Photo by: Ben Queen
Assistant Coaches and Players Media Session
December 20, 2017 04:08 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On if the defense has gotten its legs back after the last game of the regular season
Yeah, I thought we've had a few good days here. I think our kids are into it, and that's very important going into a bowl game. Everybody always says, "What makes them go in a bowl," and I think the team that usually wins those bowl games is the team that is most excited to play and best prepared. I think our guys have done a good job with that; I think they're excited to go play a good opponent, so we'll see what happens.
On if the defense has become self-motivated
Well, hopefully they were embarrassed after that regular-season finale and they can go out and redeem themselves a little bit. I told them how I felt about it, I don't know if they felt sorry for themselves or if they got motivated by it. It wasn't good.
On if Utah has any certain strengths
Yeah, they run the ball. They have a good running back; obviously the (Tyler) Huntley kid can run it. They're very physical up front, and, obviously, if we let them run the ball right down our throat, we're going to be in trouble. We're going to need to be able to stop the run and make them start throwing it.
Assistant Coach (Safeties) Matt Caponi
On what he sees from Utah heading into the bowl game
They're like every team, they're going to dip into the playbook a little bit and probably take advantage of our aggressiveness. One thing we preach is running to the football, and we've been hurt on some misdirections and some trick plays this year. So, we'll have a plan for that. I'm familiar with Utah from when I was coaching out west, and they always have something up their sleeve. Hopefully, we're ready for it and our guys are disciplined, expecting and able to make some plays.
On the differences he's seen in the team's preparation over the past month
You always know that they're going to tweak some things heading into a bowl game because they've had three or four weeks to prepare and watch film, rather than four or five days. It's about worrying about what we have do schematically – everybody doing their own jobs and making sure it's done correctly. If we do that, when we've done that, then we've been pretty good. It's not doing too much. It's just being able to react and go through everything that we've learned and have taught since August and transfer that over into this final game.
On how the defense can stop Utah's run game
We can stop the run game if all 11 guys on defense do their jobs and nobody tries to do too much. If we can hold our gaps, then we can stop the run game. They don't fool you too much. They throw in some (run-pass options), but when guys are in pass coverage and we don't do well in defending the run game, then that's what we have to defend. When we're all reading run and the wide outs are blocking, we've got to get off blocks, maintain our gaps and do a better of tackling. We've got a bitter taste in our mouths from the last time that we were on the field. So, our guys are preparing the right way and scratching at the bit to get back out there.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On where the defensive line is at right now
It's been good, we have gotten to work with some of the younger guys to do a lot of development stuff. When I say younger guys, it is guys that have played too, but it is working some fundamentals that you work on but you can't do it as extensively as we have done. I like the way coach puts the practices together for us so you can condition the guys that have played a lot, but you can start to work the younger guys and hone in on some fundamentals.
On the approach heading into the bowl game
I try to keep it as it is just finishing up the season. I don't look forward. I always tell my guys don't think next, think about now. I want to be the same way when I coach them. I don't want to leave the seniors that put in all that time, not that you are moving past them, but give them one more last hoorah too.
On how Utah would compare to some of WVU's past opponents
They have two really talented quarterbacks that can really run the ball. True dual-threat guys. They get the nice, big, long, offensive linemen. So, they have good length up front, good size. They are older. They all redshirt and they are, for one reason or another, I know there are missions and things like that that go into the process; but they are grown men. A lot of guys think they are young grown men, but they are just young men.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On how the extra time off has helped improve the offensive playbook and scheme
A lot more. It has. (Redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Chugunov) is a very smart kid. He already knows how to run the majority of our offense, because he's been here for three years; he's been sitting in on those meetings for a long time. It's been good on the terms of communicating with him and on what he's comfortable with even more. With the short turnaround at Oklahoma, it was kind of you go with this play or you go with that, then move on. Now, we actually sit down, dissect it and figure out what he's good at and what he's comfortable with. It's been good to not just throw a game plan together in a week and go out there and execute it. Now, we've got some time to talk about it and make sure that we have (Chugunov) as confident as possible.
