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The University of Utah Athletics
Live From Las Vegas: Pac-12 Football Media Days
7/22/2023 10:44 AM | Football
Bishop, Rising and Whittingham take center stage and share their excitement for the 2023 season
LAS VEGAS – While there are still 40 days to kickoff, the unofficial start to football season came on Thursday and Friday as Utah quarterback Cameron Rising, safety Cole Bishop and head coach Kyle Whittingham participated in the Pac-12's annual Media Days. It was no doubt a busy trip for the Utah trio, with all sharing their excitement for 2023 in what's shaping up to be an exciting season throughout the Pac-12.
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Coach Whittingham and the players departed Salt Lake City on Thursday morning and arrived at Resorts World in Las Vegas in time for lunch.
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After enjoying a bite to eat, it was time to get changed into uniform as the players began a round of photo and video shoots with the Pac-12 and FOX Sports.
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Once finished in front of the camera, the trio wrapped up the evening at Allegiant Stadium with dinner and a guided tour of the facility.
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On Friday morning, the Utes kicked off another busy day as the first team on-stage, taking questions from the media as well as Pac-12 Network's Ashley Adamson and Yogi Roth.
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Coach Whittingham and the players were then escorted up to Radio Row to talk shop with media from Salt Lake City, the rest of the Pac-12 footprint and throughout the country.
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In between interviews, Bishop and Rising stepped out of Radio Row for a quick, but intense, game of pickleball. No clear consensus on who won; it depends who you ask!
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A well-earned lunch break essentially set up the "fourth quarter" of the day, putting Coach Whittingham and the players with ESPN.com, College GameDay, CBS Sports and FOX Sports to film various segments.
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The last round of filming and interviews brought Media Day to a close—it was time for the Utes to head home and get ready for the start of Fall Camp on July 31.
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QUOTABLES: HEAD COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
On a state of the program entering 2023…
"I think we're in a good place. Of course, we have our quarterback coming back, Cameron Rising, tremendous player. Absolute leader of our football team. He's the alpha dog of our team.
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"We're strong up front. Line of scrimmage should be very good for us. We've had some good recruiting classes that we've stacked up last few years. Cautiously optimistic going into this season."
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On the quality of quarterbacks throughout the Pac-12 in what's shaping up to be Year of the QB…
"[The Pac-12] is the conference of quarterbacks without a doubt. Just for an example, our guy, Cameron Rising, who led us to the last two Pac-12 championships, is not even honorable mention, which is crazy to me. That speaks to the level of quarterbacks we have in the league. No disrespect to the guys that are the pre-season guys because they're very deserving, have played exceptional football.
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"I think the only time that really compares to where the league is right now is when we first got in the league, it was Marcus Mariota, USC was [Matt] Barkley. There were some really good quarterbacks when we first entered. I think you're right, this is probably the strongest group that we've ever had as a whole."
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On Cole Bishop…
"Cole Bishop is a tremendous football player. Very physical style of play. Could be a linebacker. If we put five or 10 pounds on him, he could be a tremendous linebacker as well. From the minute he set foot on campus, it was apparent the guy was a pure football player. Loves the game. Trains like a madman. There's nobody that out-works him in the weight room. Studies film constantly. To do what he's done in the two years that he's been there is pretty remarkable."
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On setting and maintaining expectations coming off back-to-back Pac-12 Championships…
"Nobody has ever three-peated in the Pac-12. That's one thing right there that we can accomplish that has not been done. Still not made it to the College Football Playoff. That's something else we're looking at. There's a lot of things that we have yet to accomplish at Utah and are excited about getting another opportunity this year to try to raise the bar even higher."
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QUOTABLES: QUARTERBACK CAMERON RISING
On his decision to return to Utah in 2023…
"It was a long process after the Pac-12 championship. Kind of just took that process throughout the Rose Bowl prep. Kind of decided a few weeks before that I was going to come back. Excited to be back and just looking forward to this year."
