Going into Eugene on Saturday, all the Utah players were confident they would be able to come out on top, despite, once again, being the underdog. Although none of them expected to win in such dramatic fashion, the Utes were more than eager to show the country what Utah football is really all about.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham already believed his team would walk out of the typically noisy Autzen Stadium — which the Utes silenced — with another win. Their preparation all week long, on and off the field, propelled all three units to play to their strengths.
“I thought our guys were completely ready to play. Had a lot of energy, a lot of focus, and you could see it during the practice week,” Whittingham said. “Good to see us play our best football because we hadn’t done that in our previous three games.”
With the performance on Saturday, the players on the sidelines were able to take a load off, and were laughing and smiling at what was transpiring on the field, most of which was unexpected.
Aside from the sideline banter, Whittingham was glad to see his players come together for their first complete performance of the season.
“Good to see the execution at the level that it was,” Whittingham said. “Guys flying around, having fun, really enjoying themselves and playing hard and playing efficient.”
One of the players who broke out was captain receiver Kenneth Scott, who finished the game with 75 receiving yards and one touchdown. Most of the season he has been covered fairly well, but Scott and his coaches knew even the smallest amount of separation would work to their favor.
“Separation is a thing that people get misconstrued,” Scott said. “I’ve been hearing Coach Whitt saying every time the ball is near me something good happens, so what the heck, throw it up to him [Scott] and see what happens.”
Utes now a top-10 team
After Utah’s 62-20 win against the Ducks, the team is now ranked No.10 in the recent AP poll, but the Utes are not going to let this ranking get to their heads.
Rankings are proving more and more valuable for this team as it gets further into the season since teams are finally starting to show what they can do on the field. A high ranking is not what the Utes are aiming for, however.
“Certainly means more now than it did two, three weeks ago, but we don’t pay a whole lot of attention to it,” Whittingham said. “We have our own goals, things that we want to accomplish.”
With Utah being on the nation’s radar, it will be sure to save more of its trick plays for later down the road. With Devontae Booker throwing the ball, Britain Covey distracting the punt blockers and Hackett faking a punt, the Utes may look like they have exhausted their playbook. While Whittingham does not think they’ll be pulling three tricks every game, they still have plenty up their sleeves.
“There’s an endless bag of tricks,” Whittingham said. “Dial them up as the circumstance arrives.”
Hackett also said these rankings do not affect him. Although he thinks he cannot make much of an impact as a punter, he will do whatever it takes to assist his team.
“All I really try and concentrate on is how I can help the team,” Hackett said.
Prepping during bye week
Since the Utes won’t be suiting up this week, they will be sure to maximize every second they have because rest is just as important as practicing for the team.
Whittingham likes the placement of the bye because although they are only four games in, this bye week falls in the middle of Utah’s season, which begins with fall camp for Utah.
“Got the week off, got some down time for the players to get them a little bit rejuvenated,” Whittingham said.
The team will be shifting its attention to the next home game against Cal by watching and analyzing film, but will get more into game work next week after the players are rested and at 100 percent.
@kbrenneisen