Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski addressed the media on Thursday morning for nearly 15 minutes. Kwiatkowski does not speak to the media during the regular season but the Sugar Bowl made him available this week (Texas offensive coordinator Kyle Flood will speak on Friday).
Here are the highlights from Kwiatkowski’s media availability:
--- Kwiatkowski on his defense’s success on third-downs this season: “It starts with we've made an emphasis because we weren't as good last year on third downs, so it was a huge emphasis in the offseason through camp and all season long. And then at the end of the day, we designed the defenses and the calls. And then the guys have just done a great job of executing all year long. They understand the importance of it and, obviously, take a lot of pride in it, and the results are what they are.”
--- Kwiatkowski on creating more turnovers this season: “Yeah, obviously, a lot better than it's been. I've been through a lot of seasons where we've had seasons like this where the ball has bounced our way or we've created the opportunities to get the ball. I just think the guys again are executing, the confidence level, the ability to know what they're doing, be able to execute what they're doing, and then-- having the awareness to attack the ball in the situations that present themselves. And again, it comes back to the emphasis. We talked about third-down emphasis, and the turnovers was a huge emphasis. So as coaches, we emphasize that. The players build on it. And then with the confidence, the experience that the guys have, they don't get caught up in so much worrying about their alignment, their assignment, and just getting -- and surviving. Now, there's more familiarity with what they're supposed to do, so now they're able to take it to that next step, attacking the ball.”
--- Kwiatkowski praised defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat and jokingly said, “And yeah, he's a big dude. There's an athlete somewhere inside that body. That's what we always joke about. But he is hard to move. He eats up a lot of space. He takes multiple blockers. And so that frees up the linebackers, gives us a little bit more bit of a luxury to be able to play with ladder boxes because what those two guys inside can do in the run game.”
--- Kwiatkoski described Washington’s offensive line as very athletic, a unit that works together, communicates well, and does not bust very much.
--- Kwiatkowski’s response when asked if he has the same confidence in the secondary as the front line: “Definitely. You don't get to this spot without guys showing that they can do it. Everything gets talked about. The pass defense, yeah, we'd like to be better in that. But at the end of the day, it comes -- there's a lot more to it than just that, right? We've been good against the run. We've been good in the red zone. We've been good in third down. In the situations that matter that gets the ball back for the offense, we've been able to execute and perform. So I know the guys have the confidence to do it, and they're fired up for this challenge because we're going to be pulling in a lot of very talented, good receivers. And can't wait to get out there and see what we can do.”
--- Kwiatkowski’s response when asked what areas he has seen the secondary improve since facing Oklahoma this season: “Just better understanding of the leverage. And we've tweaked some things in the backend that have helped them. But then they're going to catch the ball. We've got to get them on the ground, right? So when we tackle, right -- and don't give up explosive plays. When we try and force these offenses to drive the length of the field, we're pretty good. But it's all about control -- tackling and controlling the explosive plays. And then the deep balls, they're one-on-ones and they do a good job. We've got to go out and compete, and we've got to play the hands, play the ball. And there's no magic answer to that other than competing and being where you're supposed to be. And then when you're high pointing the ball, right, and making a play on the ball, playing the hands, hopefully getting the ball stripped out.”
Here are the highlights from Kwiatkowski’s media availability:
--- Kwiatkowski on his defense’s success on third-downs this season: “It starts with we've made an emphasis because we weren't as good last year on third downs, so it was a huge emphasis in the offseason through camp and all season long. And then at the end of the day, we designed the defenses and the calls. And then the guys have just done a great job of executing all year long. They understand the importance of it and, obviously, take a lot of pride in it, and the results are what they are.”
--- Kwiatkowski on creating more turnovers this season: “Yeah, obviously, a lot better than it's been. I've been through a lot of seasons where we've had seasons like this where the ball has bounced our way or we've created the opportunities to get the ball. I just think the guys again are executing, the confidence level, the ability to know what they're doing, be able to execute what they're doing, and then-- having the awareness to attack the ball in the situations that present themselves. And again, it comes back to the emphasis. We talked about third-down emphasis, and the turnovers was a huge emphasis. So as coaches, we emphasize that. The players build on it. And then with the confidence, the experience that the guys have, they don't get caught up in so much worrying about their alignment, their assignment, and just getting -- and surviving. Now, there's more familiarity with what they're supposed to do, so now they're able to take it to that next step, attacking the ball.”
--- Kwiatkowski praised defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat and jokingly said, “And yeah, he's a big dude. There's an athlete somewhere inside that body. That's what we always joke about. But he is hard to move. He eats up a lot of space. He takes multiple blockers. And so that frees up the linebackers, gives us a little bit more bit of a luxury to be able to play with ladder boxes because what those two guys inside can do in the run game.”
--- Kwiatkoski described Washington’s offensive line as very athletic, a unit that works together, communicates well, and does not bust very much.
--- Kwiatkowski’s response when asked if he has the same confidence in the secondary as the front line: “Definitely. You don't get to this spot without guys showing that they can do it. Everything gets talked about. The pass defense, yeah, we'd like to be better in that. But at the end of the day, it comes -- there's a lot more to it than just that, right? We've been good against the run. We've been good in the red zone. We've been good in third down. In the situations that matter that gets the ball back for the offense, we've been able to execute and perform. So I know the guys have the confidence to do it, and they're fired up for this challenge because we're going to be pulling in a lot of very talented, good receivers. And can't wait to get out there and see what we can do.”
--- Kwiatkowski’s response when asked what areas he has seen the secondary improve since facing Oklahoma this season: “Just better understanding of the leverage. And we've tweaked some things in the backend that have helped them. But then they're going to catch the ball. We've got to get them on the ground, right? So when we tackle, right -- and don't give up explosive plays. When we try and force these offenses to drive the length of the field, we're pretty good. But it's all about control -- tackling and controlling the explosive plays. And then the deep balls, they're one-on-ones and they do a good job. We've got to go out and compete, and we've got to play the hands, play the ball. And there's no magic answer to that other than competing and being where you're supposed to be. And then when you're high pointing the ball, right, and making a play on the ball, playing the hands, hopefully getting the ball stripped out.”
