Texas made several players available to address the media after Tuesday’s practice. More than one player spoke at the same time, and it appears they view Saturday’s game against Oklahoma as another contest. Everybody understands it is a big game, but coach Tom Herman has not approached this rivalry any different than any previous game at Texas, and players are following his lead.
Here are the highlights from Tuesday’s availability:
- When asked if Saturday’s game could launch Texas, linebacker Malik Jefferson said, “I wouldn’t say launch us. Just keep us where we’re building on, taking it one step at a time. Like I said, this is just another opponent that we’re facing. We’re keeping that same bunker mentality that we need.”
- Oklahoma has struggled against Baylor and Iowa State this season, but Jefferson expects to receive the Sooners’ A-game on Saturday.
- Here is what Jefferson’s remembers about defeating Oklahoma two years ago: “It was so exhilarating. Nobody knew we were going to win. Everybody doubted us. We went out there and played with our hearts out. Guys played for each other, and we played hard. It’s just one of things, you look back at that experience, and you want that feeling again. It comes down to preparation. We prepared very well that week, as I recall. It wasn’t the season we wanted, but we’re doing this year is to keep preparing, and building off the win we just had.”
- Jefferson said if you let Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield get out the pocket, he can create a lot of plays downfield. It is very important to get Mayfield as fast as possible, according to Jefferson. In addition, Jefferson described Mayfield as a player who believes in himself and has a lot of poise.
- Chris Warren III on what running backs need to do better this season: “I think we need to make sure we get our reads in better. We need to make sure we can be more physical on contact. Make sure we can burst after contact. Just be better ball players at the point of attack. That has been something we have struggled on in the season, as you guys have seen. That’s something that we work on every day. I think it will start clicking for us really soon.”
- Warren on not living up to his own expectations: “I definitely feel like I’m not, but it doesn’t matter if we’re winning. That’s really the whole thing here. We get more wins and everything just follows suit. I really feel like if I did produce more, in my own ability, no matter how many carries I get, whether it be four or 20, I need to put more production out there on the field.
- Warren described quarterback Sam Ehlinger as a natural leader with charisma. Ehlinger enjoys being around his teammates and is always supportive, no matter what happens, Warren said.
- When asked if it is hard to get into a groove with limited carries, Warren said it can be difficult, but added he needs to find yards, regardless of the amount of touches he receives.
- Texas offensive lineman Patrick Vahe on Ehlinger running over a Kansas State defender: “That just does to show that Sam has no fear of anybody coming towards him. I told Sam, ‘You scare me every time you run’ because he doesn’t hesitate whatsoever when it comes to hitting another defender. I remember right after that play, I was finishing my block. I got up, I saw him get hype, and that got me hype. We ended up finishing that drive. It’s pretty exciting to see our quarterback get down and dirty like that.”
Here are the highlights from Tuesday’s availability:
- When asked if Saturday’s game could launch Texas, linebacker Malik Jefferson said, “I wouldn’t say launch us. Just keep us where we’re building on, taking it one step at a time. Like I said, this is just another opponent that we’re facing. We’re keeping that same bunker mentality that we need.”
- Oklahoma has struggled against Baylor and Iowa State this season, but Jefferson expects to receive the Sooners’ A-game on Saturday.
- Here is what Jefferson’s remembers about defeating Oklahoma two years ago: “It was so exhilarating. Nobody knew we were going to win. Everybody doubted us. We went out there and played with our hearts out. Guys played for each other, and we played hard. It’s just one of things, you look back at that experience, and you want that feeling again. It comes down to preparation. We prepared very well that week, as I recall. It wasn’t the season we wanted, but we’re doing this year is to keep preparing, and building off the win we just had.”
- Jefferson said if you let Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield get out the pocket, he can create a lot of plays downfield. It is very important to get Mayfield as fast as possible, according to Jefferson. In addition, Jefferson described Mayfield as a player who believes in himself and has a lot of poise.
- Chris Warren III on what running backs need to do better this season: “I think we need to make sure we get our reads in better. We need to make sure we can be more physical on contact. Make sure we can burst after contact. Just be better ball players at the point of attack. That has been something we have struggled on in the season, as you guys have seen. That’s something that we work on every day. I think it will start clicking for us really soon.”
- Warren on not living up to his own expectations: “I definitely feel like I’m not, but it doesn’t matter if we’re winning. That’s really the whole thing here. We get more wins and everything just follows suit. I really feel like if I did produce more, in my own ability, no matter how many carries I get, whether it be four or 20, I need to put more production out there on the field.
- Warren described quarterback Sam Ehlinger as a natural leader with charisma. Ehlinger enjoys being around his teammates and is always supportive, no matter what happens, Warren said.
- When asked if it is hard to get into a groove with limited carries, Warren said it can be difficult, but added he needs to find yards, regardless of the amount of touches he receives.
- Texas offensive lineman Patrick Vahe on Ehlinger running over a Kansas State defender: “That just does to show that Sam has no fear of anybody coming towards him. I told Sam, ‘You scare me every time you run’ because he doesn’t hesitate whatsoever when it comes to hitting another defender. I remember right after that play, I was finishing my block. I got up, I saw him get hype, and that got me hype. We ended up finishing that drive. It’s pretty exciting to see our quarterback get down and dirty like that.”