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On what offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig means to the program…
"Coach Ludwig means everything. He spends so many hours throughout the week to make sure that our game plan is as good as it can possibly be. Because he does that, that's why we go out there and have so much confidence and trust the process because he spent the time to make sure that every little part of that game plan is where we want it to be. My first experience was when I first got to campus. His first day (on the job) was my visit. Kind of just got to talk to him...We got to sit down, talk some ball. I knew he was a coach that I wanted to play for."
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QUOTABLES: SAFETY COLE BISHOP
On learning the last several seasons from NFL talent in Devin Lloyd and Clark Phillips III…
"Devin and Clark are both leaders. They lead differently. Devin was vocal, Clark led by his work ethic and things like that. Being able to learn from both of them and try to incorporate a little bit of both is what I've been trying to do. Be vocal, but also show your work ethic."
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On the talent level at quarterback throughout the Pac-12…
"Obviously there's so many good quarterbacks in the league now. It's going to be pretty much an every-week thing you have to prepare for somebody. I feel like they all have pretty different skill sets. All can throw the ball really good, but some are more mobile than others. Just being able to watch film on them, see what they're wanting to do, what they're tending to do, just prepare in that aspect of it."
CAMP KYLE
With the season being right around the corner, the Utes will begin fall camp on Monday, July 31. All camp practices are closed to the public. For a complete list of 2023 preseason recognitions, click here.
SEASON OPENER
The Utes will open 2023 at home, hosting the Florida Gators on Thursday, Aug. 31 in Rice-Eccles Stadium at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN. The game against the Gators will be a Red Out with fans encouraged to wear red.
Utah is 13-1 in the Whittingham era when starting a season on a weekday, with Utah's game against Florida being its first Thursday game since 2021 when the Utes beat Weber State, 40-17. Utah has sold out Rice-Eccles Stadium in 76 consecutive games, dating back to the 2010 season opener.
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Coach Whittingham and the players departed Salt Lake City on Thursday morning and arrived at Resorts World in Las Vegas in time for lunch.
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??Las Vegas, NV#GoUtes | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/XlHmL5U6Vl
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) July 20, 2023
ÂEn route to Vegas for PAC-12 Media Day ?? pic.twitter.com/Ih03amSeVY
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 20, 2023
After enjoying a bite to eat, it was time to get changed into uniform as the players began a round of photo and video shoots with the Pac-12 and FOX Sports.
Â
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Â
Once finished in front of the camera, the trio wrapped up the evening at Allegiant Stadium with dinner and a guided tour of the facility.
Â
On Friday morning, the Utes kicked off another busy day as the first team on-stage, taking questions from the media as well as Pac-12 Network's Ashley Adamson and Yogi Roth.
Â
Â
Coach Whittingham and the players were then escorted up to Radio Row to talk shop with media from Salt Lake City, the rest of the Pac-12 footprint and throughout the country.
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Behind the scenes with Coach Whitt ?? pic.twitter.com/ihsabjyouf
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 21, 2023
ÂThe guys checking in with @espn700bill on @ESPN700
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) July 21, 2023
??: https://t.co/rSxtSMIhWr#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/LRtbEPD9tq
In between interviews, Bishop and Rising stepped out of Radio Row for a quick, but intense, game of pickleball. No clear consensus on who won; it depends who you ask!
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Intense match happening here @crising7 | @Cole_bishop_8 pic.twitter.com/wk10Qrm4tI
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 21, 2023
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A well-earned lunch break essentially set up the "fourth quarter" of the day, putting Coach Whittingham and the players with ESPN.com, College GameDay, CBS Sports and FOX Sports to film various segments.
Â
The last round of filming and interviews brought Media Day to a close—it was time for the Utes to head home and get ready for the start of Fall Camp on July 31.
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Wrapping up @pac12 Football Media Day here in Vegas. #GoUtes | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/WvIDIJLvtc
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) July 21, 2023
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QUOTABLES: HEAD COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
On a state of the program entering 2023…
"I think we're in a good place. Of course, we have our quarterback coming back, Cameron Rising, tremendous player. Absolute leader of our football team. He's the alpha dog of our team.
