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The University of Utah Athletics
Coaches Corner: Senior Day Includes Matchup with Cyclones
11/20/2024 9:15 AM | Football
Whitted, Shah share their thoughts before Utah, Iowa State collide
SALT LAKE CITY – The final home game week of the 2024 season has arrived for the University of Utah football team and this year's Senior Day will include a matchup against the Iowa State Cyclones that will get underway at 5:30 p.m. MT on Saturday inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"A lot of [our seniors] have been involved in a bunch of wins for us, a couple championships and very appreciative in that regard," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "They've done a great job with their academics. Everyone has either graduated or is on schedule to graduate this year. That's why they're here. That's why you go to college is to get your degree and our guys take care of business in that regard."
The Utes will be meeting an Iowa State squad they haven't faced since 2010, when they scored a 68-27 road victory that also stands as the program's only win in the series. The most recent meeting prior to the 2010 encounter occurred in 1976.
As Saturday approaches, wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted talked about keeping his players motivated, while cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator Sharrieff Shah discussed the emotions related to this year's Senior Day.
Wide Receivers Coach Alvis Whitted
On how he keeps his players motivated…
It hasn't been easy, but we have some high-character kids. I think they really love football, they care and this is just an example of how life is going to be. Life is going to be like this. It's going to be hard. There are going to be some things out of your control. You just have to control what's controllable and not grow weary of doing the things. We just try to keep the guys confident in what they're doing and just try to stay the course because all you can do is work. I have a great group of kids and they care and that's half the battle.
On what's allowed certain players such as Munir McClain to step up…
Munir is obviously a seasoned veteran for us. He's had some injuries in the past but he knows the offense. We trust him. He's a big, physical kid who can run, can block, can do it all. Like I said, he has experience. For me, I trust him in a lot of the situations that we need something done and he gets it done. Zach[aryus Williams] is playing a little bit more and I'm excited about him because he's earned it and is doing a great job on special teams and the kids cares. He plays hard, he works hard. I just love what he does and what he brings to the table. [Zipperer] had a catch in the game. It's that time. These guys are the future and I'm really excited for them. I hope they continue to grow in the direction we want and need them to grow and keep plugging away.
On what it was like to see Dorian Singer score his first touchdown of the season…
Awesome. As a coach, its very rewarding because I've seen the work he's put in day-in and day-out. That kid has not complained. Regardless of the situation, he goes about his business the right way and I think a lot of the guys have seen that and have tried to take notes on who he is as a person, No. 1, and then as a player. I really appreciate him because he could have gone the opposite way, but he doesn't choose to do that. He chooses to come to work every day and be the example the young guys need.
Cornerbacks Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Sharrieff Shah
On how he feels things have gone on the defensive side of the ball...
I think things have gone OK. We've made some strides in the room. Some boys have gotten better. Others, I would have liked to see more consistency out of and I'm just devastated having lost one of the kids I thought could have made us an elite room in Kenan. I'm very, very pleased with some of the kids. I thought they've made plays. We've given up some things that you wish you would not have and when you have young players, you have to learn so much by going through it. That's just the baptism of football. With that, I'm happy that we've been making fewer mistakes the last few weeks and seem to make a few more plays, but playing against the folks we played last week, going into that game, we knew there would be very little room for error, especially going against Travis Hunter, who was phenomenal. I had a chance to say hello to him pregame. He's not what people think he is, nor is the quarterback. [They're] really good kids and they played well. We needed to make a few more plays. I'm not disappointed but I would have wanted more from my room.
On what it means to him to honor Aaron Lowe on Saturday…
There's not one season or one spring that I don't see and spend time with his mother, that I don't call her. When you are able to recruit a kid, go into their home, sit with them, make promises to their parents and tell them that I'm going to take care of your kid and in the same moment, you're the one calling mom saying that your baby has passed away, he will mean so much to me for the rest of my life. He is with me so much. Two of his pictures are in my office and I talk to him like he's there and he's smiling at me and that's a sign that I need quit crying and get up. You're touched by some folks in your life and some folks bring such a level of joy and commitment to you that you never know what they were brought into your life for, but that one, Aaron in particular, I thank God for him and I appreciate him every time we're able to recognize him and so many other Utes who've passed away in between the third and fourth quarter. I love that celebration. It's a temporary pause from whatever may be happening in that game that I can just reflect on what matters the most and its certainly not a football game.
On his message to keep players motivated…
Seasons like this, we're not immune to them. Nobody is and when you go through this, you recognize that the connection you have with kids is what pulls you out of it and it's what continues to have a ballplayer come into your office and to your room and ask why you're smiling. Why would I be sad? Baby, I don't have time to be sad about this. I can't change anything that happened in that game. Let's get better and let's see if we can at least get a little bit better so it doesn't continue to happen. Coach it keeps happening and what? Are we going to quit? Because we won't. It's the connection you give the kid because this is really a microcosm of what life is. I've done right all the time, why do bad things continue to happen to me? And? So you're going to quit? No. Get up and keep fighting and keep fighting. It's the perpetual optimism that you infuse in the kid because if you have a genuine connection, you feel it. They feel it notwithstanding anything that is going on. If you really care for them, you feel it and if its really more than football, they will feel it. If what you teach is truly genuine, they will feel it. It transcends everything we're dealing with. Hard times come, hard times pass. Tough people are here forever. It's just what makes us. This is a program and you revel and you sit in the connection with the kids and you learn a lot about yourself, you learn from these kids and its fantastic notwithstanding the pain we're going through. I learn a lot about who I am. Adversity reveals a lot of your character. I like to see who I am in different shades. I like to see who the kids I recruit, who they become when we're really hurting and you're amazed that they're a lot more genuine and sincere and loving than you ever thought they would be. You learn that in these moments.
