We got Coach Kingsbury as a group today after practice, Adrian Martin spoke with Malik Jenkins as well.
Kliff Kingsbury
*On Arkansas, whether he thinks Arkansas will throw the ball like they have the first two weeks:
"I would expect them to hand it off. I think the quarterback is very talented, but with the success they had last year against us in the run game, I would expect to see a heavy dose of run, but I'm sure they'll mix in the pass. They do a great job with play action, have those great tight ends, have some great wide receivers, so we'll see a little bit of everything, probably."
*Kingsbury noted that he believes that both Arkansas tight ends - Hunter Henry and Jeremy Sprinkle - are both future NFLers.
*The head coach also noted that they've been using the biggest Linemen they have on the roster to simulate Arkansas' O-line this week on the scout team for the defense.
*And despite losing two NFL defensive linemen - Darius Philon and Trey Flowers - Kliff believes Arkansas' defense is still pretty good.
"It's a confident group, only giving up 12 points a game in the last 10 games, so it'll be a big challenge for our offense."
*Coach KIngsbury also said that he thought Toledo's defensive line played very, very well against Arkansas and really forced them to throw it more than they'd like. He hopes they can do the same thing.
"They played hard. They just got after them up front. You've got to give their defensive line and linebackers a lot of credit. Made a big deal of Arkansas throwing it so much, well Toledo kind of forced that with the tenacity they're playing with up front, so we've got to try and do the same."
*Kliff was asked if he thought Arkansas would be a more dangerous team after losing to Toledo.
"I thought they were going to be dangerous the whole time, so nothing has changed with our approach, our mental approach. We're going into this game, we know it's a very good football team, and that's how we're approaching it."
*And, for some reason, someone also asked him about slowing down the offense against teams like Arkansas.....
"I coached in the SEC, and we never tried to do that. I think we'll be alright."
*Update on WR Dylan Cantrell:
"Hasn't practiced much. Hasn't practiced much, so not sure if he'll be ready to go Saturday or not. It'll be a gametime deal."
-McKay
Malik Jenkins
Texas Tech's defense answered the critics last weekend against UTEP with a stout performance from start to finish. The Red Raider defense was able to keep the Miners out of the end zone for the entire second half. But this week they'll be headed to Fayetteville, where the Arkansas Razorback boast the largest offensive line in the college football, and a deadly ground attack (which Tech is familiar with).
Junior linebacker Malik Jenkins feels that last week's performance could be the catalyst for similar success this week.
"Really, we were just all having fun. When everybody does their job tackles are going to come. Everything just goes more smoothly and we just really have fun out there." Said Jenkins.
The coaching staff hasn't been shy about pointing out the obvious advantages that Arkansas has. Defensive coordinator David Gibbs is preparing his defense the week, reminding them that intensity will be needed to take on the Razorbacks' offense.
"We know it's going to be a long, hard fight and we're just going to have to tough it out. This is really the test to give us our identity as linebackers. I plan on filling my gap and making as many tackles as I can when the opportunity is there." said Jenkins.
-Martin
Kliff Kingsbury
*On Arkansas, whether he thinks Arkansas will throw the ball like they have the first two weeks:
"I would expect them to hand it off. I think the quarterback is very talented, but with the success they had last year against us in the run game, I would expect to see a heavy dose of run, but I'm sure they'll mix in the pass. They do a great job with play action, have those great tight ends, have some great wide receivers, so we'll see a little bit of everything, probably."
*Kingsbury noted that he believes that both Arkansas tight ends - Hunter Henry and Jeremy Sprinkle - are both future NFLers.
*The head coach also noted that they've been using the biggest Linemen they have on the roster to simulate Arkansas' O-line this week on the scout team for the defense.
*And despite losing two NFL defensive linemen - Darius Philon and Trey Flowers - Kliff believes Arkansas' defense is still pretty good.
"It's a confident group, only giving up 12 points a game in the last 10 games, so it'll be a big challenge for our offense."
*Coach KIngsbury also said that he thought Toledo's defensive line played very, very well against Arkansas and really forced them to throw it more than they'd like. He hopes they can do the same thing.
"They played hard. They just got after them up front. You've got to give their defensive line and linebackers a lot of credit. Made a big deal of Arkansas throwing it so much, well Toledo kind of forced that with the tenacity they're playing with up front, so we've got to try and do the same."
*Kliff was asked if he thought Arkansas would be a more dangerous team after losing to Toledo.
"I thought they were going to be dangerous the whole time, so nothing has changed with our approach, our mental approach. We're going into this game, we know it's a very good football team, and that's how we're approaching it."
*And, for some reason, someone also asked him about slowing down the offense against teams like Arkansas.....
"I coached in the SEC, and we never tried to do that. I think we'll be alright."
*Update on WR Dylan Cantrell:
"Hasn't practiced much. Hasn't practiced much, so not sure if he'll be ready to go Saturday or not. It'll be a gametime deal."
-McKay
Malik Jenkins
Texas Tech's defense answered the critics last weekend against UTEP with a stout performance from start to finish. The Red Raider defense was able to keep the Miners out of the end zone for the entire second half. But this week they'll be headed to Fayetteville, where the Arkansas Razorback boast the largest offensive line in the college football, and a deadly ground attack (which Tech is familiar with).
Junior linebacker Malik Jenkins feels that last week's performance could be the catalyst for similar success this week.
"Really, we were just all having fun. When everybody does their job tackles are going to come. Everything just goes more smoothly and we just really have fun out there." Said Jenkins.
The coaching staff hasn't been shy about pointing out the obvious advantages that Arkansas has. Defensive coordinator David Gibbs is preparing his defense the week, reminding them that intensity will be needed to take on the Razorbacks' offense.
"We know it's going to be a long, hard fight and we're just going to have to tough it out. This is really the test to give us our identity as linebackers. I plan on filling my gap and making as many tackles as I can when the opportunity is there." said Jenkins.
-Martin
