Sept. 22, 2009
DE Sam Acho
On UTEP: UTEP has a really good offense. Last year they got something like 126 rushing yards on us and another 200 passing yards. So they’ve got a really explosive offense. We’re going to do our best to bring that number down this year.
On the emphasis on forcing turnovers: All spring coach has been talking about trying to force turnovers. We’ve been trying to do that all spring, summer, and fall. We’ve got a lot of different drills we try and work on. We definitely work on it in practice.
On what he expects from UTEP: We’re expecting the team we played last year. We saw some film on them, and they’re going to come out ready to play. You can watch the game last year and see how well they did against us. They really got on our defense. We’ve got to prepare well and watch a lot of film and get ready to try and beat the Miners.
On how close the defensive line is to getting to where they want: I think we’re closer. Last week we got a lot of pressure on the quarterback, the week before we were getting a little pressure, so I think we’re closer. Hopefully week in and week out it will grow.
On how important it is to have chemistry on the defensive line: It’s definitely all about chemistry. You look at it from the d-line, d-tackles to the d-ends, you have to know who’s got contain, who’s going inside, who’s going under. It helps when we’re all friends, we’re all hanging out, so we kind of know each other.
LB Emmanuel Acho
On his game against Texas Tech: Going into the game it was just fulfill the scheme that coach Muschamp talked about earlier, and do our best to go out there and force turnovers. That’s what I tried to do throughout the game. I tried to not play outside my role, but fit inside the role that coach Muschamp designed for us and for the linebackers. That’s basically what I tried to execute to the best of my abilities.
On preparing for UTEP: We had a pretty solid practice. We’re just trying to make sure we continue to build a foundation for the defense, and build a foundation for the team, try to make sure we take the right steps and the right technique every play. Not steps back, we’re just trying to improve day in and day out.
On UTEP: We know they’re a really good team. We’re not trying to take them lightly by any means. We’re just going to be grinding during the week and just try to take them like we would any opponent, just continue to work our hardest in practice, so come Saturday we’ll be ready to perform our best.
On his comfort level between playing buck end and linebacker: I’m comfortable playing either one – whatever coach Muschamp asks me to do. He preps me the week before the game specifically on what position I’m most likely to play, so I’m comfortable with whatever position he plays me at during the game. I like playing linebacker. I like playing buck because I can blitz a lot. I like playing linebacker, because I’m involved in more plays regardless of where the play goes. I’m really just comfortable doing whatever he asks me to do.
CB Aaron Williams
On playing for Texas and being from the Austin area: It’s great, especially when you have all your friends and family here to come watch you. I would hate to not have my family there, and I’m glad they were. My brothers and parents go to games all the time.
On the secondary narrowly missing interceptions against Texas Tech: We went through that a lot. We’ve got to catch the ball. We can say as many times as we want that we came close, but when it matters, we’ve got to make that play.
On if the defense is pleased with its performance against Texas Tech: Overall, we’re doing okay. We’re not to our standard yet. We could do a lot better. We still made a lot of mistakes. I made a mistake on a touchdown. I jumped an inside route, and Earl (Thomas) almost came up with a big play, but we didn’t. Stuff like that, we’ve got to correct.
On UTEP: They are really talented. Their receivers are really good. They’re fast. Last year they put over 400 yards on us, so we’re going to have to prepare ourselves.
On if the team is concerned about its rankings: We’re not worried about our rankings right now. We’re going to go out there and play hard.
On Sergio Kindle’s sack of Texas Tech QB Taylor Potts: I was right there when it happened. I was fired up. It was a clean shot. It definitely gave us a boost, both offense and defense. It gave us a little fire on both sides of the ball.
WR Dan Buckner
On his attitude change since coming to Texas: They say I’m a vocal person, but I’ve tried to kind of tone it down since I’ve gotten here. We only play 14 games if we go all the way, so you’ve got to get pumped up. You only get to play for 14 days a year.
On how he’s matured since his freshman year: I definitely try to watch more film and be mentally ready to play. On a physical level, the coaches are going to get us ready, but it’s up to you to get mentally ready to play and be focused all the time.
On his relationship with QB Colt McCoy: It’s great. Being a sophomore, Colt’s a senior, my second year and Colt’s a Heisman candidate. It feels pretty good.
On UTEP: UTEP is a three-down, four-down team. They’re doing a lot on defense. On offense, we’ve got to be ready for a lot of things. We just try to go out there, look at all their blitzes and be ready to play.
On his touchdown catch Saturday night: I was pretty excited. It gave us a little cushion. I was happy they called my number and I answered. It felt pretty good to be out there playing for a team like Texas and scoring versus Tech, who beat us last year.
On where his personality fits in the wide receiver corps: In the mix of personality, I’m probably the most outgoing. I’m the goofy one that has to be quiet sometimes. I’m just trying to do that, be quiet, stay focused and be ready to play.
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