Transcript provided by ASAP Sports --
KLIFF KINGSBURY
Q. Coach, the week off kind of help just the grind of the entire football season and get you back to where you want to be physically?
COACH KINGSBURY: Yeah, I really wanted a complete week off. We had preparation Saturday, it was Monday on Sunday. Yesterday was a Tuesday. But it was definitely good, I think, for our players to have a couple days off there to get away, work on their studies with finals coming up, and unwind a little bit.
Q. Looking at Texas offense, defense, are there things that concern you?
COACH KINGSBURY: They're one of those teams that's talented enough to beat anybody in the country on a given day. You've seen that with some of the games they've had, and I think they struggle with the consistency similar to what we have with some of their younger players, but all very talented. You know you're going to get their best shot Senior Day. A big game for them trying to stay bowl eligible. So we know it will be a tough task.
Q. How do you keep your guys from having the drop off of knowing that they're bowl eligible and playing a team that's trying to get bowl eligible?
COACH KINGSBURY: I think it sets a unique opportunity to play on Thanksgiving night in front of the entire country at a place you haven't won in a long time. If you can't get up for that after having an extended period off, you're probably in the wrong sport.
Q. Does the history play a factor with the team, with the players at all, the fact that it's been so long?
COACH KINGSBURY: We talk a lot around here about what type of legacy you're going to leave, and that's an opportunity to do something that hasn't been done in a long time. A lot of classes have had a shot to get it done and haven't done it.
So they know that's a big opportunity to leave their mark on this program, and I think they're approaching it that way.
Q. What did the Texas game mean to you as a player?
COACH KINGSBURY: Anytime you play in-state teams, I think you're a little more amped up. There's guys you played against in high school. You met their coaches through the recruiting process. So I think those in-state games are great. I know as a player, I was always wired up for those.
Q. As a coach is it the same feeling?
COACH KINGSBURY: As a coach, I think you step back, and it's just a conference game that you're trying to win. Really you've got to each week approach it the same way and try to do the best you can to get your players and team ready to go.
Q. It sounds like this week they're not so sure whether Foreman is going to be able to play with his finger surgery. Johnathan Gray seems to be questionable. A guy like Chris Warren, somebody you all recruited could get some extended playing time. Do you see their running game falling off at all with him? And what does Chris Warren bring to the table?
COACH KINGSBURY: I don't. I think you know they're going to have good backs down the line. Those two you mentioned are very good players, but Chris physically is as good looking as any you'll see. He's young but fast. He's a track guy, but can run physical if he needs to. Really impressed with him as a young man, and I'm sure he'll step in and have a great game if he's asked to do so.
Q. Are you having to keep the guys in check this week with the big game on Thursday night at Austin or are you letting their emotions go a little bit and enjoying the moment?
COACH KINGSBURY: Yeah, we want to be excited to play. We talked about setting this week up to be the freshest we've been all year and most excited to play when we get out there Thursday night. They've done a good job of it. Had spirited practices thus far and excited to see how we play.
Q. The way your defense played against Kansas State, do you almost wish you didn't have that half bye week, and what did you see from them?
COACH KINGSBURY: I thought they did a good job. We committed to taking away the run, and you saw that. They hit some pass plays that they probably haven't been hitting previously. But I thought they did a good job of taking advantage of some things that we were willing to give up to try to take away the run. I'm sure it will be similar this week.
We're going to have to sell out in some areas to try to stop their running attack with their quarterback and with their running backs. But I thought we tackled better, and I thought we played more physical. We didn't back down like we did against West Virginia.
Q. What is Taylor Symmank's status and how has he looked in the week off?
COACH KINGSBURY: He'll punt today and we'll see where he's at. But Michael Barden has done an incredible job. I think averaged over 50 yards a punt last week, and so I'm not sure who will punt on Saturday yet, but I believe Taylor will be available.
Q. Weather is forecast to be a little messy. Is that okay with you?
COACH KINGSBURY: Yeah, it's okay with us. That's part of it. We'll get out there and play in it. Sometimes that makes it fun for the players to get a little rain.
Q. Does it affect how they catch the ball or do the gloves make up for everything?
COACH KINGSBURY: We get quite a few days where we practice in that type of weather and rain. We'll wet the ball down in certain instances to work at it. So we've had reps at it.
Q. (No microphone)?
COACH KINGSBURY: Very athletic, great running the football. Having recruited him in high school, he has a strong arm. They've obviously run him more than thrown him, if you will. But he's a talented young man. Still very young, still learning the position, but when he takes off, it scares you as a coach.
Q. Does the youth in their back seven present some things maybe for you all, especially for Pat, if he can get moving around a little bit?
COACH KINGSBURY: We'll see. They're young, but they're very good. You can tell they're long and athletic. It's a good group who all have a bright future ahead of them. You can see that. We've had some struggles outside winning versus the type of coverage we're going to be seeing, so we'll have to step up out there.
Q. What is Dakota's status this week?
COACH KINGSBURY: Day-to-day. Once again, he had limited reps yesterday. We're hoping he'll be ready by Thursday. But from what we saw yesterday, it wasn't great.
Q. What have you seen with the fact where they kind of run sweeps near the goal line? What do you see as a key for them with being successful?
COACH KINGSBURY: Yeah, I think they have a lot of confidence in that group. They bring him in. If he just falls forward, it's a three-yard gain. He's a massive athletic individual who we played last year, and he had a great game against us last year. We know what he's all about. They do a great job. Put hats on hats, put a number in the run game and let him be the athlete he is.
Q. A linebacker like Malik Jefferson seems to cause a disturbance every time he can. How do you neutralize somebody like that?
COACH KINGSBURY: I don't think you can. He's going to make his plays. You just try to make sure you know where he's at on every play and you target him offensively. But he's such a good player. He's going to find a way to make plays. You just try to limit those.
Q. Mahomes and him had a pretty epic playoff match against each other. Has Mahomes talked about him at all, scouting him at all?
