What They’re Saying: Weekend with the Wildcats
9/13/2023 1:59 PM | Football
Noon kickoff awaits Utes on Saturday in final non-conference game
SALT LAKE CITY – One final item sits on the agenda for the Utah Football team before the Utes kick off Pac-12 Conference play, as Weber State makes the quick trip down I-15 for a noon kickoff on Saturday inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Sitting at 2-0 on the young season, the Utes persevered through the Waco heat and earned a hard-fought, 20-13 victory at Baylor last weekend. It didn't start the way Utah had hoped; not until Jaylon Glover's touchdown with 17 seconds left did the Utes lead for the first time.
The old adage held true: it's not about how you start, it's how you finish. Trailing 13-6 after three quarters, Utah absolutely locked it down on both sides in the final period. The visitors held possession for 12:19 of 15 minutes, earned 10 first downs to Baylor's one and strung together 14 points on 166 yards of offense.
It may not have been a perfect game, but in the end Utah returned home with a second Power Five victory under its belt.
Now, the Utes are full-steam ahead with preparation for Weber State. Throughout the week, several Utes and members of the coaching staff have visited with the local media to assess the Baylor game and preview Weber State.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Quinton Ganther | Running Backs Coach
On assessing the running backs' performance at Baylor…
"Not good enough. We've got to be able to play football when we don't have the ball in our hands. To my expectation, not good enough."
What did you like out of your group?
"I liked that when they had the ball in their hands, they ran hard. But that's not the whole game. They've got to be complete players or they can't play."
What needs to happen with your group going forward?
"We've just to continue making strides and improving. As long as we're improving, we're doing something right. But playing with the ball in our hands is not (the only) part of the game."
Lewis Powell | Defensive Ends Coach
On the depth of the defensive line…
"I feel like we have more depth than we've had. We're excited to start getting some guys back. It's always good to have some experience (out there), especially getting Junior Tafuna back last week. Hopefully we'll be getting a couple other guys back here soon."
On Junior Tafuna's production and leadership…
"He provided both this past weekend going into Waco. It was hot—people say it looked hot, it was hotter than it looked. It was good for him to be on the sideline and leading the young guys. It's always good to have Junior. Junior brings a big presence in the middle. We started off slow, but finished off pretty strong."
Who has impressed you?
"Guys that we've had with good experience include Jonah Elliss and Van Fillinger. But it was a good surprise to have Logan Fano step up so early. He's been a guy that's rotating. We'll be getting Connor O'Toole soon and that'll just add to the depth. He's one of our leaders. It's been kind of a blessing in disguise; he's going to come in and our guys are kind of seasoned now. Especially with Logan going into his third game."
Miles Battle | CB | Sr.
On the Utah fans…
"I feel like they show up regardless. We were in Texas, and they're coming all the way from Utah to Texas. To see that many people there and cheering for us, that was a great thing to see. The home field environment, sold out crowds, it's going to be loud every time. I'm enjoying it a lot."
Nate Johnson | QB | R-Fr.
On assessing the film from Baylor…
"Offensively, things weren't going well. In the fourth quarter with a significant amount of time on the clock, Coach made the quarterback change. Cam and Bryson just told me to go out there, be a leader, take those guys home, lead the team, be poised, be calm, and go out there and get us that win. With God sitting above and blessing our team to go down the field. It was a hassle; it took eight minutes off the clock, 16 plays. It was a gutsy drive but we were blessed to go down there and get the game-tying drive, and the game-winning drive as well."
Mikey Matthews | WR | Fr.
On the Baylor game…
"I feel like the performance was really well. We came out with the victory and we're 2-0. So that's great. I'm looking forward to Weber State this upcoming weekend. Excited for the team."
Keanu Tanuvasa | DT | R-Fr.
On the depth of the defensive line…
"I would say it's across the board both on the defense and offense. The depth is insane to see. Especially in (the defensive tackles) room and our unit, I feel like the guys behind me would be able to step up in any instance and on any play. Whether it be a pass rush, big stop where they've got to hold them on the run; I think across the board we match each other up and we're able to bring certain things to the table that we didn't have in past years."
