The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Colorado quotes
10.10.2009 | Football
Oct. 10, 2009
TEXAS COACHES
Head coach Mack Brown
Opening statement: I'm really excited about the win. You've got to give Colorado credit. It was a tough, hard fought, physical game; one that we really needed going into next week. It's funny that the score last year was 38-14, the score is exactly the same. In fact, after we beat Colorado last year the fans all chanted, "Beat OU," before we could get off the field, and tonight was the same thing.
The first half, I didn't think we played very well. The defense kind of started slow. We deferred because we wanted to get a three-and-out and they took it right down the field and scored. The offense kicked a field goal so it looked like it was going to be one of those games. I'm proud of our defense that they stepped up in the second quarter. The kicking game didn't do much the first half and the offense had horrible field position. I'm really proud of our offense that they came down and scored right before the half. That usually is something that turns games for us; the defense had a stop and the offense came in and scored. I'm really proud of the defensive effort and the kicking game in the second half. Duane Akina is the best in the country at blocking kicks, punts and returning punts for touchdowns, just unbelievable. I'm disappointed in our kickoff returns. It was a big battle with their coverage and our returns. I think we had two that we didn't do what we normally do.
Colt (McCoy) was unbelievable. You've got to give Colt so much credit for what he did. The protection was really good. I'm disappointed in the running game because we worked on it so hard and I don't know what happened. We'll have to look at it tomorrow and see what happened. Tre' (Newton) got hurt and he came out. We couldn't put him back in, and Vondrell (McGee) obviously hurt his shoulder and didn't go back in. Those two didn't get to play very much because of injuries and we'll just have to look at where they are for next week.
On the first half: We made mistakes. We had 215 yards of total offense and 41 plays to their 26 at halftime, so we did a lot of good things. The things we emphasized this week - scoring in the red zone and trying to run the ball and be more physical - we're not doing well. Those are things that will get our kids attention.
On the offense in the second half and sudden change defense: I think when everybody talks about how bad Colorado is all week, it's really hard to go out there and take them seriously, and I think the first half got our attention and we played much better in the second half. The offense didn't have the ball much in the third quarter and we did have two turnovers that are really scary inside the 17-yard line. The defense came in and took care of one and scored off of the sudden change situation and the other situation came up and we did not do as well.
On the defense: I think it's playing really well. They seem to get better and better and better. I really like our pass rush. Those guys are putting so much pressure on the opposite quarterbacks. I think it was 3-for-15 on third downs, where we were 7-of-14. They are putting a tremendous amount of pressure on the other team.
On the running game: What we're trying to do is get better in the running game. It didn't work. We've just got to keep looking at it and keep doing what we need to do.
On the possibility of playing RBs Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson more next week: I think Fozzy would great, and I thought Cody (Johnson) did some good things. He ran the ball better tonight. We may have to use both of those guys next week. Fozzy's just so fast. The run that bounced back the opposite direction and scored was really a good run.
On Jordan Shipley's 74-yard punt return touchdown: Field position is huge, but when you can score on kicking game it just changes games for you. Jordan Shipley is amazing. What he's been able to do in the first five games seems to still not be as nationally recognized as I think it should be. He's done an amazing job. He had another 27-yard punt return that we had a block in the back. He was mad at me at the end of the game because we wouldn't let him return another one. I said, "Just go fair catch it our get out." He's playing really, really well.
On putting Jordan Shipley on kickoff return for the first time this season: It really helps us. We've got to do a better job with he and D.J. (Monroe) because we put him on kickoff return tonight for the first time, and he and D.J. didn't mix as easily as we wanted them to. We need to keep working on those two because that gives us two of the best threats we've ever had on kickoff return and puts us in a position where (the opponents) don't know where to kick it. That's what we'd like to get for the last seven or eight games.
On rushing the ball 25 times tonight: It's really hard. They were just going to be stubborn and maybe I was trying to out-stubborn (Colorado). They did a good job. They were not going to let us run the ball. They were going to use a lot of twists and movement up front. I just wanted to run it some. I think that will help us next week. We don't want to get in a game where we put so much pressure on Colt (McCoy) that he has to throw every play. We'd like to have some runs. If you just go into a game like this that you're probably going to win and throw it every time, come out happy, and don't get to work on anything for next week then you're in a tougher spot.
