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Postgame Quotes vs. Arizona
11/5/2022 10:02 PM | Football
Postgame Quotes
No. 14 Utah 45, Arizona 20
Salt Lake City, Utah (Rice-Eccles Stadium)
Sat., Nov. 5, 2022Â
Kick: 5:40 p.m. MT | End: 8:58 p.m. MT
Attendance: 51,919
UTAH QUOTES
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
Opening Statement…
"Another good effort from our guys again tonight. We had some good performances from guys filling in for our other guys. Thomas Yassmin played solid and blocked very well, I know he had the one fumble, but he did some really good things. Nate Johnson, our freshman quarterback, came in and gave us a bit of a wildcat package that was productive and scored a couple of touchdowns. Our defense played well for the entire night, created takeaways, and was good on third downs. The real story of the game was our offense's ability to run the football with 300-plus yards rushing, and anytime you did that, you are going to control the game, which happened tonight. It was great to have Cameron [Rising] back tonight, but he wasn't as sharp as he usually is, but that'll come, and it was great to have him back in the lineup tonight. Overall another step in the right direction for us, as things wind down and we are still in the thick of it."
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On getting a package for Nate Johnson…
"We were low on running backs as far as healthy running backs, and we were down Dalton [Kincaid] and we were looking for a way to provide some more creative ways to provide a spark, and he sure did that. You saw how fast he is; he is the fastest kid on the team. You saw what he did on the track and high school, and he's got blazing speed, and I think you saw that manifest tonight. We will see what happens going forward and what Coach Ludwig comes up with, as that was all Coach Ludwig's brainchild and implementation, and if it looks like something we can hang onto and continue to get mileage out of it, we will do that."
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What was the key to the run game…
"The offensive line. The offensive line did a great job of blocking things up and reestablishing the line of scrimmage and getting knocked off on the line of scrimmage. The running backs ran hard, and they did some good things on their own, but nobody rushes for over 300 yards without the offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage."
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On how Zemaiah Vaughn played…
"That was his best game as a Ute. He was making play of play and is a very talented kid. He got great speed, but he's doing a nice job for a former quarterback who has only been playing corner for a couple of years now."
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On Ja'Quinden Jackson's growth since moving to running back…
"He continues to make strides every week and become more comfortable every week in his role and in the entirety of the scope of the position with blitz pickups and the route running. The ball carrying came naturally to him because he had a lot of experience as a running back growing up and also was a quarterback in the shotgun. He did a lot of quarterback run game, but he's getting a good feel and a lot of confidence in the pass pro and the routes."
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Thoughts on Jonah Elliss' game tonight…
"Jonah was all over the place tonight. He is a terrific athlete, and I'm confident that if we decided to do that, he could be a great middle linebacker. That is how athletic, fast, and agile he is, but right now, he is doing a great job on the edge for us, and he is a valuable commodity for our defense."
#7 Cameron Rising, Quarterback
On being back out on the field…
"It felt good to be back out there with the guys and just running the offense again."
On how he's feeling health-wise…
"I feel great."
On how the offensive line played tonight in the weather conditions…
"Phenomenal. They did a great job, we were able to run the ball downhill all night and they just controlled the line of scrimmage, and anytime you do that it's going to be good for the offense."
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#13 Nate Johnson, Quarterback
On how it felt to make first plays…
"It was really fun. I mean, first carry, touchdown. Second carry, touchdown. Just being out there with the guys, being with the team, it was really exciting."
On how running the scout team helped to prepare for today…
"It has helped a lot. We have one of the best defenses in the country, so the speed of the game in practice and the speed in the game is a lot different. But just getting those scout team reps really helped me a lot and tonight was just a fun night with these guys."
On when he learned he'd be involved in this week's game plan…
"Once it was Monday, they pretty much had put in my own little package. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready, so I just stayed ready the entire week."
On confidence after being included in game plans…
"It gives me a lot of confidence. I mean, as a true freshman, you know most true freshman quarterbacks don't really play, they tend on redshirting, so it gave me a really big confidence booster."
