Oct. 27, 2012

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California Head Coach Jeff Tedford

How important was it not having three starting linebackers tonight -

"It was fairly evident that we had a lot of guys playing that don't typically play, but we've got to step up. They were able to execute on offense and hold the ball and move the ball. We've got to get some guys healthy."

What happened to the offense after the first few plays -
"Turnovers. I mean, you have a fumble recovery for a touchdown, two kickoff returns [for touchdowns], a tipped ball for an interception. Turnovers will kill you every time. So we just gave them opportunities. Give them credit, they knocked the ball loose and scooped it and scored. We moved the ball well at times, but it was too little too late."

What did you tell the team after the game -
"I told them that we're going to go back to work, and I let them talk to one another because it lies with us all. They were very passionate about going back to work next week and getting healthy and remembering this feeling, and using it as motivation to go back to work."

Was this one of the worst losses you've had in recent memory, considering the need to get a win and Utah's record -
"Yeah. This doesn't happen to us very often, so I don't remember something like this. But again, that's what can happen if there's 14 points on kickoff returns and a scooped fumble for a touchdown. It can get away. But I thought they executed well on offense, they held the ball for a long time. They made key third downs and we couldn't get off the field. You have to give them credit as well."

The impact being backed up in the first half had on play calling -
"Big. The first half we were backed up inside the five yard line two or three times. It's hard to get out of there. You don't want to take too many chances backed up deep. But their punter did a nice job of knocking it down in there and they coved it well. It was good execution by their punt team."

Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham

Opening Statement

"It was good to get a win without a doubt. It's been a while. It was good to see our offense come out and be productive. The defense played well for three and a half quarters. We got soft there at the end, but I'm very proud of the players and coaches. We worked and put a great plan together. Reggie Dunn had a huge impact on the game with his two kickoff returns for touchdowns. We took care of the football for the most part. We had the one interception, it was an incorrect route that was run. That was why it looked so off. The defense did a nice job creating takeaways and put our offense in some short-field situations, which needed to happen. We haven't done that this year either so it was good to see that happen. Overall, it was a very positive. It was good to get back on track and get a win. It's been a little bit frustrating the last three or four weeks, but we got a nice win tonight."