Here are the highlights of Texas senior center Zach Shackelford addressing the media before practice on Tuesday:
--- Shackelford was asked if it was worse around campus after a loss to Oklahoma as opposed to other teams. He said most of his classes were on the outer perimeter of campus, and he does not notice those things.
--- Texas football coach Tom Herman has been quick to defend his offensive line since Saturday, and said there are multiple layers to giving up sacks. Shackelford said, “I mean he's right in saying that. There's also some stuff we got to get more fluid and quicker at, like communication wise, so we can eliminate that stuff.”
--- As a captain and senior center, Shackelford said he takes the lack of communication to heart. However, he said that is an area that can be improved throughout the team.
--- Here is Shackelford’s response when asked how much the offensive line was to blame for Oklahoma’s nine sacks: “I mean there were some times where he was straight up the offensive line, and we got to get better at that stuff. There were one-on-one matchups that we lost straight up. That can't happen. That's something personally I take on. The rest are various aspects of the offense. At the end of the day, it’s the offensive line. We'll take that. I'll take that as the center, and we’ll move on and get better from it.”
--- When asked about the sudden lack of communication after the success in previous game, Shackelford attributed the issues to Oklahoma having great athletes on defense.
--- In addition, Shackelford was asked about the defensive stunt that resulted in constant pressure, and what the offensive rules were: “We just got to be physical when we communicate with the loopers coming. We can't just kind of tiptoe around and quietly say. We have to be demanding in our calls, and also physically, we can’t just go there and slowly take the guy over the penetrator. We have to be super physical with it. It’s definitely something we need to get better at.” In addition, Shackelford said they typically see stunts on third-and-long.
--- Shackelford said his team has six regular season games remaining, and they still have a chance to put themselves in a great position to succeed.
--- The common denominator with Kansas football teams are good defensive lines, according to Shackelford. His said this year’s Kansas squad is fast and physical, and expects Saturday to be another challenge for his offensive line.
--- Shackelford was asked if it was worse around campus after a loss to Oklahoma as opposed to other teams. He said most of his classes were on the outer perimeter of campus, and he does not notice those things.
--- Texas football coach Tom Herman has been quick to defend his offensive line since Saturday, and said there are multiple layers to giving up sacks. Shackelford said, “I mean he's right in saying that. There's also some stuff we got to get more fluid and quicker at, like communication wise, so we can eliminate that stuff.”
--- As a captain and senior center, Shackelford said he takes the lack of communication to heart. However, he said that is an area that can be improved throughout the team.
--- Here is Shackelford’s response when asked how much the offensive line was to blame for Oklahoma’s nine sacks: “I mean there were some times where he was straight up the offensive line, and we got to get better at that stuff. There were one-on-one matchups that we lost straight up. That can't happen. That's something personally I take on. The rest are various aspects of the offense. At the end of the day, it’s the offensive line. We'll take that. I'll take that as the center, and we’ll move on and get better from it.”
--- When asked about the sudden lack of communication after the success in previous game, Shackelford attributed the issues to Oklahoma having great athletes on defense.
--- In addition, Shackelford was asked about the defensive stunt that resulted in constant pressure, and what the offensive rules were: “We just got to be physical when we communicate with the loopers coming. We can't just kind of tiptoe around and quietly say. We have to be demanding in our calls, and also physically, we can’t just go there and slowly take the guy over the penetrator. We have to be super physical with it. It’s definitely something we need to get better at.” In addition, Shackelford said they typically see stunts on third-and-long.
--- Shackelford said his team has six regular season games remaining, and they still have a chance to put themselves in a great position to succeed.
--- The common denominator with Kansas football teams are good defensive lines, according to Shackelford. His said this year’s Kansas squad is fast and physical, and expects Saturday to be another challenge for his offensive line.
