From Lubbock with pride: Pollock & Wisniewski on Tech defense
Brice Pollock and Cole Wisniewski spoke to the media following Texas Tech’s win over Oregon State, sharing their thoughts on the game, the importance of team chemistry, and the bond that has formed within this group. Both players highlighted how continuity, trust, and the Lubbock atmosphere have played a key role in shaping what makes this team special. Here’s what they had to say.
Tech’s defensive capabilities
When Pollock was asked if this Texas Tech defense has reached its potential, he responded, “I think so. I think we have a lot more to show and a lot more to prove. We started out good this evening, but there’s still plenty of work to do.”
What makes this Tech defense special
When Wisniewski was asked what makes this Texas Tech defense so special, he pointed first to the talent up front. “I think, firstly, we have a lot of very talented guys up front. They’ve made our days pretty uneventful the first couple games, and that’s huge. Secondly, we’ve got guys with really high motors who are constantly pursuing the football, which is crucial in college football. If someone misses a tackle, having 10 other guys flying to the ball makes all the difference — and we have that.
Thirdly, as a team, we’re starting to really form great bonds and a genuine love for one another. When you care about the guys next to you, you push yourself to another gear to keep points off the board. There’s a high level of love within this defense, and it’s only going to continue to grow as the season goes on.
Champions don’t complain
This is how Cole answered when asked about how this Texas Tech defense compares to the championship runs he was part of at North Dakota State. “Yeah, I think the one thing you recognize on championship teams — and this comes from both the years we won and the years we didn’t — is that guys don’t complain. On those teams, everyone knew the work needed to be done, and they just did it. That’s huge.
On this team, our leaders don’t complain either. They put in the work, and if a bad play happens, it’s not negative energy. It’s, ‘All right, what’s next? How do we handle it? How do we respond the best way possible?’ And I think we’ve shown that already. It’ll continue to grow as the season goes on, and it’ll be tested. The more adversity we face, the more it’ll reveal what kind of team we really are.
Today was a good example — they had a couple of long drives, but we did a good job of saying, ‘What’s next?’ and handling it. The first group kept points off the board, and that’s the mentality you need to chase championships.
Defensive thoughts after playing full game
When asked what it felt like to play a full game for the first time this season, both Brice and Cole shared their thoughts. Brice said, “Well, I’m just feeling more comfortable that we finally got to play a full game. Now I know I can do it next week if we have to — though we probably won’t have to. It just felt good being out there, making plays, and celebrating with my teammates. It was a great feeling.”
Cole added, “Yeah, I mean, my body feels great as well. The first couple games I barely recorded stats because they were so quick. In the first game, I played about 32 snaps but was only on the ball once. In the second game, it was around 22 snaps, and again only once near the ball. So a game like today was definitely a great step in preparing for conference play. Once you hit conference, everybody wants it, and the competition is always tough. Today was a perfect transition game for us — being able to play three full quarters, get tested a little bit, and grind through some long drives. That’s huge because you don’t want the first time you get punched in the mouth to be in a conference game. It was big for us to show some resolve as a defense.
Thoughts on Shiel Wood
When asked about how defensive coordinator Shiel Wood operates on the sideline, Cole described him as very analytical. “He’s processing the game as it goes on, and he’s always helping. I think the best thing you can have out of a DC is someone who can adjust to what the offense gives you and make those transitions without getting too high or too low. He keeps a steady level. When things are going well, we don’t get caught up in it, and when things go bad, it’s the same mindset — on to the next play. That consistency, through both the good and the bad, is huge. He does a great job making adjustments as the game goes on, seeing where opponents are attacking us and figuring out how we can fix it.
Love for Lubbock
When asked what it’s been like through the first three games in Lubbock and how the welcome has been, both Brice and Cole had plenty to say. Brice responded, “I just love the fans. Everybody’s so welcoming, and the energy is amazing. I love the game day atmosphere, even down to the little things — like how there’s nowhere to park because so many people show up. I love everything about Lubbock, I really do.”
Cole added, “Yeah, the games have been special, seeing everyone show out. I think that first Raider Walk we did was when it really hit me — like, wow, there’s a lot of people here. Unfortunately, with the first few games — one was early, another had two rain delays — it kind of threw off some of the fun. But even with two-hour weather delays, people still stayed, and that’s huge. I appreciate that so much.
Inside the facility, Tech is so special, and I’m really grateful for it. Like Brice said, I absolutely love it here. The more time I spend in Lubbock, the more natural it feels. Tech has done so much for us — as athletes, as students, and as young men. They pour into us in every way, and it’s truly helped change the trajectory of our lives.
