Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
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Quotes from Kyle Whittingham's Weekly Press Conference
Opening statement: Our players showed a lot of toughness and determination in our overtime victory over Air Force. It wasn't pretty, but in the end we found a way to win. It was nothing different than the last several games with Air Force - it has come down to the last series or the last possession. Like we talked about, you will get the full 60 minutes from Air Force. They have no quit and they are tough, disciplined and determined and we needed to match them and I think we did.
This week is our second-annual blackout game. We should have a good crowd and are looking forward to the game. We have to be ready to play. Wyoming is doing a nice job this year and we are trying to stay in the hunt for the MWC Championship. We have deficiencies and are looking forward to becoming a better team each and every week.
Injury report: Kenape Eliapo (eye injury) is probable. Lei Talamaivao (broken leg) and Walter Watts (knee) are both back. Joe Dale (knee) remains out another week or two. Shaky Smithson (ankle) is at 100%. Eddie Wide (ankle) is also OK. He had a fairly significant ankle sprain and showed a lot of toughness and determination and did a nice job coming back on Saturday.
On the interior defense: Air Force racked up a lot of rushing yards, but it took them a lot of plays to get those yards. They averaged 3.4 yards per carry, and that's not going to cut it for them. If it's going to take them 85 tries to get that, it's indicative of a good run defense. Dave Kruger, Sealver Siliga, Koa Misi and Derrick Shelby and Nai Fotu - our proven guys and our up and comers - have all done a nice job this season. We have seen a lot of development in the first seven weeks.
On Dave Kruger: He is an active defensive tackle and moves and runs very well. He needs to add a few pounds, but he will be there next year. It's difficult for young guys to play in the trenches and I think he has handled that very well. He is a different type of player than Paul was - Dave is more of a physical banger. He has a lot of football left to play and will develop into a very good player.
On big plays on offense: David Reed went 90 yards on a slant for a touchdown and Eddie Wide scooped up a fumble and got some yards. We are getting production from the guys we term as `big play guys' and they have done a solid job. David is 10th in the nation in receiving yards and Eddie is second in the conference in rushing.
On Wyoming's defense: There is a lot of carryover from Air Force to Wyoming. Both employ an odd front and have a similar scheme. Air Force does a good job disguising it and everyone has had problems moving the ball on them. Hopefully the similarities in schemes will carry over and we will be able to make progress, but ball security supercedes anything else.
On the play calling: We want to play to our strengths and build our game plan around our players. We want to make sure we are using Eddie properly, getting the ball to David Reed, making sure Terrance is comfortable with his throws and letting Luke Matthews take some snaps. Terrance's throwing has been fairly solid this year. He hasn't thrown a lot of bad balls. We are trying to stay balanced and tailor to the strengths of our personnel.
Game Notes
> Utah (6-1, 3-0 MWC), No. 16 in the BCS standings and No. 19 in the Associated Press, USA Today Coaches and Harris polls, hosts Wyoming (4-3, 2-1 MWC) on Saturday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is 6:00 p.m. MT in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will be televised live on The Mtn. Radio is KALL 700 AM (kall700sports.com).
> Saturday's game is the second-annual "Blackout" game at the U. Fans are encouraged to wear black and the Utah team will wear black uniforms. A year ago, in the first "Blackout" game in Rice-Eccles Stadium, No. 9 Utah handed No. 11 TCU a 13-10 defeat.
> In honor of Halloween, there will be a Trick-or-Treat zone for kids in Rice-Eccles Stadium prior to the Utah-Wyoming football game. The Trick-or-Treat zone will open at 4 p.m., two hours before kickoff, and will feature a tent with spooky music, fog, balloons, interactive games, a black costume contest and more. Ute student-athletes will be on hand to pass out candy. A giant spotlight up 500 South will lead fans to two giant inflated Halloween creatures outside the Trick-or-Treat zone. A game ticket is required for entry.
> In the latest rankings, Utah jumped two places in the BCS standings to No. 16, held steady at No. 19 in the A.P. and Harris Polls, and improved one spot to No. 19 in the Coaches' poll. The BCS standings are based on the Harris poll, Coaches' poll and the computer rankings--the latter which has the Utes at 15th this week. Utah's only loss this season was to current No. 10/12 Oregon in Eugene.
> With six wins, Utah is bowl eligible for the seventh-straight season. Utah has the nation's longest postseason win streak at eight, which includes bowl wins in 1999 and 2001, and from 2003-08.
> The Utes are looking for their 10th-straight sellout of Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. Utah has drawn over-capacity crowds dating back to the first game of the 2008 season, averaging 45,506 during that time in a stadium that seats 45,017.
> Utah has won 20 of its last 21 games and 27 of its last 29 games.
