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Gametracker (vs. Oklahoma)
Oct. 4, 2011
Defensive ends coach Oscar Giles
On the tempo of Oklahoma's offense: The tempo thing has really become an offensive weapon for a lot of teams around the country. Oklahoma is one of the top ones to do it. [Defensive coordinator/linebackers] coach [Manny] Diaz is doing a great job at practice with trying to simulate it as much as we can at practice. I think it's a frame of mind. Mentally you've just got to get ready, get set, and be ready to play.
On Oklahoma QB Landry Jones: He does a great job. Their whole [offensive] line does a great job. It fits what they do up front. We've got to do a great job of getting up the field, being disruptive - not necessarily getting the sacks, but just being disruptive. They do a great job protecting him, and they haven't given up many sacks this year. So if we can be disruptive, it gives us a chance to change the game.
On Oklahoma having to adjust after the injury to junior OL Ben Habern: I think they do a great job. Their offensive coordinator, and their [offensive] line coaches, they adjusted with the injury and I think the system fits the next guy coming in.
On his experience with the Red River Rivalry: You've got to handle adversity, and then handle success. It's a game of momentum. It changes during the game and you can never get so high, you can never get so low because the game's going to change. It may be a turnover here, a sack here, a touchdown here. You've just got to keep balance. It's a heavyweight fight and the guy at the end stands up and he's a champion. But it's a fight all the way through.
On the young Longhorns: I think our young guys have really learned from our older guys. You know the [LB] Emmanuel Achos, the [LB] Keenan Robinsons on defense. Those [younger] guys have kind of looked up to those [older] guys, and we've got to keep growing. I don't care if it's UCLA, BYU, or Oklahoma. We just got to keep growing, and it's going to be a heavyweight fight.
On the first year coaching staff: We've got a great staff, and some of these guys have played in the Georgia-Florida game, and it's similar to [that] because it's a neutral site. But they're excited about the opportunity. A lot of them hadn't been to Ames [Iowa] last week, so that was a new experience for them. Some of them had never been to the Rose Bowl, so that was a new experience for them. I think it all comes back down to the kids though, because it's all about the kids going out there, preparing, and finding a way to win.
On if this is a "big" game: I think each game that we play is a big game. This is a big game because it's the next game. And it's going to be one of those games where you're going to have adversity. You're going to handle success. Because there is going to be some adversity to be had in this game, and we've got to be able to step up as a team and handle it. And it's the same thing with success. It's a game of momentum, where some good things are going to happen, some bad things are going to happen and how are you going to respond to those things? I think our kids are excited and I think they're going to handle it well.
CB Carrington Byndom
On preparing for Saturday's game: Oklahoma has a great receiving corps. All those guys are good guys, and prospect guys. So we're giving them the respect that they deserve, and we're just going to go out there and play like it's any other game.
On Oklahoma's offensive tempo: I think that it's one of their big advantages, using the tempo. So we're going to practice all week pretty much working on tempo, working on getting back and lined up so we're ready when it comes.
On being a physical cornerback: I just try to be tough on the field, because corners aren't expected to be as tough on the field. So I get the chance to show that, and I definitely try to.
On if this game will be a big test for the team: We know that the game is going to be a test for us with Oklahoma being such a good team. We're just looking forward to it, and we'll play the same way that we've been playing for the past four weeks and hopefully the numbers will say the same.
On preventing big, explosive plays: The biggest thing for us as a defense secondary is with the big plays. When teams get explosive plays that's when touchdowns occur and when they score points on you. So one thing that Coach [Manny] Diaz preaches is not to give up explosive plays. You can still be aggressive but still be in your own play. You know the plays that you can make. You know times where you can be aggressive and times when you need to be safe. Just let them make the catch and then make the tackle.
WR Mike Davis
On if this game is meaningful for him being from Dallas: Yes, it is. I'm so excited and last year I missed out on [the game] with an injury. But I have been to the games, and it's really intense and I like what I've seen, with the half-and-half [crowd]. It's a good game.
On preparing for Saturday's game: I'm just staying focused this week and preparing myself to be the best on Saturday.
On watching last year's game on TV since he was injured and unable to travel: That's a big game and everybody's pumped up. But it felt good watching my team out there, competing and trying to get the "W." It was fun watching it, but I was just wishing I was out there with the guys.
On his emotions about this weekend's game: Anxious, and excited. I just can't wait. But like I said, I'm just trying to get through this week, preparing well and competing every day and trying to get better.
On the Texas and Oklahoma offenses: The Oklahoma offense is really good. We're getting better and better every day, and every week. But it's going to be great competition between both of the offenses.
On the intensity of practice this week: Every week we're amped up because we don't take any weeks off. No matter what team it is. But it's still intense and everybody is trying to get after each other and do what they can to help the team win on Saturday.
On if competing against a team with a good receiving corps is a motivator: It is. It actually motivates the receivers on our side to compete, and work hard, and be better out there. But they're good. They're really good. Our receiving corps is really good too, so it should be fun to watch.
CB Adrian Phillips
On Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones: He's a great quarterback. He has a good throwing percentage. He's a good quarterback, and he leads his offense real well. He's going to be good.
On capitalizing on Jones' mistakes: Everybody makes mistakes. We just have to make sure we are on our P's and Q's, control right and capitalize on those chances when they are there.
On Oklahoma's receiving corps: They are a good receiving corps. They have precise routes and have good hands. They are fast. We just have to make sure we are ready.
On getting the younger players ready: They pretty much know. They knew coming in during recruiting what the Texas-OU rivalry was going to be like. This whole practice week has turned up the intensity we have to be at, and they know their role. They are ready.
On defensive coordinator Manny Diaz: We've always had a lot of confidence in [Coach] Diaz. No matter what happens we are still going to have confidence in what he brings to the table.
RB D.J. Monroe
On the new "light" this offense has brought to his game: I definitely think it has. Practice is more energetic. I try to stay on my edge, try to stay on my feet. I try to keep the team up and rally the offense around me and try to get hyped up.
On keeping that edge: You never know what's going to happen. [Co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin] may call you in, or some player may go down and you have to step up at this position. I always stay on my edge and make sure I know all of the plays.
On finding out the new offense: I knew it was going to be really, really different when I came in the middle of track season to spring ball, and [Coach Harsin] called this package, and I was like, "Huh?" He was clearly like, "You're in." I felt like I had a lot to learn and a playbook to learn. It was a playbook that I knew I was going to be a part of, so I was excited about it.
On suggesting plays for Coach Harsin: No, not at all. Bryan Harsin is his own type of guy. He's got it. If you are thinking it, he probably already thought of it. We just let him have that.
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