BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake addressed the media on Monday in preparation for BYU's game against SMU in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 17.
Read select comments from Coach Sitake, tight end Isaac Rex, defensive back Kaleb Hayes and defensive lineman Tyler Batty below.
Head coach Kalani Sitake (Video)
“It is game week. We are excited. Our players are still going through finals, and they will be taking some finals as we get out to Albuquerque and get ready for this game on Saturday. The timing is right for us. We’ve had a few scuffles in practice. The guys are used to competing and playing a team and I think they’ve got all this energy. Either that or finals are difficult. The guys are just releasing some of their frustration and anger, but a lot of good practices. They’re just really excited to play a game and not having one for a few weeks has been an adjustment for them. We see this all the time in bowl prep. I like what the team has done, and I like the improvement I’ve seen. Especially from our young guys on our fundamentals. We are really excited about the game and looking forward to getting out there. It seems like when you get to the game week that is where the focus and the urgency becomes more important.
On the matchup vs. SMU
“We’ve had some extra time to prep for SMU and we really like the matchup. It is going to be difficult, but we are expecting to play at our very best on Saturday.”
On the timing of the bowl game
“You just shift things around once you know what game you are going to. Whether it is recruiting or finals, or whatever the situation may be, you just adjust, and we are not the only team that has to do that. Everybody has to adjust to it. We are just excited that we get to play the game and the matchup that we are in. Our guys are looking forward to it. But I don’t think the transition is really that difficult when you have been around bowl games for a while, and you have seen the different dates that the games are played on. Everybody has calendars that kind of match whatever bowl game they play. Whether it is on the 17th, Christmas Eve, or New Year’s Day.”
On the preparation vs. SMU
“They have tons of athletes all over. We just have to focus on the fundamentals, tackle well, and just find ways to make it difficult for them to move the ball and score. There is a lot of different things we can do. We are excited about some of the stuff that we have been able to install in our scheme. The players are excited so we will see what it looks like when we get to the game.”
On the SMU offense
“It is the type of offense that worries everyone. That’s any offense that has an identity and can lean on that. They lean heavily on [Tanner] Mordecai and his abilities to spread the ball out. He can attack you down field, but he can also run the ball too. They have a bunch of guys that can run. They can do fly sweeps and they can get the receivers involved. They have a good and big physical offensive line and that is why they score a lot of points. Defensively you have to be ready for it. You can try to make them change their identity, but they have been doing this for a long time. I think we have to just do our part, change things up, and keep them guessing a little bit. Hopefully we can get that done. But as you watch film from the entire year, a lot of people have tried to do that, and they usually get the upper hand. But I think offensively, defensively, and special teams, we are going to play some complementary football and make sure that we can put ourselves in the best position for the victory.”
Tight end Isaac Rex (Video)
On finding balance with finals, the holidays and the bowl game
“It’s kind of hard to get everything on your plate done with Christmas coming up and the bowl game. For the guys that are in school, obviously trying to get finals done before we travel so we can focus on the game and trying to beat SMU. It’s definitely a busy time of year and it’s hard to navigate through but that is how being a college student and athlete is.”
On his health through the season
“There has never been a game that I’ve wanted to sit out, but there have definitely been practices where my ankle has been killing me. It’s weird having a bunch of plates and screws in my ankle. I feel like an old man now, when the weather starts changing, when it starts getting cold, I can feel it in my ankle so it’s been weird and challenging. But it has been awesome to be with the team, to play and I’ve really wanted to show that I’m a tough player, that I can play through injury and I’ve never wanted to sit out. It’s always my goal to play this year, be there for the team and contribute in any way I can. It's been great experience and I've really feel like I've shown myself that I can do hard things.”
On the feeling in the team room going into the bowl game
“We’re going through some changes as a program, but for the players, I feel like this last week has been one of the best weeks of practice that we’ve ever had, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They were flying around, making plays and they’re trying to impress these new coaches that are coming in. Jay Hill has gotten a lot of these guys motivated and he’s been a great addition to this coaching staff. There are guys coming in, there are guys going out and there’s a lot of uncertainty within the coaching staff. As well as guys laving to the transfer portal but for the guys that are staying, it’s been cool to see everyone rally around each other and want to go win this bowl game.”
Defensive back Kaleb Hayes (Video)
On what it is like preparing for the final game of the season
“It is exciting. We have high expectations for the team and are trying to get this bowl win. It is a good thing we have a bowl game we like this year. Everybody is excited and the boys are pumped up for it. It is a pleasure, and we are blessed to have an extra week. Not a lot of teams have an opportunity to play another week of football.”
On the SMU passing attack
“A lot of explosive plays and a lot of athletes which is great. It’s great competition, I love it. This is a bowl game. We are really excited for a great opportunity and a great opponent to play on Saturday. We expect a lot. We know about the quarterback and everything like that. Certain wide receivers. I am sad number 11 [Rashee Rice] isn’t playing. But they have some dudes out there regardless of the fact. They are a very explosive offense that is capable of scoring”
On playing in his last game in college football on Saturday
“It is weird thinking about my timeline in college and everything like that. It is sad. Just looking at all my teammates and all my friends that I have made here at BYU. Just seeing them every day gives me tears in my eyes. This last game is going to mean a lot. It is going to mean a lot to me, and it is going to mean a lot to this program. I just want to win. Ever since I have stepped on this campus I’ve just wanted to win and compete. It is crazy. I love this program, I love this team, I love my guys and I am just excited for this upcoming game, this final one.”
Defensive lineman Tyler Batty (Video)
On Jay Hill’s energy and impact on the defense thus far
“Jay is an awesome dude and he brings a lot of energy and excitement. I’m really excited to see how our defense shifts, just scheme, philosophy, all of the above and how those changes are going to affect us as a team. I think they’re going to be really good for us, it’s going to be a big shift that will help us in a lot of ways.”
On preparations for SMU
"They’re a very explosive offensive that can really move the ball and put points on the board, so we’re not expecting anything different. They have a very established identity and I think they’re going to stick to it, try run it, throw it and move it down the field. I’m really excited to play SMU, it will be a really fun game.”
On the defense going into the SMU game
“I’m confident in our guys. We still have a lot of depth even though some guys maybe haven’t played as much, we still have the guys to go out there and play. I know that Pepe [Tanuvasa], Ben [Bywater] and Jackson [Kaufusi are going to go out there and do their job and I have full confidence in those guys.”