HOUSTON – Here are the highlights of Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s media availability after Saturday’s practice.
- Beck on what he needs to see from quarterback Shane Buechele in the bowl game: “I think the biggest thing with him is he’s got to be a little better in the pocket. The pocket presence with him. That’s one of the issues right now. Keeping us out of bad plays, negative plays. It’s bad for us behind the chains. If we’re second-and-long, that’s not a good thing. I think that’s one of the biggest things with him. I would say that’s his biggest area he needs to continue to work on, as Sam’s (Ehlinger) area is turnovers.
- When asked if this season lived up to his expectations, Beck said they underperformed. Beck said it has been a trying season, especially with the constant change and injuries. However, Beck believes the future is bright, and this staff is excited about their players.
- One of the foundations the offensive staff has tried to lay this season to play as hard as they can, while protecting the football. Beck said they are not doing that right now, and it has to be fixed.
- In addition, Beck said this season has allowed him to learn more about teams in the Big 12 and their tendencies. He said with younger players, it is hard to teach them about adjustments teams made from the film Texas previously watched, but believes they are learning: “They’re getting better. I know it doesn’t always equate to wins and losses. That’s a tough thing because you want it to be equated in wins and losses, but sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it’s individual personal performance. You see guys doing some things they haven’t done. You’re like, ‘Man, that’s really good he did. That’s a great route, great block, or he made that catch.’ It can be one plays, two plays, and you can say the future is really going to be bright. We get this guy for a whole nother year to coach him up and get him him to really understand all the things, it’s going to be really good.”
- Beck said Elijah Rodriguez looks good at left tackle. Rodriguez is a little rusty, but working through it, according to Beck. In addition, Beck said it is good just happy to have an older guy on the offensive line.
- When asked to name which young players stood out in bowl practices, Beck was very impressed with freshman tight end Reese Leitao and receiver Jordan Pouncey, who can play anywhere on the field. Beck said Pouncey is very natural with his breaking and does not need to slow down. In addition, Beck praised Pouncey’s ball-tracking skills.
- Here is Beck on what stood out about Leitao: “Physicality of him. You know what’s surprising? He runs well, and really catches the ball well. I was surprised. I thought he was more of a guy who slobber-knocked you down inside there, but he can move pretty good.
- Beck said running backs Daniel Young and Kyle Porter will get a chance to play a lot in the Texas Bowl.
- Even though Texas will be without multiple players who contributed during the regular season, Beck said they are putting together a game plan to be successful.
- Beck on what he needs to see from quarterback Shane Buechele in the bowl game: “I think the biggest thing with him is he’s got to be a little better in the pocket. The pocket presence with him. That’s one of the issues right now. Keeping us out of bad plays, negative plays. It’s bad for us behind the chains. If we’re second-and-long, that’s not a good thing. I think that’s one of the biggest things with him. I would say that’s his biggest area he needs to continue to work on, as Sam’s (Ehlinger) area is turnovers.
- When asked if this season lived up to his expectations, Beck said they underperformed. Beck said it has been a trying season, especially with the constant change and injuries. However, Beck believes the future is bright, and this staff is excited about their players.
- One of the foundations the offensive staff has tried to lay this season to play as hard as they can, while protecting the football. Beck said they are not doing that right now, and it has to be fixed.
- In addition, Beck said this season has allowed him to learn more about teams in the Big 12 and their tendencies. He said with younger players, it is hard to teach them about adjustments teams made from the film Texas previously watched, but believes they are learning: “They’re getting better. I know it doesn’t always equate to wins and losses. That’s a tough thing because you want it to be equated in wins and losses, but sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it’s individual personal performance. You see guys doing some things they haven’t done. You’re like, ‘Man, that’s really good he did. That’s a great route, great block, or he made that catch.’ It can be one plays, two plays, and you can say the future is really going to be bright. We get this guy for a whole nother year to coach him up and get him him to really understand all the things, it’s going to be really good.”
- Beck said Elijah Rodriguez looks good at left tackle. Rodriguez is a little rusty, but working through it, according to Beck. In addition, Beck said it is good just happy to have an older guy on the offensive line.
- When asked to name which young players stood out in bowl practices, Beck was very impressed with freshman tight end Reese Leitao and receiver Jordan Pouncey, who can play anywhere on the field. Beck said Pouncey is very natural with his breaking and does not need to slow down. In addition, Beck praised Pouncey’s ball-tracking skills.
- Here is Beck on what stood out about Leitao: “Physicality of him. You know what’s surprising? He runs well, and really catches the ball well. I was surprised. I thought he was more of a guy who slobber-knocked you down inside there, but he can move pretty good.
- Beck said running backs Daniel Young and Kyle Porter will get a chance to play a lot in the Texas Bowl.
- Even though Texas will be without multiple players who contributed during the regular season, Beck said they are putting together a game plan to be successful.