COACH KINGSBURY: Not really. I think Mahomes is more concerned about what happened last year and actually getting to play a full game hopefully.
DAVID GIBBS
Q. Coach, can you talk about their offense and their running game?
COACH GIBBS: Four of the last five games they've run for 275 yards. So, obviously, they've got a powerful run game. They've got three or four running backs, two quarterbacks, big offensive line. Got our hands full trying to not only gap it out but tackle those guys once, if and when we do gap it out. So same thing every week for us. Just trying to get better, improve, all the things I've been saying for 12 straight weeks.
Q. How did the short week off help your defense get healthy?
COACH GIBBS: I mean, shoot, at this point you'll take any day you can get. I think some guys got some extra treatment, but guys who have been hurt, I'm not sure it helped them. We've had some good practices. We've had some extra reps, which like I said for us, every rep we can get is a blessing. Look forward to practicing again today and getting to the game Thursday night.
Q. You guys were able to hold K-State to a season low rushing-wise. Joe had nine yards. What do you feel like was working so well?
COACH GIBBS: If I knew, I'd do it every game. Played the same defenses we've been playing all year. Just played good. Played for the most part, stayed in our gaps and tackled good for us and we were disciplined. Even though they completed some passes, we had coverage on them for the most part on their play action stuff. The touchdown pass Nigel gave up was just straight drop back pass, crazy.
But showed some improvement. Again, we've got to go play these big boys from Austin, so they'll have another challenge.
Q. Do you feel like the blueprint you had against K-State rushing-wise is something that you take down to Austin with you? I know you guys kind of loaded the box and forced them to maybe put it in the air a little bit more.
COACH GIBBS: Yeah, truth is the week before against West Virginia I loaded the box too and they ran for 300. So like I said, we've just got to keep working and guys got to understand. The good news is we've seen these runs, obviously their quarterbacks are a little bit more athletic than Kansas State's quarterback. But at least we've got the reps in practice and hopefully we'll just keep grinding, keep getting better.
Q. With the extra reps you've had last week, is that kind of the best opportunities you've had all year as far as teaching moments and slowing things down here in the bye week?
COACH GIBBS: Yeah, all coaches say that. I think your best teaching moments, honestly, are spring practice and training camp and bowl practice, bowl preparation to where you can slow it down and really teach. Because during the season, it's hectic. Every day is obviously a teaching opportunity. But we'll keep repping and keep loading the box, and hopefully avoid some of the big passes.
Q. As a coach, how excited are you to be able to coach a game on Thanksgiving, a primetime game, big situation for the team?
COACH GIBBS: All exposure is good exposure, that's why you're always nice to the press and TV people, because even when you're playing bad, they can talk good about you. I'll be happy Friday morning when it's over. Hopefully we can play good enough defense to find a way to win the game.
Q. Texas announced today that Chris Warren will probably start at running back. (No microphone) what's that do for your preparation?
COACH GIBBS: Nothing. Same creatures, different numbers. They're all big, fast, and tough. They're all pretty young guys anyway. He played a lot against West Virginia, so I expect the same run game, same everything.
Q. So you expect they won't pass it off?
COACH GIBBS: I would, if I was playing it. I'd hand it off every snap, but I've been saying that all year.
Q. Coach, last week against K-State, do you see the fruits of your labor?
COACH GIBBS: Oh, no question. I say it every week. The kids practice hard, they play hard. It's just we don't play well together. For a little bit there we put a few series back-to-back, which we've done throughout the course of the season every now and then. We just can't ever maintain it. It would have been nice to finish the game last week a little bit better. But circumstances come up and you have to keep fighting as a defense. Hopefully we'll learn from the experiences and keep getting better.
Q. Do you think the four quarters, was that collectively the best performance for you?
COACH GIBBS: I'm just glad we got number six to be honest with you. I'm just happy to get six.
Q. What did you think about D'Vonta? It seems he's getting better and better every week.
COACH GIBBS: He is, and he should. I say it, he got hurt for about three weeks in training camp, so he's been behind. He had a good practice yesterday. He's just getting better. So hopefully he'll look like a midget out there this weekend or Thursday night. But he'll go play his heart out.
Q. What extra does he have to do to get around and make those types of plays that he was making last week?
COACH GIBBS: Not a whole lot. He's so small they have a hard time cutting him, have a hard time blocking him. He's instinctive, and he can read blocking schemes and like anything else, he sees the ball, finds the ball, and goes and tackles the guy with the ball. It ain't that hard. It's just we have a tendency to not want to do that. I don't know why.
Q. With this being the last opportunity to play Texas for the seniors, have you seen them step up their leadership this week?
COACH GIBBS: Yeah, they're excited. They should be. Going back to the previous question, playing Thanksgiving night in Austin against Texas, probably didn't a whole lot of them get recruited by Texas, so they thought object fired up. We'll see. It's easy to be fired up. You've got to go play good.
Q. Kansas State had those couple scores towards the end, and they got the onside kick. You forced the field goal. Just what did you see in that drive defensively where you guys stepped up?
COACH GIBBS: You know, it was good to see them get a stop. It doesn't matter. I'm not sure what I saw. We called the same defense, kids made the plays. D'Vonta got a big sack. Truth is that's what we should have been doing all year, but trust me, I didn't want to see that thing get any closer. I was scared to death.
Q. Who played the best on the front seven?
COACH GIBBS: You know what? I don't even remember. I can't even remember. I've been watching so much Texas. Have I told you they run for 275 yards four of the last five games? In case you don't know, we give up a lot of running yards.
So, yeah, I'd love to pat them on the back for last week, but truth is we've got three days to get ready for the Longhorns.
Q. Changing the subject, have you paid much attention to what your former team has been doing this year with Houston?
COACH GIBBS: Every now and then. But just trying to get ready to play Texas.
Q. Best part of Thanksgiving meal?
COACH GIBBS: It's on Thursday. We'll be done Friday. Happy Thanksgiving.
