Transcribed by Bill Seals
Opening comments:
“First and foremost, let me say this: our fan base, I know with the weather, how it was going to be today. It was great that our fans continue to come out and support us. I really appreciate that. The student section was out there early and I’m really grateful for them.
“From my standpoint, it’s great to watch our kids continue to work. I don’t feel much different one way or another from the first couple weeks, other than I just watch our kids continue to improve. That’s what good football teams do and that’s what we’ll continue to do.
“Not perfect. Still some areas that we must get better at if we want to become the team we have the ability to be. I’m really proud of how our kids responded to a challenging time this year. That’s the definition of our football team and really the culture we’re trying to build around here.”
On Brock Purdy overcoming a tough start to finish strong:
“Brock has great poise and I think that’s the thing I really appreciate about him. He continues to navigate the present and not get wrapped up in what happened in the past or what’s coming in the future. What makes Brock a really talented football player and those are the qualities that embody him the best. He’s present in the moment.”
On the team’s effort in all phases of the game:
“We played like a football team for the first time this year. I say that because you felt like we were playing off each other for the first time all year. It is really our only chance to be truly the best version of ourselves we can be. When we play with each other. When we play special teams, offense, defense and flow, then you have an opportunity to be a really good football team. There were times when we still didn’t do it as well as we needed to. We need to continue to fix some of those shortcomings we did have today.”
On the offense responding to early adversity:
“It was huge. Obviously, those were critical moments and moments where communication error and technique error create adversity early from an offensive standpoint. Their ability to rise up in critical times in critical moments were really big. We made some plays today when we needed to. I thought was huge for this football team.”
On what areas he feels the team improved the most in:
“I really think, for us, the biggest growth was playing in unison. We created some turnovers. Offensively, we finished drives. Defensively, we tackled better and were able to create some pressure at times when we needed. And, yet, we still turned the ball over to ball over to start the game and at times struggled on third down. If we want to be the team we want to become, there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. Our integrity in this building is what gives us a chance to be successful. When distractions are around, your integrity gets exposed. How our kids reacted, really even through the week, I thought we had our best Tuesday and Wednesday that we’ve had since I’ve been here. That’s the credit to the leadership in the locker room and the players with what they stand for.”
On how different the team looks when clicking on all cylinders:
“There is a flow and rhythm to every game. Can you put that flow and rhythm into your hands? We’ve done really well at times and really poorly at other times. A lot of times you can see it. That’s our key to success. That’s not just us. That’s football. There’s a real distinct flow to success. You finally caught that at times with our football team.”
On how important it was to get backup quarterback Re-Al Mitchell into the game:
“Anytime Re-Al gets really meaningful reps is going to be important to this team. He’s one play away from playing as the starting quarterback here. He’s a guy that has earned the right to be a really good football player. He’s worked really hard. He gives us a lot of different options and can do a lot of things for our football team. To watch him function offensively for the first time live, it was really big for everybody. He’s earned the right to go play well, because that’s how he practices.”
On getting even more players experience:
“There’s a lot of guys today who gave us confidence. Sean Shaw, Arnold Azunna and Conner Greene had some huge plays today. Jirehl Brock had a really good day. A lot of guys earned some confidence under the lights with people in the stands. They earn that through how they practice.”
On the importance of building more depth with that added experience:
“Where’s our greatest growth in our program? Those areas. I thought the offensive line today, you’re talking about another really good performance against a really good front-seven. They have really grown. They protected elite. There were opportunities we were able to create in the running game. The defensive line, you talk about Conner Greene. On Jake Hummel’s interception, it’s Conner Greene who steps in and affects the quarterback for that to happen. All huge positives for us if we’re going to take them and move forward with it.”
On if he thinks Brock Purdy is starting to see the field more and if credit goes to the tight ends:
“There’s a lot of credit that’s got to go to our coaching staff. I think with Coach Manning, with Coach Gordon, those two are building an offense around him through the spring carrying over through the summer. We’ve been efficient through the early part of the football season. You better be able to protect the quarterback and we haven’t done that well all the time our first three years. That has been positive in the past three football games.
“A lot of credit has to go to Brock Purdy. He’s a gym rat. He’s here as much as our coaching staff is, studying and detailing what it takes to be a great quarterback. Certainly, he did a lot of great things for us today.”