On safeties Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon: Earl's playing so well. He's one of the guys, like Jordan (Shipley), that I don't think is getting enough credit. He's hitting, he's playing well, he's intercepting balls. I was really glad that two games in a row that Blake Gideon has made really tough and good interceptions. I'm really, really proud of those guys and I do think we're getting better in the secondary.
On Emmanuel Acho and the young linebackers: He and Sam both, they're just playing so well, and Keenan Robinson. The young linebackers since Jared (Norton) stepped out have done such a great job of stepping up because we thought we'd have Roddrick Muckelroy and Jared all year and two or three young ones would need to step up and help us, but they did a great job.
Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp
On the team's performance: We lost the edge on the twin-twin formation that we had prepared for. Obviously, we didn't do a good enough job getting the kids ready for that. We had a 15-yard penalty on the facemask that put them in our area. We made two great negative plays to put them back to third-and-15, then we got caught in man coverage on a zone down. It was a bad call on my part. You get 50 yards on the first drive and I don't know how much they end up with, but not much for the rest of the game.
I'm real proud of them responding and making adjustments in the game and playing hard regardless of the situation. We played pretty physical for the most part in the running game. We just need to clean up our tackles a little bit. I felt like it was a little sloppy at times. On third down, we converted, got off the field, and had two huge turnovers scored on defense. I was really pleased with that.
Offensive coordinator Greg Davis
On the offense: I thought Colt McCoy played extremely well. For the most part we protected him. I thought the running game was non-existent. We probably should have thrown the ball more in some situations.
On offensive techniques: Running was a huge focus, we talked about it and worked on it, but at the same time, we did what we do best, and that's catching the ball.
TEXAS PLAYERS
DE Sergio Kindle
On Colorado's offense: We had to take it upon ourselves to make changes. I feel like that's what we did.
QB Colt McCoy
On the team's performance: It's a team game, and I didn't feel like we played bad all night. Our defense played lights out, and our special teams played really well. It was a solid team win.
On the OU game: It's another conference match-up. We're going to enjoy this win, and go to work tomorrow.
On the score at the end of the first half following the turnover: (The turnover) shouldn't happen at all, but we came back and produced in the second half. We just have to continue to get better and focus on our running game.
On the game: Our defense and special teams played lights out. Sometimes it's hard to come back from an off-week to find your rhythm again. We'll watch the film and get ready for next week.
On his expectations of the game: It was exactly what we expected. I think there were turns and twists inside that were a little different, but for the most part the passing game was there. We were pretty efficient and completed a lot of balls. On offense we just have to be more consistent.
DT Lamarr Houston
On Colorado's scoring drive to start the game: There were just some things coming out there and Colorado is a good football team. I hope people see that. They capitalized on our mistakes, and we had to go back and fix it.
On the difference the defense made in the game: We just wanted to keep playing. We wanted to play more. We wanted to be out there and make plays and get the crowd excited and get everybody into the game. If the offense feeds off of that, that's what we want.
On being a complete football team: We're not just an offensive team. We're not just a defensive team. We're a complete team.
LB Roddrick Muckelroy
On the defense stepping up in the second half: We and coach Muschamp felt like we weren't playing to our best potential. We stepped it up in the second half. We came in and made a few adjustments and just went out and played.
On the special teams: We have some explosive players back there on special teams. I know on every kick and every kickoff return, you never know what can happen. Everybody stands up. It's fun sitting there and watching. You know those guys back there at any time can break, and it's just fun to watch.
On what was said at halftime: It's a 60-minute game. First half - put it behind you. We came out second half and put on a performance. You just make a few adjustments.
On playing after a bye week: It gets you back in rhythm. You have a bye week; you know it feels like forever since we've played a game. We came back and we didn't play at our best level. Second half, we made a couple of adjustments and came back out and put on a performance.
WR Dan Buckner
On Jordan Shipley: With a receiver like Shipley, you learn from him. He opens me up in the game. The things he does, it's amazing to see him do.
