Nov. 2, 2009
QB Colt McCoy
On secondary returning two interceptions for TDs: Yeah that is great. They can score as much as they want to as far as I am concerned. That really helps our football team. They were able to capitalize on some turnovers, which was big. I feel like our offense played really well. They were executing and the score before halftime was really big for us.
On the defense: They are playing really well. They are at the right places at the right times and they’re working really hard at practice, and they’re really playing at a high level. That really helps us offensively and that really fires us up to say, “Hey if we’re going to be out there, let’s make some plays for the defense. Let’s make some plays for them and give them some motivation as we’re out here.” We’re really playing well as a team overall. Offense and defense are really working together. Whenever they get a turnover, we get out on the field, and we should make some points and we’re really in sync right now.
On Earl Thomas’ interception: During the spring break game, I threw an interception to Earl and that was the same play. It was almost the same route, almost everything. Earl is playing at a high level right now.
On the 2007 game at Central Florida: I remember there were some rain delays. They were a good football team, and I watched them play last night. They’ve got some really good players on defense. Their defensive line is really good. We’ve got to be prepared for them. I just remember we didn’t finish it like we wanted to. We got up a little bit and never put it away. We just let them hang around and hang around. We had to make some plays at the end to actually win the game. We definitely will watch a little bit film with week, they still have some of the same coaches, and go back to work. That’s key for us. All we talked about in our team meeting was staying focused, getting back to work and getting better.
On focusing on Central Florida: I think there are a couple things. One, I think the seniors on our team this year are really focused and are really making sure that the younger guys and guys on the team play at a high level and get us to a Big 12 Championship. That’s our goal. That’s where we want to be. It’s one at a time. Central Florida has nothing to do with the Big 12, but it’s a big game for us. It’s here. We’re back home, and want to play the best that we can, and we want to get better. When you look at the (Oklahoma State) film, yeah, we played well, executed and did some good things, but there are still things that we can be better at. We can play better, move the ball better. We’ve got to get back to work and play better this week.
On if it is hard not thinking ahead: I think it is hard for y’all not to think about it. For us, we understand that there is a lot of football left to play. We are through the first two parts of our season. I don’t know if Coach Brown told you the first four and second four, and we have four more now, and it’s the most important part now. We’ve got to finish, and it just one more step to that.
On Malcolm Williams: Malcolm played really well for us. He’s is really such a hard worker and busted his tale on special teams. He is almost on every special team that there is and then he comes out there and plays offensively. When he’s on the field for us offensively, he opens it up for us so Jordan can move to the slot. It allows us to run the ball because he blocks down the field so well, but it also allows us a big target for me to throw to, singling him up one on one and taking the shot. Those are the things that make the defense respect you and hold back. He just really brings a lot to the table for us.
DE/LB Sergio Kindle
On who gets credit for the four interceptions against Oklahoma State: I’d have to say it was a good play on both ends but at the same time it takes great hands and a great read by the defensive backs to jump the route and catch and then make a big play by running it back for a touchdown.
On the secondary: They’re some pretty boys without their helmets, but when they put their helmets on they’re just as mean as anybody (laughing). They might look small, but they’ve got a heart bigger than a giant.
On the defensive touchdowns this season: For a defense to be putting points on the board, what more can you ask for? Not only to get a turnover, but to turn it into six points, that could be the difference between a win or a loss. For those guys to take so many to the house as they have, it just shows how hard we’ve worked and how much it’s paying off.
On the type of leader he is: It’s crazy because lately I have been the guy to say things. When I think of being a vocal leader I’m thinking of a guy that’s going to talk real loud. I’m the type of guy that’s going to get everybody in an enclosed area so I won’t have to scream and they’ll all hear me so I can make what I’m saying effective.