Â
"We're strong up front. Line of scrimmage should be very good for us. We've had some good recruiting classes that we've stacked up last few years. Cautiously optimistic going into this season."
Â
On the quality of quarterbacks throughout the Pac-12 in what's shaping up to be Year of the QB…
"[The Pac-12] is the conference of quarterbacks without a doubt. Just for an example, our guy, Cameron Rising, who led us to the last two Pac-12 championships, is not even honorable mention, which is crazy to me. That speaks to the level of quarterbacks we have in the league. No disrespect to the guys that are the pre-season guys because they're very deserving, have played exceptional football.
Â
"I think the only time that really compares to where the league is right now is when we first got in the league, it was Marcus Mariota, USC was [Matt] Barkley. There were some really good quarterbacks when we first entered. I think you're right, this is probably the strongest group that we've ever had as a whole."
Â
On Cole Bishop…
"Cole Bishop is a tremendous football player. Very physical style of play. Could be a linebacker. If we put five or 10 pounds on him, he could be a tremendous linebacker as well. From the minute he set foot on campus, it was apparent the guy was a pure football player. Loves the game. Trains like a madman. There's nobody that out-works him in the weight room. Studies film constantly. To do what he's done in the two years that he's been there is pretty remarkable."
Â
On setting and maintaining expectations coming off back-to-back Pac-12 Championships…
"Nobody has ever three-peated in the Pac-12. That's one thing right there that we can accomplish that has not been done. Still not made it to the College Football Playoff. That's something else we're looking at. There's a lot of things that we have yet to accomplish at Utah and are excited about getting another opportunity this year to try to raise the bar even higher."
Â
QUOTABLES: QUARTERBACK CAMERON RISING
On his decision to return to Utah in 2023…
"It was a long process after the Pac-12 championship. Kind of just took that process throughout the Rose Bowl prep. Kind of decided a few weeks before that I was going to come back. Excited to be back and just looking forward to this year."
Â
On what offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig means to the program…
"Coach Ludwig means everything. He spends so many hours throughout the week to make sure that our game plan is as good as it can possibly be. Because he does that, that's why we go out there and have so much confidence and trust the process because he spent the time to make sure that every little part of that game plan is where we want it to be. My first experience was when I first got to campus. His first day (on the job) was my visit. Kind of just got to talk to him...We got to sit down, talk some ball. I knew he was a coach that I wanted to play for."
Â
QUOTABLES: SAFETY COLE BISHOP
On learning the last several seasons from NFL talent in Devin Lloyd and Clark Phillips III…
"Devin and Clark are both leaders. They lead differently. Devin was vocal, Clark led by his work ethic and things like that. Being able to learn from both of them and try to incorporate a little bit of both is what I've been trying to do. Be vocal, but also show your work ethic."
Â
On the talent level at quarterback throughout the Pac-12…
"Obviously there's so many good quarterbacks in the league now. It's going to be pretty much an every-week thing you have to prepare for somebody. I feel like they all have pretty different skill sets. All can throw the ball really good, but some are more mobile than others. Just being able to watch film on them, see what they're wanting to do, what they're tending to do, just prepare in that aspect of it."
CAMP KYLE
With the season being right around the corner, the Utes will begin fall camp on Monday, July 31. All camp practices are closed to the public. For a complete list of 2023 preseason recognitions, click here.
SEASON OPENER
The Utes will open 2023 at home, hosting the Florida Gators on Thursday, Aug. 31 in Rice-Eccles Stadium at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN. The game against the Gators will be a Red Out with fans encouraged to wear red.
Utah is 13-1 in the Whittingham era when starting a season on a weekday, with Utah's game against Florida being its first Thursday game since 2021 when the Utes beat Weber State, 40-17. Utah has sold out Rice-Eccles Stadium in 76 consecutive games, dating back to the 2010 season opener.
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