Happy to be back in the win column, happy to be back home this week. Feels like it's been quite some time with the USC game and open date since they've tasted victory. Really proud of the way the defense has played the last three weeks. Continuing to try to develop an identity offensively, which has become increasingly difficult with the loss of OT and TE. Difficult to find ways to run the football. Ton of credit to the ISU staff ... in two years of breaking down film, had not seen that front or that coverage that they used in that game. Back to drawing board a bit this week, but will be some carry-over from the run game that will enhance how they'll do things. They have talented WRs, but when a team is dropping 8 guys into coverage nearly every snap, you have to be able to run the football.
Connor Williams, after meeting with numerous medical teams, is going to proceed with a non-surgical treatment of MCL. Will evaluate again in 2-3 weeks, hopefully this conservative approach will heal him up the best for the long term and maybe get him in uniform before the season ends. Excited about that diagnosis.
On KSU - not a coach in the profession that's more respected than Bill Snyder. Unbelievable what he's done there. Took worst program in history of college football, what he's turned it into is remarkable. Will be a physical game, which is exciting. That's how Texas likes to think of themselves too.
Offensively, probably not going to get a lot of possessions. KSU likes to chew up clock, plays fundamentally sound defense. QB Ertz is a fantastic player.
Buechele's ankle ... the boot is more protective. Practiced yesterday with a pretty big brace on his ankle. Still not moving very well, will wear the boot unless he's practicing or training. They think he won't be 100 percent by game time, but QB with an ankle doesn't need to be 100 percent to be serviceable.
On QBs ... feels good about Shane being the guy. Shane has had some ball security issues, like Ehlinger. Offensively, they have 8 turnovers through 4 games, way too many. Defense is getting the ball too, and offense is scoring off of turnovers gained and Texas defense is holding up after turnovers. In regard to QBs, they have to get better, Shane and Sam. Have to get better everywhere, especially on offense. Feels like they can win with either one of those guys at QB.
On Collin Johnson ... too hard to force the ball when they're dropping 8, double covering him, etc. To say they're going to throw deep against the defense ISU used is an impossibility. They'll probably see more and more of that. One of Herman's projects this week is to figure out how to get Collin Johnson the football. Not as simple as just moving him around. You have to create opportunities, whether it's when they're leaving him 1-on-1, being able to recognize it prior to snapping the football. Have to do a better job of getting him the football, but it's different than getting a guy like Reggie Hemphill-Mapps the ball, where he can do multiple things on swing passes, in the backfield, etc.
On offense overall ... took advantage of one-on-one match-ups against USC. Likes the schemes they had for the ISU game, but a lot of that got thrown out the window early. Feels they're heading down the right pass with personnel and formations, but have to do a better job of coaching guys for things that you don't prepare for. Offense also doing well on third and fourth downs, doing well in time of possession, keeping defense off the field and keeping them fresh. Lot of work to do in the run game, still.
On the RBs ... not making very many people miss, if it's blocked for 4 yards, they'll make 4 yards. If it's blocked for 6 yards, they'll make 6. It's been addressed. Not time to hit the panic button yet, but Warren and Porter know it's a collection of issues, not just the OL. You'll see Toneil play more. He played more last week and will play more this week too.
They're still getting to know a lot of the players and what they can do when the lights are on. Cade Brewer is a prime example. Every time they've put him out there, he's played well, let's play him more. The more guys like that come through, the more they'll play. Communicating within the staff, adjusting, isn't that difficult, it's more about what they know the players can do, what the coaches can do to put them in advantageous positions.
You have to change expectations with the OL a bit after the injuries. But if they're dropping 8 into coverage, clouding coverage, not bring safety up and playing a three-man front, you have to run the football. They did at times. QB draws on third downs were good calls. There's nobody that's slept less and pulled more hair out than Derek Warehime, but everything that he's doing, Herman is in full agreement with. They have to do more of it in terms of reps at practice. Biggest thing, with an inexperienced OL, have to condense and make sure the focus is very narrow in the run game so guys can be good at coming off the ball.
Bill Snyder's birthday on Saturday. Herman said he doesn't envision himself coaching as long as Snyder. He'll coach a while, but 36 more years, probably not. But if all goes according to plan, he'll be in Austin for a long time.
On Beck ... he didn't work with Applewhite prior to Applewhite calling plays for him, and that was a seamless transition. As a head coach, you have to manage the game. Doesn't know how guys act as head coach and call plays. Herman was always best calling plays from the box. There were times when a coach would ask him to be on the field, and he was a fish out of water when that happened. The biggest thing him and Beck are learning is Herman can give really good input if Beck can give good information on what he's seeing from the box because Herman is busy with other things and it's tougher to see from the field. Communication has gone well, can obviously get better.
Denzel Okafor has to play. Has nothing to do with talent, it's a trust issue. Have to coach him to go tot he right place, with the right technique and effort level. He's a talented guy they need on the field. Urquidez is getting better week by week. Tope Imade isn't ready, but may be by the end of the year. Inside guys are more solidified than outside guys, need to find more consistency at tackle.