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
The Utes return home to take on the Weber State Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 16 for Champions Weekend. The game will kickoff at 12 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Networks.
Sitting at 2-0 on the young season, the Utes persevered through the Waco heat and earned a hard-fought, 20-13 victory at Baylor last weekend. It didn't start the way Utah had hoped; not until Jaylon Glover's touchdown with 17 seconds left did the Utes lead for the first time.
The old adage held true: it's not about how you start, it's how you finish. Trailing 13-6 after three quarters, Utah absolutely locked it down on both sides in the final period. The visitors held possession for 12:19 of 15 minutes, earned 10 first downs to Baylor's one and strung together 14 points on 166 yards of offense.
Players of the Game ?? pic.twitter.com/oUI8JbArtc
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 12, 2023
It may not have been a perfect game, but in the end Utah returned home with a second Power Five victory under its belt.
Survive & advance. pic.twitter.com/9lqqJhcSw6
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 12, 2023
Now, the Utes are full-steam ahead with preparation for Weber State. Throughout the week, several Utes and members of the coaching staff have visited with the local media to assess the Baylor game and preview Weber State.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Quinton Ganther | Running Backs Coach
On assessing the running backs' performance at Baylor…
"Not good enough. We've got to be able to play football when we don't have the ball in our hands. To my expectation, not good enough."
What did you like out of your group?
"I liked that when they had the ball in their hands, they ran hard. But that's not the whole game. They've got to be complete players or they can't play."
What needs to happen with your group going forward?
"We've just to continue making strides and improving. As long as we're improving, we're doing something right. But playing with the ball in our hands is not (the only) part of the game."
Lewis Powell | Defensive Ends Coach
On the depth of the defensive line…
"I feel like we have more depth than we've had. We're excited to start getting some guys back. It's always good to have some experience (out there), especially getting Junior Tafuna back last week. Hopefully we'll be getting a couple other guys back here soon."
On Junior Tafuna's production and leadership…
"He provided both this past weekend going into Waco. It was hot—people say it looked hot, it was hotter than it looked. It was good for him to be on the sideline and leading the young guys. It's always good to have Junior. Junior brings a big presence in the middle. We started off slow, but finished off pretty strong."
Who has impressed you?
"Guys that we've had with good experience include Jonah Elliss and Van Fillinger. But it was a good surprise to have Logan Fano step up so early. He's been a guy that's rotating. We'll be getting Connor O'Toole soon and that'll just add to the depth. He's one of our leaders. It's been kind of a blessing in disguise; he's going to come in and our guys are kind of seasoned now. Especially with Logan going into his third game."
Miles Battle | CB | Sr.
On the Utah fans…
"I feel like they show up regardless. We were in Texas, and they're coming all the way from Utah to Texas. To see that many people there and cheering for us, that was a great thing to see. The home field environment, sold out crowds, it's going to be loud every time. I'm enjoying it a lot."
Nate Johnson | QB | R-Fr.
On assessing the film from Baylor…
"Offensively, things weren't going well. In the fourth quarter with a significant amount of time on the clock, Coach made the quarterback change. Cam and Bryson just told me to go out there, be a leader, take those guys home, lead the team, be poised, be calm, and go out there and get us that win. With God sitting above and blessing our team to go down the field. It was a hassle; it took eight minutes off the clock, 16 plays. It was a gutsy drive but we were blessed to go down there and get the game-tying drive, and the game-winning drive as well."
Mikey Matthews | WR | Fr.
On the Baylor game…
"I feel like the performance was really well. We came out with the victory and we're 2-0. So that's great. I'm looking forward to Weber State this upcoming weekend. Excited for the team."
Keanu Tanuvasa | DT | R-Fr.
On the depth of the defensive line…
"I would say it's across the board both on the defense and offense. The depth is insane to see. Especially in (the defensive tackles) room and our unit, I feel like the guys behind me would be able to step up in any instance and on any play. Whether it be a pass rush, big stop where they've got to hold them on the run; I think across the board we match each other up and we're able to bring certain things to the table that we didn't have in past years."
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
The Utes return home to take on the Weber State Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 16 for Champions Weekend. The game will kickoff at 12 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Networks.
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