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#21 Karene Reid, Linebacker
On the defensive effort in the second half…
"Yeah, I thought it was great, it gives us a lot of confidence. That's a good offense right there. They had some really good receivers, I feel like the DB's especially played a great game, so yeah, we were trying to get after that quarterback and every time he threw it, I felt like for the most part the DB's were able to break it up."
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On what was seen on film that helped prepare for tonight…
"I think we just really stressed communication. We studied a lot of their route concepts knowing that they were a pass-heavy team. Based off formation we were able to talk and sort everything out."
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#16 Zemaiah Vaughn, Cornerback
On limiting Arizona's explosive moments…
"Well, it was just great preparation, basically. We practice it, treat the game like practice. Lock in and make plays is just really what it was."
On preparing for a pass-heavy team…
"Really worked harder in practice and after practice, like with the corners, we do releases with each other after practice getting ready for them [Arizona] because we know they're pass-heavy and one of the top offenses throwing the ball."
ARIZONA QUOTES
Head Coach Jedd Fisch
Opening statement...
"Very disappointed in the outcome tonight. We need to coach better, we need to play better. We need to protect the football better. Those three things. You can always start and stop there. If we don't do that well, none of it's gonna matter. I also know that I told our team we got a three game season right now. And I love the way our team fights. I mean it is special. If you can feel them on the sideline, you get a defensive stop, you hold them to a punt and then you drop the punt and you have to put them right back out there at nine yard line and all eleven of them sprinted out there. And I can point to numerous times where that occurred in the game. We get into a safety and the first thing Noah Fifita says to me is 'let's go score a touchdown, and let's go for two and that's what you want. We certainly need to clean up a lot of things. But most of it came with just ball security, to be honest with you, and you give Utah five turnovers, I would imagine that the stat is zero to a million in beating them. So I'm not planning on that ever happening again. But again, we got to learn from it and be better."
On why Arizona was having so much trouble handling the ball...
"Well, I mean, you know, to point to the elements would be an easy cop out, so we didn't handle well. I don't know. We fumbled the ball on a punt return. Jayden fumbled the ball on a fourth and five conversion. Jayden fumbled the ball three different times in the pocket. One time it looked like he had great security and they punched it out really well. Another time It slipped out of his hand, but it was on the ground like eight times. So I would imagine it's probably the elements but I would also imagine that we didn't do a very good job protecting the ball and that's disappointing."
On Jacob's decision on the punt...
"It was a tricky one. It looked like, I think, he had his hands on the nine yard line or something like that. We usually would tell him we want to field that so we don't have them on the one like we did at the start of the game and you know if you can catch it, you know you're a normal offense rather than a backed-up offense. The way we took it, for sure. But I mean, I trust Jacob Cowing's hands. I think he just misjudged it and he wound up dropping it but he made the right decision trying to catch it."
#6 Michael Wiley, Running Back
On how Arizona started fast and slowed down...
"Oh, yeah. I liked where we started. We've got to just find ways to just keep that consistency throughout the whole game and you know, it's unfortunate but, you know, we got to go to the drawing board and just do our best and just play football."
On what he felt Arizona needed to do to get an upset...
"Of course, ball security. That's the number one thing. You can't win games with turnovers. That's the big thing. Playing the next play we just try to, you know, shake it off and just, you know, be better.
#31 Hunter Echols, Defensive End
On building on the takeaways and sack from the game...
"For sure that's something that we can build on for sure. Something that we're proud of, but you know, we didn't get the W but that was just something we really pride ourselves on. We were really hard on ourselves to get turnovers, great ways for offense to get, the ball back and put pressure on the quarterback, we did that but we also do want to win too. But credit to Utah.They played a great game."
On Utah's field position...
"Obviously, the chances of scoring a touchdown when you are defending half of the field for the offense is pretty high, but we've credited ourselves and got some turnovers down in the red zone and you know, we just want to be able to get the ball back. We don't complain when, where the ball is put down in the field. We just go out there and swarm and compete at a high level. So I mean, it might be unfortunate that you know, they then had some good field position, but we're just playing defense and having fun."
