LAS VEGAS – A full week of bowl activities culminates on Saturday for the Utah Football team with the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl, as the Utes take on Northwestern inside Allegiant Stadium at 4:30 p.m. PT (5:30 p.m. MT in Utah).
Utah arrived here on Monday evening in time for dinner, and while the Utes have engaged in a full slate of practices the last several days, the players and coaching staff have also enjoyed a variety of off-the-field activities and community service throughout Las Vegas.
Smith Snowden during a bowl week practice in Las Vegas (Photo courtesy Utah Football)
Wednesday morning saw the Utes pay a visit to Opportunity Village, a Southern Nevada not-for-profit organization serving people with intellectual disabilities and enhancing their lives. The players attended a welcome reception at the Fremont Street Experience, as well as a magic show at Mat Franco Theater later in bowl week.
A little rain on Friday morning didn't damper the energy for the Utes, with the squad lending a hand outside Allegiant Stadium alongside The Just One Project. The entire team was in attendance, helping one of the area's largest food distribution sites serve more than 500 families for the holidays.
Photo by Joshua R. Gateley / ESPN Images
From there, the focus returned to football as head coach Kyle Whittingham, quarterback Bryson Barnes and defensive end Connor O'Toole visited with the media for a final time before kickoff.
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham Opening statement
"Great to be here. We're no strangers to the Las Vegas Bowl; I think it's (our sixth) trip here. We're excited to have the opportunity to play a great Northwestern team. It should be a great matchup. It's been a great week (in Las Vegas); the bowl does a great job here as far as planning events and having things for the players to do, opportunities to give back to the community, all that type of stuff. We're elated to be here.
"I'm proud of our team. I know both teams faced a lot of adversity this year in their own ways. I'm proud of our guys for being able to get to where we are right now."
On focusing on football with Signing Day wrapped up…
"It was pretty hectic to play a bowl game right around the same time as Signing Day. You juggle a lot of balls in the air with trying to get ready for the game, practice, game plan, recruit…There's a lot going on, but it's been a great week. It's finally time to settle in and just focus on the game."
On the team looking different this time of year…
"First of all, our two safeties (Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki) decided that they weren't going to participate in the bowl, and that opened an opportunity for Nate Ritchie and Johnathan Hall. Those guys have been doing a great job in practice. We also had a couple offensive linemen opt out. Jaren Kump and Tanoa Togiai have done a nice job filling in there. There's a lot of other guys that won't be with us, but I think every team in the country is in that same boat to some extent or another. It's not unique to us. I guess the silver lining of it all would be giving guys reps and an opportunity to play, and a head start with them for next season."
On whether injuries and roster turnover might impact who to place where…
"It's given us the opportunity to implement the next-man-up mentality, which you've got to have. It's not just the players that are stepping in for the injured guys; it's the whole position group around them that has to elevate their play. It's not just a situation where the onus is on the replacement player. The whole supporting cast needs to be involved."
On this morning's opportunity to serve the community with The Just One Project…
"It's great for our guys to have the opportunity to give back whenever and however we can. We've got a group of guys that are very involved with that. Our (NIL) collective back home does a great job of providing opportunities for players to give back to the community. We just try to take advantage whenever that opportunity arises. I'm proud of our guys for what they did this morning."
On the state of the defense…
"(I feel) pretty good. We have good depth on our roster; we've certainly tapped into that this year. We feel that ever since we joined the Pac-12, we've made a steady increase in the talent level throughout the roster. We certainly tapped into that this year, and guys answered the challenge."
On an opportunity to snap the bowl losing streak, which started against Northwestern…
"I don't think there's extra motivation. That was so many years ago; nobody on this current roster was involved with that game. I don't believe that has anything to do with this week's game. But you're right; we've dropped the last couple Rose Bowls and it would be nice to reverse that and get back on the winning track. We've got to go out and play well in order to do that."
On what stands out about Northwestern…
"Toughness. They are well-coached. The offensive line is impressive; I think that's the basis of what they do on offense. It all starts up front. They do a great job with the offensive line; good quarterback, good running back, they have a receiver that's caught a bunch of balls. Toughness on defense as well. You see a lot of similar traits between the two programs."
Bryson Barnes | QB | Jr. On preparing for this game and one last ride…
"At the end of the day, whatever's going on outside of the bowl game is the least of my concerns. Right now, it's about going out there on Saturday and winning the game."
Connor O'Toole | DE | Jr. On Utah's recent success in Allegiant Stadium…
"Being here twice and winning two Pac-12 Championships; I know that's over with, but it's definitely a familiar scene. Looking forward to playing in here on Saturday."
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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.
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