference was in 1992-94, when the squad was a member of the WAC and faced Washington State, USC and Arizona out of what was then the Pac-10 Conference.
As the players and coaches get ready to pack their bags for Las Vegas, offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig and defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley visited with the local media to offer some insight on both sides of the ball.
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Andy Ludwig
On next man up heading into the bowl game…
"There is the next-man-up mentality, and fortunately it gives the opportunity for the Utes' depth to show up. We have good players all through the program, and you've got some opportunities that are going to present themselves to some young men that may not have presented themselves otherwise."
Does the bowl game serve as a "startup" of sorts for spring ball and next season?
"You've always looked at the additional bowl practices as opportunities for younger players to develop. With the portal and things that are going on right now, it does kick that up to the next step. I don't see that changing in the near future."
On Brandon Rose's growth over his two seasons in the program…
"Tremendous growth. It was really unfortunate, the injury that happened in Fall camp that set him back. He was on the sidelines for about six weeks, I think, before he got back with us. He was just so far removed from what we were doing. But I think he really has made progress and matured as a player, working with the scout team offense and working against one of the best defenses in the country every day. It's going to be nothing but a benefit for him and for the Utes."
Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Morgan Scalley
On preparing the defense knowing the transition going on…
"I feel comfortable. You respect everyone you play, and you have to be able to control what you can control. Guys are going to leave for the NFL; guys are going to hit the portal. That's the new normal, and that's something that we've explained to our guys. That's why you recruit, develop and manage. We've got a good group and we're fired up for this opportunity (in the bowl game)."
On how things look at safety…
"You've got Nate Ritchie and Johnathan Hall, who've both had game-time experience this season. You've got Briton Allen, who's a transfer from USC, and then you've got Tao Johnson, who's bounced from nickel to safety in some of our packages. Those are the four right now getting the reps."
On guys moving on to the NFL Draft…
"Our mentality is that you play. But at the same time, you tell your players that we can have a disagreement, and I'll still love you and support you, and ready for you to do what you want to do. That's just how it is. The guys that have moved on; we love them and we're grateful for everything they gave to the program. We're going to help them throughout the process."
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 is set to play in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 against the Northwestern Wildcats in Allegiant Stadium. For more information about the bowl and to stay up-to-date on all things Utah, visit the Bowl Central Page here.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
QB
/ 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