Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 7h

First availability report of the week for Saturday’s game …

Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 15h

The NCAA moved yesterday to create one transfer portal window in January. It's a move that coaches pushed for all offseason, and now it's a done deal.

Here's a look at the changes and what Kyle Whittingham thinks about it.

www.ksl.com/article/5138...

As NCAA moves to 1 transfer portal window, Kyle Whittingham says it's 'a positive' for all

Twice in a calendar year, chaos was introduced to college football — and it had nothing to do with what happened on the field.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 1d

It’s been a small sample size, but Byrd Ficklin has shown out in the live snaps he’s been given. But at the redshirt limit, how does Utah manage his opportunities?

www.ksl.com/article/5138...

To redshirt or not? How Utah is handling freshman QB Byrd Ficklin this season

The tables have turned for Utah's offense a year after a dismal finish, in which the Utes ended the season 115th (out of 136 teams) in total offense.

www.ksl.com

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

🎙️PODCAST: Later than normal, but we're back with a another episode following the bye week. Here's a look at some of the storylines coming out of Utah's first bye, including a conversation about Byrd Ficklin.

Give it a listen ...

www.ksl.com/article/5138...

The Utah Checkdown podcast: Is Byrd Ficklin QB2 now? A look at the top storylines after bye

Off a bye week, Utah football looks to build some momentum after a dominant win in West Virginia.

www.ksl.com

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

He 100% knows, but plays along with the question

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said Texas Tech is "obviously the odds-on favorite" to win the Big 12. But says there's about 4-6 teams that have a legit shot to win the conference but they all go through Texas Tech.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said his team needs to continue to play consistently and finish games to show that they can be a contender in the Big 12 this season, especially in the next two games against ranked opponents.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said "that sucks" when asked about his team being 0-5 in conference games at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

He said it's probably going to be an emphasis now that he knows that.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said he felt like they tackled well against West Virginia. They were "magnified" because they were in space and such, but he felt better after watching the tape.

Said they continue to make it an emphasis, though.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said Arizona State is more balanced in their offense now with Cam Skattebo to the NFL, but they still have a mobile QB in Sam Leavitt who can dice up a defense.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said Jackson Bennee could be moved into safety if they need to. They'd likely start with Nate Tillmon before moving him. There's a chance they could move Rock Caldwell there, too.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said none of the injuries against West Virginia were season-ending, including Nate Ritchie. That's great news for Ritchie, assuming he can get back soon.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said they're "very pleased" with what Byrd Ficklin is doing right now and there's not an effort to redshirt him this season. "He's really made the most of his snaps and he's really poised."

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Whittingham said "a night game at Rice-Eccles is one of the best environments in the country."

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 2d

Kyle Whittingham starts off by congratulating Star Lotulelei and Nate Orchard for being inducted into the Utah Hall of Fame this week. Says they've been "great ambassadors" for the university.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 3d

It should be tomorrow morning … unless the networks decide to do a 6-day designation

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 3d

Utah continues to receive votes but have fallen back a bit ...

Texas and Penn State out, though

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 3d

On a bye week, Utah dropped out of the USA Today Coaches Poll after jumping back in last week. They’re unofficial No. 26 this week.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 3d

Another week, another Top 25 ballot ...

www.ksl.com/article/5138...

Josh Furlong's AP Top 25: A bit of a shakeup after 2 top-10 teams fall in upset losses

College football remains undefeated in its greatness. And a pair of top-10 upsets highlights an entertaining weekend of games.

www.ksl.com

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 9d

🎙️PODCAST: Back from Morgantown to talk about Utah's dominant performance against West Virginia.

I take a deeper look into the numbers to show how opening up the passing game was a major boon for the Utah offense.

To that point, is Utah back?

www.ksl.com/article/5138...

The Utah Checkdown podcast: Is Utah football back? A recap of a dominant win

In a bounce-back performance, Utah football was in complete control on the road against West Virginia.

www.ksl.com

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 10d

Utah just outside the AP Top 25 this week — unofficially at No. 27.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 10d

After a week off, Utah is back in the USA Today Coaches Poll at No. 25

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 11d

Whittingham said they're going to work on tackling a lot over the next two weeks. They need to be in better positioning.

"That will definitely be a point of emphasis."

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 11d

Whittingham said he doesn't believe that they'll go up-tempo full time, they want to mix it up. He said as a former defensive coordinator, teams that mix it up have more success.

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Josh Furlong @jfur.ksl.com · 11d

Whittingham said they lost 2-4 guys. They'll "reserve judgment" until they get final calls on these guys.

To that point, Nate Ritchie had a brace on his right leg and he was on crutches.

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