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Why Orem’s Tai Kauwe was the perfect fit for the Utah Warriors

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Why Orem’s Tai Kauwe was the perfect fit for the Utah Warriors


Tai Kauwe, who grew up in Orem and performed rugby collegiately at Kutztown College in Pennsylvania, holds up his new jersey along with his girlfriend Kenzie after he was introduced because the Utah Warriors’ first-round decide within the 2022 MLR collegiate draft, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 in Herriman. (Sean Walker, KSL.com)

Estimated learn time: 4-5 minutes

HERRIMAN — Tai Kauwe figured he would make his method again to Utah, however not essentially in the way in which he did final week.

The previous Kutztown College rugby standout from Orem was on a mid-afternoon flight from Denver to Salt Lake Metropolis, the place he was going to be the honored visitor on the Utah Warriors’ watch social gathering for the 2022 Main League Rugby collegiate draft.

Whereas there, Kauwe was introduced because the membership’s first-round draft decide, the No. 9 total choice acquired in a commerce with Atlanta that additionally earned salary-cap implications for Utah’s skilled rugby facet. A number of hours later — after dinner along with his dad and mom, two youthful brothers, a sister and her boyfriend, his girlfriend Kenzie and her mom, and three uncles on his mom’s facet, in addition to a handful of workforce and media obligations — he’d be again on a aircraft to rejoin NAV 7s for the Rugby City Sevens match at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado.

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It was a little bit of a whirlwind, however one the Nice Grove Excessive alum was more than pleased to undertake as he opens his skilled profession.

“Positively heartwarming for me,” Kauwe advised KSL.com with a little bit of amusing, referencing an inside joke normal supervisor Brandon Sparks shared with season-ticket holders at a draft watch social gathering. “My complete household is right here in Utah, so it is just a little extra thrilling that they’ll come watch me play after the time they missed.

“I did not assume I might come again house to play rugby, however I am glad I’m.”

Kauwe was one among 5 gamers chosen by the Warriors. However the former standout for Utah County membership energy Genesis is probably the one most probably to play vital minutes as a rookie.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound scrum half who just lately completed his enterprise diploma at Kutztown (whereas additionally successful a Faculty Rugby Championship premier nationwide cup title in rugby sevens this previous spring) is a bodily, athletic specimen, and one whose dimension and pace could possibly be utilized as each a 3rd scrum half and on the wing, Sparks stated.

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No matter the place they play him, the Warriors knew early in his coaching for the Collegiate Rugby Protect in Herriman they needed him. The truth that he was from Utah was merely an added bonus.

“We already knew he was a very good participant,” Sparks stated. “However we’re actually large on character right here, and we realized about his background. He was all ‘sure sir, no sir.’ There was a second the place we went out to lunch and we had our coach with us and one of many participant’s wives, and he held the door for each of them after which for everyone us. That is after I knew this child’s received it. That was just a bit indicator that we needed to convey the child again to Utah.”

After a 5-11 document final 12 months within the 13-team MLR, which included wins in three of the ultimate 5 matches, the Warriors retooled with the hiring of recent coach Greg Cooper, a former All Blacks participant and New Zealand youth coach who most just lately hung out teaching in Japan. Additionally they introduced again assistant coaches Robbie Abel and Shaun Davies, the latter a former BYU All-American and USA Eagles scrum half who will show important within the mentorship of Kauwe.

The Warriors need to construct a workforce that represents Utah and one its rising group of supporters could be proud to name their very own, Sparks stated. Bringing house the previous CRC All-Match scrum half is a part of that.

“A variety of begins with the expertise right here taking part in membership rugby,” Sparks stated. “If we need to achieve success, it begins with us creating assets for coaches and gamers. From there, there are such a lot of Utah-based gamers taking part in around the globe and excelling. And we have to convey them again.

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“We wish this workforce to be Utah-built. We wish this workforce to appear like the inhabitants of the state, to signify the values of this state, in addition to the Warriors’ values.”

Fellow first-round decide Gabe Kettering, a 6-foot-3 prop out of Lindenwood, was teammates with Kauwe in the course of the Collegiate Rugby Protect all-star sport. However he additionally is perhaps delayed in coming to Utah after taking part in abroad with Trinity Faculty in Dublin, Eire.

Past that, the Warriors used a second-round decide acquired from the NOLA Gold to signal former Tennessee lock Greg Janowick, added Lindenwood prop Sam Buckley within the third spherical, and completed off the draft leaping again in by way of commerce with Austin to chose Central Washington back-row participant John Dupree at No. 33 total.

After studying from Kutztown’s various worldwide roster, Kauwe describes himself as a “self-taught field kicker” who also can play out vast. Watching Utah’s video games on the league’s Rugby Community, Kauwe is keen to get to work along with his new household and to play in entrance of his outdated household.

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“I am glad I can come again and play the place my household can watch,” he stated. “I have been gone 4 years in Pennsylvania at Kutztown, and my household did not get to look at me as a lot as I might like. It is a surreal second, however I am blissful to be house and to be part of this institution.”

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A proud graduate of Syracuse College, Sean Walker has lined BYU for KSL.com since 2015, whereas additionally mixing in prep sports activities, schooling, and anything his editors assign him to do.

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Former Utah quarterback Brandon Rose transfers to UMass

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Former Utah quarterback Brandon Rose transfers to UMass


Former Utah quarterback Brandon Rose has transferred to UMass, marking a fresh chapter in his collegiate career. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound signal-caller was among a handful of Utah quarterbacks to leave the program during the latest transfer cycle, seeking new opportunities to showcase his talents.

