Oct. 25, 2011
RB Malcolm Brown
On RB Fozzy Whittaker’s mentoring role: Fozzy has done a tremendous job. Since I’ve been here during the summer time, my first day on campus pretty much and even through the recruiting process, Fozzy was always kind of there talking to me trying to get me ready for everything that is here right now.
On how the running game against Oklahoma State proved toughness: Definitely. We executed real well during the Oklahoma State game. We want to make that statement every single game. I believe Oklahoma State was a game for us to get in our minds that we can run the ball how we want to. It was a real good game for us.
On what the team worked on during the bye week: We executed what we’ve been doing. We don’t want to change too much. We just want to keep pounding the rock. We have a great number of [running] backs and a great offensive line with receivers that know how to block down field. So we execute the simple things.
On how to improve in the red zone: Focusing in a little bit more. The red zone is where everything is clobbered in there, so we have to focus in and get a quick reaction off the ball to punch it in a little bit faster.
WR Mike Davis
On how the QBs are looking: They’re both looking really good. They’re getting better every day at practice. They’re doing a good job going against the first team. They’re doing a good job being focused and running the team.
On if it makes a difference to him which QB is taking snaps: No, not really. Both of them are smart. Both of them are good quarterbacks. They have good mechanics. Both of them are good. Both of them are smart. They know what to do. They’ve been coached well.
On what the offense has to do to improve: We had a good day at practice today. We have to get better and better each day at practice. That’s where it starts.
On wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt: From day one he came here, he knew all of us could play. We know what it takes. We got scholarships so we have a job to do. When he came in he helped us get tough and better at blocking. He was focused on the blocking and the little stuff. But he’s a good coach and he coaches us well. We go hard everyday with him. We never get a break really. So we just ride it out and get better.
On if Coach Wyatt is a fun or a tough coach: He’s fun and tough. He’s been through it. He knows what to do. All we do is listen to what he tells us to do and get better.
On preparing for Kansas: Kansas has been through a tough road just like we have. We’re not overlooking them. They’re a good team. They played Oklahoma well and the other teams, like Kansas State. We’re not overlooking them. We’re going to go hard, and they’ll play us hard. We’ll go out and compete and be ready.
On going up against CB Carrington Byndom in practice: It’s really good. We get after each other. We compete. He’s a good player. All the DBs are good, so it’s good to go against them every day.
TE Blaine Irby
On scoring in the red zone: As an offense, that’s something that we really need to work on. The last game against OSU, we had some great drives going, but we couldn’t finish. So that’s something that last week during the bye week and this week, we’re really trying to emphasize.
On having QBs David Ash and Case McCoy battling for reps: Both quarterbacks have their own unique characteristics. I think the team trusts both of them whenever they’re playing. They both have their highs and lows, as you can see. Whoever goes out there with the first team, that’s our guy. Both our quarterbacks are great quarterbacks - Ash and Case. We know what they can do. They just have to calm down and play their game. Both our quarterbacks are fighting. They’re battling every week. No position on this team is set in stone. Every week we have great competition. Every week they’re going to come out and have a battle at the QB spot.
On strength and conditioning head coach for football Bennie Wylie having the team run to the top of DKR stadium: I remember going out after our morning workout. I think it was 6a.m. [that] we had our workout. We went out on the field to run. I remember everybody looking up at the stadium. We saw a couple of trainers up there. That was probably one of the hardest workouts of the year – running up the ramp and going up the stairs. You don’t realize how high you are until you’re up there. It was kind of special being up there. That was the first time I was up there. I think it’s probably special for a lot of guys because that’s the first time they were up there. Bennie does it with us. He’s a crazy man. It’s part of our “protect the house routine,” so we’ve got to get back to that.
On the tight ends: We’ve just got to keep working. Every game can be a breakout game for any of us. We’ve just got to keep working and keep going with the game plan. We’re going to find our way.
On how the coverage has changed since junior TE D.J. Grant’s big game at UCLA: D.J. did a great job. The coaching staff did a great job of getting D.J. the ball and getting up that middle seam route. That was really successful. These past couple games it’s been hard. I’m hoping with Kansas we can stretch the ball out. They’re a really good defense. They’re really underrated this year. They’ve had a tough schedule, just like us. They’re going to come out and play. We’ve got to match their intensity.
On Kansas’ defense: I think they’re real aggressive. When we’re watching them, their linebackers and their d-line really fly to the ball. Watching the past couple of games on film it really seems like they bring a lot of emotion. So we’ve got to match that emotion. We’ve got to bring the game to them.
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