Utah Football Player Quotes: USC
Junior Quarterback Cameron Rising
On this team's mindset heading into USC…
"You've just got to have unwavering belief in everything we're doing. The only thing that matters is what's going on inside the building and focusing on that. Just need to take it one rep at a time, focus on getting better and being ready to go for this weekend."
On guys taking on bigger roles in Brant Kuithe's absence…
"Guys are definitely getting comfortable embracing their bigger roles and getting more playing time. Just need to keep taking advantage of it and keep getting better."
On Munir McClain's growth this season…
"He's a great player. He's been working his tail off ever since he got on campus. I played against him in high school and always knew he was a great player. It's fun to finally get the opportunity to get him the ball. Just got to make sure that he keeps on improving and getting better. He's a great player and we're going to need him coming down the stretch."
On the hand-painted helmets the team will be wearing this weekend vs. USC…
"Hopefully it makes us all dig deeper and really look to go for that 22%. Just play like [Aaron Lowe and Ty Jordan] played. Hard and physical, just attack everything. Hopefully we get that type of atmosphere from it and feel from the team."
Sophomore Wide Receiver Devaughn Vele
On bouncing back after UCLA…
"We already finished watching the tape. We understand where we have to correct our mistakes. The biggest thing is understanding that we're still a team. This is a team sport. We can't be pointing fingers. We still have a long season ahead of us; we've got a lot of games. We've got a big game coming up this week against USC. Can't be spending too much time dwelling on what happened at UCLA. We just understand what happened, we learn from it, and we make sure that we're ready for this upcoming week."
On managing the expectations coming into this season…
"It's very different. Obviously, this was the first time in program history that we have been the Pac-12 reigning champions…we have great coaches, we also have great players. We understand what's at stake here. Obviously, we know we can be better than what our record shows for this season. We have a lot of young guys, but we're doing our very best to make sure we're approaching every day going 100%, and understanding that we do have that chip on our shoulder because we were Pac-12 champions. We can't let that be the reason why we get complacent…we understand that every game is going to be [our opponent] giving their very best against us. We understand that. I feel like we could be better at responding to that kind of energy that we are getting in every single game. It's a work in progress. But I have faith in my teammates and faith in the coaches that we will bounce back and tighten up all the loose ends."
On the hand-painted helmets the Utes will be wearing this weekend vs. USC…
"I feel like with having them on our helmets, it's a good reminder to us about why we are playing. There're things bigger than football. Understanding that those guys are the reason why our culture has changed, why we practice so hard, why we work so hard. Because we understand that this is a brotherhood. When you lose one of your brothers, that's something that's very hard to overcome. We overcame that last year. I feel like this game will be a very good reminder to us of the bigger picture. I feel like it will rally us together to be closer as a brotherhood."
Sophomore Cornerback Clark Phillips III
On the USC game…
"I'm excited. We've got a big matchup at our house against some great guys. Great team. I'm super excited [to play] these guys."
On one-on-one matchups, particularly against guys like Jordan Addison and Mario Williams…
"They're play-makers. They make plays on the ball. They're YAC guys. They make yards after catch. That's something they kind of specialize in. It's fun to watch that and see what we can do defensively to stop that."
On the challenges the USC offense brings…
"Good quarterback, some great receivers. I feel like they've got a myriad of weapons and people that can really hurt us as a defense. It's a challenge you anticipate when you call yourself a great defense. I'm excited to see them in Rice-Eccles."
Sophomore Defensive End Miki Suguturaga
On helping each other out and leading in the room…
"We have so many young guys playing and starting this year. I think it just needs to come as a collective group—a lot of guys like Clark and myself…being the older guys in the room, just being more vocal and bringing that energy each and every day, be able to bring that vocal leadership on Saturdays."