Practice Report: Team Has to Re-Focus

Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury was made available after practice today and here’s his non-transcript:

Kliff Kingsbury: Have re-focused, we had to tighten a lot of things up, just being more physical at the point of attack . . . I like Patrick Mahomes to not get hit, Arizona State has done a good job of causing negative plays, have to know when to get rid of the ball and hold onto it, I think there will be a fine line for him and he’s seen pressure defenses before and I think he’ll be ready . . . the turnover margin is huge, the last couple of years we’ve made an emphasis on it, we’re going to work on it hard and try to create some and protect it . . . I’m not sure, I thought their quarterback was efficient, I don’t think we can take much from the game against Northern Arizona . . . I think they’re a Pac-12 team, from what I see on film, they’re a very good team, we’ll see what type of step-up in competition it is . . . Madison Akamnonu and Terence Steele did okay, got a long ways to go, had some good plays, got to work technique and got tired, got to get them in shape and play for 85 or 90 snaps a game . . . they always say that the biggest improvement from week one to week two . . . regarding the WWE event from Monday, that was the strength coaches, that was their baby, I’m just glad no one died . . . when asked about running the ball more, I don’t know, when you have a quarterback like we have, I’m not one that says we have to bang my head on the wall and establish a ground game . . . the defensive line to me was disruptive, Kolin Hill and Ondre Pipkin seemed to be a force early . . . Tony Morales was the offensive player of the week, his leadership and his chance to be a leader, thought he handled himself well, made some great calls and protections . . . I think it will be fun, great atmosphere and college town and will be excited . . . there will still be guys fighting for spots for the travel roster . . . Keke Coutee is good when the ball is in his hands, he’s a good route runner, but he’s not very good at blocking, he was soft, he can’t just run around and make plays and not block . . . Houston Miller is just sick . . . I’m not sure about his chance to play, will make a decision . . . we don’t prepare any different on the road . . .

LAJ’s Don Williams has his football notebook from yesterday that details a lot of the stuff above, but we also find out that Kevin Moore was the special teams player of the week and Ondre Pipkins was the defensive player of the week.

RRS’s Will McKay also recaps from yesterday, but has some additional quotes from DT Breiden Fehoko, who says that Arizona State is going to be different than SFA:

-However, Fehoko knows it will be a big step up against ASU this weekend. The sophomore also had something pretty interesting to note about the defense and their expectations on a weekly basis in stopping opposing running games: “SFA is a good school, but it’s not Arizona State. Going into Tempe this week, they go fast,they tempo with two big running backs, and the thing I think we need to work on this week is just playing technique, playing fundamental,” he said. “As long as we’re doing our job, I’m happy with it, and I think the rest of the defense is happy with it. I think if we can hold teams under 100 (rushing yards) a game, I think that’s the goal. And, just playing good defense every week, just cleaning up the mistakes.”

LAJ’s Don Williams spoke with IR Keke Coutee (which someone was asking how to pronounce his last name and it’s simply QT, not COO-tee), who talks about his first touchdown and how he can improve:

“I know my blocking can improve,” Coutee said. “It wasn’t that good Saturday night, so that’s what I’m looking to improve on Saturday in Tempe.”

Back To Top