On what he will tell his teammates this week: Coming off a big win like we just had, this week is just as important. Regardless of who we play or their stats or rankings, we’ve got to play those guys like they’re Oklahoma, like this is our Big 12 Championship game. We can’t slip. We’ve got to practice just as hard as we did for Oklahoma, Missouri, Oklahoma State, all those guys. Central Florida’s a good team. They might have some losses, but they have a great defense and a great running game. There’s always talent in Florida, so you can never underestimate their talent and skill. Everybody that comes here always comes to play. Regardless of who it is, they’re going to always play us hard so we’ve got to get our mind right and get focused. We start playing them tomorrow.
CB Curtis Brown
On getting ready for Central Florida: Just prepare ourselves during the week, learn about Central Florida and just go out there and execute the game plan.
On the secondary: I feel like we’re pretty good right now, but we have a long way to go to live up to the expectations of players before us like Aaron Ross and the others. Obviously they are in the (NFL) and that’s where we are trying to get, so we’re just working hard to keep the standard solid here. We got some got some good players in the secondary right now, and obviously Earl (Thomas) is doing great right now. We just need to compete and keep up with him.
On being more comfortable: Yeah. It is obvious with our mentality and how we have matured over the year. I feel like we just grew as a secondary and a team in general. It just seems like it is all falling into place basically.
On the team this time of year: I think as a team we just know what we have to do to get the job done. Getting big headed and cocky doesn’t help us. We have confidence in this team and we feel like we can do a lot of things and accomplish a lot if we take care of our business week by week.
WR Malcolm Williams
On the coaches’ thoughts on his progress: I could tell they are happy with where I am. They still want me to get a lot better. So I am just working and trying to keep going.
On working back into the starting lineup: It was more just going back to square one and just working hard and trying to get back in the good graces of everybody and just trying to have them feel good about me being out there.
On having been inconsistent: Just dropping balls. There would go some days that I would catch some and then some days I would just drop some. It happened like that. Now I am just trying to work on catching them every day don’t let anything get by me and just keep working.
On if he sensed his improvement and that he was going to start: I was just trying to work and just let everything go the way it went and just eventually if it came to that then it would. I wasn’t trying to force anything, just trying to stay within myself and just play my game.
On if he has played against a better secondary than Texas’: I wouldn’t say that I have. We’ve played some good secondaries, but I feel like our (defensive backs) are probably some of the best I have ever been against.
DT Lamarr Houston
On the 2007 game at Central Florida: Yeah, I do remember that game. It was humid down there and it was their new stadium too and their fans were riled up and it was packed. I remember that game pretty well, just the atmosphere.
On if they look back on how close of a game it was: Yeah, I think we didn’t prepare as well that year, and this year we are going to prepare. We have been preparing every week. We are going to study them, and make corrections and adjustments to their game. And try to capitalize on what they give us and hopefully the outcome will be different.
On the secondary: I think they know more about the defense and it has become a second nature and it is helping us all. I think we are gelling really well as a defense and we are all feeding off of each other.
On the coaches crediting the defensive line for the interceptions at OSU: We joke around. We all want to take credit for it sometimes. It is pretty evident on the field who forced the interception and who didn’t.
On senior leadership: I think that does fall into senior leaders to get your team ready to go for every game. That is something that we have been working on and that is something we are going to keep doing as seniors on this team trying to help lead us towards our goal to keep winning.
On the Texas offense preparing the defense in practice: They deserve a lot of credit. You know coach Brown always says you get to play against the best player in the country at their position or just as good playing at that level every day and practicing at that level every day. It is an advantage when it comes to Saturday. When it comes to game day, you play someone who is not as good as the person you have been practicing against all week.
On how that helps him prepare: I guess because if I can do well against them running my routes and making plays, then I feel like I can go against any DB in the country and go out there and make plays against them.
On what he has worked on with Colt McCoy: I’ve really just been working with Colt a lot just doing some things here and there. I guess you would say before the game since we already know how the defense is going to run, just getting some detail things to help us get a connection with each other during the game, so when stuff goes down we will be on the same page.
On getting his feet in on his TD catch at Oklahoma State: Actually, I kind of wanted to get both of them in so there would be no reason for them to try to go back and review it.
