Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
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Quotes from Kyle Whittingham's Weekly Press Conference
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.
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.
Game notes
> No. 19/21/22 Utah (9-2, 6-1 MWC) wraps up regular season play against No. 15/19/18 Brigham Young (9-2, 6-1 MWC) on Saturday, Nov. 28 in a Deseret First Duel Rivalry game. Kickoff is 3 p.m. MT in Lavell Edwards Stadium. The game will be televised live in HD on both the Mtn. and CBS-C. Radio is KALL 700 AM and SIRIUS Satellite 127.
> Utah ranks No. 21 in this week's BCS Standings, No. 22 in the Associated Press and No. 19 in the USA Today Coaches' poll.
> Utah has secured its eighth nine-win season in school history and its third straight. Five of Utah's nine-win seasons have come in the last seven years. Utah's nine-win seasons follow: 1964 (9-2), 1994 (10-2), 1999 (9-3), 2003 (10-2), 2004 (12-0), 2007 (9-4), 2008 (13-0), 2009 (9-2).
> Utah leads the series with BYU by a 53-33-4 count, although the Cougars don't recognize six games (split equally 3-3) when it was known as the BY Academy. Regardless of the difference in the two schools' interpretation of their series record, this is the second-longest rivalry in Utah history.
> Utah has won five of the last seven games against BYU, and six of the last eight games in Provo.
> The Utes are 7-1 all-time in games when both they and their opponent are ranked in the Associated Press poll. They are 2-0 against BYU when both teams are ranked and 0-1 this season (lost to TCU).
> Saturday's game marks the first time in 50 years that the Utes have played on Nov. 28. The last time was against UCLA in 1959. Utah is 3-4-2 (0-1 on road) all-time in games played on Nov. 28. Of Utah's previous Nov. 28 games, eight of nine were played on Thanksgiving Day.
> Defensive back Joe Dale was named the MWC Defensive Player of the Week.
> Utah has won 23 of its last 25 games and 30 of its last 33 games.
STATE PRIDE
Two rivalry trophies will be contested this Saturday--the Deseret First Duel and the Beehive Boot. The Deseret Duel Rivalry Series is tied 6-6, based on results from volleyball (Utah 6 points) and soccer (BYU 6 points). Saturday's football game is worth 10 points to the winner. The rivalry series is contested in 12 sports and is tied 1-1 after its first two years: BYU won 34-30 in 2007-08 and Utah won 39.5-24.5 in 2008-09. The victor on Saturday will also take possession of the Beehive Boot, which is awarded to the best instate Football Bowl Division team. In its 38-year history, the Beehive Boot has gone to Utah 11 times, BYU 21 times and Utah State six times.
OUTSIDE THE LINES
The annual Utah-BYU Rivalry Week Food Drive will run through Nov. 28 with all money and food items donated by Utah supporters going directly to the Utah Food Bank. The alumni associations from the two schools compete in two areas: food and funds. For more information or to make an online donation, go to http://www.alumni.utah.edu/rivalryweek/
