11/8/01

Inside the Locker Room

Major Applewhite, Sr., QB "My time at Texas has been a learning experience being on the field. It has been an honor to be a Longhorn and I am looking forward to the true test of being a Longhorn off of the field. I have learned so much from Coach Brown and Coach Davis. They have a passion for the game, they really care for us off the field and how we are setting ourselves up for after football. Before I run on to the field for the final time, I will be thinking about three things: did I live this experience to the fullest, did I make my parents proud and did I make myself proud? I want to thank the fans and I think they know how appreciative I am."

Matthew Anderson, Sr., C "Today, I think I'll just look around and take everything in. It will be a strange feeling knowing that I'll be coming out of the tunnel and seeing the crowd for the last time. This is something that not many other people get to experience, so I will soak it all in. I have had lots of fun, a good time and enjoyed it. I have enjoyed being a part of making history here. Just getting on the field and playing has been my best memory here."

Ahmad Brooks, Sr., FS "My career here has been great, more than I could have ever imagined. All I can say is that I am truly blessed to be a part of something so special. Coach Brown is an outstanding leader and is so passionate as a coach, but yet he is such a father figure. Coach Akina has been a blessing because he has come in and taught me so much about the game of football and more importantly the game of life. I am going to be very excited today, and I'm sure there will be some flashbacks. We decided as freshmen that we wanted to return Texas to the national prominence that it always has had. I want to say thank you to all the fans. They have been so awesome to us. God bless you all."

Quentin Jammer, Sr., CB "My career has gone very quickly. The main thing that stands out is the coaching change in 1998. That is where I got my start and a chance to become a good player for the University of Texas. Coach Brown has been a player's coach and that has made me want to go out and win games for this program. Coach Akina has been a blessing to me. He has come in and worked a lot with me to improve my game. I will take away the memory of hanging out with the guys on the team. I will miss them when I am done."

Antwan Kirk-Hughes, Sr., OG "Today is going to be exciting, but at the same time, it is going to be a little sad. It's going to be hard because I have known this day was going to eventually come. This experience has helped me become a man and prepared me for life. The coaches have been my parents away from home and they have played a huge role in my development as a person and a player. If I had to pick one thing, I would say my greatest memory has to be the A&M game in 1998 because of everything that happened that day."

D.D. Lewis, Sr., LB "Today is it. I am going to miss playing at Darrell K Royal-Memorial Stadium. The coaching staff has really helped me by challenging me mentally and physically. They have taught me a lot of things, like how to push on no matter what. I will look back on this experience for the rest of my life. Hook' em."

Everick Rawls, Sr., LB "It has gone by so fast. I just can't believe that I am going to play in my last home game. I want to just play the last few games as hard as I can, and not regret anything when I look back on it. I will have a lot of emotion before today's game. It will be my last time walking out on that field and I want it to be special. My experience at UT has made me a better person and that is a credit to the coaches."

Chris Stroup, Sr., DE "I feel blessed and happy to be here. It has been an honor to contribute to the program and it has done a lot for me. I'm just thankful to be a part of it. I plan to coach some day, so I have learned a lot from the coaching staff. They are so advanced not only in their knowledge of football and their strategy, but the way they treat their players. They are not only excited about the job, but for the players too. Our fans are the greatest and I don't think there is anything they could do better."

Marcus Walther, Sr. WR "It has been a special time here. The coaches have been great. They gave me the opportunity to walk on and for that I am grateful. It was up to me to take advantage of the opportunity and they have been great about giving me chances. I will have mixed emotions before today's game. This will be the last time I'll be strapping it up at home and it will be special."

Mike Williams, Sr. OT "I can't believe that this is my last home game. Everything has gone by really quick. When I look back as a freshman, seeing Ricky Williams run out there for his last game and now it is my turn, it's just really shocking, I want to thank the fans for all the memories that I've had over the last four years. I really have appreciated their support."