Jaren Hall: Beating Utah Is Not Ultimate Goal For BYU

PROVO, Utah – BYU finally ended its nine-game losing streak to the University of Utah but this one victory is not the ultimate goal for the 2021 Cougars.

Yes, beating your rival for the first time since 2009 is a great feeling, but this BYU team is looking to build upon last year’s 11-1 season to prove it was not a fluke just because the schedule was not as tough as anticipated.

The Cougars are 2-0, ranked in the top 25, and looking to win its third straight game over a Pac-12 South team this weekend when they host Arizona State. There is a lot to look forward to in this season, and BYU just might have had its toughest test by beating Utah.

BYU quarterback Jaren Hall joins KSL Unrivaled each Monday night and he relayed the first message that head coach Kalani Sitake said after the win.

“He was proud of us and happy for us and went right into being humble, remaining hungry and not letting this affect the future weeks in our schedule and remembering where all the good things come from,” Hall said of Sitake’s post-game comments.

Sitake is right because taking care of business against their rival is satisfying but if the season then goes south due to any number of things and leads to a poor record, then the win over the Utes has lost its luster.

That is why Hall said preparing the same for each game with the same energy, focus, and intention is what will lead to a successful 2021 campaign.

#BYU QB Jaren Hall says there is more to the season than just beating Utah. pic.twitter.com/DDIFWTRigg

— KSL Unrivaled (@KSLunrivaled) September 14, 2021

“We realized we needed to put a lot of work into and we wouldn’t doing must justice to ourselves if we just got complacent after that win and all that we played for this year,” Hall said. “The opportunity we have is now to take the energy and momentum we have from this [Utah] game and continue to prepare the same we did last week… with the same approach, focus, and intensity.”

Having this attitude against all opponents is what can keep BYU grounded and have a really good season because if one game gets more emotional than others there could be a letdown.

Beating your rival after such a long time could potentially lead to that happening, especially if the coaches and players live it up too much celebrating.

However, from what Hall and Sitake have been saying the team is ready to go and prepare just as hard, but the real test will be known as the Cougars go up against No. 19 Arizona State for a chance to start the season 3-0.

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