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The University of Utah Athletics
Quotes from Kyle Whittingham's Weekly Press Conference
11/23/2009 12:00 AM | Football
Nov. 23, 2009
Opening statement:
Looking back at this past weekend, I thought we played fairly well. We started off fast and got a big 38-0 lead at halftime. I was disappointed in our production in the second half, but we took care of business and got the win. Jordan Wynn played well and David Reed, Jereme Brooks and Eddie Wide had big games. On defense, it was good to see the run defense get back on track. It was very poor the week prior and it was good to see them get back and hold SDSU to 55 yards rushing. We are 9-2 with one to go. Rivalry game this week in Provo. On paper, it's an even matchup. We are both 9-2 and statistically there are a lot of similarities. Even though there are no conference championship implications it is always something that gets Utah excited, and I also hear that this is the only rivalry game this year where both teams are in the top 25. That's good for football in the state of Utah.
Injury report:
We came out of the SDSU game relatively clean. Shaky Smithson has a thigh contusion bothering him a bit and he sat out the last quarter and a half but will be back this week. John Peel hurt his foot midweek last week and he is listed as questionable. Shak (Sausan Shakerin) had his bell run a little bit but he appears to be ok.
On the rivalry:
Our new guys have been hearing about it for four months. It's always looming in the background. We go through our regular routine, everything is just a little more intense.
It keeps getting bigger and bigger. When both teams are doing well, it adds a different dimension to the game. It's healthy and positive for the rivalry.
On BYU quarterback Max Hall:
He has had a very good senior season. His pass efficiency is good, that's one of the main barometers that we have on a quarterback's value. He is getting rid of the ball quick and avoiding sacks. He's had a nice year.
On the success in last year's BYU game:
We will look at last year's game and take bits and pieces from that game. We can't do the exact same thing, but you have to continue to change depending on both teams. There are elements that we will hang onto this year but we have to continue to update and base this year's game plan on our present circumstances.
On the cornerbacks:
They take a step forward on a weekly basis. R.J. Stanford was a nickel back last year and Brandon Burton didn't get much time. We are 10th in the nation in pass defense efficiency and they are a big part of that. Both have taken steps each week towards getting better.
On stopping the BYU offense:
The more speed on defense you have, the better you are going to fare. That's how it goes. That is not unique to playing BYU, it's just good defense.
It will be very important not to let them get the run game established. We have to keep that harnessed. Harvey (Unga) has been productive for them. If they have the run game going, it is going to make the passing game that much harder to defend.
On winning games in Provo:
In the last 20 years, the visitor has won 12 of the last 20 in this rivalry. I don't know if that would show up anywhere else.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballFormer Utah Football Head Coach Urban Meyer inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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