What we learned from Kyle Whittingham’s Utah-UCF presser

SALT LAKE CITY – On Monday, Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham addressed members of the media during his 2024 UCF Knights Week press conference.

Utah has made it to the final week of a difficult season. This will be the final contest for the Utes’ 2024 campaign.

Season finale this week in Orlando!!

🆚 UCF
🏟️ FBC Mortgage Stadium
⏰ FRI 11.29 | 6:00 p.m. MT
📺 FOX
📻 ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Hp4IMzzHOG

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 25, 2024

Earlier in the week, Whittingham met with the media as usual. Following the 15-minute press conference, here are five key takeaways from the Utah head coach’s press conference.

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Luke Bottari, Utah’s quarterback situation

“Luke Bottari came in and really provided a spark. Just like last year when he was used in the Colorado game; “He will be the starter this week,” shared Kyle Whittingham.

Bottari played three series and finished the game 5 of 9 for 55 yards and added 47 yards on the ground. He was responsible for a total of five 1st downs, three through the air and two on the ground.

“For a guy who started the season as a fifth-teamer and didn’t have many opportunities to play, he stayed ready every week just in case,” he added.

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Bottari started the season as the fifth quarterback. Due to the increasing injury list, Bottari had to start in the finals this season and last. Utah will have another quarterback behind Bottari.

“We’re on our fifth QB now, then we’ve got one more; we have a total of six in the program,” Whittingham shared. “Dallen Engemann will support Luke Bottari in this game; That’s all she wrote after those two.”

Updates from Kenan Johnson and Levani Damuni

Utah lost two players who were expected to be key contributors this season. Linebacker Levani Damuni suffered a season-ending injury in spring ball. Cornerback Kenan Johnson suffered a devastating knee injury in the season opener.

“Both would like to come back after our last conversations,” Whittingham said. “Like anything, that can change.”

Damuni was once an all-conference player and played well in Lander Barton’s absence last season. Utah had hoped to have the dynamic trio back this season, but a potential return next season would be just as, if not more, significant.

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“Levani has rehabilitated and is doing very well,” he continued. “If he decides to come back, he will be ready to start his offseason conditioning in January and hit the ground running.”

As for veteran cornerback, Johnson is in a different situation, not just in terms of timing but also in terms of toughness.

“Kenan is a different story; he had a very serious injury,” Whittingham shared. “I’ve heard some opinions that it might take until fall camp before he would be ready to go, maybe not at the very beginning of fall camp.”

Utah’s young cornerbacks have gained a lot of experience this season and have proven to be extremely productive. Bringing Johnson back with this young group could give Utah valuable depth at cornerback.

Preparing for UCF

“Now we’re in Central Florida on Friday, so it’s a little bit of a short week,” Whittingham shared. “Central Florida is really strong offensively and leads the conference offensively. They run the ball exceptionally well, as every Gus Malzahn team does.”

The Knights present a difficult challenge. They are physical and dynamic on the ground, but do enough in the passing game to keep the defense honest.

UCF has had a similar season to Utah; Both teams are 4-7 this year. Given the short week and the Thanksgiving holiday, this will be a difficult test for the Utes.

Utah began its practice schedule a day early to prepare for Friday night’s game.

Positive performances: Daidren Zipperer, Keith Olson

It’s difficult to find bright spots during a seven-game losing streak. However, the Iowa State game had some positives.

“Daidren Zipperer came in and did a good job,” he said. “We were missing a couple of receivers, so he had his chance and took advantage of it.”

Zipperer is a redshirt freshman and has played in eight games this season, mostly on special teams. However, he played a lot more as a receiver and performed well. In the last two games, he caught five balls for 84 yards.

Another receiver Whittingham didn’t mention but who has been playing more recently is true freshman Zacharyus Williams. After securing the first catch of his career last week, Williams added three more for 16 yards.

“Keith Olson, we were down to our fifth guard overall and he came in and played really well,” Whittingham continued.

The 6-foot-1, 300-pound redshirt sophomore joined the program in 2022. He battled injuries his first two years but was always someone who impressed on the practice field. He performed quite well against Iowa State in his first career start.

Prepare and prioritize the NIL/Transfer portal

“The top priority is to be able to keep our own squad, especially the key players,” said Whittingham. “Then there are key roles that have to be filled via the portal and are then at the top of the list.”

Those conversations with Utah’s own players have already begun. You conduct negotiations and then have a much better idea of ​​what roles need to be filled.

Whittingham said between 10 and 15 additions are currently forecast through the portal. That could change, of course, but that’s the current range they’re aiming for.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts the Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to beat the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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