Utah coach Kyle Whittingham walks away after shaking fingers with UCLA coach Chip Kelly after Utah’s loss on the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Laura Seitz, Deseret Information
One in every of Utah coach Kyle Whittingham’s many issues getting into Saturday’s recreation in opposition to No. 7 USC is particular groups play.
The Utes have given up too many lengthy kickoff returns this season and it’s one thing he needs to repair.
“It’s a significant emphasis,” Whittingham mentioned.
Throughout his weekly information convention Monday morning, the Utah coach joked that he needed to carry an open tryout for a kicker.
“If in case you have any eligibility and you'll kick, meet me on the market at 3 o’clock immediately,” he mentioned.
Backside line, Whittingham needs to see his crew kick the ball out of the tip zone.
“Ideally, we want to have each kickoff be a touchback and never have to fret about defending a return,” Whittingham mentioned. “Put the ball on the 25 and let’s go. Proper now, we’re higher off kicking it out of bounds and placing it on the 35 as a result of groups are getting previous the 35 with regularity. It’s a particular concern.”
Final Saturday in a 42-32 loss at UCLA, Utah surrendered a 43-yard kickoff return. Jordan Noyes had 4 kickoffs in opposition to the Bruins, with two touchbacks. Jadon Redding had two kickoffs with zero touchbacks.
Towards Arizona State, the Solar Devils had a 47-yard kickoff return and a 58-yard kickoff return in opposition to the Utes.
Whittingham would simply choose touchbacks to returns.
Utes on the air
No. 7 USC (6-0, 4-0)
at No. 20 Utah (4-2, 2-1)
Saturday, 6 p.m. MDT
Rice-Eccles Stadium
TV: Fox
Radio: ESPN 700