Kliff Kingsbury expressed his displeasure with the team's inability to close the game, and the defense's poor tackling against Sam Houston on Saturday. Since then, the team has watched film, accepted their mistakes, and is looking to move on to UTEP.
I spoke with Keenon Ward, who believes the defense has switched gears and is ready to bounce back after giving up 671 total yards against the Bearcats.
"I think that we're coming out a little more excited. After last week the media hasn't been around as much. They think we're going to be the same four and eight team we were last year, so we're kind of motivated by that" Ward said.
Now is the perfect time for the defense to correct mistakes like missing tackles, as UTEP has shown their love of the ground and pound style of football. Last season, the Red Raiders had close call with the Miners, pulling out the win on a fourth down defensive stop.
"Upfront, our d-line knows that they're going to run the ball more than probably eighty five percent of the time, so that just have to really step up this game. Today, they worked really hard and we're going to prove that we can stop the run on Saturday" he said.
Ward is probably one of the better tacklers on the team. This week, he'll have to come down in run support and help to put his hat on the running backs, and he is more than prepared to do so.
"Last year, I was really a down safety and I really played in the run a lot, so that really helped . The whole offseason, getting stronger, getting faster, and physically ready to stop the run. I'm not really worried about having to step down." Ward said. "UTEP is a good team, but all we have to do is make our sure tackles. The less tackles that we miss, the more successful we're going to be."
I spoke with Keenon Ward, who believes the defense has switched gears and is ready to bounce back after giving up 671 total yards against the Bearcats.
"I think that we're coming out a little more excited. After last week the media hasn't been around as much. They think we're going to be the same four and eight team we were last year, so we're kind of motivated by that" Ward said.
Now is the perfect time for the defense to correct mistakes like missing tackles, as UTEP has shown their love of the ground and pound style of football. Last season, the Red Raiders had close call with the Miners, pulling out the win on a fourth down defensive stop.
"Upfront, our d-line knows that they're going to run the ball more than probably eighty five percent of the time, so that just have to really step up this game. Today, they worked really hard and we're going to prove that we can stop the run on Saturday" he said.
Ward is probably one of the better tacklers on the team. This week, he'll have to come down in run support and help to put his hat on the running backs, and he is more than prepared to do so.
"Last year, I was really a down safety and I really played in the run a lot, so that really helped . The whole offseason, getting stronger, getting faster, and physically ready to stop the run. I'm not really worried about having to step down." Ward said. "UTEP is a good team, but all we have to do is make our sure tackles. The less tackles that we miss, the more successful we're going to be."
