November 06, 2001
Can you coach your players to get more turnovers?
" I think you can practice that and coach it. You can coach ball security and ball stripping techniques, and we do that in our practices. Some years you have more fumbles and other years you have more interceptions. I think it is just a fate thing. If you are playing teams that run an option well then you will have more opportunities to get fumbles, and the same goes for passing teams and interceptions. The teams we have played this year have been predominantly passing teams."
In regard to last year's Oklahoma game, do you think they struggle to line-up well against an ubalanced offensive front?
"We were hunting around to find something we could do last year. They do a great job of lining up especially if you run a conventional front against them. They have great athletes that can line-up well against most offenses. I believe you have to hunt around when playing Oklahoma to find the right scheme, because if not you will just play into their hands."
Is it fair to say that you are running out of time this season?
"Well, we have a situation where we are playing two very good teams in the last two weeks of the season and we're still control our own destiny in this race. That is what you hope for as a coach. Oklahoma is in no better of a situation than us, because they still have to win all of their games if they want to represent the South Division. Texas could win the rest of their games and still not be the South Champion, unless we beat Oklahoma. So in my mind everyone is in a tough situation. If we go up there and win this weekend then things will get really exciting around here come Thanksgiving."
Do you think that some of the field goal chances you had were out of range for Cody Scates?
"We thought last week there was a little wind blowing when we were going to the north and that 47 yards was the extent of it. I think he could make a 47-yarder. You get in some real tough situations when you start looking at field position if you miss the field goal. That is why I thought that last week the fake would get us the first down."
How do you feel about hopefully getting Greg Porter back this week?
"I really don't know, because I am not sure if it is safe to say that he is going to come back. I do not know how much of a factor he will be. I have missed him a lot. He is similar to Trent Smith of Oklahoma. He is a constant mismatch, because he is 6-5 and he runs great routes. He has our best hands and he gives you a huge target. He would be a huge offensive threat."
Can you talk about the play of Christian Rodriguez last week?
"He has been a guy that has been hurt much of the year. He has missed quite a bit of practice time. When he plays he is really smart and just plays so hard. He has had an outstanding career here. I am really proud of him."
Can you give us an All-Conference or All-American selection?
"The guys that are worthy of recognition are Seth McKinney, Billy Yates, Terrance Murphy, Jamaar Taylor, Sammy Davis, Terrance Kiel and Jarrod Penright. I think that Seth might be the only All-American candidate that we have."