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The University of Utah Athletics
Q&A with Utah Football's Cameron Calhoun
9/17/2024 1:45 PM | Football
Plus, some number crunching before Utah's 2024 Big 12 opener
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah football team is off to a 3-0 start in 2024, thanks in part to a defense that's averaged allowing less than 150 passing yards per game and ranks in the top 25 nationally in passing efficiency defense.
Redshirt freshman defensive back Cameron Calhoun has seen his role on Utah's defense continue to grow, culminating in a performance against Utah State that saw him snag his first collegiate interception and post a career-high three tackles in a 38-21 victory.
UtahUtes.com had a chat with Calhoun this week, discussing his performance so far in 2024, working with cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah and some of the things outside of football that hold the most meaning to Calhoun.
How would you say the season has gone for you so far?
The season has gone well. I wasn't really supposed to be back until game five, so being able to be back by game two is amazing.
How gratifying is it when your hard work and preparation pays off like it did on Saturday?
It's what I expect, just because I prepare myself each week like I am the starter. Me getting my opportunity to go out there and shine, it really isn't that big to me because its part of my job and part of what I'm supposed to do and help the team and I'm happy to contribute.
What are the most consistent coaching points your position coach emphasizes to the cornerbacks each week?
Physicality and eyes and make sure you're being a ballplayer because you can't always do everything the coach says. That's when sometimes thing don't happen. You just have to be a ballplayer.
What was your first impression of Coach Shah when you met him?
Goofy. Coach Shah was very goofy. You can tell he was a down-to-earth type of coach. It wasn't really him recruiting me. It was just him talking to me as a regular person. Him getting to know me and my personality before he even asked me about football was one of the huge points of me coming here.
What are the most important things for a cornerback as far as having good technique in coverage?
One of the hard things about corner is the technique part because you have to be a down-to-down player. The technique is one of the most important parts of being a cornerback and its just making sure you're stabbing with the right hand, making sure you're losing ground with the right foot. Technique is very important and we emphasize that a lot, like a lot a lot. It's mainly what we try to focus other than the physicality and just making sure our eyes are right.
Which one of your tattoos carries the most meaning?
I'm going to say blessed on the side of my leg. I have blessed because God didn't have to give me the talent to be able to play this game. He didn't even have to let me wake up this morning, so the fact that I get to play this game of football and create new opportunities on and off the field is a blessing.
Crunchin' The Numbers
Stats to pass around with the pigskin during Saturday's tailgate...
28,822 – days since Utah and Oklahoma State last played on Oct. 20, 1946. In the only previous meeting between these programs, OSU, then known as Oklahoma A&M, triumphed, 46-6, in Salt Lake City.
145 – yards needed by Brant Kuithe to become the program's all-time career leader in that statistic among tight ends. Dennis Smith, who was with the program from 1986 – 89 is the program leader in that statistic with 2,168 career receiving yards.
36 – Utah's total number of third down stops so far in 2024, a figure that has them at the top of the Big 12 and fifth in the FBS, allowing a conversion rate of 22.2%.
26 – days separating the start of Kyle Whittingham's tenure as Utah head coach from the beginning of Mike Gundy's term as the head football coach at Oklahoma State. Whittingham was announced as Utah's new helmsman on Dec. 8, 2004, while Gundy was elevated to head coach on Jan. 3, 2005.
16 – number of players in their first year at Utah who've seen action on offense in 2024.
11 – total number of touchdown passes by Utah quarterbacks so far this season, Utah's highest total through three games since Scott Mitchell threw 11 across the team's first three contests in 1989.
3 – Utes who've collected their first collegiate interception in 2024. Elijah Davis, Smith Snowden and Cameron Calhoun have all logged their first career takeaway during the current campaign.
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!
Redshirt freshman defensive back Cameron Calhoun has seen his role on Utah's defense continue to grow, culminating in a performance against Utah State that saw him snag his first collegiate interception and post a career-high three tackles in a 38-21 victory.
UtahUtes.com had a chat with Calhoun this week, discussing his performance so far in 2024, working with cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah and some of the things outside of football that hold the most meaning to Calhoun.
How would you say the season has gone for you so far?
The season has gone well. I wasn't really supposed to be back until game five, so being able to be back by game two is amazing.
How gratifying is it when your hard work and preparation pays off like it did on Saturday?
It's what I expect, just because I prepare myself each week like I am the starter. Me getting my opportunity to go out there and shine, it really isn't that big to me because its part of my job and part of what I'm supposed to do and help the team and I'm happy to contribute.
What are the most consistent coaching points your position coach emphasizes to the cornerbacks each week?
Physicality and eyes and make sure you're being a ballplayer because you can't always do everything the coach says. That's when sometimes thing don't happen. You just have to be a ballplayer.
What was your first impression of Coach Shah when you met him?
Goofy. Coach Shah was very goofy. You can tell he was a down-to-earth type of coach. It wasn't really him recruiting me. It was just him talking to me as a regular person. Him getting to know me and my personality before he even asked me about football was one of the huge points of me coming here.
What are the most important things for a cornerback as far as having good technique in coverage?
One of the hard things about corner is the technique part because you have to be a down-to-down player. The technique is one of the most important parts of being a cornerback and its just making sure you're stabbing with the right hand, making sure you're losing ground with the right foot. Technique is very important and we emphasize that a lot, like a lot a lot. It's mainly what we try to focus other than the physicality and just making sure our eyes are right.
Which one of your tattoos carries the most meaning?
I'm going to say blessed on the side of my leg. I have blessed because God didn't have to give me the talent to be able to play this game. He didn't even have to let me wake up this morning, so the fact that I get to play this game of football and create new opportunities on and off the field is a blessing.
Crunchin' The Numbers
Stats to pass around with the pigskin during Saturday's tailgate...
28,822 – days since Utah and Oklahoma State last played on Oct. 20, 1946. In the only previous meeting between these programs, OSU, then known as Oklahoma A&M, triumphed, 46-6, in Salt Lake City.
145 – yards needed by Brant Kuithe to become the program's all-time career leader in that statistic among tight ends. Dennis Smith, who was with the program from 1986 – 89 is the program leader in that statistic with 2,168 career receiving yards.
36 – Utah's total number of third down stops so far in 2024, a figure that has them at the top of the Big 12 and fifth in the FBS, allowing a conversion rate of 22.2%.
26 – days separating the start of Kyle Whittingham's tenure as Utah head coach from the beginning of Mike Gundy's term as the head football coach at Oklahoma State. Whittingham was announced as Utah's new helmsman on Dec. 8, 2004, while Gundy was elevated to head coach on Jan. 3, 2005.
16 – number of players in their first year at Utah who've seen action on offense in 2024.
11 – total number of touchdown passes by Utah quarterbacks so far this season, Utah's highest total through three games since Scott Mitchell threw 11 across the team's first three contests in 1989.
3 – Utes who've collected their first collegiate interception in 2024. Elijah Davis, Smith Snowden and Cameron Calhoun have all logged their first career takeaway during the current campaign.
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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