Key sequence in third quarter. Dickson has 17 yard punt, they score to make it 14-7. Armanti Foreman fumbles the kick-off, gets overturned, and then a screen to Carter gets batted and there's no whistle ... have to do a better job of reinforcing things that are common sense ... don't pitch on a reverse if there's penetration, if the ball is on the ground on a bubble screen, don't assume it's incomplete pass. Have to cover all those things. Was really happy with the composure, especially offensively, where it could have been finger-pointing. They were ready to go out time and time again and try to move the football.
Defense at Houston in 2015 was pretty dominant. They were producing more offensively through four games than they have here so far. 2012 at Ohio State, they were not very good on offense, but they found ways to mix and match parts, took advantage of a down year in Big 10 and went undefeated.
On Chris Warren ... needs to improve on making yards as he's getting tackled. He's running hard, his desire, effort, accountability is phenomenal. Needs to continue to work on his pad level. If he's tackled going forward, he's going to gain a yard and a half or two falling forward, getting stood up or tackled sideways is a big difference. Needs to finish runs going forward.
On defense ... the biggest improvement has been the pressure on the quarterback. Some of those picks have been thrown right at guys. Big difference has been belief. Ever since Maryland, biggest mantra has been to just cut it loose, just go, go as hard as you can go, trust and believe that the other 10 guys behind you are doing the same thing. Defense came out like gangbusters against SJSU, kind of realized that the way of cutting loose actually feels pretty good. Then to do it against USC and have similar results, it's like "okay, now we know." Imagines you'll continue to see them play that way.
K-State recruits tough guys at the QB position, plays tough guys. Lots of single wing principles, meaning the QB is the main ball carrier. May not even use a tailback on a lot of plays. Ertz' toughness is the biggest thing, he doesn't go down easily, steps through arm tackles and maximizes his runs.
Haven't talked about punt returners yet with Naivar, but it's on the list of things to talk about.
Pretty much all of Monday aside from media availability, he and Beck are working on their offensive game-planning. 90% of it is done when they go home on Monday night. Tuesday morning will be for some clean-up of first- and second-down game plan. On Wednesday, Mehringer presents ideas for third down and red zone, which becomes heavy point of emphasis in practice on Wednesday.
Not sure on QB rotation. Has never been in a position where you only had two QBs on scholarship, so that makes him nervous about running the other one in and risking injury. Heard didn't play QB in ISU because he required 19 stitches in his hand last week. QB is something he and Beck talk about, maybe as the season progresses, you'd be more apt to play both QBs.
Doesn't think JT Barrett is much better runner than Shane or Sam. You need a guy who can improvise and make plays with feet, but don't need Braxton Miller or Greg Ward. Converted some big first down runs with Shane last week. Don't need dynamic ability, need a steady guy who is going to make yards when the yards present themselves.
That's it for today.
Connor Williams, after meeting with numerous medical teams, is going to proceed with a non-surgical treatment of MCL. Will evaluate again in 2-3 weeks, hopefully this conservative approach will heal him up the best for the long term and maybe get him in uniform before the season ends. Excited about that diagnosis.
On KSU - not a coach in the profession that's more respected than Bill Snyder. Unbelievable what he's done there. Took worst program in history of college football, what he's turned it into is remarkable. Will be a physical game, which is exciting. That's how Texas likes to think of themselves too.
Offensively, probably not going to get a lot of possessions. KSU likes to chew up clock, plays fundamentally sound defense. QB Ertz is a fantastic player.
Buechele's ankle ... the boot is more protective. Practiced yesterday with a pretty big brace on his ankle. Still not moving very well, will wear the boot unless he's practicing or training. They think he won't be 100 percent by game time, but QB with an ankle doesn't need to be 100 percent to be serviceable.
On QBs ... feels good about Shane being the guy. Shane has had some ball security issues, like Ehlinger. Offensively, they have 8 turnovers through 4 games, way too many. Defense is getting the ball too, and offense is scoring off of turnovers gained and Texas defense is holding up after turnovers. In regard to QBs, they have to get better, Shane and Sam. Have to get better everywhere, especially on offense. Feels like they can win with either one of those guys at QB.
On Collin Johnson ... too hard to force the ball when they're dropping 8, double covering him, etc. To say they're going to throw deep against the defense ISU used is an impossibility. They'll probably see more and more of that. One of Herman's projects this week is to figure out how to get Collin Johnson the football. Not as simple as just moving him around. You have to create opportunities, whether it's when they're leaving him 1-on-1, being able to recognize it prior to snapping the football. Have to do a better job of getting him the football, but it's different than getting a guy like Reggie Hemphill-Mapps the ball, where he can do multiple things on swing passes, in the backfield, etc.
On offense overall ... took advantage of one-on-one match-ups against USC. Likes the schemes they had for the ISU game, but a lot of that got thrown out the window early. Feels they're heading down the right pass with personnel and formations, but have to do a better job of coaching guys for things that you don't prepare for. Offense also doing well on third and fourth downs, doing well in time of possession, keeping defense off the field and keeping them fresh. Lot of work to do in the run game, still.
