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CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR LARRY MAC DUFF
On practice today: Practice was good today. Yesterday was the first day that we worked on some things for Arkansas State, and after looking at practice tape from yesterday, we usually do things in segments where you work on their base offense as a defensive staff, then the next day you get into some more situational things and maybe some third down defensive things. We did more situational things today and they guys were very attentive. Overall, I thought we had good enthusiasm and I'm looking forward to playing on Saturday.

On Roddrick Muckelroy: He's prepared for two positions, both of the outside linebacker positions and he'll play in both of those positions on Saturday. That's really a valuable thing for our football team.

On if he will coach from the press box: I'll be in the press box on Saturday. I've done both, press box and sideline. There are some advantages to being in both places. I'll just try to do the best job that I can with my eyes and seeing things and communicating with the sidelines. If we have opportunities, I'll be able to talk to the players, the guys I'm coaching through the phone and in between series. It will be important early in the season because you have an idea what teams did a year ago, but you're not sure which direction they're going to go. You never know what wrinkles they're going to put in or their philosophy until you get into the game.

On Duane Akina: He's a guy that coaches with a lot of passion, but when you're calling defenses you need to really pay attention to what is going on and think a play ahead. He's done a good job of that, and I'm sure he's going to do a great job for us this year.
 
On Rashad Bobino: I hope he will be really active for us this year. He's a sideline-to-sideline player, and he's really important in our run defense as far as our gap cancellation; he's important as far as making adjustments. I would anticipate him being in the middle of a lot of things. The system is set up for anyone that's a good player to have a good year. If you're really a good player, you're able to make plays and Rashad is a guy that is very athletic and instinctive, and he's a guy that can play sideline-to-sideline. He has really prepared himself to have a good year.

WR Nate Jones
On finally playing against another team this Saturday: It's going to be fun because we've been going against each other for the past three weeks, and basically the whole summer. To go see different opponents is going to be a great thing because hitting each other gets boring after a couple of weeks.

On things to get used to for Saturday: We have to get used to their coverage and get used to the atmosphere. We have a couple of freshmen who are going to step up and get a chance to play, and they haven't been around 80 to 90 thousand people before, so going out there and being in front of a lot of people and burnt orange is going to be a great experience for the younger guys.

On his preparation with other receivers being injured: You just have to go into each game and be focused. Quan [Cosby] and I have gotten together to discuss our game plan. We try to make sure that the younger guys know what to do when they come in, when we go three wide receivers and try to make sure they know every step they need to take.

On Arkansas State: Arkansas State is going to come in and play hard because a lot of their guys are from Texas, and they haven't had a chance to play in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, so they are going to give us their best shot. We just have to make sure we stay focused, continue to play hard and come out with the win.

On how close the crowd is going to be to the field: The crowd is going to be close, and I like how the fans are going to get a closer view. It's going to be a really great experience to have the stands being so close.

On if anything has changed with the injuries to the receiving corps: We're going to stick with the same game plan. The guys that came in this summer worked hard and they got a chance to see how the offense is going to be set and they are going to be ready to come in and play.They have been doing a good job during two-a-days.You have guys like Brandon Collins, James Kirkendoll and Malcolm Williams coming along. With those three guys coming in and stepping up right away, it's going to be a great experience to watch them play. Practice is the still the same, I go out there and bust my tail, and since I'm the only senior out there right now I have to make sure our receivers are out there focused every day and making plays for Colt [McCoy].

On getting ready for Saturday: I feel like I'm in great shape, and I worked hard this past summer and this whole off-season. I just feel like I'm in tremendous shape and I'm ready to go out there and play. I can't wait. It's been five to six months, and to go out there and put it on the field is going to be a great experience. It's going to be a great time to be able to see the fans back in the stadium screaming your name, yelling and wearing burnt orange, and seeing the big screen turned on again. It's going to be really fun and everyone is going to have a great time.

TE Jermichael Finley
On the crowd being closer this year: It's about five yards off from where we are and the stands are so close, the stadium is going to erupt this Saturday.

On what to prove this weekend: We can prove that we're ready to play this season. We're going to come out playing every team like a TCU, OU or Kansas State. We're going to come out and play everybody the same. Every game you have to earn the right to come out with the "W" at the end.

On the possibly of having more passes thrown his way: I'm just getting ready to play this Saturday. I'm not worried about how many balls I'm going to get. I'm just ready for us to win, as a team.

FB Luke Tiemann
On playing fullback this season: It feels good to be out there. I'm trying to get better and help Jamaal (Charles) out and do whatever I can to make the team better.

On talks with former Longhorn and current Tennessee Titan Ahmard Hall: I've talked with Ahmard (Hall) a few times; he gave me a couple of pointers. He was telling me to work hard and stay at it.

On the offense this year: The experience will help this year. We are all growing together and trying to be better all around.

On the game Saturday: The opening game is going to be big and fun. We're looking to be balanced offensively. We're going to try to run the ball and do some good things. I want to help the team out as best I can.

On blocking for Jamaal Charles: Jamaal is good-looking better this year, a little bit heavier. He can run really well.

On Arkansas State: I know that defensively they are really good. They have a couple secondary guys that are possible NFL guys.