The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Iowa State Quotes
10.01.2011 | Football
Oct. 1, 2011
Texas
Head Coach Mack Brown
On Texas' defensive performance: Our guys are doing great. When you count fourth down stops as turnovers also, there were a number of those tonight because Iowa State got so far behind they started going for a lot of those fourth downs. But I thought that last year's UCLA game they forced the turnovers, we didn't. Two weeks ago at UCLA we forced the turnovers, they didn't. Last year Iowa State forced the turnovers, we didn't. It was four to one. Tonight we forced the turnovers, and if you force a lot of turnovers and take care of the football like we did tonight you're going to win a lot of football games.
On Texas' quarterback performance: The guys are growing up each week. They've had two weeks now to prepare so they'll have to do the same in Dallas next week, but [co-offensive coordinator] Bryan's [Harsin] doing a good job with them and he's rotating them in and out and I thought the big plays tonight were tremendous again and I think they'll just keep getting better and better.
On starting 4-0: It's really big to be 4-0. I'm not sure a lot of people would've thought five weeks ago we would've been 4-0 right now. Guys are playing with a lot of confidence. We know a lot more about us now than we did when we started the season. And coming up to a better Iowa State, I think, than we played last year on the road, with one of their largest crowds ever, undefeated - this is a big win for us.
RB Fozzy Whittaker
On the win: It feels good. Ultimately we would like to look at this year like it's a change and setting a new foundation. For us it's important to get a win. You never want to overlook those.
On the running game: I have to give all the credit to Coach Harsin and the line. They came up with the game plan and the plays. The types of trick plays we have, it's just up to us to run it. Especially when we have the O-line to open up the holes, it's easy for me to get down there.
QB Case McCoy
On converting third downs: We struggled with third downs. That's something we'll definitely have to work on. I thought we were better last week, and we struggled again this week. But that's something that comes and goes. We came into a hostile environment, and we were able to get a win. There's definitely some things we're going to have to go back and work on.
On rotating quarterbacks: We came out here and had a great game plan. I thought the rotation went well. David played really good, made plays and it worked out for us. We're 4-0.
DB Josh Turner
On the blocked punt: I saw that ball got tipped so I just grabbed it and went. I was thinking, "I'm about to score." It was a momentum shift, and it helped us a lot.
Iowa State
Head Coach Paul Rhoads
Opening statement: Let me start off with Leonard (Johnson). I don't know much. He was taken to the hospital. He was able to move his legs, hands, arms, fingers. They were taking every extra ounce of precaution to put him on that board and stabilize him. I don't know anymore than that at this point. You can't play like we did to start this game, again unfortunately, and win against the 17th-ranked team in the country. We will continue to work and find answers to some of the foolish things that are taking place, which includes turnovers. To address that, you do more ball security drills and we will get started on that quickly tomorrow to prepare for a trip to Waco against a very good Baylor football team.
On turnovers: It really doesn't matter if it is red zone. When you get possessions you have to do something with it. When you are facing a team as good as Texas, you cannot turn the ball over. It was one of the major keys to victory in a game like this is to win turnover margin. We were not even close to doing that.
On ball control: We do ball security drills already, and we emphasize taking care of the ball. On about every tip sheet Tom Herman gives his players, it says that the football is the most precious thing on the field and we have to take care of it. Josh Lenz is a sure-handed guy and he put one on the ground. We had an exchange problem, which is coaching and something that is fixable. The interception, I think they had good coverage and dropped the kid in perfect position to make a play on the football. The blocked punt plays like a turnover and that ends up in our end zone. Fundamental things that we have to continue to work on and work hard to fix.
QB Steele Jantz
On first half mistakes: I haven't really figured that out. Maybe it's just because we need to make it a bigger point of emphasis to just come out stronger. Not so much just playing hard, but about not making mistakes early and just be more aware of that.
RB James White
On eliminating mistakes: Coach has been telling us all season long that we can't keep making the same mistakes over and over and expect to win against good teams. We face adversity, and it's something we have to work past, but we can't keep making the same mistakes every game.
