Patterson meets with the media to discuss Texas
9/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 4, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas -- TCU head football coach Gary Patterson met with the media Tuesday to discuss his 19th-ranked Horned Frogs' Saturday 6 p.m. contest at No. 7 Texas.
Included below are excerpts from Patterson's news conference.
Opening Statement ...
"I appreciate all the nice things (Texas coach) Mack Brown has said about us. Texas is very athletic and has a great tradition. It'll be a lot of fun playing an old Southwest Conference rival."
What are your thoughts on Texas?
"They have the best wide receiver group in the country. They are also very athletic on defense and can really run around up front. (Quarterback) Colt McCoy isn't a freshman any more and really manages the game well. We also haven't played against a back the likes of Jamaal Charles."
How do you rate the play of your quarterback position against Baylor?
"I thought Andy (Dalton) did well. Andy and Marcus (Jackson) did what we asked them to do as far as managing the game. Against Texas, you can't turn the ball over. Defensively, they really run around and are very athletic."
How do you keep your team's emotions in check for Saturday?
"We understand Texas is a big game because it is the next game. You can't get too high or too low. You need to keep things in perspective. No matter whether you win or lose, you have to move on. We have to manage it right and go about our business."
What's the significance of this game in the state of Texas?
"I think it means a lot to our players since most of them are from Texas. It's a measuring-stick game. Our kids won't just be happy if we play well. Everyone's making a big deal of what we are record-wise against the Big 12. We have a lot more substance as a program as far as graduating players and what they become after they leave this team."
Why was this game scheduled?
"Texas is a team that has won a national championship, and we wanted to see where we are as a program."
What are your plans after the game?
"I'll have my laptop out on the bus and begin preparations for Air Force (the Frogs play the Falcons in Colorado Springs on Thurs., Sept. 13). Sunday will be a get-better practice for us. I'm kind of glad we have a Thursday night game. You'll have to quickly get over the Texas game."
What are your feelings about Texas?
"I respect Texas immensely as well as Mack Brown for what he's been able to do. They have a fine program and represent the state very well. That's one of the reasons for playing them, so we can see how we can get there."
Will the Texas game be any different for Andy Dalton now that he has a game under his belt?
"It's only different because he'll be playing away from home. Andy was in here all by himself studying film yesterday afternoon. He hasn't changed after having a good game, thinking he doesn't need to study film anymore."
