The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Video: Steve Sarkisian press conference
11.01.2021 | Football
Football head coach Steve Sarkisian previewed Saturday's game at Iowa State.
Football head coach Steve Sarkisian Weekly Press Conference
"Just to recap from the last ballgame, it was unfortunate. We had some good opportunities, especially early on in the second quarter, to really get a hold of the ballgame and we did not maximize our opportunities, which we knew we needed to do with this team that tries to limit your possessions; having the ball down there twice in the second quarter and coming away with no points is difficult. You don't hit on two deep balls: one we could make the play on, the other one we do not make the throw, we fumble, and we move down to first-and-10 and then, ultimately, we get the pick before the half, off the receiver's hands which could have resulted in points. All that being said, we need to capitalize on those opportunities. Second, the thing that jumps out to me: we need to play better complimentary football as a team. When you decide to go for it, which clearly, we are going to take our shots and go for it on fourth down, that's the time when defensively we want to step up and get that stop and fake a punt; critical to get that stop. When you fake a punt and then they score three plays later, that has a lasting impact. On the flip side, when we are struggling a little defensively, and they put together three drives in a row, that's where offensively you need to step in and start to control the tempo of the game and hold control of the ball, to give your defense a chance to get back; we struggle with that. A big point of emphasis for us is to play better complimentary football where all three phases are working together to make that happen. Clearly, this week is another great challenge, against Iowa State. Kind of eerily similar, their trajectory of their season; they lost another tough game here Saturday, a game they think they should have won and could have won. Sometimes it feels like when you watch them and then look at us, you are looking in the mirror, with the way some of their games have gone. Obviously, they are going to be a dangerous opponent, they have their backs up against the wall. (We are) on the road (and) that will be a great environment. We are going to need a really great week of preparation to get that done and to get ready for a physical ball game. (Iowa State) is a good football team that is really well coached, a bunch of respect for (Iowa State head Coach) Matt (Campbell) and the work he has done there. (We) look forward to the challenge on Saturday."
On what the team is focusing on going forward
"Win this week. Our emphasis every week is about how the most important game is the next one. I think that we recognize the big picture where we're at, but all of our focus is on this week's ballgame. When you think about the big picture, there's never been a great triumph without a struggle. At some point, to triumph and to do something special, you have to struggle. Clearly, we're in the midst of the struggle and the only way to get over that hump and to get through it is to have grit, determination, perseverance and ultimately breakthrough. I believe that we will, I think that our morale is in a good spot. I think our guys believe because they see when we play quality football what it looks like, so we got to stay to the grind. We have to keep working at it. We have to keep chopping wood and ultimately, we'll break through."
On the players' mentality
"I think you try to paint a picture, one that is the reality of the situation. You try to use some parallels, maybe to different circumstances or different things that they can relate to. That ultimately gives them a really good understanding of 'Here's where we're at, here's what we're doing, here's where we're going.' And I thought we had a great team meeting this morning. I think the guys really understand the message of what we're trying to accomplish. You know, they believe in what we're doing, and I feel that, I felt it today in practice: the energy, the enthusiasm. So, on that aspect of it, I feel good about the message being conveyed and them really getting it and moving forward.
On loses after building double-digit leads
"I think the psyche can get involved. Whether I'm too relaxed or too tense, everybody's a little different and my job is to try to push all the right buttons to make sure that all of our guys play with the utmost confidence and belief that they can do it. So that part of your statement is encouraging, that we are capable of doing it. The other part is the challenge – how do we do it for an extended period of time to continue to have the success that we had early on? I think that it's a double-edged sword because it gives you the hope that we can, which is a beautiful thing, but it also reminds you of where we've stubbed our toe the last three weeks. And so, you sit here at four and four. All of us here can probably count on one hand the plays that we could [have made and] be sitting here at seven and one, and this is a much different press conference. So, I think that that aspect of it is really encouraging for us and that the players can see that. But also, we haven't broken through that barrier yet, we haven't broken through that wall yet, and we just have to keep grinding to stay the course. Ultimately, we will, and that's when the triumph will occur."
