The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Video: Steve Sarkisian press conference
10.17.2022 | Football
Football head coach Steve Sarkisian previewed Saturday's game against Oklahoma State.
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian Opening Statement
Just a quick recap of the (Iowa State) game. Obviously, I think it felt this way Saturday, I think it holds true, this was a good team win. It was a good culture win for us because it wasn't easy. Obviously, there were some self-inflicted wounds on some things that we did in the game. But I think commonly in football, a few things held true. We ran the ball well, we defended the run well, and we won the turnover margin two to nothing. And generally, when you can do those things, you give yourself a pretty good chance for success in the game. Obviously, both turnovers we got defensively were critical plays—interception in the end zone and then obviously the forced fumble late in the game—and our ability to kind of control the fourth quarter there with our ability to run the ball, giving our defense a little bit more rest, I thought was important. That's kind of been a common theme here over the last three weeks. We've ran the ball well, we've stopped the run, we've created more turnovers and we've limited our turnovers offensively. So I think all in all, that formula for success for us is good. That's something that we're going to have to continue to do moving forward because this week, we're going to play a very good team on the road. A veteran football team, Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy has done a great job. These guys, they attack you with a great tempo. Offensively, they've got a veteran defensive front that is one of the best in the country at creating negative plays: tackles for losses, sacks. Another great challenge for us this week and excited for our guys.
On the status of junior defensive back Ryan Watts, who was injured in the Iowa State game
Ryan's great, obviously very fortunate, it was nothing worse. He was back on the field with us today, which is a great sign, and so that part's good. Ryan, again, is a valuable player. Anytime you have the length, he has the physicality, he has in the boundary like that, he provides a lot of versatility for us defensively. And it's like anything, when young players have to go out there, sometimes we have to live with their growing pains, whether that's on offense, defense, or special teams. And the guys that went in there are going to grow from their opportunity that they got, and we're going to need them again at some point in the year. So hopefully, they got some really valuable experience of getting in there and can learn from the kind of impact they can have on the game, good and bad. But ultimately, it was more about just doing the little things right. And so again, knock on wood, nothing serious. Great to have Ryan back. But again, I think it's a great experience for those guys. You can always call it experience when you win. But if you lose, what happens? So we've got to grow from that. We've got to be better there. But I do think (junior defensive back) Jahdae Barron going out there was helpful for us as well. So all in all, it's good to have Ryan back. He's a big time player for us.
On the team's performance
Like I said, a year ago, I don't know if we would win that game. I don't know if we were mature enough as a team, if we had the culture to persevere, to have the poise and composure in the face of adversity like we had. Sure, there was a level of frustration that the game didn't go the way we wanted it to go. But in the end, we had to make plays at critical moments, and we weren't perfect, but we made some critical plays. Obviously, for (redshirt freshman) Quinn (Ewers), anytime you have a fourth-and-three with the game on the line, when you have to score. Just to have the composure to throw that pass, and (sophomore wide receiver) Xavier (Worthy) ran a tremendous route, but we've all seen quarterbacks airmail that ball there, throw it in the dirt, and it was just very calm and composed for him. I think there was a lot to gain for him from that aspect.
On the keys to the team's success
Well, I think it starts with maturity. I think when you can mature, and I'm not always talking about age, I'm just thinking of maturing in our program and our process of the things that we place importance on, then you can have poise and composure. I think poise and composure are really important on the road. Again, you're in an environment where crowds are not cheering for you, they're cheering against you. And when adversity strikes on the road, that doesn't have to mean it's adversity for the next quarter, it can be for that one play, and then you've got to have the ability to move on to the next. So I do think it takes mental intensity, it takes focus, it takes maturity. But it also takes poise and composure on the road and then to play as one. I think complementary football is really important on the road. And that's something we've been really pushing forward and advocating for. I think our guys have done that; you've been able to kind of regain control of the game; been able to run the football, having long drives, given your defense rest so that they can make adjustments so they can go out and play better. And then vice versa, creating some turnovers on the road to give your offense a short field, I think, is important. But so, all those things add up. But to me, it all starts with kind of the maturity and the approach that you take going into the game. And then vice versa, creating some turnovers on the road to give your offense a short field, I think, is important.