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No. 14 Utah 45, Arizona 20
Salt Lake City, Utah (Rice-Eccles Stadium)
Sat., Nov. 5, 2022Â
Kick: 5:40 p.m. MT | End: 8:58 p.m. MT
Attendance: 51,919
UTAH QUOTES
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
Opening Statement…
"Another good effort from our guys again tonight. We had some good performances from guys filling in for our other guys. Thomas Yassmin played solid and blocked very well, I know he had the one fumble, but he did some really good things. Nate Johnson, our freshman quarterback, came in and gave us a bit of a wildcat package that was productive and scored a couple of touchdowns. Our defense played well for the entire night, created takeaways, and was good on third downs. The real story of the game was our offense's ability to run the football with 300-plus yards rushing, and anytime you did that, you are going to control the game, which happened tonight. It was great to have Cameron [Rising] back tonight, but he wasn't as sharp as he usually is, but that'll come, and it was great to have him back in the lineup tonight. Overall another step in the right direction for us, as things wind down and we are still in the thick of it."
Â
On getting a package for Nate Johnson…
"We were low on running backs as far as healthy running backs, and we were down Dalton [Kincaid] and we were looking for a way to provide some more creative ways to provide a spark, and he sure did that. You saw how fast he is; he is the fastest kid on the team. You saw what he did on the track and high school, and he's got blazing speed, and I think you saw that manifest tonight. We will see what happens going forward and what Coach Ludwig comes up with, as that was all Coach Ludwig's brainchild and implementation, and if it looks like something we can hang onto and continue to get mileage out of it, we will do that."
Â
What was the key to the run game…
"The offensive line. The offensive line did a great job of blocking things up and reestablishing the line of scrimmage and getting knocked off on the line of scrimmage. The running backs ran hard, and they did some good things on their own, but nobody rushes for over 300 yards without the offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage."
Â
On how Zemaiah Vaughn played…
"That was his best game as a Ute. He was making play of play and is a very talented kid. He got great speed, but he's doing a nice job for a former quarterback who has only been playing corner for a couple of years now."
Â
On Ja'Quinden Jackson's growth since moving to running back…
"He continues to make strides every week and become more comfortable every week in his role and in the entirety of the scope of the position with blitz pickups and the route running. The ball carrying came naturally to him because he had a lot of experience as a running back growing up and also was a quarterback in the shotgun. He did a lot of quarterback run game, but he's getting a good feel and a lot of confidence in the pass pro and the routes."
Â
Thoughts on Jonah Elliss' game tonight…
"Jonah was all over the place tonight. He is a terrific athlete, and I'm confident that if we decided to do that, he could be a great middle linebacker. That is how athletic, fast, and agile he is, but right now, he is doing a great job on the edge for us, and he is a valuable commodity for our defense."
#7 Cameron Rising, Quarterback
On being back out on the field…
"It felt good to be back out there with the guys and just running the offense again."
On how he's feeling health-wise…
"I feel great."
On how the offensive line played tonight in the weather conditions…
"Phenomenal. They did a great job, we were able to run the ball downhill all night and they just controlled the line of scrimmage, and anytime you do that it's going to be good for the offense."
Â
#13 Nate Johnson, Quarterback
On how it felt to make first plays…
"It was really fun. I mean, first carry, touchdown. Second carry, touchdown. Just being out there with the guys, being with the team, it was really exciting."
On how running the scout team helped to prepare for today…
"It has helped a lot. We have one of the best defenses in the country, so the speed of the game in practice and the speed in the game is a lot different. But just getting those scout team reps really helped me a lot and tonight was just a fun night with these guys."
On when he learned he'd be involved in this week's game plan…
"Once it was Monday, they pretty much had put in my own little package. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready, so I just stayed ready the entire week."
On confidence after being included in game plans…
"It gives me a lot of confidence. I mean, as a true freshman, you know most true freshman quarterbacks don't really play, they tend on redshirting, so it gave me a really big confidence booster."
