The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Quotes: Football Tuesday media availability
08.28.2018 | Football
Longhorn student-athletes met with the media on Tuesday afternoon.
QB Sam Ehlinger
On moments of feeling more comfortable: I think that's something that I've grown in tremendously since the spring is understanding the situation, understanding what situations it's okay to throw the ball away, when it's okay to punt and maintain field position. Or maybe what situation it isn't and we have to have this first down. We have to force the ball or I have to lower my shoulder and go. I think that's part of the experience, understanding the situation and understand the game and what your team needs.
On confidence from the staff: I always play that way. I play within myself and play the game with confidence. I only control the things that I can control. I feel that I have that ability. To be named the guy means they have confidence in me and how I play the game; what I bring to that. Obviously that doesn't mean I can go out and throw six interceptions in the first half and be okay. But, I do know that I'm able to play with confidence and be who I am.
On how good Shane Buechele was in camp: Very, very good. As a third-year college quarterback, from the experience he has from freshman year to now, he had a very good fall, a good spring and a good summer. He looked really good and to understand that we're both playing at such a high level and competing and pushing each other to levels we didn't even know we could compete at, it's really exciting.
WR Collin Johnson
On how he has improved: Just as more of a complete receiver. Conceptual awareness is something we talk about a lot in the receiver room. Understanding both sides of different concepts in our game plans. I understand what read I am on a specific play, which goes into the timing of my route. Little stuff that I didn't really have in my game last year as much. I am excited to play football.
On the potential of playing with his brother: I definitely think we will have a chance. I hope that day comes because it would mean the world to me if we are on the field at the same time. I know he's continuing to work hard, that's all he knows. If he continues to do that he will put himself in a position to get on the field. And if I take care of business, we will be on the field at the same time.
On the offensive improvement: It all starts with confidence. We know what we are capable of doing. Last year we got our feet wet with the offense but maybe were scared to try certain things. Getting that confidence and offensive swagger, the defense isn't the only side who can do that. You can play offense with confidence too. That's what Coach Beck tells us all the time.
DB Kris Boyd
On last year's game against Maryland: It wa just mistakes. We made our own mistakes and we corrected. Watching film, you learn from it.
On how different the team is that played Maryland last season versus now: We know what we are doing now. Everything was new to us. We were out there getting our feet wet, but we are more comfortable. We've got an idea of who we are playing with, knowing the plays and the coaching staff.
On improving during last season: We sat down and watched film. Coach Washington showed me my mistakes and I corrected them. He just kept showing me on film and they'd record what I was messing up on. I just went out and fixed what I messed up on, whether it was feet, eyes, the little things. I was constantly thinking about it and got mental reps. You can never get too many mental reps and I just kept practicing it. It translated from the practice to the game.
LB Gary Johnson
On playing defense: Somebody tried to hurt me and ever since then I didn't want to play offense. I finished my senior year out playing running back but after that I just got the mentality that I just want to play linebacker. I just stuck with it ever since.
On the depth at linebacker: A lot of guys have stepped up since they've been here. The early enrollees like Dele (Ayodele Adeoye) stepped up. Even Joseph Ossai when he came stepped up. Even the returners stepped up and have been playing a huge amount.
He (Todd Orlando) doesn't really tell us individually, but tells us as a group that we need to take pride in what we do. If one of us messes up, we all get corrected.
On stopping the run against Maryland: Last year they established the run and had a good amount of yards. That's not something we're proud of. But we've been emphasizing it since then. After that game we have been instilling in one another to stop the run. Every day at practice and leading up to every game, we just have to stop the run.
