The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Missouri quotes
10.19.2008 | Football
Oct. 19, 2008
TEXAS COACHES
Head Coach Mack Brown
Opening statement: It was a fun night, the crowd was great and I thought it was probably as good of a first half that I've been involved with as a football coach. The guys played hard and they played well. The defense set the tempo with the three-and-outs and then the offense scored every time in the first half. They also were seven-for-seven on third downs at halftime. We didn't play as well in the second half, and sometimes it's hard to do that.
Missouri has got a really good team and they kept battling to come back, and you have to give them credit for that.
Colt [McCoy] was phenomenal. The game has slowed down so much for him right now, and even the ball that was on the ground he picked up and knew where people were and made the play. We are supposed to yell at him for not falling on it, but why yell at him when he made another first down? He's playing at a very high level and the receivers are playing well. Chris Ogbonnaya is playing very well.
I felt like we still got a lot of pass rush on Chase [Daniel] even though he's a great player. It's hard to get a pass rush on him when he's that deep. [Chase] Coffman and [Jeremy] Maclin were as advertised.
We didn't do as well on kickoff coverage as we needed to and we tried to kick it away from Maclin, but he started catching them and running them back. We still have a lot to work on, and we have to remember that Oklahoma State beat this team, so we have a big challenge for next week.
On beating the number one team and staying focused for this weekend: We just wanted them to enjoy the moment and appreciate what they have accomplished so far and not get uptight about them being number one. We thought the pressure was really on Missouri because they lost last week, and we wanted to come out and play at a high level, but at the same time to enjoy it and play with energy. We told them that everybody questioned if they could win two weeks in a row. I'm really proud of the way they responded and now we have to do it again next week.
On how he kept the team focused this week: I really believe that it was the kids who did it. All we were doing was try to get their attention, but they are the ones who had to be focused and ready to play. The coaches did a great job, but those kids didn't read all the stuff and they were talking about Oklahoma State in the dressing room (after tonight's game). So far, these guys have answered every bell.
On Colt McCoy and how much better he could play: He just needs to continue to be who he is. I don't know if we need him to play any better. He's showing fantastic leadership, he's poised and he's not into all of the hype. It's not affecting him at all. In fact, I don't think he's looking at anything. He's not turning on the TV and he's not reading anything, because he feels like it's best for him to play with the dedication he had for his cousin and move forward. He's really having a good time. I've never seen him this settled, comfortable and this confident before.
On the young receivers: They are getting better every day and that's a complement to [wide receivers coach] Bobby Kennedy. They just seem to be so much better than they were at the first of the year, because they are so much more comfortable. I think like Colt has helped the team and the offense specifically, they are lucky to have Quan [Cosby] and Jordan [Shipley] to coach them. They really have a coach and two really good leaders in there.
On how much better the offense is looking: They look so much better and we really had to bring along a lot faster after we lost Blaine [Irby].
On how much better this team can get: I feel like I'm pleased as their head coach with the way things have been going, but there is a lot of room for improvement. Our goals are to try to be the best in the country and to win the Big 12 Championship. So we've got to continue to improve each week. We have five more big tests and then we'll probably play Missouri, Kansas or somebody again if we do our job and get to the Big 12 Championship. Playing somebody twice is really tough as well.
On what it means to be undefeated so far this season: It means this team has a chance to be special if they continue to work and continue to get better. The thing we are seeing in college football each week, is that if you don't bring your 'A' game, you're going to get beat. So far, every week, this team has played hard. And when we play hard, we're pretty good, so we just have to continue to do that.
On how this team keeps improving week-by-week: I think what we're seeing is that the older players are continuing to play at the same level, and the young ones are playing more up to their level. One of the problems we felt like we had last year going into the bowl game was that young guys were on campus and the older guys were off campus. They didn't know each other much and there wasn't much association. That hurt our football team. The older ones started coaching the younger ones and now they are really pulled together. The older ones are excited to see the younger ones make plays, and I think that is making us better and helping the young ones improve faster.
Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp
On switching from four to three down linemen: We went from odd to even with four down and three down from down-to-down. We were able to get a productive rush with three guys. On the forced interception, it was a three down rush, so when you're able to do that, it enables you to do a lot of things. Those guys did a great job and we've had consistent rush with three and four guys all year. We pressured and brought five, we got pressure, so again, hats off to the kids, and they really played the first half outstandingly. And in the second half, I wish we would have finished a little better, obviously, but I'm really pleased with the effort.
On the defensive line carrying out stunts: We carried a lot into this game front wise, so we sunk the front down some, where we had [Brian] Orakpo as a three technique. But that was all based off of calls in situations and matchups. We probably carried more front stuff than we've ever carried in a game to try and gain some matchups.
On what they could've improved on tonight: We need to finish better. We didn't tonight, we had some injury situations that came up in the game and it kind of limited us a little bit. We felt like [Roddrick] Muckelroy matched up well in space so that was planned going in and we didn't use it.
Offensive coordinator Greg Davis
On playing against the blitz: Through seven games, people have blitzed us a high percentage of the time, higher than the numbers would indicate, and our kids have done a great job picking it up. Brandon Collins tonight was huge on several blitzes where he had break-off routes and was able to convert third downs because of it. We've spent a lot of time on it, starting way back in camp against our defense, because to win in this league you will have to be efficient against the blitz.
On the offense's execution: It was pretty clean, we played ahead of the chains most of the time, Colt was hot and the kids just executed extremely well.
On preparing for this game: We spent a lot of time studying the Oklahoma State film, because there are some similarities in what they do. They did some things in that ball game that gave us an opportunity to be able to play a high percentage of the time.
TEXAS PLAYERS
QB Colt McCoy
On the protection he got tonight: Give credit to the offensive line tonight, they played tremendous, and I was able to sit back there and deliver, especially on third downs. We felt like they would come after us a lot, they did, and the offensive line picked it up great. It all starts with them and when they can play like that, we can complete a high percentage.
On getting off to a hot start: We just came out strong, we came out ready to play and that's important for us every week. If we can do that every week, that helps the defense out and it helps us get rolling. Like I said, we wanted to win up front and we did.
On where he thought the team got better tonight: I thought we came out strong and I thought that was important for us. We were disappointed in our first drive of the second half, because we wanted to go down there and score. But, we went three-and-out and that's not to our standard. But after that, we rebounded and played well. I think the biggest thing for us was that we got out to an early lead and that helped the defense and it also helped us get the ball rolling.
DE Brian Orakpo
On the game: Like coach said, we wanted to finish better, but a 'W' is a 'W.' I felt like we started off very strong and we made Missouri have to play a lot of catch up. It goes back to the first day of practice. We buried the Oklahoma game and went right back to work. Like Coach Muschamp says all of the time, we are a blue-collar team and nobody takes things for granted. It doesn't matter what ranking we are, you can throw that number one ranking out the window, and we just have to keep going back to work.
On the game at halftime: I just know they had to play a lot of catch up. They had to cut down with the runs and start putting the ball up in the air. We knew that they would have to start passing a lot more in the second half. They got out there and they were able to get up the field at times. But like I said, we could've finished a lot better, but I felt like we got a lot of great effort from all of the guys.
On being able to pressure Chase Daniel: It was very frustrating because Chase does a great job of getting rid of the ball when needed. We did a great job with just rushing three or four guys. We played relentlessly, tried to get after it and put pressure in his face, to cause interceptions, bad passes and batted balls. It was the whole nine yards. I thought we did a great job of trying to disrupt him and to get him out of his rhythm.
WR Quan Cosby
On the young wide receivers' performance: I told you they were extremely athletic. They're very capable of making plays and they showed you tonight. They've been doing a good job, just being patient. They made huge plays for us tonight.