Â
#21 Karene Reid, Linebacker
On the defensive effort in the second half…
"Yeah, I thought it was great, it gives us a lot of confidence. That's a good offense right there. They had some really good receivers, I feel like the DB's especially played a great game, so yeah, we were trying to get after that quarterback and every time he threw it, I felt like for the most part the DB's were able to break it up."
Â
On what was seen on film that helped prepare for tonight…
"I think we just really stressed communication. We studied a lot of their route concepts knowing that they were a pass-heavy team. Based off formation we were able to talk and sort everything out."
Â
#16 Zemaiah Vaughn, Cornerback
On limiting Arizona's explosive moments…
"Well, it was just great preparation, basically. We practice it, treat the game like practice. Lock in and make plays is just really what it was."
On preparing for a pass-heavy team…
"Really worked harder in practice and after practice, like with the corners, we do releases with each other after practice getting ready for them [Arizona] because we know they're pass-heavy and one of the top offenses throwing the ball."
ARIZONA QUOTES
Head Coach Jedd Fisch
Opening statement...
"Very disappointed in the outcome tonight. We need to coach better, we need to play better. We need to protect the football better. Those three things. You can always start and stop there. If we don't do that well, none of it's gonna matter. I also know that I told our team we got a three game season right now. And I love the way our team fights. I mean it is special. If you can feel them on the sideline, you get a defensive stop, you hold them to a punt and then you drop the punt and you have to put them right back out there at nine yard line and all eleven of them sprinted out there. And I can point to numerous times where that occurred in the game. We get into a safety and the first thing Noah Fifita says to me is 'let's go score a touchdown, and let's go for two and that's what you want. We certainly need to clean up a lot of things. But most of it came with just ball security, to be honest with you, and you give Utah five turnovers, I would imagine that the stat is zero to a million in beating them. So I'm not planning on that ever happening again. But again, we got to learn from it and be better."
On why Arizona was having so much trouble handling the ball...
"Well, I mean, you know, to point to the elements would be an easy cop out, so we didn't handle well. I don't know. We fumbled the ball on a punt return. Jayden fumbled the ball on a fourth and five conversion. Jayden fumbled the ball three different times in the pocket. One time it looked like he had great security and they punched it out really well. Another time It slipped out of his hand, but it was on the ground like eight times. So I would imagine it's probably the elements but I would also imagine that we didn't do a very good job protecting the ball and that's disappointing."
On Jacob's decision on the punt...
"It was a tricky one. It looked like, I think, he had his hands on the nine yard line or something like that. We usually would tell him we want to field that so we don't have them on the one like we did at the start of the game and you know if you can catch it, you know you're a normal offense rather than a backed-up offense. The way we took it, for sure. But I mean, I trust Jacob Cowing's hands. I think he just misjudged it and he wound up dropping it but he made the right decision trying to catch it."
#6 Michael Wiley, Running Back
On how Arizona started fast and slowed down...
"Oh, yeah. I liked where we started. We've got to just find ways to just keep that consistency throughout the whole game and you know, it's unfortunate but, you know, we got to go to the drawing board and just do our best and just play football."
On what he felt Arizona needed to do to get an upset...
"Of course, ball security. That's the number one thing. You can't win games with turnovers. That's the big thing. Playing the next play we just try to, you know, shake it off and just, you know, be better.
#31 Hunter Echols, Defensive End
On building on the takeaways and sack from the game...
"For sure that's something that we can build on for sure. Something that we're proud of, but you know, we didn't get the W but that was just something we really pride ourselves on. We were really hard on ourselves to get turnovers, great ways for offense to get, the ball back and put pressure on the quarterback, we did that but we also do want to win too. But credit to Utah.They played a great game."
On Utah's field position...
"Obviously, the chances of scoring a touchdown when you are defending half of the field for the offense is pretty high, but we've credited ourselves and got some turnovers down in the red zone and you know, we just want to be able to get the ball back. We don't complain when, where the ball is put down in the field. We just go out there and swarm and compete at a high level. So I mean, it might be unfortunate that you know, they then had some good field position, but we're just playing defense and having fun."
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