PROVO, UTAH – BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake and select players addressed the media on Monday in preparation for Saturday's game vs. Baylor at LaVell Edwards Stadium on ESPN.
Watch and read interviews from Coach Sitake, defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea, offensive lineman Blake Freeland and tight end Dallin Holker.
Head coach Kalani Sitake (Video)
"I'm really excited about week two. We are definitely excited about playing our home opener after a road test for us last week. We are fortunate to come home with a win but we still have lots we can learn from it. Our players and staff are looking forward to getting some things done and making some improvements this week."
"We're really excited about the opportunity to play against Baylor. We're familiar with them, they are a really good team, obviously ranked and they're the standard for the Big-12. They’re the conference champs and we get to have them here in Provo, so we’re really excited for that game and to see how we match up with them from the game last year to now. I know our guys are really excited about this opportunity."
On takeaways from USF last week and 2021 Baylor games
"With our game a few days ago, we had a feeling about things that we need to improve on as we watched the film. There were definitely a lot of missed opportunities. For us the fundamentals of the game, I think we could do a lot better in all three phases. We'll keep working on the technique and the fundamentals of tackling, blocking and all that stuff. I'm looking at the positive stuff. We're experienced group that needs to clean some things up, but we'll get that done starting today, going into this week and see how much we get done."
"Baylor definitely had a strong presence up front last year, they're a really good team and we knew going into that were going to be tough. We had to play better to hang in there with them and lost it towards the end, but they're the conference champs for a reason."
"As I’ve said before, sometimes the best lesson is to physically go through the experience. I know our players, especially up front, realized that they needed to change some things, get stronger and they definitely got that done. So, we'll see if it applies to the football field for us on Saturday."
On offensive performance and hosting a Top-10 team
"We can feel good about some of the points that we put up, but I am looking at the opportunities that we missed, some plays that we wish we could run back. There's a lot of things to learn from some of the mistakes that we made against USF."
"We were fortunate enough that we didn’t make as many mistakes and that we capitalized on enough plays where you were able to get a comfortable lead. I hope it carries over to Baylor, but they’re a really good, ranked team, so we need to prepare for to play our best. That's what we expect from our players, hopefully that happens and we get that done throughout the week of preparation."
On contribution of the running backs
"I like the way we ran the ball. First, I look at ball security, taking care of the football, if we're able to stay on our blocks and I thought it went really well."
"Looking at the running game by committee, I thought the guys did a great job. Tyler [Allgeier] was the guy that got the bulk of the runs last year and the year before, but who knows how this is going to work out and who's going to be the workhorse for us this year."
"We feel good about a bunch of guys and even saw some young guys get some valuable reps. I know that we have a bunch of depth there and we have an offensive coordinator that utilizes all his weapons, so I'm really happy about that."
On Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen
"Shapen has a live arm. He has a really strong arm, quick release, he’s very accurate and he has great poise. They have a really good quarterback on their team right now. The thing that stands out the most is that he has a really strong and accurate arm and he looks like a veteran back there even though he’s still young."
"You combine that with a physical, strong offensive line and, I think their tight ends don't get mentioned enough, they’re really good at what they do. They’re big boys that can block and catch the ball, their running backs are very physical, can get downhill but they can also make you miss. They have some really athletic and speedy wide receivers, so Baylor is a tough team to deal with especially when you mix that with a quarterback that accurate and has great composure. So, we have to prepare for their best and hopefully we can match up against them. I feel good about our team, and this will be a great test to see where we're at."
Defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea (Video)
What did you learn from the 50-21 victory over South Florida and how does that translate for Saturday’s game against Baylor?
We learned that we are a good team. We believe in each other. We got each other’s backs whether it was the offense turning the ball over and us allowing them to score. Just being able to have everyone’s back and the defense flying around, the offense executing their plays. I feel like we learned that we are really good team and that we can hang with anybody.
Is Baylor a game that players have circled on this year’s schedule?
