The following quotes are selected from BYU's Monday media availability prior to BYU's game against Louisiana Tech on Friday, Oct. 2 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Head coach Kalani Sitake
Full interview here
We watched all the film on Louisiana Tech and they’re a well-coached team. Skip Holtz is a great coach and he’s been there for a number of years, so they have their identity and culture in place. We’re looking forward to a matchup against a really experienced team. They have a lot of returners and had a lot of success last year. They won 10 games and beat Miami in their bowl game. We know we’re getting a quality opponent coming into our house and we have to get some things done in preparation. It’s going to be another test of our toughness.
On LA Tech head coach Skip Holtz
I’ve been around him quite a bit and I’ve been really impressed with his leadership style. It makes a lot of sense being the son of a legend. More importantly though, you see the things he’s done as a coach, especially at LA Tech. They scored a bunch of points this last game against Houston Baptist. They were down early against Southern Miss in the first game and they came back to win that game. That’s indicative of a great leader and that starts at the top with the head coach.
On the sideline atmosphere during the game against Troy
We’re going to turn up the dancing even more now that everyone is giving it so much attention. I just want my guys to enjoy the moment and have fun with the game. We’re just trying to keep our guys loose. I taught the players the cabbage patch this past week. I thought it would be fun to teach them some old school moves that we did back when I was younger. This year it’s just getting attention because there is nothing else to look at with no fans in the stands.
On game planning with the uncertainty surrounding COVID testing
It’s way different. You’re doing a depth chart, trying to get practice ready and having anxiety over a test result. Then, you’re dealing with contact tracing and spacing guys out so that doesn’t become an issue. You try to keep a low-risk environment, so it only impacts the person that tests positive. We have to cross-train a lot more now than ever before. I’ll give an example, we have a great group of linebackers that can play more than one position, but that doesn’t allow you to let them settle in one spot because you have to deal with COVID testing. We usually cross-train in spring quite a bit, but now it is part of everyday football in the year 2020.
On the receivers and tight ends
We knew we had something special in this group. Even in the depth there are some young guys that are very capable. I think Gunner Romney is doing exactly what we thought he’d do. The same thing with Dax Milne, Neil Pau’u and the group of young guys behind them. I thought Isaac Rex, Carter Wheat, Lane Lunt and Masen Wake have done a great job in filling in for Matt Bushman. They’re all still young and cutting their teeth in the game of football. I think Steve Clark has done a great job with the tight ends and Fesi Sitake has done a great job with the receivers.
BYU defensive line Zac Dawe
Full interview here
On the defensive line’s improvement
I think the biggest thing is as a defense we all rely on each other. This year especially we have a great unity and we respect Coach Tuiaki. In the spring, we talked about football IQ and about why we do stuff in certain scenarios. We’ve all just got to try to get each other’s back. We understand a little bit more on schemes and things like that. Whatever we are called to do, we put our heads down and do our best at it.
On the change of preparation with the team’s rankings
I don’t think it necessarily changes our prep. It’s just in the background and we can’t get too caught up in what other people are saying because we know what we have here. As long as that number isn’t one, we are going to keep working. We are going to keep working until we are the best that we can be. The prep stays the same. We still have to watch the film. We still have our corrections. We will just keep working on our strengths. It's the same preparation and same momentum, we’ve just got to keep it rolling.
On the national attention
It’s always fun to hear that we are doing great and people are excited to see what’s going on. But when we come to the office, we need to erase those pressures going on inside and focus on what we are doing here. That’s where the poison kicks in. We can’t focus on the environment and all the external things going on. All we can focus on is what we need to work on, the things we are doing great and the things we need to improve. We just need to keep the momentum and keep getting better.
BYU linebacker Keenan Pili
Full interview here
On the uncertainty of COVID-19
I wouldn’t say it isn't too bad. We are pretty deep this year, so we haven’t had too many issues when it comes to COVID and people sitting out. Our training staff is doing all they can to keep us all healthy and I think that we as a team are doing a good job of living these protocols: wearing our masks and staying six feet away. So, it hasn’t been too bad.
On the key to the defensive success
It's definitely everyone doing their role. Big shout out to the defensive line. I was watching their film and I feel like they did a super good job this game. Everyone doing their role is the reason for our success.
On Louisiana Tech’s offense
I have started watching film on them and their offensive team is pretty dynamic. I would say they are similar to Troy. They are a little more balanced in how they do things. We are excited to play them.
On his personal performance
I have a lot to improve on. I am just trying to focus on what I can do as a teammate and as a person on the defense. Making sure I can do my job when my number is called.
Wide Receiver Dax Milne
Full interview here
On the wide receivers stepping up
Overall, I am pretty proud of my guys for what they've done and filling in the role that Matt Bushman was in previously. I don't want to dog on the younger tight ends because they are doing great as well. We have not forgotten about them and still utilizing them in any way we can. I'm proud of those guys too and we are moving along just fine.
On turning around his game after the initial muffed punt
It was kind of a rollercoaster as far as from where my head was at. I don't know why I muffed that punt but it happened. But, I just attribute the type of game I had to my teammates and my coaches. Soon as I came off the field, everyone just told me they had my back and to not worry about it. The coaches were making sure that I was going to be alright and I was going to have a break-out game. I just trusted everyone and I told them I would make it up to them and fortunately I did.
Thoughts on how it fueled the wide receivers in the offseason knowing they had to step up
It definitely fueled us. Gunner Romney, Neil Pau'u and I and all the younger guys that were here last year learned so much from Talon Shumway, Aleva Hifo and Micah Simon. We knew that we had big roles to fill. It was a huge motivation for us to be the best that we could be and make sure we were ready to go when the season started.