On junior receiver David Sills V and redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier coming back for their senior seasons
I think there's a lot of unfinished business around here. They both had exceptional years, don't get me wrong. I do believe that they can be better and prove their careers moving forward. I think that's a big announcement for the University, and I'm excited for them to be back. I think they're very eager to get it going. Will has to be sure to ease into it because he wants to go out there and start to throw it around full-tilt right now. So, it's good to ease into it, and I think they're going to put together a good offseason and put in some quality work together.
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers) Tyron Carrier
On what junior receiver David Sills V can do physically this offseason
It takes time to get used to it. There were times this year where he was like, "Coach, I had no idea what it took to play receiver" with the pounding on his legs. He said when he was playing quarterback, he'd be like, "Man, stop complaining and run. That's all you do, run." Now, he realizes the pounding it takes and how much work you have to put in to be really good at it. And he put in a ton of work to make that leap and have the success he had that soon. He worked me; he pushed me. So, another year is going to help him a lot.
On how close junior receiver David Sills V came to declaring for the NFL Draft
I think it was really close. One thing he does well is the technique part. He can out-technique a lot of guys. There are a lot of kids in college who can't do that; they probably don't really learn it until they get into the NFL. So, he had every opportunity to leave, but me personally, I think he made the better decision, which is staying, which me and him talked about. It gives him more of an opportunity to really own that position. Like I said, it's amazing what he did in that short amount of time, but he still has a lot to work on.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On if extra bowl game preparation helps develop younger players
Absolutely, there's no doubt about that. Their rewards go for a long way. Their opportunity to participate in a bowl game, and the fact that we have the opportunity to strap up, go out there and continue to get better from a football aspect. Contact, pad level, steps and just lining up and going hard. It just gives you time, additional film to watch and you can see the guys getting better even now.
On the progression of younger players
No question, and that's our goal. Nothing is going to happen overnight. I think that one month or three weeks or whatever we have to work with them is only starting their progress, but there's some key guys, as a whole, that are all getting better. That just stands to reason because you're isolating some of those guys. From an early standpoint, we kind of hone in on who to play.
On his thoughts of the three offensive line recruits that signed for WVU
They're all three good kids. We're glad to get them, and we're looking forward to being with them.
Junior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On if the decision to return to WVU for his senior season was based on unfinished business
Absolutely, we have a lot to prove next year. The Big 12 was really, really good this year. We did pretty well. Obviously, (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) getting hurt at the end of the year, it obviously played a little factor. We rallied and we are in a good position for the bowl game. Definitely going into next year with the mentality of unfinished business. Very motivated going into next year. Right now, we are thinking about this bowl game, but after that, we will be working towards next season.
On how the chemistry with redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Chugunov has improved over the last four weeks
Really just getting the timing down. Obviously, with (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) going out in the Texas game, we didn't really have the time for the preparation of getting the timing down with Chugs. The last couple of weeks, we have been doing routes on our own and doing stuff like that to get the timing down and everything. He is spinning it out there, he looks really good in practice, so we are ready for the bowl game. We are behind him; we think he is going to have a good game.
On what he has seen from Utah
They are very good up-front. They have some very good defensive linemen, good interior linemen. We are probably going to have to try to establish running the ball. I think we can attack their secondary as well. That was a good reason why we had to get the timing down with (redshirt sophomore quarterback) (Chris) Chugs (Chugunov). We will have five weeks of preparation up to the bowl game. We have done a good job at that as a receiving corps, just working with Chugs and everything. We feel comfortable with our game plan going into Utah.
Redshirt Senior Wide Receiver Ka'Raun White
On his thoughts of traveling to another bowl game
The bowl games are a lot of fun. We get to spend a whole week out wherever we're playing, so it's a lot of fun. We get a nice little break from football, so when it comes to the bowl week, we're all fresh and happy to be able to play again. We aren't exhausted from all the games during the season. I look forward to bowl games.
On if there's any difference between prepping for a bowl game and a regular-season game
There's not much. Practice might be a little shorter just because we have more time to watch our opponent and practice a little more. That's probably the only thing. Coaches just want to have fun and go out with a win, it's not as much stress.
