Texas freshman quarterback Shane Buechele addressed the media after Charlie Strong’s press conference on Monday. Buechele spoke for nearly 10 minutes, and here are the highlights of his media availability:
- Buechele said everyone on the team knew how productive offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert’s offense could be, but they had to trust the installation process. He believes the team has done a good job of executing, and says it needs to continue.
- One area Buechele admitted he needs to improve on is sliding and avoiding hits from opposing defenders. Buechele said his decision to slide is usually determined by down-and-distance: “If it’s first-and-10, and you’re trying to get a couple of yards, then get down. If it’s third-and-4, third-and-5, you’re trying to get the first down.”
- As expected, Buechele is not concerned about his first road trip at Texas: “We’re excited to go somewhere else and play. We know Cal’s a great team. We just have to go (into) week three and have great preparation, and go in and execute like we want to.” In addition, Buechele said he plans to approach this game like any other week.
- Backup quarterback Matthew Merrick will be Buechele’s roommate on the road.
- Here are the areas Buechele said he can improve:
“You can improve everywhere . Just staying with the tempo, and making the throws you’re supposed to make, and executing the offense.”
- Buechele credits the team leaders for always keeping him calm, which helps him remain calm on game day. He said Tyrone Swoopes is one player he looks up to the most.
- However, Buechele said he does feel like a leader: “My leadership role has to grow as time goes. There’s leaders already on this team, so you can’t take that away from them. You have to keep looking up to them, and learning stuff from them.”
- Buechele said he never played in front of a tough crowd. Playing road games at Cal, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in Dallas will be new experiences for him. Buechele said crowd noises has been played in speakers during previous practices to prepare the team for hostile environments.
- Texas’ offense has been successful in two games, but Buechele believes there is room for improvement.
“We need to be faster," he said. "That’s just part of our offense. When you go fast, it makes everybody around you just lock into the offense, and it makes the defense do simpler things.”
- When asked what grade Gilbert gave him against Notre Dame and UTEP, Buechele said his offensive coordinator does not score his quarterbacks: “He tells you that you did a good job and goes. He’s a great coach, and he’s going to tell you what you did great. But, it’s not about what you did good. It’s about what you need to learn.”
- Buechele said he feels adjusted to the college game.
“I think the speed of everything is getting more comfortable. The players around me have helped a lot, just getting used to this speed. With repetition in practice, it’s gotten a lot better.”
- Buechele said everyone on the team knew how productive offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert’s offense could be, but they had to trust the installation process. He believes the team has done a good job of executing, and says it needs to continue.
- One area Buechele admitted he needs to improve on is sliding and avoiding hits from opposing defenders. Buechele said his decision to slide is usually determined by down-and-distance: “If it’s first-and-10, and you’re trying to get a couple of yards, then get down. If it’s third-and-4, third-and-5, you’re trying to get the first down.”
- As expected, Buechele is not concerned about his first road trip at Texas: “We’re excited to go somewhere else and play. We know Cal’s a great team. We just have to go (into) week three and have great preparation, and go in and execute like we want to.” In addition, Buechele said he plans to approach this game like any other week.
- Backup quarterback Matthew Merrick will be Buechele’s roommate on the road.
- Here are the areas Buechele said he can improve:
“You can improve everywhere . Just staying with the tempo, and making the throws you’re supposed to make, and executing the offense.”
- Buechele credits the team leaders for always keeping him calm, which helps him remain calm on game day. He said Tyrone Swoopes is one player he looks up to the most.
- However, Buechele said he does feel like a leader: “My leadership role has to grow as time goes. There’s leaders already on this team, so you can’t take that away from them. You have to keep looking up to them, and learning stuff from them.”
- Buechele said he never played in front of a tough crowd. Playing road games at Cal, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in Dallas will be new experiences for him. Buechele said crowd noises has been played in speakers during previous practices to prepare the team for hostile environments.
- Texas’ offense has been successful in two games, but Buechele believes there is room for improvement.
“We need to be faster," he said. "That’s just part of our offense. When you go fast, it makes everybody around you just lock into the offense, and it makes the defense do simpler things.”
- When asked what grade Gilbert gave him against Notre Dame and UTEP, Buechele said his offensive coordinator does not score his quarterbacks: “He tells you that you did a good job and goes. He’s a great coach, and he’s going to tell you what you did great. But, it’s not about what you did good. It’s about what you need to learn.”
- Buechele said he feels adjusted to the college game.
“I think the speed of everything is getting more comfortable. The players around me have helped a lot, just getting used to this speed. With repetition in practice, it’s gotten a lot better.”