ERIC MORRIS
Q. You've been on the coaching sidelines for this game, and you've been on the field for this game. How special is it playing Texas in Austin?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, no doubt. It's one of the coolest stadiums probably in our conference. With their rich tradition and winning some National Championships and year-in, year-out as good as they've been, not many teams in this program's history have gone there and beat them. I've never beat them there. So it would definitely be something that was pretty special to me.
Q. Is there added juice because it's on Thanksgiving night?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, hopefully not. Usually on Thanksgiving their students are gone, so it's not as crazy of an atmosphere as it normally would be being on Thanksgiving night there in Austin, so we'll see. We'll probably have to create our own energy there as far as from an atmosphere standpoint. But it's going to be key for us to start fast. That's been one of the big differences in our great performances on offense and some of our sloppy ones.
Some of our sloppy ones have been on the road. That's well-documented. We haven't been near as good or efficient offensively on the road. So that's something that we've harped on, and something we've got to get fixed.
Q. You finally got a good performance from your receivers last week with a couple of off weeks. What was it like seeing those guys step up and have a good game last week?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, it's always good to see those guys succeed on the field. That's why you're in this profession is to work with them all week on things that people don't see as far as them going to school and them having issues in their personal life. These kids go through different things from time to time that nobody sees. They've known it. They've been called out.
To see them go out and execute and have some big plays is always gratifying as a coach. The biggest thing is we ran the ball effectively the whole entire night. So it kind of opened up a lot of different things for us offensively. When they're putting six and seven even there at the end of the game and you're able to get a couple first downs, and DeAndre to run the way he did on senior night, that was a performance that I'll never forget and I know he won't either, to run for that many yards and they knew where it was coming in that second half. Did the same thing. Didn't change anything schematically. It was fun to see.
Q. Was that the best performance of any running back you've been around since you've been here?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah. I remember when I was really small, there were a couple games I got in and sat on the grass with my dad and watched Ben Morris a couple times here, which he was pretty impressive and fun to watch. But as far as in this offense, you know, if you really break down and study the tape, we ran off Le'Raven Clark's back side the whole entire game and did an incredible job at moving people, and played with an attitude and a grit that was really fun to see. So it's fun to see those seniors put some things on their back and lead us in that way.
Q. What is the most dangerous part of this Texas defense?
COACH MORRIS: I think up front they have the most experience up front. They've got a lot of young athletes that are fun to watch. Malik Jefferson their middle linebacker 6'3", 6'4", 235-pound kid. They've made some mistakes from time to time. They've also done a lot of good things on tape. They're guys up front that made plays and have done some good things and played a lot of football there. That will be the big thing to try to stop us in the run game and they'll probably know where No. 11 is at all times too.
Q. You just brought up Malik. How do you neutralize somebody like him?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, we're just going to have to block him. Too, we go fast and throw a lot of different sets going fast at people, which is something he hasn't seen. They have a little bit of extra time to prepare for it. But as fast as we go, for him to be able to get lined up and still execute at a high level, maybe it will make it a little harder for him with our tempo. As fast as we're going to go, we've had a couple of extra days with the script.
Our kids know where to go, where to be, and we need to come out and play fast, be effective and efficient in the first couple drives.
Q. How hard is it to scout Texas with the roller coaster season they've had, the win over Oklahoma. Where is their offense and defense in that spectrum, I guess?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, I don't think that's something we can worry about, really. We need to worry about controlling our jobs. There are 11 individual battles that we'll face every play on offense, and just like last week, that's kind of how we went into it with the mind frame that we needed to win the majority of all those battles and play with great effort. The receivers have to block in the run game like they did last week. That's a big part of this offense. DeAndre and Le'Raven will be the main stays in it.
We'll lean on those guys and Pat will do a great job of what he does. He's done it all year. Excited for these guys to go out and be able to play on national TV while everybody finishes Thanksgiving dinner and it will be a great stage to play on. So there shouldn't be any need to get motivated for this game.
Q. Texas skill position players and defensive backs and flashy positions pay attention to it as a fan but how physical are these games against these type of these kind of Texas teams.
COACH MORRIS: I think they're as impressive looking on the hoof as anybody we'll play. Up front the Jackson guy has played a ton of football, and the Ridgeway kid has played a lot of football up front. So that will be a big part of this game. We'll have to block them in the run game and in the middle and protect the middle there in the pass game as well in pass protection.
So our inside pieces, our guard and center will have their hands full. Those are great players. So same thing. When we're at our best offensively is when we're effective on first and second down, and we can start cranking it up and revving the engine and going as fast as we can go.
We're more efficient on first and second down last week than we've been all year. So it's not really a big coincidence that we're ahead of the chains. We're able to go fast and catch them out of position a couple times and get the ball where we needed to in space. So that will be a big key. We've got to stay ahead of the chains. First down, we can't move backwards.
JARED KASTER
Q. Jared, you guys are already farther into the week than you normally would be with the accelerated schedule.
JARED KASTER: Yeah, I feel like we're doing great. We're getting the game plan in. We got it in earlier than we usually would. Coach Kingsbury and the coaches have done a phenomenal job getting us prepared mentally and physically for this great opportunity that we have.
Yeah, I feel great about it. So it's a great opportunity for us. It's going to be a fun game on Thanksgiving, that's for sure.
Q. What's this game mean to you personally?
JARED KASTER: It's just another game. I'm taking one game at a time. This being my last year, it's a great opportunity for this football team. Texas is a great team. You know, especially up front for us big guys, they have a very good defensive line, very solid guys up there. Just for this program in general, playing on Thanksgiving in front of how many people are going to be watching this on TV, you know, you don't take these games for granted because they don't come along very often.
It's going to be a fun game, fun atmosphere down there in Austin. It's going to be a fun game to play in.
Q. Some weather expected down in the Austin area. It will be messy down there. Does that change anything for what you guys like to do offensively?
JARED KASTER: No, not really. Yesterday in practice they were kind of wetting the ball for me a little bit just to get used to it. But it's nothing big. Just run, do our job and just run the game plan that Coach Kingsbury put in, and I think we'll be fine.