On if he pretended to catch passes and keep his feet in bounds as a kid: Yeah, growing up we used to have those competitions where we would have someone throwing the ball and we’d have somebody guarding us and just catch it and get two feet in like an NFL superstar. We’d just go out there having fun. To relive it is something else because it actually happened and it was just crazy. I am just happy I can go out there and do that.
S Earl Thomas
On the team having fun: The whole team is having fun this year. We’re just taking it basically from the practice field to the game field. When you get a chance to make a play for your defense, everybody’s excited and they try to do their best so you can get into the end zone.
On the defense: The special teams and the defense are a big part of the game. We just try to create turnovers and get our offense back on the field as soon as possible.
On personal improvement since first game as a freshman: Maturity level, I think it’s helped all of the DBs to get one year under our belts. We made big strides from last year and it’s showing up when we relax and make plays.
On the secondary: We play with a lot of heart and aggressiveness; we do it in practice and I think we do a good job in the game.
C Chris Hall
On his feelings as his senior season gets closer to finishing: It’s definitely good to be at the third section of the season. As a senior, each week goes by a little quicker and quicker. I definitely want to make the most out of every opportunity we get.
On UCF: I know what kind of team we’re playing. A couple of years back we got to go down and play UCF at Orlando, and man, we had a game. It’s a good program. The coach has done a wonderful job down there. It was definitely a wild atmosphere that we were in, and we expect the same type of thing on Saturday. We’re going to have to have a great week of preparation.
On changes from seventh grade football to now: I’d imagine all of us have changed somewhat since our seventh grade selves. Hopefully, I’m a little more mature. One thing that probably hasn’t changed is that football is still a blast to play. One thing now is that I really enjoy my teammates a lot more than I did then. That aspect of the game has become really, really sweet to me over these past three years.
On the team’s mood: The seniors are really taking it in and enjoying the ride. I remember as a freshman; it just seems like it was a blur. Some of the younger guys may be getting taken for a ride right now, but we’re definitely enjoying it. I’m trying to soak in as much as I can.
DT Ben Alexander
On the team’s success so far this season: We have a standard that players before have set and we just want to live up to that standard. The coaches have a standard, and we’ve been fortunate enough to live up to it and execute.
On the defense: We’re playing good defense, but I’m not going to say we’re playing championship level defense. You have to give credit to the great offenses that we’ve played – Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Missouri – and the guys we’ve played last. We’ve played some great offenses and we’ve done pretty well, but we still have a long way to go.
On not thinking ahead: If we slip up one game, everyone’s looking at this game like it’s a non-conference game and it’s late in the season, but without executing this game and playing, all of those dreams are nowhere to be found. We’re just trying to take it one game at a time. If we take it one game at a time and play Texas football I feel like we’ll have a chance to be where we need to be at the end.
OT Adam Ulatoski
On Central Florida: They’re going to be good. They have a really good front four. I think they are eighth in the nation in sacks, so we’ve got our work cut out for us.
On watching Central Florida’s game on Sunday: I watched some of it, but I wasn’t able to watch all of it. It was good though. I was glad I got to see it because they’ve got some good players.
On what the team is working on: We just want to continue to get better and continue to grow as a team. We know that we have a lot of high expectations and a lot of high goals and in order to do that, you have to stay focused and continue to work.
On this season: It’s exciting that we have gotten to this point so far, and we’re in such a good position, but we know it’s an opportunity. We have to go out there and work to achieve our goals.
On having two games left in his college career at home: That is pretty crazy for me. I’ve had a lot, and there are only two more. It’s kind of a crazy feeling. I’m going to try and take it all in as much as I can. It’s going to be something I’m going to miss a whole lot, and I’m just going to try to enjoy it as much as I can.
On if the team had questions answered by going on the road for the past two games: I feel like we’re playing a little more consistent than we have been in the past. Obviously, there are things we can do better and we are continuing to work on that. I feel like we’ve had success in the past and it was just a couple of little things wrong. Little things make a big difference, and we’ve been working hard at fixing those little things.
LB Roddrick Muckelroy
On last week’s game: It was great, especially compared to last year. We didn’t have that many turnovers. It let us know that we can go out there and make plays on defense, and we can score points on defense.
