Utah Hoping For Better Rose Bowl Result The Second Time Around

SALT LAKE CITY- Utah soccer is in the course of preparations for his or her second Rose Bowl look and having already been there only a 12 months prior is one thing the staff hopes will probably be a bonus. The Rose Bowl will all the time maintain a sure mystique irrespective of what number of instances you go however understanding what to anticipate and never having close to the novelty as first-timers is preserving the main target somewhat extra within the constructing this time round.

“I believe expertise helps you anytime you might be in a scenario like this,” head coach Kyle Whittingham mentioned after follow. “I believe it helped us within the final two championship video games by going to the primary two again in ’19 and ’18. I believe that’s all the time a constructive factor. It doesn’t assure or imply you’re going to play nicely, nevertheless it does offer you a reference level and a few alternative to be taught from what you probably did nicely or didn’t achieve this nicely within the final 12 months’s preparation and apply it this 12 months for the betterment.”

All Gasoline, No Breaks For Utah

Going to the Rose Bowl final season win or loss was wonderful for the Utes for lots of causes, however the novelty of merely “being there” has worn off. Utah expects to win and will probably be doing every part of their energy in keeping with receiver Devaughn Vele to ensure they end the job towards Penn State.

“That is our second time in two years going to the Rose Bowl,” Vele mentioned. “We’re sort of ready for it. We’re simply specializing in a greater end result than final 12 months. Ensuring we simply do little issues proper and we’re actually harping on preserving that very same tenacity within the championship recreation. Getting in that additional movie research and additional work on the sphere to ensure we’re prepared for the Rose Bowl and are available out as champions.”

Tight finish Thomas Yassmin agrees that this time the Utes are somewhat extra ready with reference as to what to anticipate. Many of the staff has been there and skilled the Rose Bowl from the 12 months prior and the hope is that this journey is a bit more “business-like” than the time earlier than.

“We’re all clearly excited, however we’ve been there, seen it and know what the environment is like,” Yassmin mentioned. “Proper now we’re stepping into there and enjoying one other recreation. I believe that was simply the case with the Pac-12 Championship. We’re going there and it’s simply one other weekly recreation for us.”

For staff captain and quarterback Cam Rising, it’s nonetheless about having some enjoyable and having fun with the expertise the Rose Bowl offers. Nevertheless, he’s hopeful that a few of the noise from the 12 months prior will probably be absent as Utah prepares for his or her large recreation towards the Nittany Lions.

“I believe there’s a lot much less hoopla happening round it and also you’re simply extra centered on going to the sport,” Rising mentioned. “After all, you’re going to be excited to go to Disneyland and every part like that. I’m wanting ahead to that, however in addition to that we’re taking place to win a soccer recreation.”

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of each the Crimson Nook Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Present (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports activities Zone. Observe her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

Follow @bodkinkslsports