Defensive performers talk atmosphere, emotions
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Paul Boyette. (Will Gallagher/IT)[/caption]
AUSTIN -- For several defensive players, the atmosphere at Royal-Memorial Stadium was one they had not seen since they were either freshmen or being recruited by former head coach Mack Brown. To see the stadium filled and loud was a welcome change of pace for the leaders on Vance Bedford's defense.
Performers from Sunday’s game talk playing in DKR atmosphere
Sunday’s sell-out of Memorial Stadium against Notre Dame was the first in several years, and the atmosphere reflected it. Even the ESPN telecast mentioned how the Texas crowd was louder than normal after labeling it a “wine and cheese” crowd. Several players, including junior Naashon Hughes, took note of the raucous atmosphere.
“After the game, we were talking and we had never heard it like that,” Hughes said. “It was loud. Fans were quiet when the offense was working. We had never seen it like that.”
Hughes said that it brought him back to the days when he was being recruited, including one of his visits to Texas.
“That was great, what was it, 102?” Hughes said. “Didn’t we break a record? School record? I’ve never seen it like that. The most exciting game I’ve been to. I was actually getting recruited at that West Virginia game with Geno Smith. That was the loudest I’ve seen the stadium, and that beat that last night.”
Senior defensive lineman Paul Boyette did note the atmosphere had an effect on some of the younger players on the team, saying in regard to the freshmen that “they were kind of anxious running out of the tunnel and seeing all that burnt orange out there.”
However, Boyette was confident in his team’s ability to get off the field late in the game, and used the crowd noise to help his team do just that.
“I told Coach Haley ‘I’m going to go out there and get us off the field and we’re going to win this game,’” Boyette said. “That’s what happened. I made that play and the tackle for loss in the backfield. I told Coach Haley ‘I’m going to put the team on the back and get it done.’”
There were several big eruptions by the crowd throughout the evening, including on a play made late in the third quarter by Hughes in which he blocked a 36 yard field goal attempt by Justin Yoon. Although he and his team made big plays, Hughes realizes they have a lot to work on after allowing 47 points.
“We all know, even with that film, they scored 47 points,” Hughes said. “As a defense we clearly have some work to do. As an offense I’m sure they had an interception and things like that. There’s work to be done. We’re not perfect by any means, but we all know we’ve got something special here.”
Boyette expressed a similar sentiment about wanting to defend his home turf.
“It’s not ever okay to give up 47 points to anybody,” Boyette said. “It’s a pride thing. At the end of the day we’ve got to watch film and right our wrongs. We want to go out there and protect this house and be a top defensive unit in the nation.”
Jefferson talks emotions after victory
One of the biggest questions in the off-season about the Longhorn defense was how defensive coordinator Vance Bedford would utilize sophomore linebacker Malik Jefferson on the field. Jefferson possesses outstanding pass rushing ability, but remains at inside linebacker due to his elite athleticism.
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Malik Jefferson downs a Domer (Will Gallagher/IT)[/caption]
Jefferson was forced to show that elite athleticism when he chased down a Notre Dame ball carrier down from behind on a 54 yard run on the second play of the game. After that play, the defense settled in and Jefferson began setting his eyes on the backfield. Eventually, Notre Dame began running away from Jefferson, much to his chagrin. “Whenever I would get out there on the field sometimes, we’d figure out what they were in and as soon as I’d step outside the box, they’d run the opposite way,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson blitzed from both the edge and the middle throughout the game, recording one sack and one tackle for loss. After the victory was sealed, Jefferson showed his emotions by letting loose a big smile, something he said he envisioned when he first came to Texas.
“That’s the feeling I was hoping for,” Jefferson said. “Y’all could see the emotions on my face, of course. I was definitely proud in that moment that we were winning and everybody out there is playing for the same goal with the same mindset. It’s all one team.”
Jefferson complimented the linebacker he shared the field most with, sophomore Anthony Wheeler.
“He had a hard task because a lot of his drops had to be on the hash and look for that dig route,” Jefferson said. “Me, I was freelancing. So he always gets the hard job and I really commend him on how he played.”
Although his team got the win, Jefferson knows his team has plenty of improvement.
“We’re not happy about that,” Jefferson said when asked how he felt about allowing 47 points. “Not at all. That’s something we’re going to definitely have to talk about and fix.”
According to Jefferson, the program now becomes a target due to the high profile win. He said that his team is ready to be back on the field to keep the momentum going.
“Guys are ready to move on to the next game already because that’s the type of focus we have this year,” Jefferson said. “They know it’s one game at a time. People are going to try and knock us off because we beat Notre Dame. We have to take care of business every week."
