9/6/04

Two Minute Drill: Derrick Johnson

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Senior linebacker Derrick Johnson is the nation's only returning finalist for last season's Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker) and is on the watch lists for this year's Butkus, along with the Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year award, Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman), and Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year). He also has been selected as the 2004 Preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as voted on by members of the media. Against North Texas, he forced three fumbles and had nine tackles to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. He took time with the media this week to discuss Arkansas gameweek.

On his performance against North Texas and earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors:
Well, I'm very proud to get Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. I've got to give credit to the defensive players around me. On a lot of those plays, Rod Wright or Larry Dibbles are taking on two blockers and I'm free. I really appreciate what the D-line does for the linebackers. I'm looking forward to getting some more turnovers.

On preparing for Arkansas:
To beat a great team, you have to forget about the week before, treat it like a loss as far as putting it out of your mind. If you want to win the next game, you can't be complacent. We've got to forget about North Texas and move forward to Arkansas and hopefully be the more prepared team on Saturday. For our defense, this is a really good game early in the season. It's going to challenge us to see where we are. Hopefully this Saturday we can keep our poise and come out with a win.

On playing in Fayetteville:
I've heard a lot of things as far as it being a really hostile environment. You really don't know that much until you get in that atmosphere. I'm excited to go down there and take on the challenge. I personally really like going to play in hostile environments. That's just the confidence that I have in myself and in my team.

On last year's loss to Arkansas:
It was a bad feeling. It left a bitter taste in my mouth after we lost the game. They came out and played a real good game. They had fewer mistakes than us and came out with the victory.

On Texas' defensive scheme:
I've very excited about this defense. I like the scheme that Greg Robinson has put out for us. It's a great scheme and we just have to execute and do our minimum assignments.

On what makes Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones dangerous:
His speed. He has very deceptive speed. He's very tall so he looks like he's not moving fast, but he's making up ground every time he steps. Hopefully we can hold him to a minimal. He's a great quarterback. We've got a lot of respect for him.