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The University of Utah Athletics
Coaches Corner: Heading to Houston
10/23/2024 12:58 PM | Football
Saturday's contest will pit Utah against Houston in Space City
SALT LAKE CITY – Having started their road schedule with two victories in three tries, the University of Utah football team will try to improve to 3-1 away from home for the first time since 2019 when they visit TDECU Stadium on Saturday, the home of the Houston Cougars, for a contest scheduled to kickoff at 5 p.m. MT.
This weekend's confrontation will represent the first meeting between these teams since 1978 and the Utes will be attempting to collect their first-ever win over the Cougars, who won the first four bouts.
"They've got some good numbers on defense," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "They're tough against the run, tough against the pass. They're kind of like us, they're in the top three or four of the conference in pretty much every major defensive category."
As the Utes and Cougars prepare to square off, Interim Offensive Coordinator Mike Bajakian talked about how the offense will function moving forward and defensive tackles coach Luther Elliss discussed the depth at the defensive tackle spot…
Interim Offensive Coordinator Mike Bajakian
What've the last 48 hours been like for you…
It's been a whirlwind, that's for sure. There are a lot of emotions that play into it on the part of our staff, on the part of our players. Obviously, personally, I'm thankful to Andy Ludwig for being the impetus in me being here. He's an elite coach. I came to Utah to be part of this wonderful program and also to learn from an elite football mind. He and his wife have been phenomenal to me and my family and my wife. There is a lot of emotion that goes into it. At the same time, years ago, I heard Bob Stoops say that we as coaches exist because of the kids and for the kids, so the primary concern is how do we nurture these players and how do we get back to our winning ways. It's exciting but definitely a little emotional.
On what he wants to employ as an offensive coordinator…
We're going to go to the wishbone, triple option (laughs). The system is the system. There will obviously be tweaks, but we'll address those as they come. I don't want to show the hand too much. At the same time, there's only so much you can do with a system in place. This in an unbelievable coaching staff, from every position coach to the defensive side of the ball to the support staff. There will be input from everybody in regards to how we can make this better to get back to what we need to do.
On what his top priority is…
I don't think there's a magic potion that's going to fix things. We had a unit meeting today and stressed buying in, stressed the little things that make the biggest difference. I'm not a golfer, but if you want to shave strokes off your game, go work on the thing that's easiest. For us, we're going to emphasize doing the little things, from our effort to our physicality to trying to change things with our passion and energy. We'll address the scheme and all that as we go.
On Isaac Wilson's strengths and game-planning around those strengths…
He's a smart player, he's driven, he's dedicated, he works really hard, he has a lot of arm talent and a lot of athletic ability. As a freshman, he's still learning but I'm 50 years old and been coaching for 29 years and I'm still learning. We'll play to his strengths. I love all the guys in our meeting room. Isaac has played with passion and toughness and we're going to play to his skillset and mentality.
Defensive Tackles Coach Luther Elliss
On how he can help coach Bajakian's transition…
First and foremost, we just have to stop them, right? If we score seven, they have to score less. We have to do our job and make sure its easier on him to make that transition to allow what he's going to implement and the things we're going to do there with him in charge. We have to allow him to grow and become who he is, not that he doesn't know how to do it, but its still a transition piece that we and the defense have to handle our side.
How difficult has it been to mix and match players this season…
I'm proud of my guys. Whoever is the next man up, they've been doing a good job of stepping in and doing the right things. Of course, we want to hold everyone to no yards, no points, no anything, but I think the guys are responding well. They're doing what they need to do on and off the field as far as studying, doing what they need to do to make sure they're prepared. Those are all good things and I'm really proud of our guys right now and we just have to continue to fight.
On what he's liked about what he's seen from Dallas Vakalahi…
Dallas is probably one of our most explosive guys on the defensive line. Even for being a freshman, he does things extremely well. He has a passion and hunger for the game that a lot of young guys don't have. He's not awestruck. He knows how to play hard and get after it.
