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2023 Spring Football Chronicles: Week 3 Sees Improvements
4/11/2023 10:18 AM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah Football team wrapped up its third week of spring practices on Saturday, April 8 with the Utes also finishing its first scrimmage of spring ball in Rice-Eccles Stadium.Â
ÂGallery: (4-11-2023) 2023 Spring Football: Week 3
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Week three of spring practices saw more snow, but also more improvements from both sides of the ball. Head coach Kyle Whittingham met with the media early in the week to discuss the team and where things are at as the end of spring practices gets closer.Â
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Week 3 Coaches Corner: Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On how the day went…
"We were outside for the first half of practice. It was challenging, but it was a good mental toughness drill. We moved inside for the second half of practice. We got a lot of work done today. It was a good day; we're just about at the halfway point (of Spring ball). Brandon Rose got the vast majority of the reps at quarterback today. He did some good things; he also turned the ball over a couple times. But he's making progress. Pretty much what I said last week, we're starting to see a little more separation. Brandon is probably the guy that has shown out the best in Spring ball."
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What does Nate Johnson need to do to make up some ground?
"Just continue to assimilate the offense, run the offense effectively, understand all his reads and his progressions and become more accurate. We all need to become more accurate right now, we're not nearly where we need to be with our completion percentage."
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On the program's standard of guys being ready to go…
"I think everyone knows the expectations here and what's required every single day. You need to be the same guy every day. If you want to play here, there's two things you've got to do. The coaches have to believe that you know what to do and you've got to be able to physically do it. It's pretty simple. Guys understand that, and they're coming out every day trying to prove to their position coaches that they deserve to be on that airplane or that travel squad when we come to Fall camp and the season."
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On Cameron Rising's leadership right now even in street clothes…
"He can do a lot. He's been mentoring the quarterbacks, he's helping them out, coaching them up when they're not in. He's a guy that they certainly listen to and it's been a big positive for us."
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On Lander Barton's progression from early enrollee a year ago to now a Rose Bowl starter…
"He's a tremendous football player, exactly what we hoped he would be when we recruited him. He's like an old veteran now. He's only been here a year but he plays and performs like a veteran. He's one of our team leaders already, only a year into the program."
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Are you where you want to be at this point of Spring?
"I would say yes. With seven practices down and where we've gotten to with the quarterback position, and what we need to accomplish in the 15 total practices, I think we're on track."
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What The Utes Are Saying: Notes from the Offense
Junior Wide Receiver Money Parks
On being out in the snow…
"It was fun. It was like playing a video game. You always dream of doing that."
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On scrimmage No. 1…
"Everyone's just owning their role, one play at a time, and striving to be great."
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What are your goals for Spring practice?
"To be better than I was yesterday. That's my goal every day."
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On newcomer Mikey Matthews…
"Mikey's a baller. He's going to make plays when he gets opportunities. I can't wait to see him grow every day."
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Junior Tight End Miki Suguturaga
On how Spring practice is going…
"It's going good so far. I think my coaches probably have a lot more to say about that. But for myself, I think I'm getting a little more into the idea of offense, running routes and stuff like that."
Â
On the move from defensive end to tight end…
"I'm not going to lie, it was difficult at first. I spent so much time at D-end and in high school as well playing defense. I tried to play tight end in high school, but it didn't work out. It was definitely difficult at first but I came around to it. I felt like it was the right choice for me and for the team."
Â
On what he's learned from the upperclassmen in the tight end room…
"So much. Honestly, everything I've learned is because of Brant (Kuithe) and Thomas (Yassmin), Munir (McClain), all those guys. I really appreciate them for bringing me into the room and making me feel welcome."
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Beautiful day for some football ?? pic.twitter.com/cQuLs4F7zE
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 8, 2023
Week three of spring practices saw more snow, but also more improvements from both sides of the ball. Head coach Kyle Whittingham met with the media early in the week to discuss the team and where things are at as the end of spring practices gets closer.Â
Â
The #22Forever Game is coming soon! Here's a timeline of the day's events! ??
