Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian met with the media on Monday to discuss last weekend’s Florida loss and look forward to this weekend’s game against Oklahoma. Some quick-hitter highlights …
Recapping Florida, just not a good start to the game for Texas. Florida scored on three of its first four drives. All scoring drives were 10+ plays. They controlled the ball, got themselves in manageable third downs. Texas was not good in third downs, six of 11 third downs were third and 9 or more. Texas didn’t play well in the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball. Going to have to be better in that area in this conference.
Uncharacteristic elements … Texas had five pre-snap penalties in the second half. Have to minimize self inflicted wounds. Defensively, gave up too many explosive plays. When you allow teams to get yards in chunks, they can move down the field quickly.
Getting a punt blocked is not ideal. They were close on special teams to having some momentum-changing plays. Three times Texas had chances to pin them inside the 10 or 5 but it didn’t work. Gave up about 60 yards in touchbacks.
The storyline of the game was the line of scrimmage. Six sacks for Florida to none for Texas. Florida running the ball while Texas couldn’t.
Wants to commend the players for their fight. Team fought down to the final whistle. Just need to play better, start better, and they will.
Guys got back to work with the right mentality today. Week two against a very good OU team, fantastic defensive team. You can see Venebles all over the defense in year three. Very good up front, multitude of coverages. Lead the SEC in a ton of categories on defense. Texas has its work cut out for it. Offensively, good playcaller that will stress you with tempo. Heck of a challenge for Texas. Have to get back to 1-1 in conference play.
On the offensive line and possible changes … Got to play better. Have to coach better, have to play better.
On if the staff made the right decision to not address OL in the portal … You can play the what-ifs. It’s what’s available, and what you have. Thinks their guys are good. Have to coach better, have to play better.
On Texas’ left guard problems … Practice determines a lot of who plays. Who do they feel is ready to perform, then the flow of the game. He didn’t think Nick Brooks would go out and play a perfect game, but there are traits in there that he has a bright future. There are going to be growing pains, but he has a bright future.
On silent count … They have a silent count, but didn’t think it was needed on Saturday. Have to have more poise and composure at the LOS.
On why the fight wasn’t there in the first half … That’s always the challenge as a coach. Nothing was there that indicated they wouldn’t come out and play well early on. You have to seize moments and opportunities, like the early fumble forced by Graceson Littleton. Had a shot play to Emmett Mosley they just missed. Double pass that just missed. You have to capitalize on opportunities against good teams on the road. The line of scrimmage was the most frustrating thing. He takes responsibility because he felt good about it going into the game.
On Texas’ penalties and inability to convert on third downs and inexperience … It’s a combination of things. They’ve had moments. They’ve gotten the passing game somewhat fixed. Now the conversation is the run game and pass protection. You have to find rhythm on offense. They have to focus on all of it, whether it’s a player, scheme and what they’re calling, preparation. Thinks first and foremost it’s executing on first and second down regardless of what they’re calling. Have to put themselves in more manageable third downs. Can’t be in third and 9. Everybody plays a part in that. Sark, playcalling, coaching, execution on first and second down, and minimizing penalties. Have to get more third and manageables.
On eliminating outside noise this week given the way things went for Texas at Florida … This is year number five being part of this game. It’s a great game. Loves everything about it. Doesn’t love that there’s noise of how they’re playing, but that’s the reality of the situation. They need to be focused on themselves, have to prepare well, be intentional with practice habits. You lean into some of the veteran players who have been in this game. It’s a great game, lots of emotion. Play with emotion, but not emotional. They have to learn from things along the way, coach players up on how to handle the emotion all week. Lots of emotion this week, big plays, trick plays. Have to prepare for a four-quarter game or even overtime. That takes preparation and focus.
On who he thinks OU will have at QB … Not sure on QB. They’ll plan for Mateer. He’s a dymanic player, the heartbeat of that offense. They played against Hawkins last year, he’s much improved. They have a great scheme, have to prepare for the scheme. They tax you with tempo, formations, trick plays, QB runs.
On the Texas run game struggles … It’s not working, that’s for sure. That’s what’s going on. It just hasn’t hit. They’v been rolodexing running backs. That’s a little bit of an issue. Traditionally, they’ve had a lead runner that finds a rhythm with the blockers. They don’t have that right now, have to fight to get there as fast as they can. There’s rhythm and timing in running the ball. But they need to block better, game plan better, break more tackles. All of those things add up to not having a run by a RB longer than 18 yards. That’s what they’re fighting for. They’re going to continue to work on it, hopefully they’re better on Saturday.
On compensating for Malik Muhammad’s absence … That was a major loss, losing an all-American caliber player at corner. You try to capitalize using some split safety stuff, but Florida got them out of that because they were running the ball so well. Then you have to go to man coverage and Florida hurt them a couple of times with shots downfield. OU has the same capability, so they have to play better up front to help the corners. Not sure on Manny’s availabilty for Saturday yet.
On OU’s strides on defense … Some guys have grown up for them and made improvements. They’ve also been in the system, and are earning more trust from Venebles. Back end is playing sound, but the ball is having to come out quickly because they’re defeating the run and getting pressure on the QB. They’re playing fast, confident and physical.
On what he saw from Arch Manning against Florida … Found out he’s a tough dude. “He fought his *** off Saturday.” Those were not ideal conditions to operate under. There were a couple of throws he’d like back but he battled. He learned a lot about himself, showed a lot of courage. Does he need to play better? Sure. Texas also has to play better around him. (More: Arch Manning discusses his performance)
On him being a better coach in practice … Feels very confident in their ability to be better. Starts with mindset and approach. They don’t have time for self pity, have to get to work. He has to be a model of that in preparation, installation of game plan, on how they can win the game, intent and energy in practice. He can’t control things outside of the team, but he can control their approach and staff and players follow suit. Can’t let his actions betray his words. If he wants players to act a certain way, he needs to model that.
On how so many people could have been so wrong about this Texas team … He’s not shocked. Take all the other teams and have them play at Ohio State and at the Swamp, see how they do.
On getting the quick passing game going … Arch can only do what’s called. It’s definitely not on him. They went into the game with the mindset that they wanted to attack them downfield vertically, thought Florida was susceptible there. They had some opportunity for some quicker throws, didn’t come to fruition the way they would have liked. The flow of the game dictates where you lean to and what you call. Florida did a good job of trying to take the quicker passing game away, forced Texas to hold the ball.
On getting the Texas run game going … They’ve got to be creative, find more ways to be creative to get positive yards on first and second down. There’s a lot of ways to get that done. Have to have enough in their toolbox for Saturday to get things going.
That’s it for today.
