Sept. 8, 2009
CB Aaron Williams
On how he feels about going on the road: I'm excited because I've never taken a trip to Wyoming ever in my life, so it's a good experience. People talk about the altitude and stuff, but we're not really worried about it. We're going to play hard. We played in Colorado and they had altitude too. We're not really worried about it.
On the cooler temperatures in Wyoming: We're very excited. It's not 93 degrees or 100 degrees, but that 60-70 degree weather is perfect for us.
On the defense's performance against ULM: The defense did an okay job. We know that we made mistakes. We'll look at film, and we're going to take care of it.
On Sam Acho: Sam's going to have a great game no matter what. He plays hard no matter what. He knows he has high expectations. He's going to play hard, and we need to all be like him and run to the ball.
On his progression and comfort as a player: I feel very comfortable in my game now. Now I know the mental side of the game, not just the physical -- how fast I can run, my strength. I know the mental side of the ball, down and distance, what kind of formation they're in. I got in the film room with coach (Duane) Akina and that helped me a lot.
On getting nervous for the first game: I had butterflies on kickoff. Once I had kickoff, it was kind of hard to breathe a little bit, because I was so nervous and so anxious to get out there and make a play. After the first couple plays, I calmed myself down, got focused and got on my mental side of the game.
WR Dan Buckner
On his position: Whatever they want me to be. I just want to win games.
On if he surprised himself with his play: I knew how much I was going to play coming into the game. When they threw me the ball, I just wanted to catch it, and I caught all of the passes that were thrown to me. That's my goal.
On his size being a mismatch for defenses: I think I'm a big target for Colt. Colt's the most accurate quarterback that I've ever had. I'm a bigger target, so he throws it up there and I try to go get it for him. As far as being a mismatch, if a linebacker turns his back, like I said, I'm a big target, and Colt's going to put it where it needs to be. If it was James (Kirkendoll) out there he'd still put it where it needs to be to catch it.
On if he likes the thought of being covered by a linebacker: I feel if there's a linebacker there and we're running a vertical game, then I have a chance to beat him. Obviously I came from the outside and moved to the inside. I'm just helping the team, so I'm going to try to do my best whether it's a corner, linebacker, down lineman, whatever it is. I just want to win.
On being young in a deep receiving unit: I know coach Brown is going to get you prepared to play, and he's going to play you when you're ready. I was just waiting for him to get me ready to play. He gets players ready to play. I was talking to John (Chiles) and we were like, “We're pretty deep at receiver.” We're pretty deep everywhere at Texas. We recruit well, and hopefully we'll all play well.
On how much he likes playing the slot: I love playing it now. I'm getting more comfortable every practice, every day. I just like being on the field contributing to wins.
On the potential of the receiving corps: We've got all the potential in the world, but potential is nothing. You've got to put it on the field and show what you can do on Saturday.
LB Roddrick Muckelroy
On the difference between the middle and weakside linebacker: it's pretty much the same. At Mike (middle) you've got a little different pass coverage. Most of it is pretty much the same. You're just coming from a different side of the ball really. Once you learn one, it's easy to learn another. Like coach Muschamp said coming into the spring, coming into the season you say you want to start at both, and I was up to the challenge.
On any similarities between Wyoming and Missouri: It's a lot of carryover from Missouri. The coach is from Missouri, the Missouri offensive coordinator. It's basically Missouri at Wyoming really. We're just preparing. They come out in a lot of empty, show a lot of motion. Really we've just got to see what the formation is, and just line up and play ball after that.
On the changes in the depth chart: Coming into the season, we're trying to get depth. Depending on how the depth chart goes, you've got players that will step up, and we've got players that will step up. So it's really easy when coach wants to switch some things around.
On getting ready for games with less fanfare: There's no lack of buzz. It's one game at a time. This is just like our opener again. We're excited, just like we were excited last week. You can't underestimate a team. That's when things happen, when you come out and things don't go your way. We don't underestimate anyone. We're just focusing on the things we need to do to get better each week. After the game, we saw the things that we need to get better and we started addressing those things today.
On the defense gaining respect: If we do, if we don't, we're still going to play. It really doesn't matter how much respect they give us. We're just going to continue to play Texas defense. That's all we can do here. If they want to give us the respect, they give it to us. If they don't, then we're going to continue to do what we do as a defensive unit. That's all we can do.
On Wyoming's skill players: They've got great skill players. They've got great speed, guys that can catch. They've got tall receivers. You can't go in there like it's a walk in the park. They've got great players just like we've got great players. We've got to show up to play.
WR James Kirkendoll
On the ULM game: We just took what the defense gave us. Everyone got some opportunities, and everyone made plays.
On Colt McCoy's performance in the season's first game: I think he did good, especially for the first game. I think we executed pretty good. The first game is usually a little different, but I think everyone is coming together. I think we did good for the first game.
On playing Wyoming: We're going to play to our standard every game, no matter who the opponent is. They look really good on film. We're just going to have to come in there with the same mentality we come with every week. They've got a solid secondary, so it's going to be a really good matchup for us.
On the depth UT has at the receiver position: We're two-deep pretty much at every spot, and then some spots three-deep. Not just offense, but defense, and especially at wide receiver. We've got a lot of talent, so it's going to be hard to stop us once everyone gets on the same page with Colt.
On what he's worked on the hardest: Just being strong with the ball, executing, making quick decisions, and finishing plays. Every day, practicing hard and getting on the same page with my quarterback.
On what Quan Cosby brought to the offense that he needs to bring as well: Consistency, kind of a security blanket, whether it's something I can do on third or second down, just making tough plays and delivering when my number is called.
On D.J. Monroe: D.J. is so talented that we just had to find the right calling for him. I think he's doing an excellent job at running back, and he's playing a little bit of receiver. He's just so athletic that wherever you put him, you've got to get him the ball.
S Earl Thomas
On the road trip to Wyoming: It brings the team closer together. I've never been to Wyoming, so I'm kind of excited to see what they've got for us. So we're going to see what happens.
On Nolan Brewster: He's kind of like Johnny-on-the-spot. Back before the spring game he was always catching tip-balls. He's been a great asset to the defense, and he's making plays for us. I'm really proud of him.
On Wyoming's offense: I think their offensive coordinator came from Missouri, so a lot of their offense carries over from Missouri. So I'm watching a lot of Missouri from last year and getting ready.
On returning punts: It was different for me. It was my first time. I was just getting my feet wet out there. I just focus on trying to catch every punt, but it went well for me. I just made one mistake on the goal line where I caught it on the five.
On Dan Buckner: He's a big guy. He progressed a lot since he got here. He got stronger. He's been working with “Mad Dog” (Coach Jeff Madden) and the strength and conditioning coaches. He's just gotten really physical and strong, and it's paying off on the field. He's focused now. He's a big, physical receiver, and it's going to be hard for teams to cover him, especially over the middle.
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