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Photo by: Anna Fuder/Utah Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Utah vs. Cal Poly
9/6/2025 8:28 PM | Football
Utah Quotes
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
Opening Statement…
[We] took care of business today. Proud of our guys for doing what we should've done. You don't always do what you should do. They controlled the game really from start to finish. A lot of guys made good contributions. We got to take a look at a lot of guys in that second half. We weren't quite as in sync offensively as we were in the game last week. We never got into that rhythm that we were in last week consistently, but there were some really bright spots and good things that happened. The defense kept them out of the end zone. Obviously, [we] scored a bunch of points, made a bunch of first downs, didn't turn the ball over one time for the second consecutive week. We scored on defense, set up another score on defense. Rayshawn got loose on a punt return and that was great to see, to get one of those underway and actually had another pretty good one, but one was outstanding. I thought Devon played well, completion percentage for the game was way up, which is where it needs to be. I thought Byrd Ficklin looked really good when he came in. He's an athlete, he's cool under pressure. True freshman, just right out of high school, and I thought he handled his opportunity really well. We ran the ball well, almost 300 yards rushing again. Overall, a solid performance and, like I said, we took care of the business that we needed to take care of.
On if the defense has lived up to his expectations so far…
Yeah, so far. There are things we need to get better at. They hit that glance route on us three or four times. We have to not let people inside. There's things to work on, but one touchdown in two games is the bottom line and that's a really good start to the season.
On how much the pick-six streak of 22 seasons means to him…
It's good. That's the all-time record. Credit to coach Scalley and coach Pease before that. There's been a lot of guys who've had a hand in that. It was great to see it today. Jackson Bennee played that just right and then almost had another one with the Johnathan Hall interception. It's something to be proud of. We don't talk about it ever or think about it. It's just something that happens.
On how he would assess the play of the secondary…
Pretty good. Like I said, we didn't cover all the routes as well as we should. We turned some routes loose up the field and they didn't connect, fortunately. [There were] one or two they did connect on. [In] the throw game [they were] 13 out of 25, so we get about 50% completion rate, no touchdowns, a couple picks. We're doing some good things, but there'll be bigger tests along the way in that regard. It's still a little bit unknown right now just how sound we are along the way.
On the wide receivers are coming along…
I think they're still a work in progress. Ryan Davis had a really nice game today, caught seven balls and Tobias [Merriweather] had six and Smith Snowden, what he adds. He didn't add nearly as much this week as last week, but he only played a-half-a-game on offense. But the receiver position in and of itself is a work in progress. We have about four or five guys right now who we really have trust in and we're waiting for another guy or two to join that group.
On what it means to see the defensive end room get going…
That's encouraging. It was a great opportunity for Kash Dillon and Lance Holtzclaw and these other guys to get reps. They get good pressure off the edge and that's a group where we have five of them and we feel confident in the all five of them, although only four playing today.
Freshman Defensive Back Jackson Bennee
On how it feels to extend Utah's pick-6 streak to 22 years…
"Yeah, just kind of in the right spot at the right time. When he threw it, I was kind of in disbelief but right as I caught it, I just didn't look back. I'm just glad for the opportunities I'm getting out here. It's really fun to play with the boys."
On the coaches support through fall camp and development as a player…
"I'd probably say [it started] in the spring, when they moved me to nickel, I kind of bounced around from nickel to safety, but in the spring, I played a lot of nickel and that's when I got a little bit more comfortable there. Definitely a lot of things to work on, for sure, but I'd say that's when things started to click for me."
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Junior Quarterback Devon Dampier
On first time playing at home in Rice Eccles Stadium …
"Yeah it's been awesome, starting off with our team, lots of new guys. We took it very personal to come in here and you know, let's be Utes. Obviously we have different cultures, but at the end of the day, we are all Utes. And being in the stadium was just as electric as everyone says. Those fourth downs, I know our defense heard and they got loud for those touchdowns as well and I definitely heard it."
On his teammates acclimating to Jason Beck's offense…
I think they're buying in very well. When I came in here, I asked them, you know, just what do you like about the offense? What do you want to change? Just making sure everybody feels like the offense fits them also, not just me. I think we've come a long way. I think people are starting to thrive and trying to figure out what they're good at in our offense. So we're going to keep leading that way and I only see us going up."
On what he thought of Byrd Ficklin's performance…
"I thought Byrd was electric. We've all seen him, especially [during] spring ball and fall camp. He can get on that field and ball and I'm just happy that he was able to showcase that to the world. And obviously behind me, we have two great quarterbacks ready to go in there and ball at any time."
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Sophomore Running Back Wayshawn Parker
On playing in Rice Eccles Stadium compared to Martin Stadium…
"Yeah, of course it's a lot different. I mean, there's a lot more fans, but also at the same time, after we win a big game, it just feels great as a team, like sitting there and seeing them juiced just adds a lot."
On scoring two long touchdowns…
"Oh, it got the team really juiced. Coming back to the sideline, seeing everybody, it brings me joy seeing everyone happy. I know I scored, but I felt like the whole team scored [with me]."
Junior Linebacker Johnathan Hall
On starting the second-half with three consecutive three-and-outs…
"The mindset all this week was play this game like we would play any other game. There's an opponent that's in front of us and we have to prepare the right way."
On how the performance of the other defensive ends makes his job easier…
"It makes my job so easy. All our d-linemen bring the juice every practice. They're very electric and they make plays out there. We feed off them. So we love you guys."
On his second quarter interception…
"Well, Coach Scalley called a great call and then I saw the boot, I kinda went up a little bit too high, but the ball hit my hand and I just made the play. It was exciting to celebrate with the guys, it's amazing."