On the status of injured players Greg Eisworth, Kene Nwangwu and Johnny Lang:
“Greg is fine. Kene and Johnny, both those guys will be fine. It was way more precautionary than anything than we would certainly be worried about. We’ll know more as we get to Tuesday, but I would expect those guys to be ready to go.”
On the importance of having an effort like this leading into Big 12 play:
“If we want to have the ability to compete in this conference, I think we needed to see our growth and can we play our game. There’s been moments and flashes of it. There’s been some really good glimpses. You don’t get a win or there, but I think we saw this and how close we are. Again, we’re not there yet, but I think we’re a lot closer today than maybe we were two weeks ago and a week ago. That’s football. That’s building a team of 18- to 22- year-olds. If we can get better every week, then we’ll have a chance to compete in this conference.”
On the group of tight ends being involved in the passing game:
“That’s a really special room. It certainly starts with Charlie Kolar. He’s really worked hard to be a complete football player. I thought he was outstanding. Dylan Soehner, a couple of those catches he makes. That catch he makes on our sideline is outstanding. Chase Allen is that do-it-all type of guy. Those three guys have different, but similar, intangibles. Building an offense and continuing to use them is really important to us.”
On what it meant to have former quarterback Seneca Wallace back getting inducted into Hall of Fame:
“I’m so grateful to Seneca, because he has really been such a huge piece of our building process here. For coming back and having the ability to talk to our football team in year one. He’s been present around these guys. To be a beacon of hope for these guys like Brock Purdy and Re-Al Mitchell, a guy that set a Gold standard here of what excellence looks like at the quarterback position. It’s a huge honor for him to be inducted today.”
On wide receiver Tarique Milton enjoying another 100-plus yard day:
“His confidence from last week was huge. He’s a guy that you see emerging. I thought he had a great spring practice. I thought he did some great things a year ago. In big moments, he’s starting to shine. I’ve always said great players have the ability to do that. La’Michael (Pettway) continues to do great things for us. That’s big. That’s where it’s great to have a quarterback that is spreading the ball around. You can find the mismatches and guys everywhere that can win. It gives you a chance to be really successful.”
Opening comments:
“First and foremost, let me say this: our fan base, I know with the weather, how it was going to be today. It was great that our fans continue to come out and support us. I really appreciate that. The student section was out there early and I’m really grateful for them.
“From my standpoint, it’s great to watch our kids continue to work. I don’t feel much different one way or another from the first couple weeks, other than I just watch our kids continue to improve. That’s what good football teams do and that’s what we’ll continue to do.
“Not perfect. Still some areas that we must get better at if we want to become the team we have the ability to be. I’m really proud of how our kids responded to a challenging time this year. That’s the definition of our football team and really the culture we’re trying to build around here.”
On Brock Purdy overcoming a tough start to finish strong:
“Brock has great poise and I think that’s the thing I really appreciate about him. He continues to navigate the present and not get wrapped up in what happened in the past or what’s coming in the future. What makes Brock a really talented football player and those are the qualities that embody him the best. He’s present in the moment.”
On the team’s effort in all phases of the game:
“We played like a football team for the first time this year. I say that because you felt like we were playing off each other for the first time all year. It is really our only chance to be truly the best version of ourselves we can be. When we play with each other. When we play special teams, offense, defense and flow, then you have an opportunity to be a really good football team. There were times when we still didn’t do it as well as we needed to. We need to continue to fix some of those shortcomings we did have today.”
On the offense responding to early adversity:
“It was huge. Obviously, those were critical moments and moments where communication error and technique error create adversity early from an offensive standpoint. Their ability to rise up in critical times in critical moments were really big. We made some plays today when we needed to. I thought was huge for this football team.”
On what areas he feels the team improved the most in:
“I really think, for us, the biggest growth was playing in unison. We created some turnovers. Offensively, we finished drives. Defensively, we tackled better and were able to create some pressure at times when we needed. And, yet, we still turned the ball over to ball over to start the game and at times struggled on third down. If we want to be the team we want to become, there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. Our integrity in this building is what gives us a chance to be successful. When distractions are around, your integrity gets exposed. How our kids reacted, really even through the week, I thought we had our best Tuesday and Wednesday that we’ve had since I’ve been here. That’s the credit to the leadership in the locker room and the players with what they stand for.”