Q. How physical a game is it against UT?
JARED KASTER: It's physical. It's probably one of the most physical games you play all year. Like I said earlier, they're big up front. They're going to come after you and try to hit you right in the face. Ever since I've been here playing, they've always done that and they've done a good job at it. They play us really hard. We don't expect anything less, and like I said, it's going to be a great opportunity for us, especially with us up front.
Q. I know it's not anyone's fault. Obviously it's a group, but with the way things happened with Pat last year, does it almost give you an added intensive to be the most physical team on the field?
JARED KASTER: For sure. We want to keep Pat as clean as possible. We're really kind of taking what happened last year, like we can't let this happen again. It's a physical game. It's a physical game for physical men. This is the way it is. To go out there and this extra time that we've had has really kind of helped us out with getting ready. Yeah, you've got to go out there. Whoever is the most physical team is going to win that football game.
Q. What's your favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal?
JARED KASTER: You know, being a big boy myself, I usually don't shy away from anything. Everything on my plate, I pick and choose what goes on there. It's usually everything. But I like the stuffing. Can't go wrong with a couple pieces of pie. I'm getting hungry right now. It's lunchtime now.
Yeah, there's really no favorite part. It's all good. I usually eat it all until I get in a food coma.
Q. Any of your mom's favorite recipes?
JARED KASTER: She can cook anything. Like I said, I don't have favorites. I just eat it all. I'm in there eating everything until I can't eat anymore, and I just pass out in a food coma.
Q. Given the fact that you guys haven't won at Texas in a long time, is that something you feel they're going to overlook you guys for?
JARED KASTER: I don't think so. They're going to come out and play us like they always do, just hard and physical. I really don't look at records of where we've won, where we haven't won. I think they're still trying to look to go to a bowl game too. They're sitting at a tough position. They're going to give it their best. We don't expect anything less. We're going to have to come out there and play our best game against a very good Texas football team.
BRANDEN JACKSON
Q. Branden, what's this game mean to you? Taking on Texas on Thanksgiving in Austin?
BRANDEN JACKSON: It means everything. The last couple years we've always been in Lubbock around Thanksgiving time. It's become a family event between the team. To go down there and to have the opportunity to play a really good team on a day like Thanksgiving is just big time. We appreciate the opportunity being able to play on Thanksgiving and not dedicate the whole day to the Cowboys. That should be fun.
Q. Due to the fact that you guys are going to be in primetime, does that amp things up for you guys?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Absolutely. Anytime we get a chance to display our talent on a big stage, we all welcome it. Anytime you can take a little bit of time off of people's schedule and get them away from those blue stars, that's kind of good. We've just got to come out there, play our game, and make sure we impress.
Q. With this being the last time that you guys are going to play in Austin, as seniors, have you taken on the added leadership role and stepped up this week?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Not really an added role. We've kind of been, we've kind of already tried to amp up things and tried to get things going. It's been a different vibe around things, kind of after the West Virginia game, the vibe has been different. Everyone's been positive and everyone's been grinding a little harder going into this last stretch. I mean, I'm sure everybody would be a little more amped up to play against the Longhorns.
Q. It wasn't a true week off because you had the early start for the Thursday night game, but did the extra time off help you guys on defense?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Oh, absolutely. Just having time off just to kind of pull your shoes off and sit back on the couch and relax and short practices and things like that was definitely great. Like you said, it wasn't a full week off. We were up here every day. But any time you get where you can get your mind off of football is a good thing, just so you can relax and kind of enjoy the environment and get right back to it whenever we're supposed to.
Q. All the coaches have talked to you guys about leaving your legacy. With the big game coming up in Austin, what would it mean for you personally to get a win against Texas in Austin?
BRANDEN JACKSON: It would mean everything. There are very few teams in Tech history who have won down there or haven't won down there in 18 years. So it's very big on a resume, just leaving this legacy. We've been through so much. Especially the guys that have been here through 2011 as fifth-year seniors. Two 4 and 8 seasons, the challenges we've been through, it would mean everything to get a big win like this against a great opponent.
Q. Does it bug you you have to answer questions about streaks and not winning in Austin and great Texas Tech teams that haven't won there?
BRANDEN JACKSON: No, everyone has to deal with streaks. College football was dominated by Texas. Oklahomas, Alabamas, that's just how it goes. I'm sure we're not the only team that gets questioned about that. It doesn't bother me.
Q. How physical is this game every year?
BRANDEN JACKSON: It's always very physical. It's a game you've always got to strap your helmet a little bit tighter. The Longhorns come out there. They do what they do well. They always have bigger guys. They've always got shoes, NFL prospects, running backs and things like that, they push you to the limits. It's a man's game, and that's what it will be on Thursday.
Q. How do you guys attack this Longhorn offense that's had great games against Oklahoma and get a shot against Iowa State?
BRANDEN JACKSON: We attack them head on. We know they're going to come out here and stick to their guns. They do what they do. They run the ball very well. So we're going to see them take advantage of what they do well. And at the same time, we've got to get them off course and make them sputter, and hopefully they're not rolling as well as they usually do.
Q. How much different have you guys prepared for Swoopes this year from last year to this year?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Pretty much the same. The fact that we've seen him play last year and he beat us down here last year gives it a little added bonus because we know what he can do, because he's not a true second string quarterback. He's more of a second option the same way Iowa State did a few years ago, and the same way Oklahoma State has two quarterbacks. You've got two guys that can go in there and win at anytime. Just like we have two guys that can win anytime. We prepare for him as a starter, and that's just how we took it this week.
Q. What is your favorite part of the Thanksgiving Day meal?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Sweet potato pie. My grandma's famous pie, yeah. I'll be missing that this Thanksgiving.
Q. Do you have any plans for Friday?
BRANDEN JACKSON: No, just talk to family. Talk to my teammates. Laugh, and joke, and prepare for the game.