On his thoughts of the Utah defense
Their defense looks pretty solid. They play a lot of man (coverage), so we'll see come game time how that works out. But they look pretty solid on defense so far, secondary as well.
Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Lineman Colton McKivitz
On how his mentality has changed going into his second bowl game
Last year, I didn't really know what to expect. Going into the Russell Athletic Bowl being a redshirt freshman and not knowing how these bowl games work and what kind of atmosphere it was going to be. Last year it was an away game for us, just like the Cactus Bowl with Arizona State. That was kind of cool. This year is going to be a little different. There won't be as many fans as there was last year, just because it is in Dallas. It is going to be a cool experience because it is the Cotton Bowl. Playing in a historic stadium like that, you always watch the Red River Rivalry and that is going to be kind of cool to play there. It will be a good atmosphere, but it is the team that wants to be there the most and win the game the most is what really matters.
On his knowledge of the Cotton Bowl
The only time I have ever watched games there was Texas against Oklahoma. That was when I was in high school. I always watched that game, it was a cool thing to watch. Just the historic value that that stadium has. It is going to be a cool experience. I like Texas as a state with all of the outdoor stuff you can do there. It will be a cool experience.
On how the offensive line
Everyone is getting treatment, they are getting back. Guys are starting to become 100 percent or at least close to it. Guys are able to go full go. We have been meshing; it has been a good couple of weeks. We had a couple developmental practices to take the load off of our bodies. Now, we had a good two practices getting physical and that's what it is going to be what it takes to win this game.
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
On what he is working to accomplish during this bowl
For me personally, it is just to establish myself even more. I have another opportunity to showcase what I can do and propel myself into what I am going into these next few months. It is a great opportunity for me. Going back to what you said, it is an opportunity to propel these guys into next year. Just because I am not on the team next year doesn't mean that I am not a part of it. I want to do everything I can to put them into the best position to be successful going into this offseason, so this is a big step.
On how he has prepared differently for this bowl game
One different thing is that we didn't get to go home this time. I think that was better for some of the guys. We need to be able to stay here and be locked in for these couple of days. You have a lot more time on your hands and you see what kind of person you really are. You see what kind of guy you really are when you have those extra hours in a day. See what you are going to do. See how you are going to try to get better and things like that. I think a lot of guys needed these changes.
On his Christmas traditions
Christmas is actually one of my favorite holidays. It is one of the times where my aunt, it is a tradition that everyone comes over on Christmas Eve to her house. There is a big dinner and a little party and everybody gives out gifts and things like that. I'm definitely a little bummed that I will miss that, but I am here with my football family so I'll be alright.
Senior Safety Kyzir White
On getting ready for the bowl game
Well, it's a different opponent, Utah, Pac-12. We're not really familiar with the Pac-12, but going over film these last couple of days, they're a pretty solid team. Their record doesn't deceive that, but I see it that they're a solid team. It's nice to play them.
On enjoying the entire bowl game experience
I'm very grateful. It's just nice to travel. I've never been in Dallas, so it's good to go there and see what they have in store. I'm just grateful to play another game in any bowl game.
On if Utah reminds him of any other team WVU played this season
No, not right now. We haven't played too many teams with mobile quarterbacks, probably TCU or Oklahoma a little bit. But they have two nice quarterbacks that can get out of there and take off if they want to.
Sophomore Defensive Lineman Reese Donahue
On how the defensive line has built off the end of the season
It's a really excited thing when you turn the film on and you see progression every week. Sometimes guys get into slumps, sometimes position groups get into slumps. But to turn the film on every week and see progression, the little things, even if it's something small that you see changes in practice, changes on film, it's very uplifting because you are doing something right, and you just have to keep building, keep adding on and good things are going to come.
On what he has seen from Utah on film
They're a very physical team; I feel like they're very similar to us. If you look at them, they came into the Pac-12, similar to how we came into the Big 12. I feel like they pride themselves on the same things that we pride ourselves on: physically, toughness, effort. The Mountaineer mentality thing, it's very similar to what I feel they do. They give great effort, phenomenal effort, and they're very physical. I think that's one thing we're going to have to watch out for, and at least match, if not surpass, to win the game.
