OTF Premium Cotton Bowl | Texas Defensive Player Media Availability

[CJ Vogel]

Several Texas defensive players will be made available to the media following Sunday's practice.

Texas was in pads for the Sunday afternoon practice in preparation for their College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup vs. Ohio State.

Notes and quotes in the comments down below.

[CJ Vogel]

DL Alfred Collins speaking first.

[CJ Vogel]

Collins says there is an extra emphasis on recovery for the Texas defense following what he says was a long day against Arizona State.

[CJ Vogel]

Collins was asked what he remembers about Will Howard – says he is pretty big and there is a definitely some dual threat ability to his game.

[CJ Vogel]

Last year's Big 12 Championship Game vs. OK State was the only time Collins says he has played in AT&T Stadium.

[CJ Vogel]

Collins gives credit to the Longhorns' defensive preparation on Mondays and the week leading up to games when talking about the goal line stops.

[CJ Vogel]

"He is really creative with his schemes." – Collins on Pete Kwiatkowski.

[CJ Vogel]

Michael Taaffe speaking now.

[CJ Vogel]

"They have an impressive group at WR."

Taaffe says 3-4 guys from Ohio State are elite at WR. Says the key is being on the same page defensively in the back end.

[CJ Vogel]

Taaffe says Will Howard is competitive and does anything possible to win. Recalls the final plays against the Longhorns at DKR last year on the goal line.

[CJ Vogel]

"He is a guy that looks NFL ready already." – Taaffe on Jeremiah Smith.

[CJ Vogel]

Taaffe says anytime you play in AT&T Stadium it is a big time game he wants to live by his motto of 'Big time players make big time plays in big time games'

[CJ Vogel]

Taaffe says Texas must communicate well in the back end.

Credits ASU for their gameplan coming into the game and mentions the Sun Devils having 20 days to prepare for the game.

[CJ Vogel]

Michael Taaffe: "Thank God for Quinn Ewers checking the protection on 4th & 13 and delivering a nice ball on a good route by Matthew Golden."

[CJ Vogel]

 

[CJ Vogel]

"I love being an underdog, that's my story." – Taaffe.

[CJ Vogel]

"My body is getting there... if game day was tomorrow I think I would be able to go." Taaffe on his recovery after playing 100 snaps against ASU.

[CJ Vogel]

"The biggest thing I learned is that we have belief in one another." – Taaffe said about the ASU game.

[CJ Vogel]

 

[CJ Vogel]

Anthony Hill Jr. says he knows the teams they are playing right now are all elite and they are going to make good plays too.

[CJ Vogel]

Hill says the pass rush needs to get home for the Longhorns vs. tOSU to get Will Howard off his marks and outside of the pocket.

[CJ Vogel]

Hill says it will be really cool to play back in Dallas. Says the family won't have to travel all too far for this game.

Mentions winning a state title at Denton Ryan at AT&T Stadium.

[CJ Vogel]

 

[CJ Vogel]

Hill says he doesn't focus on what other teams have been doing after being asked about being the only SEC team still alive.

[CJ Vogel]

Andrew Mukuba speaking now.