The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
09.22.2015 | Football
De La Torre, Thomas discuss start of conference play
Assistant Coach Jay Norvell Video
Senior TE Alex De La Torre
On how upset Caleb Bluiett was that his 33-yard catch got called back: We have been giving him a hard time. It was a heck of a play. I know Jerrod [Heard] just passed the line of scrimmage when he threw it, but the whole team was pretty happy for him. But stuff like that happens. The next play started at the same spot. Jerrod [Heard] took it like 30 yards.
On what what Caleb Bluiett brings to the table: He is kind of a blue-collar guy. He just goes out there and works. He is from the East Texas area, and he just has that blue-collar mentality. He is a big guy, strong, passionate. He mends well with us, [Andrew] Beck and I. It is kind of like a three-headed dragon for us. We can all do different stuff and we all work well together.
On Tight Ends Coach Jeff Traylor being country:
Definitely, he is from Gilmore, Texas. He is always talking about East Texas. We will watch film such as the Seahawks against teams. We watch the pros do certain stuff that we do. He will always point out certain players. I can't even name them. There is a bunch from Gilmore, Texas. So he is very prideful from being from East Texas.
On does it feel different to play in a game where points are scored quickly: Definitely, I don't think I have been in a game where it has been back and forth since my freshman year. I can remember playing Baylor and it was like 56-50, and it was just back and forth. It is good to see us moving like that as an offense. We have always had the guys who do it, but it is just starting to all come together now. We are going to improve week in and week out. I know Jerrod [Heard] is going to get better every week. I am excited to see where it goes.
Senior CB Duke Thomas
On the defense during the fourth-quarter comeback: We pulled ourselves together on the sideline, and it was nothing they were doing. We were just playing out of position and just weren't playing smart. The fourth quarter we pulled it together; and when we do that, we can shutout anybody on any quarter.
On confidence in Jerrod Heard: Definitely seeing him do those things brought life to us. Him scoring touchdowns, scoring points for us makes us want to go out there and give him something, you know. It's a team sport and the defense has to do our part.
On mentality when facing high scoring offense: I don't want to give up any points, and we gave up to many points like that 10-point swing before halftime. That shouldn't happen, and a lot of us have to bear down when times get hard and not break and not bend, and I don't want to give up any points. That's my mentality on defense.
On facing Big 12 competition: It comes with experience a lot of guys don't want to give up big plays, but it's time to tighten up and challenge receivers; and going into conference play I am telling those guys everyone we are going against are track stars, so it's about coming in with confidence and coming in prepared.