On what he thinks when the offense struggles: When we have bad offensive games, the defense steps it up, the special teams steps it up. Like coach said, it's a team game. It's not about the offense, it's not about the defense or the special teams. It's about all three. We want to play a complete game, but if they can help us out and we can come out with a win, we're going to be excited.
On the offense's performance: I don't think we played to our standard offensively. At the same time, we came out with a win. Coach Brown tells us every week that a win is hard to come by. So, we're just going to celebrate this win and go back and see where we made our mistakes and fix them.
On how the running game helps the passing game: It helps you a lot, because if you can get the running game going they have to step up in the box and it's easier to pass. At the same time, if we can catch some balls, then they've got to back up and it's easier to run. We have to help them out at the same time. It's a team game and you want to click on all cylinders all the time.
WR Marquise Goodwin
On the punt block: I guess it was a good play, but I just went out there and did what I was supposed to do and what coach always tells me to do. I just went out there and did the best that I could and we came out with the win.
On whether he knew he would have an open hole before the play happened: As long as everyone did their part, I knew the hole was going to be open.
On the boost of confidence the play gave him: It changed things for the team. The momentum shifted for everybody and it got everyone riled up and going. We were already headed in that direction, but it just helped out a little bit.
On his ability to make big plays as a freshman: I just worked hard. The coaches had faith in me and believed in me. I came out and worked hard every day and gave it my all. They had faith in me today to put me in and so I just did the best that I could. I thank them and give God all the glory.
S Blake Gideon
On Colorado's plan: They were going to try to scheme us as far as shift in motions and try to get us into a language game to where we were all playing something different, and we knew that was going to be their plan. It took us a couple of periods to adjust.
On how he thinks the team will play against Oklahoma: We'll see next Saturday. We can talk all we want and speculate at how well we're going to play and how well we want to play, but it's all about next Saturday. We'll see then.
On playing against Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford: I knew he would be out there against us. A competitor like Sam is not going to back away. We knew that if it wasn't this week, he was going to be on the field next week. What a great opportunity for us to get out there and play our best.
On what happened with Colorado's touchdown: I was man free and I was the free safety. It was just a well-thrown ball and a perfectly run route. So offensively, the other team is going to execute every now and then, whether you play good defense or not. So it was our job to bounce back after that.
On his interception: We were kind of in a zone, a cover three, and I was in the middle. I felt like I got a good break into the middle of the field and I felt like I was able to finish on it.
WR Jordan Shipley
On the win: First of all, I want to give God the glory for the win tonight and for the opportunity to play. I think we came out in the first half and I think we moved the ball. We just didn't capitalize on some drives when we could have, but I think we did a good job of getting a touchdown right before halftime. I think that was a big momentum swing for us, and I think we played a lot better in the second half.
On the touchdown pass before halftime: The pass play was just man-to-man and it was a play where you fake the slant, and he bit on it. Colt did a good job of staying in there and delivering the ball. Obviously the line did a great job of picking up the blitzes and all of that as well.
On the punt return for a touchdown: I'm having so much fun on that team right now because we have 10 guys out there that are just working their tails off to make those things go. When you have those guys sold out like that, it's a lot of fun to be a part of it. You have to give those guys credit for making all the holes and it's just a fun team to be on.
On the big plays on special teams: Special teams are huge, especially in close games. We realize that a lot of times we have to make some big plays on special teams to swing the momentum. I think there were definitely a few of those with the blocked punt and the punt return, so anytime we can have plays like that, it's a huge momentum booster for our team.
On feeling like he can score every time: I feel like every time I step out on the field, I have confidence in the guys blocking. I know they're having fun out there on that team and I feel like they're working so hard. I feel like every time we step on the field there's a chance we could take it back.
S Earl Thomas
On the interception: We were in man coverage and I just read the route pretty cleanly and I was able to hold onto the ball and try to score.
On scoring after the interception: It hasn't happened like that for me since probably Pop Warner. I had to throw my head back because I was getting a little tired, but I'm just happy it went that way for me and I got the job done.