On a convincing win: We still haven't hit our stride. We didn't play very well in the second half. We can do better than that - just little things about the game that we can always work on. We're just going to go back to work tomorrow. The crazy thing about it is we have another big one next week. We're ready to go to work and see what comes.
On whether he is pleased with the performance: Wins are really hard to come by. I guess with the difference in the score, it can seem like it looked easy. But there was a lot of hard work out there. Everyone was really grinding. Our O-line was holding it down tremendously. Our defense played a really good game. It's a really tough win, but like I said, we have a lot of stuff to work on.
On Brandon Collins: Brandon is a playmaker. He came here to make plays. He's made some huge catches - last week and this week - on third downs. He's just another one of our young guys who his really making good plays for us. Him, Dan [Buckner], Malcolm [Williams], James [Kirkendoll], they're all capable of being out there with us. There's just a lack of experience. But their playmaking ability covers for it.
OT Adam Ulatoski
On tonight's performance: We won. That's the goal. We're excited, but we know we have a tough challenge next week. We're going to go out there all week and practice for them.
On not getting caught up in the hype of the game and the number one ranking: I think we're a really mature team and we know we have our goals. It's one game at a time. We know that's how we get there - not looking ahead or living in the past.
WR Jordan Shipley
On the wide receivers' performance: I think the wide receivers as a whole played really well tonight. A lot of the young guys stepped up and made plays. If we can do that, we're going to be pretty tough to stop, if we can have several guys making plays.
On the young wide receivers: A lot of them stepped up tonight for the first time. That was really good to see. Brandon [Collins] had a great game, Malcolm [Williams] had a good game, Dan [Buckner] obviously had a great play. That's just really encouraging for us.
On Malcolm Williams' touchdown: I think Malcolm made an unbelievable play. That was at a big time for us in the game. It was great to see him step up and make a great play.
On the offensive success in the first half: I think this is probably as efficient as we've been. Obviously there is always room for us to improve, so we're just going to try not to get complacent and try to keep improving. I feel like our defense is playing great also.
On giving advice to the young wide receivers: You just try to remind them of their assignments and tell them to relax, play the game and have fun. The main thing that is tough for young guys to do is to come in and have fun playing the game because they're so worried about the little things. When there are 100,000 people watching you play, it's a little bit different than practice. It just comes with time, trying to keep them relaxed and confident.
DB Ryan Palmer
On the first half: That's Texas football. We want to establish ourselves early during the game. We got off to a hot start, our defense played well the first couple series. We just got in a rhythm and we kept it rolling.
On the play of the defensive front: It's amazing. I can't thank them enough for what they do. They got pressure even though Missouri has wide splits they're still busting their butts trying to get to the quarterback.
On the defense: We're starting to play complete football as a defense. We're getting better each game.
DT Roy Miller
On the feeling around the team: The feeling you get around here, you walk in here on Monday and it's time to go to work. You can't mess up because there's expectations on you.
On how the team stays focused: Coach Muschamp does a great job of keeping us level headed. We're so mature as a team. There's a lot of guys on this team that were on the national championship team. Around here we've always been a target. Whether we're (ranked) one or 100 they're going to give us all they've got.
LB Roddrick Muckelroy
On the mood in the locker room at halftime: We were just staying focused because we knew they were a good team. We knew that they could have spurts within their passing game. We continued to stay focused. Coach Muschamp told us, 'This is a 60 minute game, we've got to come out and stay focused.' That's what we did.
On Roy Miller's tackle on the first play of the game: That was a great first play. I was happy for Roy. I saw it all develop, I was just happy Roy made that tackle. That set the mood for the whole game right there.
On what made the defense successful tonight: Coach Muschamp had us prepared coming into this game so we knew what the offense was capable of doing. We knew what they were going to do so we just stayed focused on those things. We knew what they were going to do coming into this game and they did it so we practiced on it all week.
On his pass coverage: I was pretty happy with my pass coverage. Coach Muschamp came in early this week and told me, 'Trust your speed. You can run with those guys.' When he told me that it was a confidence booster because I knew right there, if Coach believed I could run with those guys, I could run with those guys.
