Here are the highlights of Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando’s media availability after Wednesday’s practice:
- Orlando was asked about defending the Maryland’s jet sweep and said, “The first one, we kind of misread. It’s kind of like option football. You can rep it in practice, and then when you see it, live bullets, the speed of it caught us a little off-guard. There were a handful of other ones. It wasn’t a surprise.” Orlando said they worked on jet sweeps four weeks prior to the season opener, but attributed the difficulties to a lack of discipline.
- In addition, Orlando was disappointed by his team’s slow start and penalties by his unit.
- Last week, Orlando talked about how important it was for his defense to create turnovers. When asked about in on Wednesday, Orlando said, “We had an opportunity with Kris [Boyd’s] play, which in my opinion if he finishes that, he’s got a chance to score. But, it has been addressed. A 3-0 ratio to go along with explosive plays, you’re not going to win a lot of ball games. We’ve got to get back to that. It’s been emphasized around here all the time. It just didn’t happen.”
- However, Orlando praised his defense for responding late in the fourth quarter after three offensive turnovers. Orlando said there are no moral victories at Texas, but they are trying to teach players what it takes to win games consistently.
- When ask about not getting more sacks against Maryland, Orlando said opposing teams are getting rid of the ball quickly against Texas, especially on third-downs. Once against, Orlando noted Boyd’s dropped interception, and also mentioned plays Davante Davis could have made. Orlando did not bash either player. He simply pointed out there were plays each guy could have made.
- Orlando was impressed by freshmen Caden Sterns and B.J. Foster. In addition, Orlando said neither of those players performed like a deer in headlights
- When asked about the linebackers who had to step in after Gary Johnson was ejected (Jeffrey McCulloch and Malcolm Roach), it appears Orlando believes both could have played better. McCulloch did not practice much prior to Maryland, which explains his lack of playing time.
- Orlando on Tulsa quarterback Luke Skipper: “He’s sneaky fast. He’s sneaky athletic. He can make all the throws. He’s got a lot of confidence in him. When you’re a system quarterback like that, that can make reads, go really fast and man the offense … we expect to play 90 plays minimum. I know they’re shooting for 100. You come out of a game like we just had and have to line up versus that stuff, what we’re going to have to do is line up as fast as humanly possible. In my opinion, they want to run the football. They want to run it and then take shots. Go for the house, and then come back and run it. Third-down, throw shots. Our first two years at Houston, we played them. Last year’s Houston team really struggled with them in the run game, too. He’s a really good player.”
- Orlando was asked about defending the Maryland’s jet sweep and said, “The first one, we kind of misread. It’s kind of like option football. You can rep it in practice, and then when you see it, live bullets, the speed of it caught us a little off-guard. There were a handful of other ones. It wasn’t a surprise.” Orlando said they worked on jet sweeps four weeks prior to the season opener, but attributed the difficulties to a lack of discipline.
- In addition, Orlando was disappointed by his team’s slow start and penalties by his unit.
- Last week, Orlando talked about how important it was for his defense to create turnovers. When asked about in on Wednesday, Orlando said, “We had an opportunity with Kris [Boyd’s] play, which in my opinion if he finishes that, he’s got a chance to score. But, it has been addressed. A 3-0 ratio to go along with explosive plays, you’re not going to win a lot of ball games. We’ve got to get back to that. It’s been emphasized around here all the time. It just didn’t happen.”
- However, Orlando praised his defense for responding late in the fourth quarter after three offensive turnovers. Orlando said there are no moral victories at Texas, but they are trying to teach players what it takes to win games consistently.
- When ask about not getting more sacks against Maryland, Orlando said opposing teams are getting rid of the ball quickly against Texas, especially on third-downs. Once against, Orlando noted Boyd’s dropped interception, and also mentioned plays Davante Davis could have made. Orlando did not bash either player. He simply pointed out there were plays each guy could have made.
- Orlando was impressed by freshmen Caden Sterns and B.J. Foster. In addition, Orlando said neither of those players performed like a deer in headlights
- When asked about the linebackers who had to step in after Gary Johnson was ejected (Jeffrey McCulloch and Malcolm Roach), it appears Orlando believes both could have played better. McCulloch did not practice much prior to Maryland, which explains his lack of playing time.
- Orlando on Tulsa quarterback Luke Skipper: “He’s sneaky fast. He’s sneaky athletic. He can make all the throws. He’s got a lot of confidence in him. When you’re a system quarterback like that, that can make reads, go really fast and man the offense … we expect to play 90 plays minimum. I know they’re shooting for 100. You come out of a game like we just had and have to line up versus that stuff, what we’re going to have to do is line up as fast as humanly possible. In my opinion, they want to run the football. They want to run it and then take shots. Go for the house, and then come back and run it. Third-down, throw shots. Our first two years at Houston, we played them. Last year’s Houston team really struggled with them in the run game, too. He’s a really good player.”