On how different the team looks when clicking on all cylinders:
“There is a flow and rhythm to every game. Can you put that flow and rhythm into your hands? We’ve done really well at times and really poorly at other times. A lot of times you can see it. That’s our key to success. That’s not just us. That’s football. There’s a real distinct flow to success. You finally caught that at times with our football team.”
On how important it was to get backup quarterback Re-Al Mitchell into the game:
“Anytime Re-Al gets really meaningful reps is going to be important to this team. He’s one play away from playing as the starting quarterback here. He’s a guy that has earned the right to be a really good football player. He’s worked really hard. He gives us a lot of different options and can do a lot of things for our football team. To watch him function offensively for the first time live, it was really big for everybody. He’s earned the right to go play well, because that’s how he practices.”
On getting even more players experience:
“There’s a lot of guys today who gave us confidence. Sean Shaw, Arnold Azunna and Conner Greene had some huge plays today. Jirehl Brock had a really good day. A lot of guys earned some confidence under the lights with people in the stands. They earn that through how they practice.”
On the importance of building more depth with that added experience:
“Where’s our greatest growth in our program? Those areas. I thought the offensive line today, you’re talking about another really good performance against a really good front-seven. They have really grown. They protected elite. There were opportunities we were able to create in the running game. The defensive line, you talk about Conner Greene. On Jake Hummel’s interception, it’s Conner Greene who steps in and affects the quarterback for that to happen. All huge positives for us if we’re going to take them and move forward with it.”
On if he thinks Brock Purdy is starting to see the field more and if credit goes to the tight ends:
“There’s a lot of credit that’s got to go to our coaching staff. I think with Coach Manning, with Coach Gordon, those two are building an offense around him through the spring carrying over through the summer. We’ve been efficient through the early part of the football season. You better be able to protect the quarterback and we haven’t done that well all the time our first three years. That has been positive in the past three football games.
“A lot of credit has to go to Brock Purdy. He’s a gym rat. He’s here as much as our coaching staff is, studying and detailing what it takes to be a great quarterback. Certainly, he did a lot of great things for us today.”
On the status of injured players Greg Eisworth, Kene Nwangwu and Johnny Lang:
“Greg is fine. Kene and Johnny, both those guys will be fine. It was way more precautionary than anything than we would certainly be worried about. We’ll know more as we get to Tuesday, but I would expect those guys to be ready to go.”
On the importance of having an effort like this leading into Big 12 play:
“If we want to have the ability to compete in this conference, I think we needed to see our growth and can we play our game. There’s been moments and flashes of it. There’s been some really good glimpses. You don’t get a win or there, but I think we saw this and how close we are. Again, we’re not there yet, but I think we’re a lot closer today than maybe we were two weeks ago and a week ago. That’s football. That’s building a team of 18- to 22- year-olds. If we can get better every week, then we’ll have a chance to compete in this conference.”
On the group of tight ends being involved in the passing game:
“That’s a really special room. It certainly starts with Charlie Kolar. He’s really worked hard to be a complete football player. I thought he was outstanding. Dylan Soehner, a couple of those catches he makes. That catch he makes on our sideline is outstanding. Chase Allen is that do-it-all type of guy. Those three guys have different, but similar, intangibles. Building an offense and continuing to use them is really important to us.”
On what it meant to have former quarterback Seneca Wallace back getting inducted into Hall of Fame:
“I’m so grateful to Seneca, because he has really been such a huge piece of our building process here. For coming back and having the ability to talk to our football team in year one. He’s been present around these guys. To be a beacon of hope for these guys like Brock Purdy and Re-Al Mitchell, a guy that set a Gold standard here of what excellence looks like at the quarterback position. It’s a huge honor for him to be inducted today.”
On wide receiver Tarique Milton enjoying another 100-plus yard day:
“His confidence from last week was huge. He’s a guy that you see emerging. I thought he had a great spring practice. I thought he did some great things a year ago. In big moments, he’s starting to shine. I’ve always said great players have the ability to do that. La’Michael (Pettway) continues to do great things for us. That’s big. That’s where it’s great to have a quarterback that is spreading the ball around. You can find the mismatches and guys everywhere that can win. It gives you a chance to be really successful.”