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) April 11, 2023
Game Tickets: ?? https://t.co/FZEOfy2yTy
Ultimate Tailgate Championship: ?? https://t.co/SNB9LtwX1v@Utah_Football | #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/ris5vqCBTB
Week 3 Coaches Corner: Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On how the day went…
"We were outside for the first half of practice. It was challenging, but it was a good mental toughness drill. We moved inside for the second half of practice. We got a lot of work done today. It was a good day; we're just about at the halfway point (of Spring ball). Brandon Rose got the vast majority of the reps at quarterback today. He did some good things; he also turned the ball over a couple times. But he's making progress. Pretty much what I said last week, we're starting to see a little more separation. Brandon is probably the guy that has shown out the best in Spring ball."
Â
What does Nate Johnson need to do to make up some ground?
"Just continue to assimilate the offense, run the offense effectively, understand all his reads and his progressions and become more accurate. We all need to become more accurate right now, we're not nearly where we need to be with our completion percentage."
Â
On the program's standard of guys being ready to go…
"I think everyone knows the expectations here and what's required every single day. You need to be the same guy every day. If you want to play here, there's two things you've got to do. The coaches have to believe that you know what to do and you've got to be able to physically do it. It's pretty simple. Guys understand that, and they're coming out every day trying to prove to their position coaches that they deserve to be on that airplane or that travel squad when we come to Fall camp and the season."
Â
Keep workin' ?? pic.twitter.com/z2vcfDZPgw
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 6, 2023
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On Cameron Rising's leadership right now even in street clothes…
"He can do a lot. He's been mentoring the quarterbacks, he's helping them out, coaching them up when they're not in. He's a guy that they certainly listen to and it's been a big positive for us."
Â
On Lander Barton's progression from early enrollee a year ago to now a Rose Bowl starter…
"He's a tremendous football player, exactly what we hoped he would be when we recruited him. He's like an old veteran now. He's only been here a year but he plays and performs like a veteran. He's one of our team leaders already, only a year into the program."
Â
Are you where you want to be at this point of Spring?
"I would say yes. With seven practices down and where we've gotten to with the quarterback position, and what we need to accomplish in the 15 total practices, I think we're on track."
Â
Mic'd up with Mikey
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 10, 2023
?? | @_mjmatt8 pic.twitter.com/G25a83wPa8
What The Utes Are Saying: Notes from the Offense
Junior Wide Receiver Money Parks
On being out in the snow…
"It was fun. It was like playing a video game. You always dream of doing that."
Â
On scrimmage No. 1…
"Everyone's just owning their role, one play at a time, and striving to be great."
Â
What are your goals for Spring practice?
"To be better than I was yesterday. That's my goal every day."
Â
On newcomer Mikey Matthews…
"Mikey's a baller. He's going to make plays when he gets opportunities. I can't wait to see him grow every day."
Â
???What's your go-to karaoke song? pic.twitter.com/BLIZjuml9s
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 6, 2023
Â
Junior Tight End Miki Suguturaga
On how Spring practice is going…
"It's going good so far. I think my coaches probably have a lot more to say about that. But for myself, I think I'm getting a little more into the idea of offense, running routes and stuff like that."
Â
On the move from defensive end to tight end…
"I'm not going to lie, it was difficult at first. I spent so much time at D-end and in high school as well playing defense. I tried to play tight end in high school, but it didn't work out. It was definitely difficult at first but I came around to it. I felt like it was the right choice for me and for the team."
Â
On what he's learned from the upperclassmen in the tight end room…
"So much. Honestly, everything I've learned is because of Brant (Kuithe) and Thomas (Yassmin), Munir (McClain), all those guys. I really appreciate them for bringing me into the room and making me feel welcome."
Â
Setting the stage for week four of spring ball ?? pic.twitter.com/fNYlQbLuUm
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 10, 2023
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Players Mentioned
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QB
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DE
/ FootballUtah: 31, Wyoming: 6 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
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Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Keith Kelley, voice of the Wyoming Cowboys
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Monday, September 08
Utah: 63, Cal Poly: 9 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
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