Three things to know from Sark: Cornerback play, how physicality is developed, battling when adversity strikes
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was available for his regular Thursday Zoom call with the media, and took the opportunity to reiterate how excited he and his team is to face the Oklahoma Sooners this Saturday in the Cotton Bowl.
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“What an honor it is to be part of this game and to be part of this rivalry,” Sarkisian said. “The 119th time Texas and OU have played in the Red River Rivalry. A lot of great players, a lot of great teams, a lot of great coaches, and we don’t take that lightly. We definitely are grateful and thankful that we get to be part of this game. We’re looking forward to the opportunity Saturday.
“I’ll say that our team really had a nice week of practice. I thought their preparation, their attention to detail, and their focus was as good as I’ve been around in three years, and I think that’s ultimately what it’s going to take. We understand this is an emotional game. The best way to perform Saturday is to execute at a really high level with a real sense of physicality and I think our guys are prepared to do that.”
In addition to the update Sarkisian provided regarding Ja’Tavion Sanders and Ryan Watts, here are three things to know from his Zoom.
Cornerbacks
Considering Ryan Watts‘ game-time decision status, Sarkisian was asked about Terrance Brooks, Gavin Holmes, and Malik Muhammad, the other cornerbacks who regularly see the field
“I think we’re playing well,” Sarkisian said. “Obviously we’ve given up a couple of deep balls here in the last couple of weeks. The one last week against Kansas was at the safety spot out of the slot position. I think our cornerbacks have played well. I think our pass defense has performed well, and I think that’s a combination of more plays that we’ve made.”
“I like the emergence of where Terrance Brooks is at in year two. I like Gavin Holmes and what he’s done early on now since he’s transferred. I like where Manny Muhammad is at with what he’s doing. Ultimately, that combination of corner play to go along with our nickels, I think we’ve got some pretty good players there.”
Watts leads all corners with 190 total snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Brooks is next at 162, followed by Holmes at 145 and Muhammad one behind him at 144.
Muhammad has the highest defensive grade according to PFF with a 72.9. He’s followed by Holmes (71.1), Watts (66.2), and Brooks (59.7).
Among that group, Watts leads in tackles with 17. Muhammad is next up with 12, then Holmes with six, and Brooks with one.
Sarkisian said they would rotate at corner versus the Sooners.
“All those guys will play that have been playing,” he said.
Establishing physicality
The Longhorns have smothered opponents on both sides of the line in all five wins this season, showcasing a level of physicality not seen in other seasons under Sarkisian’s purview nor in campaigns prior his arrival.
How did this year’s team establish it’s physical nature?
“I think it starts at practice,” Sarkisian said. “We preach physicality. We practice good on good a lot. When we go to team run drill, we don’t throw passes. We’re going to run the football. Defense knows we’re going to run the football. The line of scrimmage is critical. We don’t gimmick the line of scrimmage. We’re not slanting and moving, it’s mano a mano. We’re trying to fit blocks. We’re trying to block people. We’re trying to run through tackles. We’re trying to get people on the ground.”
Sarkisian also mentioned that it applies to his defensive backs and wideouts, as perimeter screen drills are as physical as team run.
That repetitive pounding makes playing with force second nature to the Longhorns.
“Over time, three years in, it’s become part of our DNA,” Sarkisian said. “It’s part of our identity. This is part of the standard with which we play the game, and I think our players take a lot of pride in that.
Culture
Finally, Sarkisian took another chance to brag about the Longhorns’ current culture and how it’s helped them through some tough stretches in games.
“I’ve been raving about our culture since the summer,” Sarkisian said. “I think one thing that has shown through this season to me is our culture. We haven’t had a game that just felt easy, maybe a little bit of the Baylor game. In all these games, we’ve had plenty of adversity. Even at Baylor, we muffed a couple of those punts.
“Never once did you feel our team get out of sorts or get overly emotional or things of that nature. They stuck together and picked each other up. They were really composed, showed great poised in the face of that adversity, and they played good football. That’s what it’s going to take again Saturday, and they’ve given me no reason to think they won’t be that way.”
