Utah Coaches, Players ‘Indoctrinating’ First-Timers On The BYU Rivalry
Nov 6, 2024, 8:39 AM | Updated: Nov 7, 2024, 10:15 am
SALT LAKE CITY—As Utah begins to put the finishing touches on its preparation for BYU, the indoctrination of players into the rivalry will not slow down.
The rivalry game is perhaps the most important sporting event in Utah. It has a lot of meaning to those who have been involved with it—whether coaches, players, or fans.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐭, 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐝 🩸#GoUtes | @BookSeatscom pic.twitter.com/aT1YjKvk9r
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 5, 2024
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It’s a game that has earned more respect nationally over time, and it will continue to do so as the programs compete in the new Big 12.
Utah Preparing First-Timers For The BYU Rivalry
As Utah prepares for the rivalry game, there is a lot more to it than what’s taking place on the field. The good news for Utah is that players seem genuinely fired up about the opportunity.
“Great attitude for a game like this, lot of emotion, lot of passion,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said of his team’s practices. “This is for sure one game you don’t have to worry about getting ready to play because they’ll be ready to play.”
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A heated rivalry like this has a very rich history. It is filled with experiences and emotions that fuel both sides. Rivalry like this is what makes college football so special, and it’s valuable for players to enter this game well aware of its impact.
“We’ve had some indoctrination— I guess you could say, about the rivalry and history lessons,” Whittingham said. “We have certainly made sure that guys that have never participated in the game or not from in-state are fully versed on what it’s all about.”
Utah began their preparation a day earlier than normal. Monday was a Tuesday practice, Tuesday was a Wednesday practice, and on Wednesday, they’ll begin to taper down. Though on-field prep will ease up, coaches and players who have experienced this rivalry will continue to prepare the team up until kickoff.
“We’re going to have a lot of former players around this week; we’ll have former players at the game on our sideline,” “That is a big part of the preparation is former players explaining and communicating to our guys what this is all about from a players standpoint.”
Coaches Know What’s Required And At Stake With BYU Game
It helps that all but one position coach has participated in the game, and five of them actually played in it. A few have been involved in this game for a considerable amount of time.
“I’ve been a part of it since 1999,” defensive ends coach Lewis Powell shared. “You guys know what this rivalry is. It’s a lot of fun. You get bragging rights for the year or however long until you play them. It means a lot to us, and we’re excited for the challenge.”
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These coaches know what is required of their players in this matchup, it demands a full 60-minute effort.
“My message to the players is that it’s them or me, and it damn sure isn’t going to be me,” running backs coach Quinton Ganther shared. “You cannot lose your 1-on-1 battles. Do not give up if you’re not winning your 1-on-1 battle. That’s what has to change; we have to win those battles.”
Players Learning What The Utah-BYU Rivalry Means
Being from Southern California, Micah Bernard didn’t pay much attention to the rivalry as he was growing up. That changed quickly when he joined the program.
“Getting to the program, seeing how everyone took the game and how serious it actually was around here with the fans and everybody, you get immersed in it, and I’ve definitely been immersed in it,” he shared.
Hailing from New Mexico, defensive end Connor O’Toole shared a similar sentiment.
“Once I got here, I started to learn and continue to learn what this rivalry means,” defensive end Connor O’Toole shared. “It means a lot to so many people. Obviously, we have so many in-state guys, it means so much to them. We’ve been able to be a sponge and learn from them.”
As an in-state guy, Karene Reid knows what this rivalry is about. As a senior leader, he’s also one of the few who have participated in a game and can speak to the intensity of this matchup.
“Growing up in Utah, I started off as a BYU fan, and then I repented,” senior linebacker Karene Reid joked. “Them being 8-0 is enough to make our guys hungry. But we’re going to meet as a team, educate our team as far as the rivalry— where it came from, what it means, and I’m excited about that.”
