Kalani Sitake Media Availability - UTSA

The following quotes are selected from BYU's Monday media availability prior to BYU's homecoming game against UTSA on Saturday, Oct. 10 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. 

Head coach Kalani Sitake
Full interview here
We’re looking forward to playing this game and getting back in our home stadium. After the game, I was really happy watching film. Obviously, there are some mistakes that need to be fixed and I’m looking forward to correcting them today. Finding another way for us to try to be at our best – that’s the focus of this team. I feel like we’ve done that three times and now we’re looking forward to doing it a fourth.

UTSA is coming off some injuries, but you can tell they’re well-coached because they’re still able to function. I think they went to three or four quarterbacks this last game. They’re a really active team and physical. Looking forward to the matchup.

On the UTSA offense
They have a big o-line and they use a tight end in the system. The running back gains a lot of yards and has good vision. We’re going to have to be at the top of our game. A lot of the things we can control are being fundamentally sound, knowing our assignments and keep improving on our technique. All we care about as a team is this game and making sure we’re at our best.

On the benefit of having continuity on the coaching staff
I think that it helps, having the same system on offense and on defense being in place. Even though we may change some things up here and there, having the foundation of everything be established is a big key. The last two drives against LA Tech were important for us as a program. Not because we gave up a touchdown on a long 17-play drive, but because of some of the things we messed up that drive. You have to give LA Tech credit for scoring that touchdown, but we didn’t help ourselves in some of those plays. That’s going to be valuable for our guys as we get into those situations and learn from it.

On things the team is looking to improve on this week
We can always improve on the fundaments of the game. The long scoring drive LA Tech had to start the game; we didn’t help ourselves by poor tackling. On the scoring play we saw some guys get stressed out and take bad angles. That’s not indicative of who we are as a program and who we are as a defense so we need to fix that. We need to tackle more in practice and do things that will shore things up so we don’t develop bad habits. It’s not about scheme, it’s about the simple things that matter the most.

I don’t think we’ve had big-time problems with discipline, but in this game, we jumped offsides and it cost us an interception. We had a couple holding calls that cost us yards and possible points. Those can’t happen.

Linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi
Full interview here
On the success of this season
I think we’ve learned a lot from our past experiences and those ups and downs that we’ve had. Specifically, last year where we won a lot of the bigger games and then lost games where maybe we had overlooked the opponent. Looking back, we could have been way better. I think we were able to learn from those. The experience we’ve gained has been the catalyst of our success this year. We’ve got guys on the field that are hungry and that have been through the ups and downs. I think that it plays a huge part in our success as well as who we are as players and a team.

On the UTSA offense
They like to establish the run. I was watching film last night and they’ve got a good running back. He runs really hard and bounces off tackles. It will be a good challenge for us to stop the run for us and have a week where we get challenged in the run. We’ve really got to step it up and stop the run first and then move on to the pass. They’ve got a great quarterback, some big tight ends and they really like to get after it so it will be a fun and unique challenge. We haven’t seen this balanced offense yet, but I’m really excited about it.

On having a target on the team’s back
I think we really need to just stay humble as we keep finding that success. The mindset has to be let’s get better this week and find the things that we struggled with the last game. Let’s find our weaknesses and get better. The target on our backs is definitely going to get bigger, but we can’t really focus on those things and what people are saying.

On his comfort level in the defense
I’ve felt the most comfortable I’ve ever felt in this defense in all my years playing here. I really understand the scheme really well and where everyone else is at. That allows me to play a lot more free and smarter. I really love what we have and our personnel. I think the trust we have on the defense is what makes us a really great defense.

Defensive lineman Tyler Batty
Full interview here
On how the players keep an even keel
I think the biggest thing for us is focusing on what we can improve on week-to-week. I know a lot of other coaches and players have said it – at the beginning of each week we are 0-0 and we have to go to work and fight for another win. I think that is one of the biggest factors in staying motivated. 

On the success of the defense
Preparation is really what it comes down to. Mentally this team and the players on this team have prepared. They are hungry and are ready for it. 

On grey shirting last year
For me, it was really important. Dedicating your life for two years to something other than athletics and education definitely takes its toll on you. I wasn't in the greatest space when I got home so I grey shirted and tried to get my weight up and my body back played a huge role. 

Running back Tyler Allgeier
Full interview here
On where they have improved the most on offense since Navy
I feel like in the red zone for sure. We always wanted to get better at the red zone but even before Navy that was our point of emphasis during fall camp to improve in the red zone and score a lot of points whenever we are in the red zone. that was our emphasis from fall camp to now that we are really striving for. 

On where the offense feels like they can improve 
There is always, always room for improvement. Just like last game, I had a couple runs that I could have read it out differently and it would have ended up being a touchdown just looking back at film. Whether it is blocking assignments from the o-line, reads from the quarterback or routes for receivers – there is always room for improvement that we can always get better during practice this week and get ready for the next game. 

On what he is worked on the most this offseason
I really have worked on my speed. Everyone says that I am the power back but I really just worked on my speed and being an all-around back. I think that will be a really open door for me to being flexible.