On the size of Utah's offensive line
They're just as big as we've seen all year long.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On if the defense has gotten its legs back after the last game of the regular season
Yeah, I thought we've had a few good days here. I think our kids are into it, and that's very important going into a bowl game. Everybody always says, "What makes them go in a bowl," and I think the team that usually wins those bowl games is the team that is most excited to play and best prepared. I think our guys have done a good job with that; I think they're excited to go play a good opponent, so we'll see what happens.
On if the defense has become self-motivated
Well, hopefully they were embarrassed after that regular-season finale and they can go out and redeem themselves a little bit. I told them how I felt about it, I don't know if they felt sorry for themselves or if they got motivated by it. It wasn't good.
On if Utah has any certain strengths
Yeah, they run the ball. They have a good running back; obviously the (Tyler) Huntley kid can run it. They're very physical up front, and, obviously, if we let them run the ball right down our throat, we're going to be in trouble. We're going to need to be able to stop the run and make them start throwing it.
Assistant Coach (Safeties) Matt Caponi
On what he sees from Utah heading into the bowl game
They're like every team, they're going to dip into the playbook a little bit and probably take advantage of our aggressiveness. One thing we preach is running to the football, and we've been hurt on some misdirections and some trick plays this year. So, we'll have a plan for that. I'm familiar with Utah from when I was coaching out west, and they always have something up their sleeve. Hopefully, we're ready for it and our guys are disciplined, expecting and able to make some plays.
On the differences he's seen in the team's preparation over the past month
You always know that they're going to tweak some things heading into a bowl game because they've had three or four weeks to prepare and watch film, rather than four or five days. It's about worrying about what we have do schematically – everybody doing their own jobs and making sure it's done correctly. If we do that, when we've done that, then we've been pretty good. It's not doing too much. It's just being able to react and go through everything that we've learned and have taught since August and transfer that over into this final game.
On how the defense can stop Utah's run game
We can stop the run game if all 11 guys on defense do their jobs and nobody tries to do too much. If we can hold our gaps, then we can stop the run game. They don't fool you too much. They throw in some (run-pass options), but when guys are in pass coverage and we don't do well in defending the run game, then that's what we have to defend. When we're all reading run and the wide outs are blocking, we've got to get off blocks, maintain our gaps and do a better of tackling. We've got a bitter taste in our mouths from the last time that we were on the field. So, our guys are preparing the right way and scratching at the bit to get back out there.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On where the defensive line is at right now
It's been good, we have gotten to work with some of the younger guys to do a lot of development stuff. When I say younger guys, it is guys that have played too, but it is working some fundamentals that you work on but you can't do it as extensively as we have done. I like the way coach puts the practices together for us so you can condition the guys that have played a lot, but you can start to work the younger guys and hone in on some fundamentals.
On the approach heading into the bowl game
I try to keep it as it is just finishing up the season. I don't look forward. I always tell my guys don't think next, think about now. I want to be the same way when I coach them. I don't want to leave the seniors that put in all that time, not that you are moving past them, but give them one more last hoorah too.
On how Utah would compare to some of WVU's past opponents
They have two really talented quarterbacks that can really run the ball. True dual-threat guys. They get the nice, big, long, offensive linemen. So, they have good length up front, good size. They are older. They all redshirt and they are, for one reason or another, I know there are missions and things like that that go into the process; but they are grown men. A lot of guys think they are young grown men, but they are just young men.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On how the extra time off has helped improve the offensive playbook and scheme
A lot more. It has. (Redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Chugunov) is a very smart kid. He already knows how to run the majority of our offense, because he's been here for three years; he's been sitting in on those meetings for a long time. It's been good on the terms of communicating with him and on what he's comfortable with even more. With the short turnaround at Oklahoma, it was kind of you go with this play or you go with that, then move on. Now, we actually sit down, dissect it and figure out what he's good at and what he's comfortable with. It's been good to not just throw a game plan together in a week and go out there and execute it. Now, we've got some time to talk about it and make sure that we have (Chugunov) as confident as possible.
