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
Photo by: Hunter Dyke/Utah Athletics
Talkin’ with Tanuvasa: Bowl Prep in Full Swing
12/8/2023 1:00 PM | Football
Utes are about two weeks out from facing Northwestern in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
SALT LAKE CITY – Bowl eligible for the 10th straight season, the Utah Football team is roughly at the midpoint of preparation as the Utes get ready for the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. It'll pit the Utes against Big Ten foe Northwestern inside a venue familiar to the Utah program and its fans: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Much of the roster is familiar with the stage of a bowl game, but for defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa, stepping on the field December 23 will be a new experience for the native of Mission Viejo, California, who was selected this week to CFN's Freshman All-American Honorable Mention team.
After playing in four regular season games in 2022, Tanuvasa has started all 12 contests this season with clear growth from a year ago. His TFL total (6.0) has quadrupled from 2022 and he has made 25 total tackles after earning just six as a true freshman.
UtahUtes.com visited with Tanuvasa as the Utes continue to get ready for Northwestern.
How is bowl prep going for you and the defensive line?
"Things are going great. We're excited; we've seen the production that we have as a unit together. This year, we've been able to watch a lot of our film together. We've also been able to watch a lot of film on Northwestern and get prepping for them. We've been able to congratulate a lot of our boys, Jonah Elliss especially, on his opportunities over there. He acknowledges that (his success) has been due to us as a unit. We're grateful for him. We're feeling good and excited for this bowl game."
How excited are you to be making your bowl debut?
"I'm ecstatic. Last year was awesome when we got to go to the Rose Bowl. I had a lot of family there. But this year, being able to start and play consistently, and represent my family; being able to do that in a bowl game is going to be exciting. Big stage, big stadium, tons of fun. I'm excited."
Does playing this time of year give you a sense of fulfillment and reward?
"For sure. I think it's a blessing to be celebrating the holidays playing the game we love. This is such a fun sport, and we are blessed to get to enjoy this time together, not only with our families but as a football team family. That's such a good experience for me personally. I think all the boys enjoy it. (This team) is our family nowadays; a lot of us are away from our home states. A lot of us aren't near our families living at home. We now live together (as a team). Spending the holidays together is a joy."
How would you describe your progress on the field over the last year or so?
"I've learned so much. It's such a blessing to be at the U, under the greatest coaches that I believe in and around the greatest players. I have to attribute a lot of my success to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He's brought me where I am. I've also learned how to handle adversity. Coming into the season I wasn't starting. In Spring ball, I tore my MCL. I've had to handle a lot of challenges. Amidst that, it's built me into the character that I am. In the middle of practice, I can turn it around when I'm having a bad day and work hard. In the middle of the game, when I make a bad play, I can turn around and focus on the guys around me. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is handling adversity, and focusing on what I can do, rather than what I can't control."
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.
Much of the roster is familiar with the stage of a bowl game, but for defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa, stepping on the field December 23 will be a new experience for the native of Mission Viejo, California, who was selected this week to CFN's Freshman All-American Honorable Mention team.
After playing in four regular season games in 2022, Tanuvasa has started all 12 contests this season with clear growth from a year ago. His TFL total (6.0) has quadrupled from 2022 and he has made 25 total tackles after earning just six as a true freshman.
UtahUtes.com visited with Tanuvasa as the Utes continue to get ready for Northwestern.
How is bowl prep going for you and the defensive line?
"Things are going great. We're excited; we've seen the production that we have as a unit together. This year, we've been able to watch a lot of our film together. We've also been able to watch a lot of film on Northwestern and get prepping for them. We've been able to congratulate a lot of our boys, Jonah Elliss especially, on his opportunities over there. He acknowledges that (his success) has been due to us as a unit. We're grateful for him. We're feeling good and excited for this bowl game."
How excited are you to be making your bowl debut?
"I'm ecstatic. Last year was awesome when we got to go to the Rose Bowl. I had a lot of family there. But this year, being able to start and play consistently, and represent my family; being able to do that in a bowl game is going to be exciting. Big stage, big stadium, tons of fun. I'm excited."
Does playing this time of year give you a sense of fulfillment and reward?
"For sure. I think it's a blessing to be celebrating the holidays playing the game we love. This is such a fun sport, and we are blessed to get to enjoy this time together, not only with our families but as a football team family. That's such a good experience for me personally. I think all the boys enjoy it. (This team) is our family nowadays; a lot of us are away from our home states. A lot of us aren't near our families living at home. We now live together (as a team). Spending the holidays together is a joy."
How would you describe your progress on the field over the last year or so?
"I've learned so much. It's such a blessing to be at the U, under the greatest coaches that I believe in and around the greatest players. I have to attribute a lot of my success to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He's brought me where I am. I've also learned how to handle adversity. Coming into the season I wasn't starting. In Spring ball, I tore my MCL. I've had to handle a lot of challenges. Amidst that, it's built me into the character that I am. In the middle of practice, I can turn it around when I'm having a bad day and work hard. In the middle of the game, when I make a bad play, I can turn around and focus on the guys around me. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is handling adversity, and focusing on what I can do, rather than what I can't control."
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
DE
/ Football
DT
/ 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