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LOS ANGELES — The University of Utah football team will play in the comfort of Rice-Eccles stadium this weekend, going for a third straight win and the possibility of bowl eligibility against the visiting UCLA Bruins. The two teams will be meeting for only the 10th time overall, and the series has been lopsided for the most part. The Utes have only one win all-time against UCLA, which came in 2007.
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel is in his fourth season in charge of the program that he played for from 1980-1983, and many believe it may be his last season if the Bruins fail to make it to a bowl game for the third consecutive year. The Bruins will also be looking for a third consecutive win after a thrilling one-point win against ranked Arizona State last week. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast live on KJZZ in Utah.
Neuheisel met with the media earlier this week to discuss the matchup with the Utes. Here is what he had to say about the game.
On his initial reaction to the win against Arizona State:
"I'd like to congratulate the Sun Devils on an unbelievably hard-fought game. The two teams out there (last week) absolutely gave everything they had, and when that happens, it doesn't always look clean. There are mistakes you wish you could correct and coach, but that's happens when you're going 100 miles an hour. We just happened to be the team with one more point. We're thrilled with it, and we'll enjoy it, and then we'll go back to work. We found a formula that we need to be successful, and that's getting involved with the brass tacks of what football is all about — hard work, fundamentals, concentration and teamwork. We've got to focus on Utah right now, but we're excited about how we fought (against Arizona State) for the second game in a row. It gives us a chance to make this week's game an important one, too, and it's on to that one. But I'm thrilled with the resolve that we showed."
On the Bruins' improvement over the last two weeks:
"We're getting better, and we're making some plays. (It is a) credit to everyone, coaches and players alike. We're getting better and gaining more confidence. I can't say enough about everyone's effort."
On whether or not he felt vindicated with the win over ASU:
"It's not about vindication. I've said this: I enjoy coming to work, I enjoy the guys I coach and the staff I coach with. All I want to do is go to work and fix what's broken. We've worked hard to get things corrected. We're not perfect, but we're getting closer as a team, and we're going to fight like mad to make it four good quarters next week."
On the emotion in the locker room after the win:
"Young people, they enjoy it. Old people enjoy it. They break into dance, so I break into it with them. I'm embarrassed to say I have very little rhythm, but being around those kids makes you feel young again."
On running backs Derrick Coleman and Johnathan Franklin:
"We've got two good running backs. Johnathan had a great run called back on holding. We've got to look at why we're getting all these penalties. Unfortunately, both (players) let the ball get away from them. ASU is something like fourth in the country in turnover margin, and they got the ball out a few times. But those guys (Coleman and Franklin) play hard and play well, and we're going to continue to ride them as long as we can."
On quarterback Kevin Prince:
"I'm thrilled with Kevin. He's a wonderful human being. Everyone would love their daughter to marry him. He's that kind of guy. But he went through a patch where he was on and off again, and his confidence wavered. Richard (Brehaut) came off bench and took us down the field on four or five drives, so Kevin was on the bench. I told him that you can feel sorry for yourself, and if you do, you won't be ready next time your time comes. He flat took it to heart and was ready. He came off the bench against Washington State, and he wasn't perfect, but he was valiant. He was valiant again last week, and tonight he was our guy. We're going to keep correcting things, but as a leader, he's getting closer to being our kind of guy."
On what has changed since the Arizona game and now:
“A lot of soul searching, I think, on the parts of everybody, in terms of what it takes to be successful at this level. We can be a good team when we play as hard as we can, and that is at the core of what has taken place. Really, what it comes down to is playing with that fervor, and that is what we are trying to establish.”
On facing Norm Chow and any extra challenges that presents:
“Well, he is going to know our personnel as well as anybody, so we have to understand that. It’s going to be fun to square off with Norm. He’s a great coach and certainly I’ve enjoyed my relationship with him. I pull for him as often as I can (but) he will understand why I am not this weekend. I’ve been with Norm in the locker room where he was playing people that he has worked with before. He is very professional and he keeps it all about the game at hand, so I don’t know that it will have any extra umph for him, but everybody who competes likes to whip the people they used to work with.”
On Utah’s improvement:
“They are playing well in all facets, but what really strikes me is how opportunistic they are. They play a great field position game. In their wins, they are a plus-16 in turnovers. So, it is going to be huge for us to hang on to the ball. We almost let a game get away from us this last week because we got the ball taken away from us, and that is going to be a huge point of concern and attention this week. In an environment where they love the home team, this is going to require everything we’ve got.”
On Utah’s defense:
“(They are) very, very well coached. They are very multiple. I’ve heard many, many times how good of a coach Whittingham was, and that is very evident on the tape with regard to their defense. They do a great job. I know how hard it is to get the schemes to be done, their nickel packages and how they play each opponent differently. Like I said, Kyle’s preparation and ability to coach defense, it is obvious on their tape. (The front four) presents a huge challenge. Our offense is predicated on being able to at least win your share at the line of scrimmage and be able to run the football. They are as stout as anybody we have played this year. That includes Texas and that includes a lot of big-name programs. This is a tall, tall order for us.”
Landon Walters is a history and political science major currently studying at Salt Lake Community College. He is an avid sports fan and loves writing. He can be reached at mavericksoccer_22@hotmail.com.
