Texas offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert addressed the media on Tuesday night prior to his team’s first road game this weekend. Here are the highlights of Gilbert’s media availability:
- Gilbert said he liked the fight of his team against UTEP, especially considering his team was without a few players due to injury. He said, “We learned, we got better. There’s nothing like playing in a game and getting game experience. We gained some of that. We’re also creating depth, which is huge. As far as going on the road, we’re going to get on that plane on Friday, and we’re going to go to California. We’re going to go on a mission. We understand, and we know what’s in front of us. Our guys are really motivated and really determined. They’re working within themselves, working within us. Like I’ve been saying, our focus in practice was on us. About us getting better and continuing to clean things up.”
- Texas running back D’Onta Foreman is expected to play on Saturday, and Gilbert said he is fortunate to have his lead back healthy, along with Chris Warren and Kyle Porter. He is excited to have them back in rotation.
- Gilbert’s offense has converted 3-of-3 fourth downs in three games this season. Here is Gilbert on his decision-making process: “It’s just situation and scenario. It’s just game situation and whatever the situation is and understanding and knowing and just making sure that we make the right decision for us offensively, and for us as a football team. Those are really things that are behind those decisions.”
- One of the attributes Gilbert’s players have is unselfishness. He said there are no egos in the building, and everyone understands his opportunity will come eventually. However, everybody’s main goal is to win.
- His biggest concern is focusing on their team and getting better. Gilbert believes there is still room for growth at every position. He said concern isn't the word. His players just need to improve position wise.
- Gilbert said Shane Buechele is focused and has been calm. Those are things he needs to continue to do for them to continue to be effective offensively.
- Here is Gilbert take’s on Buechele’s decision about when to run the ball: “Just knowing and understanding the situation. Knowing when to get down, and knowing when we need two or three more yards.”
- Gilbert said trick plays are in his arsenal, but basically said they are focused on the their basic plays right now: “I think that stuff is there in everybody’s offense. Again, that’s situational football on when it might be needed or when it’s not needed. Again, we've just got to continue to get better at our base stuff, and stuff we consider our bread and butter. That’s the stuff we’ve been focused on right now early in the season, week in and week out.”
- When asked about the offensive tempo, Gilbert said he believes they can be faster with their alignment, fundamentals and technique. However, he added that there also needs to be improvement from the sideline.
- Gilbert said he likes the fight and battle of their kids. That's what he likes the most of what he's seen so far from the team.
- Gilbert said the success hasn't changed his team's focus. He said it's been the same. The guys have been motivated, focused, attentive and determined.
- Here is Gilbert on Buechele’s growth: “I’ll probably stay away from directly specific stuff. His reads, and where he’s been able to place balls, and things that he’s seen, those are things that he’s improved with going back to spring ball and summer camp through two-a-days through the first game and through the second game. Those are areas he’s improved that have been exciting to see him grow there. Obviously, he knows that he still has a lot of room for growth and improvement, and those are things he works at. He’s extremely motivated about fixing and being a lot better.”
- Gilbert said he liked the fight of his team against UTEP, especially considering his team was without a few players due to injury. He said, “We learned, we got better. There’s nothing like playing in a game and getting game experience. We gained some of that. We’re also creating depth, which is huge. As far as going on the road, we’re going to get on that plane on Friday, and we’re going to go to California. We’re going to go on a mission. We understand, and we know what’s in front of us. Our guys are really motivated and really determined. They’re working within themselves, working within us. Like I’ve been saying, our focus in practice was on us. About us getting better and continuing to clean things up.”
- Texas running back D’Onta Foreman is expected to play on Saturday, and Gilbert said he is fortunate to have his lead back healthy, along with Chris Warren and Kyle Porter. He is excited to have them back in rotation.
- Gilbert’s offense has converted 3-of-3 fourth downs in three games this season. Here is Gilbert on his decision-making process: “It’s just situation and scenario. It’s just game situation and whatever the situation is and understanding and knowing and just making sure that we make the right decision for us offensively, and for us as a football team. Those are really things that are behind those decisions.”
- One of the attributes Gilbert’s players have is unselfishness. He said there are no egos in the building, and everyone understands his opportunity will come eventually. However, everybody’s main goal is to win.
- His biggest concern is focusing on their team and getting better. Gilbert believes there is still room for growth at every position. He said concern isn't the word. His players just need to improve position wise.
- Gilbert said Shane Buechele is focused and has been calm. Those are things he needs to continue to do for them to continue to be effective offensively.
- Here is Gilbert take’s on Buechele’s decision about when to run the ball: “Just knowing and understanding the situation. Knowing when to get down, and knowing when we need two or three more yards.”
- Gilbert said trick plays are in his arsenal, but basically said they are focused on the their basic plays right now: “I think that stuff is there in everybody’s offense. Again, that’s situational football on when it might be needed or when it’s not needed. Again, we've just got to continue to get better at our base stuff, and stuff we consider our bread and butter. That’s the stuff we’ve been focused on right now early in the season, week in and week out.”
- When asked about the offensive tempo, Gilbert said he believes they can be faster with their alignment, fundamentals and technique. However, he added that there also needs to be improvement from the sideline.
- Gilbert said he likes the fight and battle of their kids. That's what he likes the most of what he's seen so far from the team.
- Gilbert said the success hasn't changed his team's focus. He said it's been the same. The guys have been motivated, focused, attentive and determined.
- Here is Gilbert on Buechele’s growth: “I’ll probably stay away from directly specific stuff. His reads, and where he’s been able to place balls, and things that he’s seen, those are things that he’s improved with going back to spring ball and summer camp through two-a-days through the first game and through the second game. Those are areas he’s improved that have been exciting to see him grow there. Obviously, he knows that he still has a lot of room for growth and improvement, and those are things he works at. He’s extremely motivated about fixing and being a lot better.”
