BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake and select players addressed the media on Monday in preparation for Saturday's game vs. Notre Dame in Las Vegas.
Watch and read interviews from Coach Sitake, linebacker Payton Wilgar, offensive lineman Clark Barrington and defensive back Kaleb Hayes.
BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake (Video)
“Really excited about this week. Having that earlier game last week, we got to take advantage of some extra time to get ready for this Notre Dame game. We appreciate Notre Dame involving us in the Shamrock Series, and I know there is a lot of excitement going into the game. Looking forward to having our guys at their best. Looking at Notre Dame, that’s a talented team with a lot of athleticism and speed, and they have a great coach. They have gone through some adversity, but it looks like they are back on track now, and it will be a great matchup with them.”
On Puka Nacua, Chase Roberts and Miles Davis game availability
“Nobody has been counted out for Saturday’s game, which is a good sign. We got some extra work over the weekend and we feel good about those guys. So far, they are all a probable possibility.”
On helping the team play looser this week
“My job as a coach is to help these guys play at their best, and if that’s playing loose then great, but if it’s playing a little more focused, then I can help with that. This week is going to be a little different than what we have done.”
On the uniform reveal
“I really appreciate the innovation of the administration and the creativity that our people have here. That was a lot of fun, and I thought the reveal was great. I was happy we played the reveal video for the guys on Friday and then for the general public today because now it is out of the way, and we can focus on just playing football and getting the work done.”
On being the underdog
“I like the underdog mentality all the time, so no matter what the situation is, we know we are going against a great team. Notre Dame hasn’t played its best football yet, but you can see the talent and the flashes of great players. But, we haven’t played our best football either. Hopefully we can address some things and you guys will see a better team on Saturday. As a coach, my job is to get us playing our best football and I am committed to getting that done because these guys and the fans deserve it. I want the best versions of ourselves, and sometimes going against a great team with amazing talent gets the guys excited to do that. This game comes at the right time for us. I don’t know what the result will be, but we can live with the result if we show up and play our best.”
Linebacker Payton Wilgar (Video)
On stopping the runs quicker as a defense
“The last couple weeks, it has been unacceptable as a defense to do what we have been doing, so it is important for the leaders and everyone else to step-up and make sure we get a fast start from here on out. We will definitely need to be on our A-game for Notre Dame because they’re a great football team and there’s no room for coming out soft and slow.”
On playing Notre Dame
“Notre Dame is very historic, they have been around forever and they have always been an elite program. This is why we all came to BYU, to play in games like this. We get to play an elite football program in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, so I don’t think it gets much bigger than this and we are all very excited to see what we can do.”
On playing in Vegas
“It’s always been a dream to play in Vegas. My dad is kind of a Vegas legend actually. He played for Clark High School back in the late 60s and he was known as the Vegas Flash, and I still have a lot of family there. Vegas is kind of a second home to me, so I am super excited to be able to play there.”
Offensive lineman Clark Barrington (Video)
On adjusting game plans
“I think there's times for both scenarios, you know, go out there and prove that you're better than him or, or adjust when needed. Our coaching staff does a really good job of balancing those two things.”
On the opportunity to play Notre Dame
“Growing up, I saw them be a top team and be really good, so I think we're all just super excited to go play this game. It will be be a good game.”
On the depth of the offense
“It seems like each week we have a different guy stepping up and it's been good. It's been fun to see those guys step up and make plays, so I think I think our depth is really good.”
Defensive back Kaleb Hayes (Video)
On substitutions to keep the defensive rotation fresh
“You have to be locked in throughout the whole game. Substitutions, that's to keep us fresh, and we've definitely seen dudes out there making plays, so we're very comfortable in what we do.”
On having to sit out plays due to the rotation
“At the end of the day, we're here to win and we all have that one common goal, so it's not really about stepping in, it's about contributing as much as you can for the bigger purpose, which is winning.”