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!
"A lot of [our seniors] have been involved in a bunch of wins for us, a couple championships and very appreciative in that regard," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "They've done a great job with their academics. Everyone has either graduated or is on schedule to graduate this year. That's why they're here. That's why you go to college is to get your degree and our guys take care of business in that regard."
The Utes will be meeting an Iowa State squad they haven't faced since 2010, when they scored a 68-27 road victory that also stands as the program's only win in the series. The most recent meeting prior to the 2010 encounter occurred in 1976.
As Saturday approaches, wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted talked about keeping his players motivated, while cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator Sharrieff Shah discussed the emotions related to this year's Senior Day.
Wide Receivers Coach Alvis Whitted
On how he keeps his players motivated…
It hasn't been easy, but we have some high-character kids. I think they really love football, they care and this is just an example of how life is going to be. Life is going to be like this. It's going to be hard. There are going to be some things out of your control. You just have to control what's controllable and not grow weary of doing the things. We just try to keep the guys confident in what they're doing and just try to stay the course because all you can do is work. I have a great group of kids and they care and that's half the battle.
On what's allowed certain players such as Munir McClain to step up…
Munir is obviously a seasoned veteran for us. He's had some injuries in the past but he knows the offense. We trust him. He's a big, physical kid who can run, can block, can do it all. Like I said, he has experience. For me, I trust him in a lot of the situations that we need something done and he gets it done. Zach[aryus Williams] is playing a little bit more and I'm excited about him because he's earned it and is doing a great job on special teams and the kids cares. He plays hard, he works hard. I just love what he does and what he brings to the table. [Zipperer] had a catch in the game. It's that time. These guys are the future and I'm really excited for them. I hope they continue to grow in the direction we want and need them to grow and keep plugging away.
On what it was like to see Dorian Singer score his first touchdown of the season…
Awesome. As a coach, its very rewarding because I've seen the work he's put in day-in and day-out. That kid has not complained. Regardless of the situation, he goes about his business the right way and I think a lot of the guys have seen that and have tried to take notes on who he is as a person, No. 1, and then as a player. I really appreciate him because he could have gone the opposite way, but he doesn't choose to do that. He chooses to come to work every day and be the example the young guys need.
Cornerbacks Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Sharrieff Shah
On how he feels things have gone on the defensive side of the ball...
I think things have gone OK. We've made some strides in the room. Some boys have gotten better. Others, I would have liked to see more consistency out of and I'm just devastated having lost one of the kids I thought could have made us an elite room in Kenan. I'm very, very pleased with some of the kids. I thought they've made plays. We've given up some things that you wish you would not have and when you have young players, you have to learn so much by going through it. That's just the baptism of football. With that, I'm happy that we've been making fewer mistakes the last few weeks and seem to make a few more plays, but playing against the folks we played last week, going into that game, we knew there would be very little room for error, especially going against Travis Hunter, who was phenomenal. I had a chance to say hello to him pregame. He's not what people think he is, nor is the quarterback. [They're] really good kids and they played well. We needed to make a few more plays. I'm not disappointed but I would have wanted more from my room.
On what it means to him to honor Aaron Lowe on Saturday…
There's not one season or one spring that I don't see and spend time with his mother, that I don't call her. When you are able to recruit a kid, go into their home, sit with them, make promises to their parents and tell them that I'm going to take care of your kid and in the same moment, you're the one calling mom saying that your baby has passed away, he will mean so much to me for the rest of my life. He is with me so much. Two of his pictures are in my office and I talk to him like he's there and he's smiling at me and that's a sign that I need quit crying and get up. You're touched by some folks in your life and some folks bring such a level of joy and commitment to you that you never know what they were brought into your life for, but that one, Aaron in particular, I thank God for him and I appreciate him every time we're able to recognize him and so many other Utes who've passed away in between the third and fourth quarter. I love that celebration. It's a temporary pause from whatever may be happening in that game that I can just reflect on what matters the most and its certainly not a football game.
On his message to keep players motivated…
Seasons like this, we're not immune to them. Nobody is and when you go through this, you recognize that the connection you have with kids is what pulls you out of it and it's what continues to have a ballplayer come into your office and to your room and ask why you're smiling. Why would I be sad? Baby, I don't have time to be sad about this. I can't change anything that happened in that game. Let's get better and let's see if we can at least get a little bit better so it doesn't continue to happen. Coach it keeps happening and what? Are we going to quit? Because we won't. It's the connection you give the kid because this is really a microcosm of what life is. I've done right all the time, why do bad things continue to happen to me? And? So you're going to quit? No. Get up and keep fighting and keep fighting. It's the perpetual optimism that you infuse in the kid because if you have a genuine connection, you feel it. They feel it notwithstanding anything that is going on. If you really care for them, you feel it and if its really more than football, they will feel it. If what you teach is truly genuine, they will feel it. It transcends everything we're dealing with. Hard times come, hard times pass. Tough people are here forever. It's just what makes us. This is a program and you revel and you sit in the connection with the kids and you learn a lot about yourself, you learn from these kids and its fantastic notwithstanding the pain we're going through. I learn a lot about who I am. Adversity reveals a lot of your character. I like to see who I am in different shades. I like to see who the kids I recruit, who they become when we're really hurting and you're amazed that they're a lot more genuine and sincere and loving than you ever thought they would be. You learn that in these moments.
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!
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