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Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
Opening Statement…
[We] took care of business today. Proud of our guys for doing what we should've done. You don't always do what you should do. They controlled the game really from start to finish. A lot of guys made good contributions. We got to take a look at a lot of guys in that second half. We weren't quite as in sync offensively as we were in the game last week. We never got into that rhythm that we were in last week consistently, but there were some really bright spots and good things that happened. The defense kept them out of the end zone. Obviously, [we] scored a bunch of points, made a bunch of first downs, didn't turn the ball over one time for the second consecutive week. We scored on defense, set up another score on defense. Rayshawn got loose on a punt return and that was great to see, to get one of those underway and actually had another pretty good one, but one was outstanding. I thought Devon played well, completion percentage for the game was way up, which is where it needs to be. I thought Byrd Ficklin looked really good when he came in. He's an athlete, he's cool under pressure. True freshman, just right out of high school, and I thought he handled his opportunity really well. We ran the ball well, almost 300 yards rushing again. Overall, a solid performance and, like I said, we took care of the business that we needed to take care of.
On if the defense has lived up to his expectations so far…
Yeah, so far. There are things we need to get better at. They hit that glance route on us three or four times. We have to not let people inside. There's things to work on, but one touchdown in two games is the bottom line and that's a really good start to the season.
On how much the pick-six streak of 22 seasons means to him…
It's good. That's the all-time record. Credit to coach Scalley and coach Pease before that. There's been a lot of guys who've had a hand in that. It was great to see it today. Jackson Bennee played that just right and then almost had another one with the Johnathan Hall interception. It's something to be proud of. We don't talk about it ever or think about it. It's just something that happens.
On how he would assess the play of the secondary…
Pretty good. Like I said, we didn't cover all the routes as well as we should. We turned some routes loose up the field and they didn't connect, fortunately. [There were] one or two they did connect on. [In] the throw game [they were] 13 out of 25, so we get about 50% completion rate, no touchdowns, a couple picks. We're doing some good things, but there'll be bigger tests along the way in that regard. It's still a little bit unknown right now just how sound we are along the way.
On the wide receivers are coming along…
I think they're still a work in progress. Ryan Davis had a really nice game today, caught seven balls and Tobias [Merriweather] had six and Smith Snowden, what he adds. He didn't add nearly as much this week as last week, but he only played a-half-a-game on offense. But the receiver position in and of itself is a work in progress. We have about four or five guys right now who we really have trust in and we're waiting for another guy or two to join that group.
On what it means to see the defensive end room get going…
That's encouraging. It was a great opportunity for Kash Dillon and Lance Holtzclaw and these other guys to get reps. They get good pressure off the edge and that's a group where we have five of them and we feel confident in the all five of them, although only four playing today.
Freshman Defensive Back Jackson Bennee
On how it feels to extend Utah's pick-6 streak to 22 years…
"Yeah, just kind of in the right spot at the right time. When he threw it, I was kind of in disbelief but right as I caught it, I just didn't look back. I'm just glad for the opportunities I'm getting out here. It's really fun to play with the boys."
On the coaches support through fall camp and development as a player…
"I'd probably say [it started] in the spring, when they moved me to nickel, I kind of bounced around from nickel to safety, but in the spring, I played a lot of nickel and that's when I got a little bit more comfortable there. Definitely a lot of things to work on, for sure, but I'd say that's when things started to click for me."
Â
Junior Quarterback Devon Dampier
On first time playing at home in Rice Eccles Stadium …
"Yeah it's been awesome, starting off with our team, lots of new guys. We took it very personal to come in here and you know, let's be Utes. Obviously we have different cultures, but at the end of the day, we are all Utes. And being in the stadium was just as electric as everyone says. Those fourth downs, I know our defense heard and they got loud for those touchdowns as well and I definitely heard it."
On his teammates acclimating to Jason Beck's offense…
I think they're buying in very well. When I came in here, I asked them, you know, just what do you like about the offense? What do you want to change? Just making sure everybody feels like the offense fits them also, not just me. I think we've come a long way. I think people are starting to thrive and trying to figure out what they're good at in our offense. So we're going to keep leading that way and I only see us going up."
On what he thought of Byrd Ficklin's performance…
"I thought Byrd was electric. We've all seen him, especially [during] spring ball and fall camp. He can get on that field and ball and I'm just happy that he was able to showcase that to the world. And obviously behind me, we have two great quarterbacks ready to go in there and ball at any time."
Â
Sophomore Running Back Wayshawn Parker
On playing in Rice Eccles Stadium compared to Martin Stadium…
"Yeah, of course it's a lot different. I mean, there's a lot more fans, but also at the same time, after we win a big game, it just feels great as a team, like sitting there and seeing them juiced just adds a lot."
On scoring two long touchdowns…
"Oh, it got the team really juiced. Coming back to the sideline, seeing everybody, it brings me joy seeing everyone happy. I know I scored, but I felt like the whole team scored [with me]."
Junior Linebacker Johnathan Hall
On starting the second-half with three consecutive three-and-outs…
"The mindset all this week was play this game like we would play any other game. There's an opponent that's in front of us and we have to prepare the right way."
On how the performance of the other defensive ends makes his job easier…
"It makes my job so easy. All our d-linemen bring the juice every practice. They're very electric and they make plays out there. We feed off them. So we love you guys."
On his second quarter interception…
"Well, Coach Scalley called a great call and then I saw the boot, I kinda went up a little bit too high, but the ball hit my hand and I just made the play. It was exciting to celebrate with the guys, it's amazing."
Â
Ute greats Ron McBride and Roy Jefferson Ring of Honor Induction
Monday, September 08
Utah: 63, Cal Poly: 9 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, September 06
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Ron McBride
Wednesday, September 03
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham weekly press conference - 9.1.25
Monday, September 01