On Texas’ defense: Everybody has done something that has caused an interception, or put pressure on the quarterback, or covering up one receiver so he has to throw it to another receiver. It all ties together and we celebrate as a defense when we make plays like that. We’re having a lot of fun, on the field, on the sidelines, in practice. We just come together and take it all in, one step at a time and enjoy the ride, really.
On entering the stretch of his senior season: It’s crazy, you start thinking about it and time goes by fast. It seems like just yesterday I was hanging out for the first time on Monday and now we’re getting closer to the end of the season and we’ve got to continue to put together a great team effort and continue to win.
On seeing younger teammates getting more play time: It was fun. You go out there and make an interception and another time you go out there and try to make a block. It’s a lot of fun. You see those guys out there making plays, Curtis (Brown) stepping up, Blake (Gideon) stepping up, he’s making great plays; Earl, interception; Chykie, interception. It’s fun, all those guys out there. We’re playing hard and just having fun.
On the win against Oklahoma State: We know we have to go back to work. That game is over with now, we’re working on Central Florida. We just put the thing behind us and get ready for tomorrow. We’re practicing hard. You have to just take one game at a time.
On how coach Muschamp keeps their minds from wandering during practice: Usually it happens within the first five minutes of practice, they’ll stop and we’ll break it down like, “Hey, let’s go.” You can tell when guys are out sometimes. They’ll stop and say, “It’s time to go to work now. Everybody from now on, let’s get focused and go.”
OG Charlie Tanner
On what them team thinks about the upcoming game: I think everybody is aware that this is a big game for us. We need to prepare every week like it is a championship game, and that is what we are going to do. For us to get to our goals at the end of the season, that is what we are going to have to do for every game up until then. As far as leadership goes, I think it is important for the seniors to step up and take ownership of the team. We talked a bit about that. We’ve seen a lot of that, though. The older guys are stepping up and taking over the team and pushing the younger guys and saying, “Look, this is our last go-round, and while y’all might have some more chances, this is it for us. So practice really hard and take care of business.”
On if this team knows the importance of every day: I think after last year, we have really grown up a lot and realized the importance of every game because every game could change the season. We’ve got to prepare every week like we’re playing the number one team in the nation. We’ve got to play to that standard. That is really what we have been talking about, playing to the championship standard, and if we do that, everything else will take care of itself.
On breaking the season into parts: One thing we kind of do as a team is we break up the season into three seasons. We just finished the second season there in the middle, and now we’re starting fresh and starting over. We need to get back to the basics, and it has worked for us so far, so we’ve started prep for our third season to get us through this four-game stretch.
On if he remembers playing Central Florida two years ago: Yeah, I definitely remember that game. It was hot for sure. It was fun though. They have really crazy fans. I remember driving in and driving into campus and all their fans were just racing out of every building they were in and letting us know they were there. Their new stadium was really nice. It was kind of a strange game. Our offense had over 90 plays that game, so that is definitely a lot of plays.
On what the offense can improve on: There is always room for improvement. The offense has come on as of late, but we still have yet to play a complete game. We’ll have a good first half or a good second half. We really need to put together for 60 minutes though because it is a 60-minute game. It’s not over until it’s over. The main thing is, we’ll watch a film after a game where we felt we did some good things, but we can still be so much better. We’ll say, “Man, I could have held that block a little longer, and this would have worked out.” Or, “We could be so much better than we are right now.” That is what we’ve got to keep working on. To get to where we want to be at the end of the season, we’ve got to play at a much higher level than we are right now, and so that means we have to prepare every week to get better.
On if the team is enjoying the season: We’re having fun. It’s a blast watching the special teams and defense because we’ll be strapping up, getting ready to go out there, and say, “Alright, Ship(ley), take this punt and get us a good field position.” And he might even score so we’re not even going out there. Or even pick sixes, we had a couple in the last game. We’re not going out there, but it’s something to talk about, hey, we’re still putting points on the board, that’s fine.
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