Live updates: Steve Sarkisian recaps WVU, previews the Red River Shootout
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is at the podium today at 11 a.m. on Longhorn Network, TexasSports.com, and 104.9 The Horn in Austin, Texas. He’ll recap the Longhorns’ 38-20 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers, and preview the upcoming Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma.
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Updates
Steve Sarkisian: “I was obviously really impressed with the first half of play what we did in all three phases.” — “To hold that group to 60 yards rushing and really, a couple of late touchdowns there, I thought our defense played really good and did a good job of getting off the field on third down.”
Steve Sarkisian on the lack of forced turnovers: “It’s not about effort and want-to. Sooner or later, that dam will break. We’ve got to continue to play with that effort and tenacity.”
Steve Sarkisian: “We’ve obviously got a quality opponent in a great environment in a great game. It’s going to take maximum mental intensity and focus and execution to come out on top. That’s what we’re striving to do.”
Steve Sarkisian on QB: “We’re healthier than we’ve ever been since the start of the season. That’s a positive. We’ll see how the week goes.”
Steve Sarkisian: “This team is really good. They play really hard. They are really well coached. We have our work cut out for us and we need to play a very good football team to be victorious.”
Steve Sarkisian says the OU offense creates space for skill players and try to put their players in 1-on-1 matchups. He mentions OU has a physical front. He also says Brent Venables runs several defenses and can create pressure packages. He also says it’s probably the best special teams unit they will face all year.
Steve Sarkisian: “Last time I checked this morning when I walked in our building, the Golden Hat wasn’t there. We’ve got plenty to get ourselves prepared for.”
Steve Sarkisian asked about the trend of coaches getting fired earlier in the year, says he understands it due to the transfer portal and early signing period, but he also doesn’t like it for players and coaches alike. “It’s a tough situation. It’s not just the head coach, it’s the assistant coaches. There is a lot of people and families involved.”
Steve Sarkisian: “We’ve worked a lot at this, the mental side of the game.” — “One thing we should all know, whether it was before me or even last year, this game can go in a lot of directions early and has a tendency to swing its way back in the other direction.”
Steve Sarkisian repeats a familiar statement with Ja’Tavion Sanders. Said it took development, despite 5-star status. “He really put in the work, and we’re seeing it.”
Steve Sarkisian on channeling the frustration of many on the roster who haven’t beaten OU since 2018: “We can’t harbor our past. We’ve got to learn from our past, then we’ve got to move forward and develop those necessary steps.”
Steve Sarkisian on WRs behind Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington: “I think we’ve seen Casey Cain step up in moments.” — “I think Tarique Milton, the last couple of weeks, has started to show up a little bit more.” — “I feel like the last two weeks, we’ve practiced the best collectively as a group.”
Steve Sarkisian on matching up from Brent Venables in recent years: “He’s going to scheme you. He’s a heck of a coach. He’s going to look at us, too.”
Steve Sarkisian praises Jake Majors: “His knowledge base gives him the confidence to make those calls… He makes calls with confidence.”
Steve Sarkisian says he thinks the crowd noise in the Cotton Bowl wasn’t handled very well in last year’s game. “I don’t think we were very mature last year. I thought we lost a little bit of composure in last year’s game, especially in that fourth quarter when we were backed up in that end.”