KLIFF KINGSBURY
Q. Coach, the week off kind of help just the grind of the entire football season and get you back to where you want to be physically?
COACH KINGSBURY: Yeah, I really wanted a complete week off. We had preparation Saturday, it was Monday on Sunday. Yesterday was a Tuesday. But it was definitely good, I think, for our players to have a couple days off there to get away, work on their studies with finals coming up, and unwind a little bit.
Q. Looking at Texas offense, defense, are there things that concern you?
COACH KINGSBURY: They're one of those teams that's talented enough to beat anybody in the country on a given day. You've seen that with some of the games they've had, and I think they struggle with the consistency similar to what we have with some of their younger players, but all very talented. You know you're going to get their best shot Senior Day. A big game for them trying to stay bowl eligible. So we know it will be a tough task.
Q. How do you keep your guys from having the drop off of knowing that they're bowl eligible and playing a team that's trying to get bowl eligible?
COACH KINGSBURY: I think it sets a unique opportunity to play on Thanksgiving night in front of the entire country at a place you haven't won in a long time. If you can't get up for that after having an extended period off, you're probably in the wrong sport.
Q. Does the history play a factor with the team, with the players at all, the fact that it's been so long?
COACH KINGSBURY: We talk a lot around here about what type of legacy you're going to leave, and that's an opportunity to do something that hasn't been done in a long time. A lot of classes have had a shot to get it done and haven't done it.
So they know that's a big opportunity to leave their mark on this program, and I think they're approaching it that way.
Q. What did the Texas game mean to you as a player?
COACH KINGSBURY: Anytime you play in-state teams, I think you're a little more amped up. There's guys you played against in high school. You met their coaches through the recruiting process. So I think those in-state games are great. I know as a player, I was always wired up for those.
Q. As a coach is it the same feeling?
COACH KINGSBURY: As a coach, I think you step back, and it's just a conference game that you're trying to win. Really you've got to each week approach it the same way and try to do the best you can to get your players and team ready to go.
Q. It sounds like this week they're not so sure whether Foreman is going to be able to play with his finger surgery. Johnathan Gray seems to be questionable. A guy like Chris Warren, somebody you all recruited could get some extended playing time. Do you see their running game falling off at all with him? And what does Chris Warren bring to the table?
COACH KINGSBURY: I don't. I think you know they're going to have good backs down the line. Those two you mentioned are very good players, but Chris physically is as good looking as any you'll see. He's young but fast. He's a track guy, but can run physical if he needs to. Really impressed with him as a young man, and I'm sure he'll step in and have a great game if he's asked to do so.
Q. Are you having to keep the guys in check this week with the big game on Thursday night at Austin or are you letting their emotions go a little bit and enjoying the moment?
COACH KINGSBURY: Yeah, we want to be excited to play. We talked about setting this week up to be the freshest we've been all year and most excited to play when we get out there Thursday night. They've done a good job of it. Had spirited practices thus far and excited to see how we play.
Q. The way your defense played against Kansas State, do you almost wish you didn't have that half bye week, and what did you see from them?
COACH KINGSBURY: I thought they did a good job. We committed to taking away the run, and you saw that. They hit some pass plays that they probably haven't been hitting previously. But I thought they did a good job of taking advantage of some things that we were willing to give up to try to take away the run. I'm sure it will be similar this week.
We're going to have to sell out in some areas to try to stop their running attack with their quarterback and with their running backs. But I thought we tackled better, and I thought we played more physical. We didn't back down like we did against West Virginia.
Q. What is Taylor Symmank's status and how has he looked in the week off?
COACH KINGSBURY: He'll punt today and we'll see where he's at. But Michael Barden has done an incredible job. I think averaged over 50 yards a punt last week, and so I'm not sure who will punt on Saturday yet, but I believe Taylor will be available.
Q. Weather is forecast to be a little messy. Is that okay with you?
COACH KINGSBURY: Yeah, it's okay with us. That's part of it. We'll get out there and play in it. Sometimes that makes it fun for the players to get a little rain.
Q. Does it affect how they catch the ball or do the gloves make up for everything?
COACH KINGSBURY: We get quite a few days where we practice in that type of weather and rain. We'll wet the ball down in certain instances to work at it. So we've had reps at it.
Q. (No microphone)?
COACH KINGSBURY: Very athletic, great running the football. Having recruited him in high school, he has a strong arm. They've obviously run him more than thrown him, if you will. But he's a talented young man. Still very young, still learning the position, but when he takes off, it scares you as a coach.
Q. Does the youth in their back seven present some things maybe for you all, especially for Pat, if he can get moving around a little bit?
COACH KINGSBURY: We'll see. They're young, but they're very good. You can tell they're long and athletic. It's a good group who all have a bright future ahead of them. You can see that. We've had some struggles outside winning versus the type of coverage we're going to be seeing, so we'll have to step up out there.
Q. What is Dakota's status this week?
COACH KINGSBURY: Day-to-day. Once again, he had limited reps yesterday. We're hoping he'll be ready by Thursday. But from what we saw yesterday, it wasn't great.
Q. What have you seen with the fact where they kind of run sweeps near the goal line? What do you see as a key for them with being successful?
COACH KINGSBURY: Yeah, I think they have a lot of confidence in that group. They bring him in. If he just falls forward, it's a three-yard gain. He's a massive athletic individual who we played last year, and he had a great game against us last year. We know what he's all about. They do a great job. Put hats on hats, put a number in the run game and let him be the athlete he is.
Q. A linebacker like Malik Jefferson seems to cause a disturbance every time he can. How do you neutralize somebody like that?
COACH KINGSBURY: I don't think you can. He's going to make his plays. You just try to make sure you know where he's at on every play and you target him offensively. But he's such a good player. He's going to find a way to make plays. You just try to limit those.
Q. Mahomes and him had a pretty epic playoff match against each other. Has Mahomes talked about him at all, scouting him at all?
COACH KINGSBURY: Not really. I think Mahomes is more concerned about what happened last year and actually getting to play a full game hopefully.