On junior receiver David Sills V and redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier coming back for their senior seasons
I think there's a lot of unfinished business around here. They both had exceptional years, don't get me wrong. I do believe that they can be better and prove their careers moving forward. I think that's a big announcement for the University, and I'm excited for them to be back. I think they're very eager to get it going. Will has to be sure to ease into it because he wants to go out there and start to throw it around full-tilt right now. So, it's good to ease into it, and I think they're going to put together a good offseason and put in some quality work together.
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers) Tyron Carrier
On what junior receiver David Sills V can do physically this offseason
It takes time to get used to it. There were times this year where he was like, "Coach, I had no idea what it took to play receiver" with the pounding on his legs. He said when he was playing quarterback, he'd be like, "Man, stop complaining and run. That's all you do, run." Now, he realizes the pounding it takes and how much work you have to put in to be really good at it. And he put in a ton of work to make that leap and have the success he had that soon. He worked me; he pushed me. So, another year is going to help him a lot.
On how close junior receiver David Sills V came to declaring for the NFL Draft
I think it was really close. One thing he does well is the technique part. He can out-technique a lot of guys. There are a lot of kids in college who can't do that; they probably don't really learn it until they get into the NFL. So, he had every opportunity to leave, but me personally, I think he made the better decision, which is staying, which me and him talked about. It gives him more of an opportunity to really own that position. Like I said, it's amazing what he did in that short amount of time, but he still has a lot to work on.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On if extra bowl game preparation helps develop younger players
Absolutely, there's no doubt about that. Their rewards go for a long way. Their opportunity to participate in a bowl game, and the fact that we have the opportunity to strap up, go out there and continue to get better from a football aspect. Contact, pad level, steps and just lining up and going hard. It just gives you time, additional film to watch and you can see the guys getting better even now.
On the progression of younger players
No question, and that's our goal. Nothing is going to happen overnight. I think that one month or three weeks or whatever we have to work with them is only starting their progress, but there's some key guys, as a whole, that are all getting better. That just stands to reason because you're isolating some of those guys. From an early standpoint, we kind of hone in on who to play.
On his thoughts of the three offensive line recruits that signed for WVU
They're all three good kids. We're glad to get them, and we're looking forward to being with them.
Junior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On if the decision to return to WVU for his senior season was based on unfinished business
Absolutely, we have a lot to prove next year. The Big 12 was really, really good this year. We did pretty well. Obviously, (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) getting hurt at the end of the year, it obviously played a little factor. We rallied and we are in a good position for the bowl game. Definitely going into next year with the mentality of unfinished business. Very motivated going into next year. Right now, we are thinking about this bowl game, but after that, we will be working towards next season.
On how the chemistry with redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Chugunov has improved over the last four weeks
Really just getting the timing down. Obviously, with (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) going out in the Texas game, we didn't really have the time for the preparation of getting the timing down with Chugs. The last couple of weeks, we have been doing routes on our own and doing stuff like that to get the timing down and everything. He is spinning it out there, he looks really good in practice, so we are ready for the bowl game. We are behind him; we think he is going to have a good game.
On what he has seen from Utah
They are very good up-front. They have some very good defensive linemen, good interior linemen. We are probably going to have to try to establish running the ball. I think we can attack their secondary as well. That was a good reason why we had to get the timing down with (redshirt sophomore quarterback) (Chris) Chugs (Chugunov). We will have five weeks of preparation up to the bowl game. We have done a good job at that as a receiving corps, just working with Chugs and everything. We feel comfortable with our game plan going into Utah.
Redshirt Senior Wide Receiver Ka'Raun White
On his thoughts of traveling to another bowl game
The bowl games are a lot of fun. We get to spend a whole week out wherever we're playing, so it's a lot of fun. We get a nice little break from football, so when it comes to the bowl week, we're all fresh and happy to be able to play again. We aren't exhausted from all the games during the season. I look forward to bowl games.
On if there's any difference between prepping for a bowl game and a regular-season game
There's not much. Practice might be a little shorter just because we have more time to watch our opponent and practice a little more. That's probably the only thing. Coaches just want to have fun and go out with a win, it's not as much stress.
On his thoughts of the Utah defense
Their defense looks pretty solid. They play a lot of man (coverage), so we'll see come game time how that works out. But they look pretty solid on defense so far, secondary as well.
Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Lineman Colton McKivitz
On how his mentality has changed going into his second bowl game
Last year, I didn't really know what to expect. Going into the Russell Athletic Bowl being a redshirt freshman and not knowing how these bowl games work and what kind of atmosphere it was going to be. Last year it was an away game for us, just like the Cactus Bowl with Arizona State. That was kind of cool. This year is going to be a little different. There won't be as many fans as there was last year, just because it is in Dallas. It is going to be a cool experience because it is the Cotton Bowl. Playing in a historic stadium like that, you always watch the Red River Rivalry and that is going to be kind of cool to play there. It will be a good atmosphere, but it is the team that wants to be there the most and win the game the most is what really matters.
On his knowledge of the Cotton Bowl
The only time I have ever watched games there was Texas against Oklahoma. That was when I was in high school. I always watched that game, it was a cool thing to watch. Just the historic value that that stadium has. It is going to be a cool experience. I like Texas as a state with all of the outdoor stuff you can do there. It will be a cool experience.
On how the offensive line
Everyone is getting treatment, they are getting back. Guys are starting to become 100 percent or at least close to it. Guys are able to go full go. We have been meshing; it has been a good couple of weeks. We had a couple developmental practices to take the load off of our bodies. Now, we had a good two practices getting physical and that's what it is going to be what it takes to win this game.
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
On what he is working to accomplish during this bowl
For me personally, it is just to establish myself even more. I have another opportunity to showcase what I can do and propel myself into what I am going into these next few months. It is a great opportunity for me. Going back to what you said, it is an opportunity to propel these guys into next year. Just because I am not on the team next year doesn't mean that I am not a part of it. I want to do everything I can to put them into the best position to be successful going into this offseason, so this is a big step.
On how he has prepared differently for this bowl game
One different thing is that we didn't get to go home this time. I think that was better for some of the guys. We need to be able to stay here and be locked in for these couple of days. You have a lot more time on your hands and you see what kind of person you really are. You see what kind of guy you really are when you have those extra hours in a day. See what you are going to do. See how you are going to try to get better and things like that. I think a lot of guys needed these changes.
On his Christmas traditions
Christmas is actually one of my favorite holidays. It is one of the times where my aunt, it is a tradition that everyone comes over on Christmas Eve to her house. There is a big dinner and a little party and everybody gives out gifts and things like that. I'm definitely a little bummed that I will miss that, but I am here with my football family so I'll be alright.
Senior Safety Kyzir White
On getting ready for the bowl game
Well, it's a different opponent, Utah, Pac-12. We're not really familiar with the Pac-12, but going over film these last couple of days, they're a pretty solid team. Their record doesn't deceive that, but I see it that they're a solid team. It's nice to play them.
On enjoying the entire bowl game experience
I'm very grateful. It's just nice to travel. I've never been in Dallas, so it's good to go there and see what they have in store. I'm just grateful to play another game in any bowl game.
On if Utah reminds him of any other team WVU played this season
No, not right now. We haven't played too many teams with mobile quarterbacks, probably TCU or Oklahoma a little bit. But they have two nice quarterbacks that can get out of there and take off if they want to.
Sophomore Defensive Lineman Reese Donahue
On how the defensive line has built off the end of the season
It's a really excited thing when you turn the film on and you see progression every week. Sometimes guys get into slumps, sometimes position groups get into slumps. But to turn the film on every week and see progression, the little things, even if it's something small that you see changes in practice, changes on film, it's very uplifting because you are doing something right, and you just have to keep building, keep adding on and good things are going to come.
On what he has seen from Utah on film
They're a very physical team; I feel like they're very similar to us. If you look at them, they came into the Pac-12, similar to how we came into the Big 12. I feel like they pride themselves on the same things that we pride ourselves on: physically, toughness, effort. The Mountaineer mentality thing, it's very similar to what I feel they do. They give great effort, phenomenal effort, and they're very physical. I think that's one thing we're going to have to watch out for, and at least match, if not surpass, to win the game.
On the size of Utah's offensive line
They're just as big as we've seen all year long.
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