Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham

On getting the win...
"Proud of our guys for handing adversity, especially the defense. We were up 30-10 and in complete control of the game. Then we lost control. We ran the ball very well. Ty Jordan was awesome. We did not turn the ball over and that was huge. We didn't defend the run as well as we had in the first two games tonight. Britain Covey's punt return for a touchdown may have been the difference in the game because our offense only got us one TD in the second half. We also had too many penalties. We have to do a better job of coaching that. But the bottom line is we got the "W." Now we have to get ready to go to Colorado on short week."

On the offensive struggles late in the game...
"We just kind of got too vanilla and non-imaginative. We knew that we needed to milk the clock, but to have three three-and-outs in succession like we did, that's unacceptable. We also weren't very good in the short-yardage situations. We should feel confident to be able to go for it on fourth-and-short. We have a good line. But I just don't feel that way right now. We have to do better as coaches. But credit to the players to hanging in there."

On freshman running back Ty Jordan...
"He's starting to separate himself even more. He's been our top guy and now he's getting more and more separation. Devin Brumfield couldn't go a lot tonight. Jordan Wilmore does some good things for us and has a lot on his plate with pass protection. Micah Bernard had one really nice run tonight for 25 yards. But Ty Jordan, by what you have evidenced tonight, is our number one back."
"He's getting used to speed of the Power 5 game. Things move fast in all lanes at the Power 5 level. He has gotten used to that. Now he has some confidence as well. He did not put the ball on the ground tonight and he made a concerted effort this week to take care of that. One thing we need to do more is throw him the ball."

On the play of the defense...
"We have a lot of things to correct. We had guys in the secondary playing the wrong coverage at times. I was really upset at that TD drive we gave up when we had four or five penalties. We have to be better than that."

On disappointment with the start of the game, scoring but settling for field goals...
"We didn't score (touchdowns). We got field goals those first three trips in the Red Zone. Our ineptness in the Red Zone was a big issue early in the game. The game should have been put away at that point. To us, a field goal in the Red Zone is a loss. Our touchdown percentage in the Red Zone is not good enough. Our Red Zone defense has been very good. You want to be at 50 percent on defense and 70 percent on offense in the Red Zone. The defense is right there. We need to get better on offense."

On the play of Britain Covey...
"It was awesome to see him play so well. That punt return was vintage Covey. He just has such a knack for that and to see the openings where to run. There aren't many guys in the country who can make returns like that. He's not quite 100 percent yet, but he is special."
 
Wide Receiver Britain Covey

On how he felt tonight...
"It was nice. It really has been a long time since I've felt this good going into a game. Words can't express how frustrating it has been. This is my first healthy game since the first Washington game back in 2018 (Sept. 15). I knew tonight that I wouldn't be thinking about any injuries or how my body felt. It felt amazing."

"Last week I wasn't supposed to play. I got on the field and adrenaline took over. I didn't have a major hamstring injury, but I felt like we had other guys who could help us. But this week it was different. The plan was to get me involved more."

On getting the first win of the season...
"It felt great. A "W" is a "W." This team is so young in so many aspects. You can sense it in locker room. We have enough leaders to help them but it is still a process. You have to find the positives. Having the first two games canceled was more draining than I can put into words. To almost be on the plane, ready to go to UCLA, and then not be able to play was so tough. But we are happy to get a win. Hard to believe up here, after all we've won, that it was this tough to get the first one this season. But we were sick of losing."

On how the team can learn to close out games better...
"That is something that will take experience. I always feel like playing with a lead is harder than playing from behind. I always love the stat of a team's record when having a lead at halftime. How do you front run? It is harder than it seems. Harder than it looks."

On Ty Jordan's progress...
"One thing that impressed me the most, his fumble against Washington was something that he took to heart. He's like a little rock. You put your hand on him to wish him a good game and your hand hurts. If I were recruiting a guy, the type of guy I would recruit is Ty Jordan."
 
Linebacker Devin Lloyd

On when OSU rallied in fourth quarter...
"We were trying to get the job done some way and just get the ball back for the offense. Had to work through some adversity right there. You just need to be resilient and do your job. Take it play by play and give your all every play. We need to be more disciplined with the penalties, understand the rules and abide by them. We have to do our part by playing smart."

On getting the win...
"Obviously, it felt great. We worked so hard in offseason and during the week. Losses are extremely tough. Wins are what we expect, but it is still a great feeling."
 
Running Back Ty Jordan

On what has helped his progress...
"Honestly, I want to give credit to O line. We work so hard and work on all the details to make sure everything is right. The hard work has paid off."

On the extra practice this fall helping him...
"If we had started the season start when we were supposed to, it would have been more difficult for me to adjust to the speed of the game. So the extra practice has helped. I feel really prepared. I have a great coach and great running backs around me who help me get prepared."

What changed in fourth quarter that limited the offense...
"It felt like they got a little bit more together, they noticed some key things and started making big plays. They just adjusted really well."
 
Defensive Back JaTravis Broughton

On how to overcome the penalties and mistakes late in the game...
"We just need to be more disciplined. There were some calls that didn't need to happen. Just got a little bit too touchy on some plays when we didn't need to. We just gave up too many penalties and too many yards. We have to learn and adjust and get better."