DAVID GIBBS
Q. Coach, can you talk about their offense and their running game?
COACH GIBBS: Four of the last five games they've run for 275 yards. So, obviously, they've got a powerful run game. They've got three or four running backs, two quarterbacks, big offensive line. Got our hands full trying to not only gap it out but tackle those guys once, if and when we do gap it out. So same thing every week for us. Just trying to get better, improve, all the things I've been saying for 12 straight weeks.
Q. How did the short week off help your defense get healthy?
COACH GIBBS: I mean, shoot, at this point you'll take any day you can get. I think some guys got some extra treatment, but guys who have been hurt, I'm not sure it helped them. We've had some good practices. We've had some extra reps, which like I said for us, every rep we can get is a blessing. Look forward to practicing again today and getting to the game Thursday night.
Q. You guys were able to hold K-State to a season low rushing-wise. Joe had nine yards. What do you feel like was working so well?
COACH GIBBS: If I knew, I'd do it every game. Played the same defenses we've been playing all year. Just played good. Played for the most part, stayed in our gaps and tackled good for us and we were disciplined. Even though they completed some passes, we had coverage on them for the most part on their play action stuff. The touchdown pass Nigel gave up was just straight drop back pass, crazy.
But showed some improvement. Again, we've got to go play these big boys from Austin, so they'll have another challenge.
Q. Do you feel like the blueprint you had against K-State rushing-wise is something that you take down to Austin with you? I know you guys kind of loaded the box and forced them to maybe put it in the air a little bit more.
COACH GIBBS: Yeah, truth is the week before against West Virginia I loaded the box too and they ran for 300. So like I said, we've just got to keep working and guys got to understand. The good news is we've seen these runs, obviously their quarterbacks are a little bit more athletic than Kansas State's quarterback. But at least we've got the reps in practice and hopefully we'll just keep grinding, keep getting better.
Q. With the extra reps you've had last week, is that kind of the best opportunities you've had all year as far as teaching moments and slowing things down here in the bye week?
COACH GIBBS: Yeah, all coaches say that. I think your best teaching moments, honestly, are spring practice and training camp and bowl practice, bowl preparation to where you can slow it down and really teach. Because during the season, it's hectic. Every day is obviously a teaching opportunity. But we'll keep repping and keep loading the box, and hopefully avoid some of the big passes.
Q. As a coach, how excited are you to be able to coach a game on Thanksgiving, a primetime game, big situation for the team?
COACH GIBBS: All exposure is good exposure, that's why you're always nice to the press and TV people, because even when you're playing bad, they can talk good about you. I'll be happy Friday morning when it's over. Hopefully we can play good enough defense to find a way to win the game.
Q. Texas announced today that Chris Warren will probably start at running back. (No microphone) what's that do for your preparation?
COACH GIBBS: Nothing. Same creatures, different numbers. They're all big, fast, and tough. They're all pretty young guys anyway. He played a lot against West Virginia, so I expect the same run game, same everything.
Q. So you expect they won't pass it off?
COACH GIBBS: I would, if I was playing it. I'd hand it off every snap, but I've been saying that all year.
Q. Coach, last week against K-State, do you see the fruits of your labor?
COACH GIBBS: Oh, no question. I say it every week. The kids practice hard, they play hard. It's just we don't play well together. For a little bit there we put a few series back-to-back, which we've done throughout the course of the season every now and then. We just can't ever maintain it. It would have been nice to finish the game last week a little bit better. But circumstances come up and you have to keep fighting as a defense. Hopefully we'll learn from the experiences and keep getting better.
Q. Do you think the four quarters, was that collectively the best performance for you?
COACH GIBBS: I'm just glad we got number six to be honest with you. I'm just happy to get six.
Q. What did you think about D'Vonta? It seems he's getting better and better every week.
COACH GIBBS: He is, and he should. I say it, he got hurt for about three weeks in training camp, so he's been behind. He had a good practice yesterday. He's just getting better. So hopefully he'll look like a midget out there this weekend or Thursday night. But he'll go play his heart out.
Q. What extra does he have to do to get around and make those types of plays that he was making last week?
COACH GIBBS: Not a whole lot. He's so small they have a hard time cutting him, have a hard time blocking him. He's instinctive, and he can read blocking schemes and like anything else, he sees the ball, finds the ball, and goes and tackles the guy with the ball. It ain't that hard. It's just we have a tendency to not want to do that. I don't know why.
Q. With this being the last opportunity to play Texas for the seniors, have you seen them step up their leadership this week?
COACH GIBBS: Yeah, they're excited. They should be. Going back to the previous question, playing Thanksgiving night in Austin against Texas, probably didn't a whole lot of them get recruited by Texas, so they thought object fired up. We'll see. It's easy to be fired up. You've got to go play good.
Q. Kansas State had those couple scores towards the end, and they got the onside kick. You forced the field goal. Just what did you see in that drive defensively where you guys stepped up?
COACH GIBBS: You know, it was good to see them get a stop. It doesn't matter. I'm not sure what I saw. We called the same defense, kids made the plays. D'Vonta got a big sack. Truth is that's what we should have been doing all year, but trust me, I didn't want to see that thing get any closer. I was scared to death.
Q. Who played the best on the front seven?
COACH GIBBS: You know what? I don't even remember. I can't even remember. I've been watching so much Texas. Have I told you they run for 275 yards four of the last five games? In case you don't know, we give up a lot of running yards.
So, yeah, I'd love to pat them on the back for last week, but truth is we've got three days to get ready for the Longhorns.
Q. Changing the subject, have you paid much attention to what your former team has been doing this year with Houston?
COACH GIBBS: Every now and then. But just trying to get ready to play Texas.
Q. Best part of Thanksgiving meal?
COACH GIBBS: It's on Thursday. We'll be done Friday. Happy Thanksgiving.
