The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 6 Texas 26, No. 22 Texas A&M 13
11.26.2004 | Football
Texas Quotes
Greg Robinson, Co-Defensive Coordinator
On the defensive effort: Our guys got comfortable and we tweaked a little at halftime, but overall (the defense) put in a fantastic effort. Up front, they kept coming on and a lot of players were doing great things. Up front, we're really dominating.
Greg Davis, Offensive Coordinator
On Cedric Benson's career at Texas: The first thing I think of when I think of Cedric Benson is consistency. He's played his four years here the same way he played his four years at Midland-Lee (High School). He carries the ball 30 times and he puts in a great effort; he's a warrior, the only difference this year is that he started a lot better.
Derrick Johnson, Senior LB
On defeating Texas A&M all four years: Being a senior, this game is very important, because (Texas A&M) is our rival and this is the last one I'll play and there was a lot riding on this game. We played hard and put everything behind us, we had the opportunity to capitalize on some of their mistakes and we didn't, but all in all, we played hard. It's a great memory, not losing to the Aggies in my four years here, it's something that I'll remember for the rest of my life.
Cedric Benson, Senior RB
On running a congratulatory lap around the field: (The lap around the field) was spontaneous. Everybody was still out there so I went around for one last time out there. I really enjoyed the excitement of the fans. They were standing up and cheering and they've come a long way with us.
Mack Brown, Head Coach
On playing against Texas A&M to end the regular season: It was a great day for college football, being in front of a packed house and national television, with Texas A&M being ranked. They are a much better football team than they were last year and at the beginning of this year. It was an emotional game and there was a lot on the line for both teams, but it was a clean and well-played game. This team has been the most fun team I've ever been around because they don't quit, they just keep playing.
On Texas playing a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) bowl: This team deserves to be in the BCS. They were fifth in the country last year and didn't get to go because the number 10 team beat the number one team; this year they deserve to go. If this is a team that should be in the top eight in the nation, then we should change the system because this team is one of the best in the country. They're 13 points away from being maybe the best team in the country and winning out and I think we're better now than we were last year. This team deserves to play in the BCS and if they don't, then we don't have a (good) system.
Senior place kicker Dusty Mangum
On the missed PAT: I went through the miss on the first kick in my mind and just tried to concentrate on my mechanics and and on what I needed to do to make the next one. ON the second one -- Jeffery got hurt and no one even knew about it until we were getting ready to kick. Matt (Nordgren) grabbed someone else's helmet and ran out there, no one was really ready for the kick. I actually kicked the ball even though Matt had it kind of sideways.
After that kick I was kind of frustrated, but I did what I could to wipe it out of my mind. I was thinking that the second half was going to be a clean slate, and to go do what you can. Everything was perfect on the two field goals I made. Matt even had his own helmet on.
It was really good to make those two kicks because I knew the guys needed it and I knew they were looking for me to make something happen. I went out there and just swung real smooth at the ball.
Two biggest kicks of your life: Yes ... I have to say so. Last year against Texas Tech I had a couple of big kicks, but to be able to go out like this is really special. On the last one I hit it so good, but I was a little afraid that the wind might do something to it. I was excited I made it.
Sophomore quarterback Vince Young
On the change from the first half disappointment to second half victory: I think Coach should have thrown the red flag in there because I believe I got over the goal line (laughs). We knew we had come out tin the second half and explode on those guys, and that is what we did. On this team overcoming adversity: We have a lot of haters ... critics or whatever you want to call them, so we just have to go out there and stay focused and do whet we do and believe in each other and that is what we are doing.
Emotion at the half: I hate going in to halftime with a turnover like that, and all our guys tried to pick me us and say "We love you," and "You are the man." They were all behind we, and I knew what we had to do to win.
On the play of the team after the OU game: We have played very well through the second half of the season, and I think that deserves recognition. We have a very good team, and we go out there and have fun and play the game.
On what Coach Brown says at the half to spur the team: He doesn't say much because he already knows what we are fixing to do. We always come in with a good game plan and we just have to go out there and get physical with those guys and that is what we've been doing the past few weeks.