"We circle every single game of the season. Everybody looks forward to every game we play. But you could say that the Baylor game is one that players are looking forward to following the game last year. Respect to Coach Grimes and Mateos. Some good dudes right there. This is a game that we are looking forward to, a Top 25 program. They have a great program, nothing better you could ask for on a Saturday."
Overcoming injuries and coming back to playing field.
"I feel good. It felt good to be back out there and I was grateful to be back. Obviously those injuries play a role in how you think and how you play in certain ways. I’m just grateful to be healthy and able to play the game."
Do you feel any pressure or excitement for Saturday’s Top 25 showdown against Baylor?
"I think every game we feel a little bit of pressure but I think everyone is excited for this week. We are all watching film and have moved on from South Florida. It’s Monday, so it’s time to focus on Baylor. I think everybody is excited and I think it’s going to be a good game this week."
What players on the defensive side were leaders during the South Florida game?
"Tyler Batty and John Nelson. John Nelson played good, he played tough and on the sidelines he was keeping everyone involved. He kept telling us to keep going. I was excited and happy to see that."
Last season after the Baylor game, coaches told the players that they needed to transform their bodies. Do you think guys took that to heart?
"Even after the bowl game last year, I remember Kalani coming up to me and saying that I needed to be bigger and stronger. That went for the whole O-line and D-line. We did need to get bigger and stronger and I think we have done that. Josh Larsen is strong, he is one of the strongest guys on the team. Caden Haws is strong. On both sides of the ball, everybody looks better, feels better and is playing better.":
Offensive lineman Blake Freeland (Video)
What is like to be a part of this offensive line group and the high expectations that come along with that?
"We have always had high expectations for ourselves and we really strive to get better every day and every game. It’s good to hold ourselves to a high standard try to meet it. I don’t think we are ever where we want to be and I think that is a good thing."
Do you look at Saturday’s game a measuring stick for the preparation of the program’s move to the Big 12?
"All I have to say about that is that I’m just excited to play them. Baylor is a team that I’ve been really looking forward to this offseason. I have been preparing myself physically and mentally for it."
Where do you feel like you have improved going into this season versus the past two or three years?
"I would just say more and more reps always helps. I feel more comfortable. I had a lot of time to work on specific techniques and things that will elevate my game from where it has been."
What do you remember about facing Baylor defensive line last season?
"I remember they are a really good defense. I think this year we need to run the ball better than we did. That starts up front. I think we have a lot to prove just going up against a good defensive line."
How would you assess the play of the offensive line against South Florida?
"I was proud of our group. I thought we did well. We had a good amount of guys play which was awesome. All the guys that got into the game performed and did really well. There was no drop off and I think it’s good to have guys that step in and play whenever needed. We just have to keep competing against each other and up our game every week."
Tight end Dallin Holker (Video)
What was it like to play on an offense where a lot of different guys are catching passes?
"It’s cool. We’ve got a lot of different players who are talent and have different strengths and weaknesses. It’s cool to see the guys out there who work hard and get some playing time. It’s fun when we can all be involved."
Do you feel Saturday’s game against No. 10 Baylor has a chance to elevate BYU to higher level on the pecking order?
"I think Baylor is a really good team and we are really good team also. It will be fun to play against them .We definitely respect Baylor and they program they have over there but it will be fun to go out and play them."
Do you feel Saturday is a measuring stick game for the team?
"I think that we need to stay humble. I think with humility comes confidence. We’re confident that we are able to play with anybody but at the same time you have to be humble and respect every opponent."
What does the offense need to elevate to be successful against Baylor?
"I feel like we did play pretty good on Saturday but I definitely feel like we can play better. We just need to see what we did wrong this week and just try to do better. I feel like that is what we do every week."
How does being married to a fellow student-athlete help on and off the field?
"It’s awesome because my wife is super supportive. She knows how much time it takes to be in a sport especially during the season. It’s a lot of time away from her but she’s very supportive about it. It helps me because I can stay a little later to do some things to help me get better and I know she is supportive of that."