On how the defense can create more havoc plays…
I think a lot of the havoc, you just have to take the ones that come our way. We've had some opportunities and we haven't been able to capitalize on it. Guys are really focusing on that. They're hungry for it and we just have to finish. The bottom line is we have to coach well and the players have to play well. If everybody does their job, we'll be just fine.
FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind the scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
This weekend's confrontation will represent the first meeting between these teams since 1978 and the Utes will be attempting to collect their first-ever win over the Cougars, who won the first four bouts.
"They've got some good numbers on defense," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "They're tough against the run, tough against the pass. They're kind of like us, they're in the top three or four of the conference in pretty much every major defensive category."
As the Utes and Cougars prepare to square off, Interim Offensive Coordinator Mike Bajakian talked about how the offense will function moving forward and defensive tackles coach Luther Elliss discussed the depth at the defensive tackle spot…
Interim Offensive Coordinator Mike Bajakian
What've the last 48 hours been like for you…
It's been a whirlwind, that's for sure. There are a lot of emotions that play into it on the part of our staff, on the part of our players. Obviously, personally, I'm thankful to Andy Ludwig for being the impetus in me being here. He's an elite coach. I came to Utah to be part of this wonderful program and also to learn from an elite football mind. He and his wife have been phenomenal to me and my family and my wife. There is a lot of emotion that goes into it. At the same time, years ago, I heard Bob Stoops say that we as coaches exist because of the kids and for the kids, so the primary concern is how do we nurture these players and how do we get back to our winning ways. It's exciting but definitely a little emotional.
On what he wants to employ as an offensive coordinator…
We're going to go to the wishbone, triple option (laughs). The system is the system. There will obviously be tweaks, but we'll address those as they come. I don't want to show the hand too much. At the same time, there's only so much you can do with a system in place. This in an unbelievable coaching staff, from every position coach to the defensive side of the ball to the support staff. There will be input from everybody in regards to how we can make this better to get back to what we need to do.
On what his top priority is…
I don't think there's a magic potion that's going to fix things. We had a unit meeting today and stressed buying in, stressed the little things that make the biggest difference. I'm not a golfer, but if you want to shave strokes off your game, go work on the thing that's easiest. For us, we're going to emphasize doing the little things, from our effort to our physicality to trying to change things with our passion and energy. We'll address the scheme and all that as we go.
On Isaac Wilson's strengths and game-planning around those strengths…
He's a smart player, he's driven, he's dedicated, he works really hard, he has a lot of arm talent and a lot of athletic ability. As a freshman, he's still learning but I'm 50 years old and been coaching for 29 years and I'm still learning. We'll play to his strengths. I love all the guys in our meeting room. Isaac has played with passion and toughness and we're going to play to his skillset and mentality.
Defensive Tackles Coach Luther Elliss
On how he can help coach Bajakian's transition…
First and foremost, we just have to stop them, right? If we score seven, they have to score less. We have to do our job and make sure its easier on him to make that transition to allow what he's going to implement and the things we're going to do there with him in charge. We have to allow him to grow and become who he is, not that he doesn't know how to do it, but its still a transition piece that we and the defense have to handle our side.
How difficult has it been to mix and match players this season…
I'm proud of my guys. Whoever is the next man up, they've been doing a good job of stepping in and doing the right things. Of course, we want to hold everyone to no yards, no points, no anything, but I think the guys are responding well. They're doing what they need to do on and off the field as far as studying, doing what they need to do to make sure they're prepared. Those are all good things and I'm really proud of our guys right now and we just have to continue to fight.
On what he's liked about what he's seen from Dallas Vakalahi…
Dallas is probably one of our most explosive guys on the defensive line. Even for being a freshman, he does things extremely well. He has a passion and hunger for the game that a lot of young guys don't have. He's not awestruck. He knows how to play hard and get after it.
On how the defense can create more havoc plays…
I think a lot of the havoc, you just have to take the ones that come our way. We've had some opportunities and we haven't been able to capitalize on it. Guys are really focusing on that. They're hungry for it and we just have to finish. The bottom line is we have to coach well and the players have to play well. If everybody does their job, we'll be just fine.
FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind the scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360
The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready!
Players Mentioned
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