DL Aaron Lewis
On tonight's game: We were really excited. Coach Muschamp was getting on to us and we were playing great, executing well. I've got to give it to (Missouri). They kept coming back and in the second half they really came with it. They're a good team.
On what's next for the team: The next game, Oklahoma State. We've got to play one game at a time. We've got to keep pushing, keep fighting, trying to keep getting better. We had some busts and we could've had more pressures in the second half. We've just got to get better from here.
On whether it's becoming harder or easier to focus with every win: I think it's becoming easier. Our goals are becoming closer and closer and I think it's a little easier to keep focusing and keep concentrating on the next win.
OG Cedric Dockery
On the play of the offensive line: I felt like we did a pretty good job. Colt (McCoy) had ample amount of time to throw the ball. He had pretty good stats so I was happy for Colt, happy for the offensive line. I thought we did great as a unit. We've just got to keep pushing.
On following the team's goals: If we keep on running the ball I guess you can consider that consistently good. At the end of the season we want to finish the season great. We just want to keep working, stay on track, keep working on fundaments and listen to what coach has to say to us.
On the play of the second-team offense: They're playing well. They were running the ball, Fozzy (Whittaker) and Vondrell (McGee) looked great.
RB Chris Ogbonnaya
On the win: I'm just happy. I'm glad we got the victory. It was a tough game. Missouri's a great football team, they have a great program, great players. I'm just glad that we executed when we had the opportunity to and made enough plays to win.
On what enabled the team to be so successful: I think we put ourselves in that position with the way that we worked during the week and it prepares us to play that way. We don't always play that way. There are things that you have to sort through during the course of a game because the teams that we play might do something different.
I feel that we understand what this (senior) class wants to do. We're a blue-collar team, consistently work hard during the week and outside of football. That's our mentality with everything. We want to be as good as we can be at whatever we're doing.
MISSOURI COACHES AND PLAYERS
Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel
On the loss: Obviously, I'm very disappointed in how we played. First, I'd like to give credit to Texas. They were playing outstanding. Colt McCoy, his execution was as good to me as I've ever seen. It starts there with their great execution and what a great football team they are. I didn't think we played our best game, by far, nowhere close to it. To have a chance against a team like this, you've got to play well, and we didn't do that. I'm responsible for that. They just outplayed us, outblocked us, outkicked us - running, passing, coaching, everything.
On the Texas defense: It was outstanding. We struggled until about the middle of the second quarter, and then we got going a little bit. When their offense is going like that, our offense has got to be able to match it. We've done that to some people, and they did it to our defense. We had to match them offensively and we didn't do it.
On the play of his defense: I'm disappointed, but again, I'm not going to devalue what Colt McCoy was doing. We've got to play better defense, there's no question about that. I'm disappointed in that. But I'm telling you, there's no way I'm going to devalue what he did. That's not fair to him.
Missouri QB Chase Daniel
On Texas: They're a great team. They were able to get us out of our rhythm a little bit in the first half. They scored on four of their five series in the first half. Anytime you're down 35, it's going to be hard to come back.
On whether there were any surprises with the Texas defense: No, they played their defense. Coach (Will) Muschamp is a great defensive coordinator, and he showed that tonight.
On Texas' pass rush: They're one of the best we've faced, right up there with Illinois. They got around the edge a little bit tonight, but our tackles did a great job out there. I got sacked two or three times, but that happens when you play a team like this. You have to limit it, but they played their tails off.
On whether he felt any pressure playing in his home state: I played as loose as possible. I was trying to get my teammates going. In the second half, we finally did. There was no pressure with me at all. It's great to play at Texas. It's great to play against my great buddy, Colt McCoy. It doesn't get better than this. The only thing better would be to win.
On whether he was surprised by the final margin: Yeah, it's something we don't want to have very much. They (Texas) are a great team, they really are. They came out and they proved whey they're the No. 1 team in the nation.