PROVO, Utah – BYU football completed its fourth practice of fall camp on Friday with the team's second session in shoulder pads.
On Thursday, the Cougars learned they will open the 2020 season against the U.S. Naval Academy on Sept. 7. The game will be played at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland at 8 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
The following quotes are from Friday's post-practice Zoom media availability.
Head coach Kalani Sitake
On the announcement of the game against Navy
We're really excited about the game. I'm trying to keep it focused on the players, but it's a cool thing that Ken Niumatalolo and I have known each other for a long time. Our families are connected. We're connected through Laie, Hawai'i, and it makes you think about all the days of growing up. That's where I first learned how to play football in Laie Park. I think Ken said that if you go out there you will probably see a pickup tackle football game with no pads on – that's kind of what happens in that area because you just know that football is a part of your life. It's just really cool to be involved with him and to be coaching. It's just gratitude. It's just this feeling of being thankful for the opportunities that we've been given in our lives to be here – to live in this wonderful country and to be able to go out to the East coast and play football when we are far from home. It's really cool that we have these opportunities and freedoms in these things to improve our lives. I am just thankful for my family and everyone that gives us that opportunity, specifically the people in the military and the sacrifices they make.
On his relationship with Navy's head coach Ken Niumatalolo
When you grew up in Laie, you know all the legends that have come through. You know who the players are in the area. We are from the same town and it's a small town. You know everybody. He's older than I am but I look up to him as an older brother or a mentor. We have remained close throughout our whole coaching careers and I keep in contact with him regularly. We were able to share some ideas. He's doing a great job in church leadership there and he's got a lot of years under his belt as a head coach. So, I think it's a good move for me to try to pick his brain a lot about different things. We talk about culture, life as a head coach in general, staff and providing an environment for them to feel comfortable, be safe and feel like they can do their best. I've talked to him quite a bit, and I've been really impressed with things that he's done. He's just an all-around great person. It's just been an honor for me to be connected with him that way. When I was at Utah, we played Navy a couple of times. He's always been humble and showed a lot of class. It has been really cool to see him be the same as a head coach and to be a good example to all those coaches out there, especially those that are of Polynesian descent.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes
On who has stood out in the first week of fall camp
I would say, Matt Bushman. I think he's improved since last year. Guys that are coming back for their senior year, they improve a little and sometimes they take a big jump. I've really been impressed with the jump that he's taken. He's had great ball skills, since the day that he probably first touch the ball. That's never been an issue for him but running good routes and becoming a consistent blocker had been two things that I can see he's worked on a lot. He looks stronger to me. He looks more fluid and I think he's doing both of those things better. Dax Milne has made some big plays with the ball in the air. I would say in the offensive line Brady Christensen, another guy that has performed well before, but his play has taken a significant jump since last season. I think the entire offensive line is looking better and playing with a more physical demeanor but Brady, in particular, is just really playing at a high level consistently right now. Those are the first guys that that come to mind.
On the preparations for this year vs. other years
It's been interesting for sure. we've been doing meetings for four months now and doing it remotely has been a challenge, but it's also provided different ways for us to interact with each other and build relationships with our players. It has been a challenge, but a good one. I would say that I feel a little bit better about it than I might have at other times because we have so much experience returning with the exception of our receivers. Most of the guys we have coming back will be names and faces that everyone is familiar with and that's really for the first time since I've been here. We will be playing with the majority of upperclassmen so because of that I feel a little bit better about the work that's been done over the last five months. It would be different if we've been in this situation when we didn't have much spring ball and we didn't have much of an opportunity to work with them in-person for the last few months. From what I've seen thus far, I'm pleased with the work that's been done and I think we're certainly further along then we could be and maybe then some other teams could be because of our experience.
On the emotional lift the announcement of the Navy game gave
I think for all of us it gave us a nice little jolt of energy. You continue, as a coach, to try to preach the message that we're going to prepare and be ready for whenever and whomever. But when you can put a stamp of a name and a date, then it allows you the opportunity to say, okay, now we know exactly what we're working for and when that day will be here. I'm just like the players. As soon as I heard the news, I jumped on and texted my wife and my best buddy and let them know how excited I was to play.
On how Zach Wilson has improved
I think his arm strength is better than it has been since he had the shoulder injury. At the beginning of last season, it wasn't quite what it was when he was a freshman. The ball didn't quite come out with the same kind of zip that it did before and I think it impacted how he played. I think he tried his best to control it, but that was a lot against a tough early-season schedule. Then he hurt his thumb. It was a tough situation, especially coming off a season where he had so much hype and then coming back for the next year and he's not really full speed for the whole season. What I see more than anything, is the ball is just coming out of his hand better. It's got more zip on it. I think he's healthier than he's been in over a year and that's probably the biggest difference
Running back Lopini Katoa
On the feeling when the Navy game was announced
It's awesome. We had a lot of faith in what Coach Kalani was telling us and what Tom Holmoe is doing. We knew that it wasn't a matter of if there was going to be one. So just to finally have a name to our week-one game is exciting. And it's a great matchup, so it definitely excited all of us.
On where he has tried to improve his game
There's always a lot of different things I trying to work on. But as always, just being reliable is always my main thing. I want to be a reliable three-down back or whatever I can do to be on the field at all times. I'm cleaning up my reads and running my route so I can split out when I need to and provide pass protection. I just want the coaches to be confident in any situation that I'm the guy to get the job done
On how BYU is protecting players during the COVID-19 pandemic
I personally feel safe in my situation. I know that as players and a whole staff and a program, it takes everybody to be able to feel safe to create a good environment for us to be around. I feel like everybody's doing great at just making sure we're taking the proper steps to ensure the health and safety of the people on our team and in the staff as best we can. I feel good coming out every day knowing that everybody's taking the proper steps and precautions.
Linebacker Payton Wilgar
On the effect of team with the announcement of the game against Navy
It definitely boosted everyone's spirits knowing that we get to play game one and realizing that we can start preparing and start studying film. It was exciting.
On starting the season against a team like Navy
It's gonna be tough but we have a month to prepare for it and get everything down. So, I am excited.
On the defense this year compared to last year
It's different. We have a lot more experience. A lot of the young guys that played last year are experienced and know the defense better, so I am excited to see what we can do this year.