Boyette on "IH-35 Showdown," Haines on KSU execution, young players

Boyette on IH-35 matchup, scheme, teammates
Senior defensive tackle Paul Boyette, after spending several years in this defense, knows where and how he and some of his teammates need to line up. In this defense, the defensive end is asked to line up on the inside of the tackle’s shoulders instead of on the outside. For many pass rushing defensive ends, this is different than what they are used to at the high school level, but Boyette says adjusting to the difference is a matter of effort.

“I don’t think it’s something hard,” Boyette said about ends lining up at 4i. “It’s the scheme of things. Just making sure you’re going out there in practice focusing on repetition. Things it really boils down to is trusting the system. If you want to get better, you’ll keep getting better on and off the field.”

Boyette did acknowledge there could be some struggles early, however. Again, he reiterated practice and repetition in order to smooth that transition.

“Everybody has their own learning curve to play a technique,” Boyette said. “It boils down to learning a technique and being comfortable with it.”

Many of Boyette’s teammates and even Boyette himself have faced struggles this season, missing tackles and losing assignments on their way to giving up large amounts of points in losses. It has been tough for the Texas defense, but Boyette has confidence in the “soldiers” he fights with.

“Embrace the struggle, really,” Boyette said. “At the end of the day, God gives his toughest soldiers the hardest task to get through things. At the end of the day, it’s always something good coming out of it.”

Boyette was asked to specifically comment on sophomore Malik Jefferson’s struggles in recent weeks.

“He’s been hyped up since he came here,” Boyette said. “Malik is a human being. I love him to death, but you can’t put all the pressure on him because he can’t go make every play and every tackle.”

Boyette was asked if he shared former Longhorn linebacker Steve Edmond’s thoughts on the Bears. Boyette maintained his team has respect for their Saturday opponent.

“I know exactly what Steve said,” Boyette said. “People are entitled to their own opinions. I’m not going to tear down nobody else’s program. I understand they go through two-a-days just like we do. You’ve got to respect everybody in this conference because anybody in this conference can put up points with the best of them.”

With last year’s fight, the offseason stories surrounding Baylor, several former Baylor signees choosing to play at Texas and proximity all in play, Boyette said he is ready to play in a “rivalry” game. “H-E-B said it was the IH-35 Showdown so I guess it must be a rivalry,” Boyette said.

Haines talks KSU execution, DB mentality, preparing for Baylor
Kansas State quarterback Jesse Ertz was known to have a problem throwing the ball prior to Texas 24-21 loss to the Wildcats this past Saturday. However, according to senior safety Dylan Haines, it was Ertz movement on the ground that surprised the Horns

“The scouting report looking at him during the week, we knew that he was pretty consistent with the offense,” Haines said. “He didn’t try to make a lot of big throws. He tried to just nickel and dime you down the field. Obviously he was a great runner and could run the ball. We didn’t think he was going to run as much as he did during the game. We knew he was going to pull the ball on the read.”

During the first half, Ertz made it clear he would not be able to get the ball downfield when he threw a fluttering duck over the middle of the field. After that throw, Haines said there were not any major adjustments to the defense.

“After his shoulder got banged up in the game, I don’t think it really changed anything,” Haines said. “I thought we had been doing a pretty good job holding him passing wise. We just let him scramble outside the pocket too many times. Obviously they ran well.”

With an offseason change from Chris Vaughn to Clay Jennings in the defensive back room, Haines was asked if Vaughan’s absence was having an impact on the younger players recruited to Texas by Vaughan.

“It definitely could,” Haines said. “I can’t sit here and lie and say it doesn’t affect the younger guys. For me, being here five years now, it’s very little effect.”

Several players expected to have a strong second season, incluing Holton Hill and Davante Davis, have struggled instead. Davis and Hill barely saw the field against Kansas State even after receiving accolades earlier this year as one of the best cornerback tandems in the conference. According to Haines, there is a way back onto the field for those two.

“They just have to keep going at it in practice,” Haines said. “Keep getting better and show that ‘I’m the best player because I play the best in practice’ and giving that coach the confidence to start you. When he does, you have to go out there and play on Saturday.”

Texas once again enters a game against Baylor as an underdog, and Haines knows the challenge ahead of him.

“We’re going to be to underdog,” Haines said. “They’re nationally ranked. Hats off to them. They’ve put together a great offense over at Baylor. We’re going to have plenty of work.”

Haines is confident in is his team’s ability to win games at DKR.

“One thing we know is that we’re undefeated at home this year,” Haines said. “We know if we go out there and play good, we’re going to give them a really good game.”

Stopping Baylor’s offense is going to be more than just playing a good game, but Haines admitted that. “It’s just a great challenge for the DBs,” Haines said.