Paul Boyette. (Will Gallagher/IT)[/caption]
AUSTIN -- For several defensive players, the atmosphere at Royal-Memorial Stadium was one they had not seen since they were either freshmen or being recruited by former head coach Mack Brown. To see the stadium filled and loud was a welcome change of pace for the leaders on Vance Bedford's defense.
Performers from Sunday’s game talk playing in DKR atmosphere
Sunday’s sell-out of Memorial Stadium against Notre Dame was the first in several years, and the atmosphere reflected it. Even the ESPN telecast mentioned how the Texas crowd was louder than normal after labeling it a “wine and cheese” crowd. Several players, including junior Naashon Hughes, took note of the raucous atmosphere.
“After the game, we were talking and we had never heard it like that,” Hughes said. “It was loud. Fans were quiet when the offense was working. We had never seen it like that.”
Hughes said that it brought him back to the days when he was being recruited, including one of his visits to Texas.
“That was great, what was it, 102?” Hughes said. “Didn’t we break a record? School record? I’ve never seen it like that. The most exciting game I’ve been to. I was actually getting recruited at that West Virginia game with Geno Smith. That was the loudest I’ve seen the stadium, and that beat that last night.”
Senior defensive lineman Paul Boyette did note the atmosphere had an effect on some of the younger players on the team, saying in regard to the freshmen that “they were kind of anxious running out of the tunnel and seeing all that burnt orange out there.”
However, Boyette was confident in his team’s ability to get off the field late in the game, and used the crowd noise to help his team do just that.
“I told Coach Haley ‘I’m going to go out there and get us off the field and we’re going to win this game,’” Boyette said. “That’s what happened. I made that play and the tackle for loss in the backfield. I told Coach Haley ‘I’m going to put the team on the back and get it done.’”
There were several big eruptions by the crowd throughout the evening, including on a play made late in the third quarter by Hughes in which he blocked a 36 yard field goal attempt by Justin Yoon. Although he and his team made big plays, Hughes realizes they have a lot to work on after allowing 47 points.
“We all know, even with that film, they scored 47 points,” Hughes said. “As a defense we clearly have some work to do. As an offense I’m sure they had an interception and things like that. There’s work to be done. We’re not perfect by any means, but we all know we’ve got something special here.”
Boyette expressed a similar sentiment about wanting to defend his home turf.
“It’s not ever okay to give up 47 points to anybody,” Boyette said. “It’s a pride thing. At the end of the day we’ve got to watch film and right our wrongs. We want to go out there and protect this house and be a top defensive unit in the nation.”
Jefferson talks emotions after victory
One of the biggest questions in the off-season about the Longhorn defense was how defensive coordinator Vance Bedford would utilize sophomore linebacker Malik Jefferson on the field. Jefferson possesses outstanding pass rushing ability, but remains at inside linebacker due to his elite athleticism.
[caption id="attachment_33176" align="alignright" width="293"]
Malik Jefferson downs a Domer (Will Gallagher/IT)[/caption]
Jefferson was forced to show that elite athleticism when he chased down a Notre Dame ball carrier down from behind on a 54 yard run on the second play of the game. After that play, the defense settled in and Jefferson began setting his eyes on the backfield. Eventually, Notre Dame began running away from Jefferson, much to his chagrin. “Whenever I would get out there on the field sometimes, we’d figure out what they were in and as soon as I’d step outside the box, they’d run the opposite way,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson blitzed from both the edge and the middle throughout the game, recording one sack and one tackle for loss. After the victory was sealed, Jefferson showed his emotions by letting loose a big smile, something he said he envisioned when he first came to Texas.
“That’s the feeling I was hoping for,” Jefferson said. “Y’all could see the emotions on my face, of course. I was definitely proud in that moment that we were winning and everybody out there is playing for the same goal with the same mindset. It’s all one team.”
Jefferson complimented the linebacker he shared the field most with, sophomore Anthony Wheeler.
“He had a hard task because a lot of his drops had to be on the hash and look for that dig route,” Jefferson said. “Me, I was freelancing. So he always gets the hard job and I really commend him on how he played.”
Although his team got the win, Jefferson knows his team has plenty of improvement.
“We’re not happy about that,” Jefferson said when asked how he felt about allowing 47 points. “Not at all. That’s something we’re going to definitely have to talk about and fix.”
According to Jefferson, the program now becomes a target due to the high profile win. He said that his team is ready to be back on the field to keep the momentum going.
“Guys are ready to move on to the next game already because that’s the type of focus we have this year,” Jefferson said. “They know it’s one game at a time. People are going to try and knock us off because we beat Notre Dame. We have to take care of business every week."