ERIC MORRIS
Q. You've been on the coaching sidelines for this game, and you've been on the field for this game. How special is it playing Texas in Austin?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, no doubt. It's one of the coolest stadiums probably in our conference. With their rich tradition and winning some National Championships and year-in, year-out as good as they've been, not many teams in this program's history have gone there and beat them. I've never beat them there. So it would definitely be something that was pretty special to me.
Q. Is there added juice because it's on Thanksgiving night?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, hopefully not. Usually on Thanksgiving their students are gone, so it's not as crazy of an atmosphere as it normally would be being on Thanksgiving night there in Austin, so we'll see. We'll probably have to create our own energy there as far as from an atmosphere standpoint. But it's going to be key for us to start fast. That's been one of the big differences in our great performances on offense and some of our sloppy ones.
Some of our sloppy ones have been on the road. That's well-documented. We haven't been near as good or efficient offensively on the road. So that's something that we've harped on, and something we've got to get fixed.
Q. You finally got a good performance from your receivers last week with a couple of off weeks. What was it like seeing those guys step up and have a good game last week?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, it's always good to see those guys succeed on the field. That's why you're in this profession is to work with them all week on things that people don't see as far as them going to school and them having issues in their personal life. These kids go through different things from time to time that nobody sees. They've known it. They've been called out.
To see them go out and execute and have some big plays is always gratifying as a coach. The biggest thing is we ran the ball effectively the whole entire night. So it kind of opened up a lot of different things for us offensively. When they're putting six and seven even there at the end of the game and you're able to get a couple first downs, and DeAndre to run the way he did on senior night, that was a performance that I'll never forget and I know he won't either, to run for that many yards and they knew where it was coming in that second half. Did the same thing. Didn't change anything schematically. It was fun to see.
Q. Was that the best performance of any running back you've been around since you've been here?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah. I remember when I was really small, there were a couple games I got in and sat on the grass with my dad and watched Ben Morris a couple times here, which he was pretty impressive and fun to watch. But as far as in this offense, you know, if you really break down and study the tape, we ran off Le'Raven Clark's back side the whole entire game and did an incredible job at moving people, and played with an attitude and a grit that was really fun to see. So it's fun to see those seniors put some things on their back and lead us in that way.
Q. What is the most dangerous part of this Texas defense?
COACH MORRIS: I think up front they have the most experience up front. They've got a lot of young athletes that are fun to watch. Malik Jefferson their middle linebacker 6'3", 6'4", 235-pound kid. They've made some mistakes from time to time. They've also done a lot of good things on tape. They're guys up front that made plays and have done some good things and played a lot of football there. That will be the big thing to try to stop us in the run game and they'll probably know where No. 11 is at all times too.
Q. You just brought up Malik. How do you neutralize somebody like him?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, we're just going to have to block him. Too, we go fast and throw a lot of different sets going fast at people, which is something he hasn't seen. They have a little bit of extra time to prepare for it. But as fast as we go, for him to be able to get lined up and still execute at a high level, maybe it will make it a little harder for him with our tempo. As fast as we're going to go, we've had a couple of extra days with the script.
Our kids know where to go, where to be, and we need to come out and play fast, be effective and efficient in the first couple drives.
Q. How hard is it to scout Texas with the roller coaster season they've had, the win over Oklahoma. Where is their offense and defense in that spectrum, I guess?
COACH MORRIS: Yeah, I don't think that's something we can worry about, really. We need to worry about controlling our jobs. There are 11 individual battles that we'll face every play on offense, and just like last week, that's kind of how we went into it with the mind frame that we needed to win the majority of all those battles and play with great effort. The receivers have to block in the run game like they did last week. That's a big part of this offense. DeAndre and Le'Raven will be the main stays in it.
We'll lean on those guys and Pat will do a great job of what he does. He's done it all year. Excited for these guys to go out and be able to play on national TV while everybody finishes Thanksgiving dinner and it will be a great stage to play on. So there shouldn't be any need to get motivated for this game.
Q. Texas skill position players and defensive backs and flashy positions pay attention to it as a fan but how physical are these games against these type of these kind of Texas teams.
COACH MORRIS: I think they're as impressive looking on the hoof as anybody we'll play. Up front the Jackson guy has played a ton of football, and the Ridgeway kid has played a lot of football up front. So that will be a big part of this game. We'll have to block them in the run game and in the middle and protect the middle there in the pass game as well in pass protection.
So our inside pieces, our guard and center will have their hands full. Those are great players. So same thing. When we're at our best offensively is when we're effective on first and second down, and we can start cranking it up and revving the engine and going as fast as we can go.
We're more efficient on first and second down last week than we've been all year. So it's not really a big coincidence that we're ahead of the chains. We're able to go fast and catch them out of position a couple times and get the ball where we needed to in space. So that will be a big key. We've got to stay ahead of the chains. First down, we can't move backwards.
JARED KASTER
Q. Jared, you guys are already farther into the week than you normally would be with the accelerated schedule.
JARED KASTER: Yeah, I feel like we're doing great. We're getting the game plan in. We got it in earlier than we usually would. Coach Kingsbury and the coaches have done a phenomenal job getting us prepared mentally and physically for this great opportunity that we have.
Yeah, I feel great about it. So it's a great opportunity for us. It's going to be a fun game on Thanksgiving, that's for sure.
Q. What's this game mean to you personally?
JARED KASTER: It's just another game. I'm taking one game at a time. This being my last year, it's a great opportunity for this football team. Texas is a great team. You know, especially up front for us big guys, they have a very good defensive line, very solid guys up there. Just for this program in general, playing on Thanksgiving in front of how many people are going to be watching this on TV, you know, you don't take these games for granted because they don't come along very often.
It's going to be a fun game, fun atmosphere down there in Austin. It's going to be a fun game to play in.
Q. Some weather expected down in the Austin area. It will be messy down there. Does that change anything for what you guys like to do offensively?
JARED KASTER: No, not really. Yesterday in practice they were kind of wetting the ball for me a little bit just to get used to it. But it's nothing big. Just run, do our job and just run the game plan that Coach Kingsbury put in, and I think we'll be fine.
