Everything Texas HC Steve Sarkisian said to media on Monday
There’s a calm in Austin, Texas. There’s far less angst than there normally is this time of year. The Longhorns are 8-1 and ranked in the Top 10.
All is well for the program for now. Texas has passed through its toughest tests. It now enters the stretch run against teams within a game of a .500 record.
There have been several upset scares for the team. Its last game saw a 27-7 lead vanish in less than half a quarter of play. The Longhorns have had to play with a backup quarterback the last two games. Despite it all, the team found a way to keep winning.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke to local media and gave updates on the team heading into its next test. Let’s look at what Sarkisian had to say ahead of a primetime battle against TCU.
On Arch Manning
Steve Sarkisian on Arch Manning: "One thing I've been really impressed with him is his conviction and ability to throw the ball down the field with a great deal of accuracy."
"The second part about his game I'm really encouraged about is he is very athletic."
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
Perspective on Maalik Murphy
Sarkisian in his presser this morning:
"I know we are making it a lot about Maalik – we just went out and beat a top 25 team that was the No. 1 defense in our conference. We had over 500 yards of total offense and scored 33 points with our backup quarterback, our backup right… https://t.co/IuBwhbOrjo— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) November 6, 2023
No PI against Worthy's opponents
When asked about Xavier Worthy's lack of receptions in the past two weeks, Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said there hasn't been a pass interference call against defenders on Worthy during that time span either. However, he praised Worthy for playing hard and special teams
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) November 6, 2023
Everybody practiced
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said everyone practiced on Monday. However, they will have to monitor who can contribute on Saturday.
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) November 6, 2023
Game day decision to play Quinn Ewers
Steve Sarkisian on Quinn Ewers: "Quinn started to throw a little bit last week. He threw again today. To me, it's more day to day at this point where a couple of weeks ago it was week to week."
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— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
On TCU on the road
Steve Sarkisian on entering what's likely to be another hostile environment: "I do think it's critical that we do have great poise and composure when we go in these environments on the road."
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
No holding called against Sweat or Murphy
Sarkisian says he believes Texas has the two most dominant interior defensive linemen in the country and neither has had a holding called against them this year.
"I'm not sure how that adds up."
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) November 6, 2023
Good enough to win, but must improve
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said they played good football throughout the majority of the game. However, he said his team gave Kansas State the ball five times. In addition, two key missed tackles. He said the key is the minimalize those mistakes
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) November 6, 2023
Physicality
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said he was impressed with his team's physicality against Kansas State when he watched the tape.
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) November 6, 2023
High praise for Sweat and Murphy
Comparisons for Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat?
Sarkisian compares Murphy to Washington's Danny Shelton and Sweat to USC's Leonard Williams.
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
Might have been a sack
Steve Sarkisian: "I thought it might have been a sack." https://t.co/VMTjP85JYq
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
Distributing quarterback reps
Steve Sarkisian on balancing reps for Ewers with reps for Murphy: "And Arch, too. It's a balancing act. We try to be mindful of how many reps, what plays are they repping so that they're getting quality opportunities to develop their own skill set, and who are they repping their…
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
Elite depth
Steve Sarkisian: "I do think we have depth that is comparable (to teams in his past) and that's something that's shown up incredibly for us this season."
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
Offensive line
Steve Sarkisian on the OL: "I do think for our offensive line coming back this year with the wealth of experience that we had, those guys have really grown together and they've taken on some real personality on the team. They've got a great deal of confidence in blocking, and I…
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
Positioned well in November
Steve Sarkisian: "I know it's been a long time coming. To be in this position in November, you have visions of how you want your job to go and a program to go when you take over something. For us to be in this situation and have our stadium sold out, rocking in a pivotal game in…
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
Fans lifted the team
Steve Sarkisian: "What an awesome environment DKR was Saturday. It was absolutely rocking, and we needed our plans up until that last play."
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 6, 2023
