Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck addressed the media after practice on Wednesday. Here are the highlights from his media availability:
--- Beck’s response when asked if they are tipping plays in the pistol formation: “I don't know how to answer without giving information out. It's kind of hard, but we do self-scout. We do see those things. If you look at one particular game, sometimes things show up and take multiple games that don't seem as big of a tendency. Sometimes we do things purposely, too, by the alignment, or position of the back.”
--- Beck said his team must take advantage of its offensive opportunities because Kansas State is giving up around 58 plays a game, and his offense is averaging 79. He said they need to be efficient on offense.
--- In addition, Beck said they need to play tough, with passion, and protect the football: “I talked to the team. We can say whatever we want. I know we have six turnovers in the last two games, and we had two in the first six games. So, there's probably pretty good relevance to how we're playing when that happens. That’s first and foremost. Got to protect the football. That's going to help everywhere. It’s going to, A, keep us with the football because we're not turning it over. It's going to change the field position is going to help defensively. All those things that we talk about.”
--- Beck also said they need to score touchdowns against Kansas State. Beck pointed out his offense was 2-of-5 against TCU in the red zone. However, Beck said if they kick field goals against Kansas State, it will not be good enough.
--- Beck indicated Reese Leitao and Jared Wiley have received first-team reps at tight end this week. He said both will play, but did not indicate which player would start.
--- Beck’s explanation of Sam Ehlinger’s interceptions this year after his quarterback’s lack of turnovers last season: “I think it's everyone. I think you go back and look at them. There was a couple of route malfunctions. That didn't help. I do think Sam presses. I told him it felt like he was a freshman on the one on the sideline. That’s what he would have done his freshman year. Part of it is I think he's pressing. He's thinking like, I've got to make a play. That’s how he played two years ago. In our conversations, your job is to distribute the football to the other guys. It's their jobs to do their job. You can't do their job for them. He did some really good things in the course of the game. We had some guys make mistakes, and sometimes that's going to happen when you when you're getting in depth with some guys as you get into the season. It's not necessarily guys are injured, but they hadn’t come out. Our offensive line, for example, I think our guards have played every play this year … I just think it's a bunch of little things that have taken place over the course of the season, but I don't think our guys aren’t as physical. I don't think they lack confidence. I don't think Sam does. I think Sam pressed a little bit in the course of the game, and he’d be the first one to tell you that’s probably what happened.”
--- Beck’s response when asked if they are tipping plays in the pistol formation: “I don't know how to answer without giving information out. It's kind of hard, but we do self-scout. We do see those things. If you look at one particular game, sometimes things show up and take multiple games that don't seem as big of a tendency. Sometimes we do things purposely, too, by the alignment, or position of the back.”
--- Beck said his team must take advantage of its offensive opportunities because Kansas State is giving up around 58 plays a game, and his offense is averaging 79. He said they need to be efficient on offense.
--- In addition, Beck said they need to play tough, with passion, and protect the football: “I talked to the team. We can say whatever we want. I know we have six turnovers in the last two games, and we had two in the first six games. So, there's probably pretty good relevance to how we're playing when that happens. That’s first and foremost. Got to protect the football. That's going to help everywhere. It’s going to, A, keep us with the football because we're not turning it over. It's going to change the field position is going to help defensively. All those things that we talk about.”
--- Beck also said they need to score touchdowns against Kansas State. Beck pointed out his offense was 2-of-5 against TCU in the red zone. However, Beck said if they kick field goals against Kansas State, it will not be good enough.
--- Beck indicated Reese Leitao and Jared Wiley have received first-team reps at tight end this week. He said both will play, but did not indicate which player would start.
--- Beck’s explanation of Sam Ehlinger’s interceptions this year after his quarterback’s lack of turnovers last season: “I think it's everyone. I think you go back and look at them. There was a couple of route malfunctions. That didn't help. I do think Sam presses. I told him it felt like he was a freshman on the one on the sideline. That’s what he would have done his freshman year. Part of it is I think he's pressing. He's thinking like, I've got to make a play. That’s how he played two years ago. In our conversations, your job is to distribute the football to the other guys. It's their jobs to do their job. You can't do their job for them. He did some really good things in the course of the game. We had some guys make mistakes, and sometimes that's going to happen when you when you're getting in depth with some guys as you get into the season. It's not necessarily guys are injured, but they hadn’t come out. Our offensive line, for example, I think our guards have played every play this year … I just think it's a bunch of little things that have taken place over the course of the season, but I don't think our guys aren’t as physical. I don't think they lack confidence. I don't think Sam does. I think Sam pressed a little bit in the course of the game, and he’d be the first one to tell you that’s probably what happened.”