Q. How physical a game is it against UT?
JARED KASTER: It's physical. It's probably one of the most physical games you play all year. Like I said earlier, they're big up front. They're going to come after you and try to hit you right in the face. Ever since I've been here playing, they've always done that and they've done a good job at it. They play us really hard. We don't expect anything less, and like I said, it's going to be a great opportunity for us, especially with us up front.
Q. I know it's not anyone's fault. Obviously it's a group, but with the way things happened with Pat last year, does it almost give you an added intensive to be the most physical team on the field?
JARED KASTER: For sure. We want to keep Pat as clean as possible. We're really kind of taking what happened last year, like we can't let this happen again. It's a physical game. It's a physical game for physical men. This is the way it is. To go out there and this extra time that we've had has really kind of helped us out with getting ready. Yeah, you've got to go out there. Whoever is the most physical team is going to win that football game.
Q. What's your favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal?
JARED KASTER: You know, being a big boy myself, I usually don't shy away from anything. Everything on my plate, I pick and choose what goes on there. It's usually everything. But I like the stuffing. Can't go wrong with a couple pieces of pie. I'm getting hungry right now. It's lunchtime now.
Yeah, there's really no favorite part. It's all good. I usually eat it all until I get in a food coma.
Q. Any of your mom's favorite recipes?
JARED KASTER: She can cook anything. Like I said, I don't have favorites. I just eat it all. I'm in there eating everything until I can't eat anymore, and I just pass out in a food coma.
Q. Given the fact that you guys haven't won at Texas in a long time, is that something you feel they're going to overlook you guys for?
JARED KASTER: I don't think so. They're going to come out and play us like they always do, just hard and physical. I really don't look at records of where we've won, where we haven't won. I think they're still trying to look to go to a bowl game too. They're sitting at a tough position. They're going to give it their best. We don't expect anything less. We're going to have to come out there and play our best game against a very good Texas football team.
BRANDEN JACKSON
Q. Branden, what's this game mean to you? Taking on Texas on Thanksgiving in Austin?
BRANDEN JACKSON: It means everything. The last couple years we've always been in Lubbock around Thanksgiving time. It's become a family event between the team. To go down there and to have the opportunity to play a really good team on a day like Thanksgiving is just big time. We appreciate the opportunity being able to play on Thanksgiving and not dedicate the whole day to the Cowboys. That should be fun.
Q. Due to the fact that you guys are going to be in primetime, does that amp things up for you guys?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Absolutely. Anytime we get a chance to display our talent on a big stage, we all welcome it. Anytime you can take a little bit of time off of people's schedule and get them away from those blue stars, that's kind of good. We've just got to come out there, play our game, and make sure we impress.
Q. With this being the last time that you guys are going to play in Austin, as seniors, have you taken on the added leadership role and stepped up this week?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Not really an added role. We've kind of been, we've kind of already tried to amp up things and tried to get things going. It's been a different vibe around things, kind of after the West Virginia game, the vibe has been different. Everyone's been positive and everyone's been grinding a little harder going into this last stretch. I mean, I'm sure everybody would be a little more amped up to play against the Longhorns.
Q. It wasn't a true week off because you had the early start for the Thursday night game, but did the extra time off help you guys on defense?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Oh, absolutely. Just having time off just to kind of pull your shoes off and sit back on the couch and relax and short practices and things like that was definitely great. Like you said, it wasn't a full week off. We were up here every day. But any time you get where you can get your mind off of football is a good thing, just so you can relax and kind of enjoy the environment and get right back to it whenever we're supposed to.
Q. All the coaches have talked to you guys about leaving your legacy. With the big game coming up in Austin, what would it mean for you personally to get a win against Texas in Austin?
BRANDEN JACKSON: It would mean everything. There are very few teams in Tech history who have won down there or haven't won down there in 18 years. So it's very big on a resume, just leaving this legacy. We've been through so much. Especially the guys that have been here through 2011 as fifth-year seniors. Two 4 and 8 seasons, the challenges we've been through, it would mean everything to get a big win like this against a great opponent.
Q. Does it bug you you have to answer questions about streaks and not winning in Austin and great Texas Tech teams that haven't won there?
BRANDEN JACKSON: No, everyone has to deal with streaks. College football was dominated by Texas. Oklahomas, Alabamas, that's just how it goes. I'm sure we're not the only team that gets questioned about that. It doesn't bother me.
Q. How physical is this game every year?
BRANDEN JACKSON: It's always very physical. It's a game you've always got to strap your helmet a little bit tighter. The Longhorns come out there. They do what they do well. They always have bigger guys. They've always got shoes, NFL prospects, running backs and things like that, they push you to the limits. It's a man's game, and that's what it will be on Thursday.
Q. How do you guys attack this Longhorn offense that's had great games against Oklahoma and get a shot against Iowa State?
BRANDEN JACKSON: We attack them head on. We know they're going to come out here and stick to their guns. They do what they do. They run the ball very well. So we're going to see them take advantage of what they do well. And at the same time, we've got to get them off course and make them sputter, and hopefully they're not rolling as well as they usually do.
Q. How much different have you guys prepared for Swoopes this year from last year to this year?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Pretty much the same. The fact that we've seen him play last year and he beat us down here last year gives it a little added bonus because we know what he can do, because he's not a true second string quarterback. He's more of a second option the same way Iowa State did a few years ago, and the same way Oklahoma State has two quarterbacks. You've got two guys that can go in there and win at anytime. Just like we have two guys that can win anytime. We prepare for him as a starter, and that's just how we took it this week.
Q. What is your favorite part of the Thanksgiving Day meal?
BRANDEN JACKSON: Sweet potato pie. My grandma's famous pie, yeah. I'll be missing that this Thanksgiving.
Q. Do you have any plans for Friday?
BRANDEN JACKSON: No, just talk to family. Talk to my teammates. Laugh, and joke, and prepare for the game.