Rose’s time at Utah was marked by development and perseverance, highlighted by moments of promise before injury setbacks. In the 2024 season, Rose saw action in three games, starting one. In his first collegiate start against BYU, he displayed his dual-threat abilities, throwing for 112 yards and two touchdowns while adding 55 rushing yards. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury in that game cut short his promising campaign. Earlier in the season, Rose made his collegiate debut in Utah’s season-opening win over Southern Utah and later completed seven passes for 45 yards in a second-half appearance at Houston. After redshirting in 2022 and not seeing the field in 2023, Rose’s eventual move to UMass offers a chance for a new beginning.

Rose entered college with a strong resume from Murrieta Valley High School in California. Rated as a three-star pro-style quarterback, he amassed 7,521 career passing yards and 74 touchdowns. As a senior, he led his team to a Southwestern League championship, earning league MVP honors. That year, he recorded 3,002 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 236 rushing yards. Despite a shortened junior season, he threw for 1,415 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 70% of his passes. His sophomore year was equally impressive, with 3,087 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 395 rushing yards.

UMass provides Rose with a platform to compete and potentially secure the starting quarterback role. Known for his accuracy and mobility, he brings valuable experience and a hunger to prove himself at the collegiate level. With a history of overcoming challenges, Rose’s transfer to UMass signals a promising opportunity for both him and the Minutemen.

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Meet Derek Brown, Utah's newly elected attorney general

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Meet Derek Brown, Utah's newly elected attorney general


SALT LAKE CITY — After taking the official oath of office on Wednesday, Derek Brown has become Utah’s newest attorney general.

Now that he’s in office, what’s next? He joined Inside Sources to talk more about his priorities for office.

Below is a partial transcript of this interview as well as the full podcast.


KSL NewsRadio modified this interview for brevity and clarity.

HOST TAYLOR MORGAN: What are your priorities as you take office?

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GUEST DEREK BROWN: I think the key to that is transparency. When I served in the House of Representatives, I learned that people appreciate when you are open and you make it clear to them what you’re doing. And as people understand what we’re doing in the Attorney General’s Office, we’ll see successes, there will be an increase in trust … That’s just the natural outgrowth of transparency, and I’m going to be doing a number of things proactively so that we build that feeling of not just transparency but [also] trust.

MORGAN: My understanding is that you and your family have put your assets into a blind trust … and you have officially stepped down from any non-profit boards. Is that correct?

BROWN: That’s correct… I just feel like it makes sense, in light of this position, to just eliminate any potential conflicts of interest in advance. I’m a little sad to do it because these are great people. I love being there, making a difference. But at the same time, I feel like we’ve got those organizations onto a good footing.

People make Utah great, not government, says Gov. Cox at inauguration

MORGAN: [How] would you explain your role to listeners? What does the Utah attorney general do primarily?

BROWN: We have 280 attorneys, and they provide legal counsel for all the boards, commissions, and agencies of the state. Everything from the University of Utah to UDOT to DMV… So there’s literally 280 attorneys that do every conceivable area of the law… It is the largest law firm in the state of Utah, so my job is to make sure it’s also the best, most efficient, most well-funded, and well-respected law firm in the state of Utah.

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Listen to the podcast below for the entire interview.

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.



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RECAP: Panthers 4, Utah Hockey Club 1 | Florida Panthers

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RECAP: Panthers 4, Utah Hockey Club 1 | Florida Panthers


“Sometimes they go in, and sometimes not,” Boqvist said. “I feel like our line played pretty well. We’re working hard and winning a lot of pucks down low, trying to play with speed. When we have time and space to do stuff, we will.”

From there, penalties proved costly for the Panthers.

After coming up short on their first two trips to the power play in the period, the third time was the charm for Utah as Logan Cooley lit the lamp to cut Florida’s lead to 2-1 at 13:41.

Stomping out any would-be comeback for Utah, Boqvist regained the two-goal cushion for the Panthers when he cashed in on the empty net from deep in his own zone to make it 3-1 at 17:59.

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At 19:38, Eetu Luostarinen tacked on another empty-netter to make it 4-1.

Finishing strong, the Panthers led 12-3 in scoring chances at 5-on-5 in the third period.

“I liked the bench,” Maurice said. “I liked the mood of it. They’re pulling for each other, supporting each other, battling and grinding. Understanding we come into this building, these teams come wired for us and are ready. Get out of the first period even. We’re good on the road like that. Then I thought we built. Halfway through the first period we got our game going.”

THEY SAID IT

“He’s earned it. We’ve used him at left and right wing, and he’s played center for us. He’s played with different people. He’s a really competitive guy.” – Paul Maurice on Jesper Boqvist

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“Speed, skill, hard work. He works really hard, but he also has that ability to take over games with his speed and skill. He has a great shot. We’ve seen that all year in practices and games. He’s fun to watch. He’s one of those players where it’s just a matter of time until he breaks out, and he’s breaking out right now. It’s been fun to watch.” – Aleksander Barkov on Jesper Boqvist

“He’s so good, right? It’s so fun to watch. Playing against him for a couple years, it’s not easy.” – Jesper Boqvist on Sergei Bobrovsky

CATS STATS

– Carter Verhaeghe extended his point streak to three games.

– The Panthers are 7-for-8 on the penalty kill over their last two games.

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– The Panthers have four players with at least 30 points this season.

– Sergei Bobrovsky is the third goaltender to earn a win against 33 NHL franchises.

– Sam Bennett won a team-high nine faceoffs.

– Matthew Tkachuk and Jesper Boqvist each recorded five hits.

– The Panthers held Utah to just eight shot attempts at 5-on-5 in the third period.

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Grab your popcorn.

Meeting for the third time this season, the Panthers will try to improve to 3-0-0 against the Boston Bruins when the two rivals clash at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.

For tickets, click HERE.

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