On the RBs ... not making very many people miss, if it's blocked for 4 yards, they'll make 4 yards. If it's blocked for 6 yards, they'll make 6. It's been addressed. Not time to hit the panic button yet, but Warren and Porter know it's a collection of issues, not just the OL. You'll see Toneil play more. He played more last week and will play more this week too.
They're still getting to know a lot of the players and what they can do when the lights are on. Cade Brewer is a prime example. Every time they've put him out there, he's played well, let's play him more. The more guys like that come through, the more they'll play. Communicating within the staff, adjusting, isn't that difficult, it's more about what they know the players can do, what the coaches can do to put them in advantageous positions.
You have to change expectations with the OL a bit after the injuries. But if they're dropping 8 into coverage, clouding coverage, not bring safety up and playing a three-man front, you have to run the football. They did at times. QB draws on third downs were good calls. There's nobody that's slept less and pulled more hair out than Derek Warehime, but everything that he's doing, Herman is in full agreement with. They have to do more of it in terms of reps at practice. Biggest thing, with an inexperienced OL, have to condense and make sure the focus is very narrow in the run game so guys can be good at coming off the ball.
Bill Snyder's birthday on Saturday. Herman said he doesn't envision himself coaching as long as Snyder. He'll coach a while, but 36 more years, probably not. But if all goes according to plan, he'll be in Austin for a long time.
On Beck ... he didn't work with Applewhite prior to Applewhite calling plays for him, and that was a seamless transition. As a head coach, you have to manage the game. Doesn't know how guys act as head coach and call plays. Herman was always best calling plays from the box. There were times when a coach would ask him to be on the field, and he was a fish out of water when that happened. The biggest thing him and Beck are learning is Herman can give really good input if Beck can give good information on what he's seeing from the box because Herman is busy with other things and it's tougher to see from the field. Communication has gone well, can obviously get better.
Denzel Okafor has to play. Has nothing to do with talent, it's a trust issue. Have to coach him to go tot he right place, with the right technique and effort level. He's a talented guy they need on the field. Urquidez is getting better week by week. Tope Imade isn't ready, but may be by the end of the year. Inside guys are more solidified than outside guys, need to find more consistency at tackle.
Key sequence in third quarter. Dickson has 17 yard punt, they score to make it 14-7. Armanti Foreman fumbles the kick-off, gets overturned, and then a screen to Carter gets batted and there's no whistle ... have to do a better job of reinforcing things that are common sense ... don't pitch on a reverse if there's penetration, if the ball is on the ground on a bubble screen, don't assume it's incomplete pass. Have to cover all those things. Was really happy with the composure, especially offensively, where it could have been finger-pointing. They were ready to go out time and time again and try to move the football.
Defense at Houston in 2015 was pretty dominant. They were producing more offensively through four games than they have here so far. 2012 at Ohio State, they were not very good on offense, but they found ways to mix and match parts, took advantage of a down year in Big 10 and went undefeated.
On Chris Warren ... needs to improve on making yards as he's getting tackled. He's running hard, his desire, effort, accountability is phenomenal. Needs to continue to work on his pad level. If he's tackled going forward, he's going to gain a yard and a half or two falling forward, getting stood up or tackled sideways is a big difference. Needs to finish runs going forward.
On defense ... the biggest improvement has been the pressure on the quarterback. Some of those picks have been thrown right at guys. Big difference has been belief. Ever since Maryland, biggest mantra has been to just cut it loose, just go, go as hard as you can go, trust and believe that the other 10 guys behind you are doing the same thing. Defense came out like gangbusters against SJSU, kind of realized that the way of cutting loose actually feels pretty good. Then to do it against USC and have similar results, it's like "okay, now we know." Imagines you'll continue to see them play that way.
K-State recruits tough guys at the QB position, plays tough guys. Lots of single wing principles, meaning the QB is the main ball carrier. May not even use a tailback on a lot of plays. Ertz' toughness is the biggest thing, he doesn't go down easily, steps through arm tackles and maximizes his runs.
Haven't talked about punt returners yet with Naivar, but it's on the list of things to talk about.
Pretty much all of Monday aside from media availability, he and Beck are working on their offensive game-planning. 90% of it is done when they go home on Monday night. Tuesday morning will be for some clean-up of first- and second-down game plan. On Wednesday, Mehringer presents ideas for third down and red zone, which becomes heavy point of emphasis in practice on Wednesday.
Not sure on QB rotation. Has never been in a position where you only had two QBs on scholarship, so that makes him nervous about running the other one in and risking injury. Heard didn't play QB in ISU because he required 19 stitches in his hand last week. QB is something he and Beck talk about, maybe as the season progresses, you'd be more apt to play both QBs.
Doesn't think JT Barrett is much better runner than Shane or Sam. You need a guy who can improvise and make plays with feet, but don't need Braxton Miller or Greg Ward. Converted some big first down runs with Shane last week. Don't need dynamic ability, need a steady guy who is going to make yards when the yards present themselves.
That's it for today.