On the play his made his interception on: We practiced that play this week and it just so happened that they ran it and it worked out for us. It was good coaching to have us in the right place at the right time.
On getting tested before the Oklahoma game: We needed that because it shows we have a lot of work to do and Sunday we will watch the film and get that corrected.
On facing Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford: You always want to play against the best. He's a good quarterback and we are going to go out there and try to get some pass rush on him, make him throw the ball early and see if we can get some breaks on the balls.
C Chris Hall
On the win: I think what we had tonight presented a unique set of circumstances that will definitely help us grow. I'm thankful that football is a team game. We struggled some offensively, but our defense and our special teams played lights out, they played so great. They did such a great job tonight, and it was such a joy to get to win as a senior. It was a home game, and I've only got two more left. It was a great experience for me.
On struggling with the run game: Any time you're not making four and five [yards] every carry, you're not going to be pleased. We've got work to do there. Our coaches do such a great job of helping us understand what's going on out on the field and what we're seeing. They do a great job of giving us plays, giving us schemes that are going to help us to gain yards, to get a better average, to be more consistent there. We have to execute better, and thankfully we got another week of practice here that we can help do that.
On playing Oklahoma: They're going to be great because they are every year. They bring great guys in, they have great coaches, a great program, but as of right now, I haven't looked at any film yet. We've just been focusing on Colorado, and I'm going to enjoy this Colorado win all the way until tomorrow afternoon.
DE Sam Acho
On the defense having a big impact: Coach Muschamp always tells us to be firefighters, to go out there and put out whatever happens. He says don't worry about situations, just go and stop them and that's what we tried to do tonight.
On the front four: The front four played really well tonight. They had a really good offensive line. They worked really hard, they played hard, they were definitely prepared to play the game, so we stepped up to the challenge and fortunately won the game.
On the quarterbacks in the second half: Cody Hawkins was completing a lot of passes, a lot of touchdowns, and the other quarterback played well when he went in there, so we were excited to just shut them out and keep them down.
On the defense picking up the offense: We've tried to be on par with the offense, it's all about offense, defense and special teams. Just one [phase] of the game won't win the game, it's all three, so we try to do what we can and work on the special teams also and help the offense out.
On the confidence of the defense: It was an exciting win. We know what we can do. We didn't force as many turnovers as we would have liked, but fortunately Earl [Thomas] ran the one back and Blake [Gideon] got a pick, Roddrick Muckelroy almost had another pick, so we could see ourselves continually improving.
On the defense and special teams scoring: Coach Brown always emphasizes how it's a complete game. It's offense, defense and special teams. It's not just the defense or the offense - it's the whole game. You saw today our special teams stepped up, offense stepped up and the defense stepped up, we played a complete game.
COLORADO QUOTES
Head coach Dan Hawkins
On the Texas Longhorns: We got some turnovers and did a nice job mixing it up. We did a great job stopping their running game. They got one big play on us really, but they're a good football team. You're not going to shut them down.
On how his team played: I thought the defense played great. We obviously didn't do well on the punt team, and offensively, we gave a pick for a touchdown. So, you've got to put three phases together. When you play a great team like this, your margin of error is going to be pretty small.
QB Tyler Hansen
On being the newly appointed starting quarterback: I feel good. I guess I'm getting kind of used to burning this redshirt (laughing). They came to me last week and gave me a couple of days to decide. It pretty much came down to - I can get an injury tomorrow and never play again. So when you have the opportunity to play, especially in college at the D-1 level in this atmosphere, you take it.
On if he's thought about being benched again and wasting his redshirt: We're just going to have to see. We'll do whatever's best for the team. I'm ready to get this thing going. I just want to win games.
Tight ends/special teams coach Kent Riddle
On the loss: It's definitely tough to swallow. It just takes one play, and you've got to be perfect, you really do. Especially against a great team like Texas. It's going to kill you if you're not.
On the punt that Texas blocked: It cost us the game. It was absolutely an unacceptable performance. That's the nature of special teams; it only takes on play. We let that play happen to us. It should have never happened, and we're going to make sure that it doesn't happen again.
