Coach Kyle Whittingham held his weekly press conference this morning. Whittingham expressed his thoughts after the loss to Washington State and looking forward to Stanford this next Saturday:
- WSU just made a play or two more than Utah that resulted in the loss and that's what happens in this conference.
- The offense finally had the physical presence they had been waiting for.
- The defense featured too much 2-3 man rush, should have rushed more and more often to pressure the quarterback.
- Stanford and Utah are both physical, run-oriented teams. They stand toe to toe with each other and slug it out.
- More than ever this conference is well-balanced and every week you need to bring your A-game and it often comes down to a play or two. You get nine conference games and you got to take advantage.
- Needed more production out of the throw game. Zack Moss was established in the game. Tyler Huntley protected the ball and played well.
- The 89-yard touchdown made the difference in the game.
- The coaches need to do a better job of scheming even against such a tough offense in WSU. Once they went to a four-man rush they had more success instead of trying to get cute with the two or three-man rush
- Going under center has helped and has created more options for the run game and has opened up the bootleg game.
- Both the WSU and Utah offense flourished in the first half but Utah stuck to the plan in the second half and didn't get as much going.
- WSU played basic the entire game and didn't make many adjustments in the second half. Typically when Utah rushes for 200+ they expect to win but it wasn't the case.
- Lo Falemaka is not out for the season. No major breakdowns on the offensive line and Nick Ford got his job done and did well with the snaps.
- The offense had more of an identity and gravitated more to their strengths.
- This Utah team has tough, high-character guys and they should not get down on themselves. It's too early to get down on yourself.
- Defensively, Utah is really talented, special teams is getting on track, and Zack Moss is finally approaching 100% and can finally shoulder a 30 yard load which helps the offense have the identity they are looking for.
- Penalties can be called on almost every play. Often times its fortune or misfortune. The false start and the holding at the end were two examples of this.
- Shyne is earning more reps and is beginning to emerge as a great back up running back.
- Receivers were playing fast, not thinking and running crisp routes. That needs to continue.
- Stanford has a good quarterback and they are who they are and if Bryce Love is not available they won't change very much. They're might be a tad more throws but not a huge change in their offense.
