CJ Vogel

Sarkisian says he is telling the team to "be where their feet are" in terms of focusing at the game this weekend but also realizing where they are in the hunt for the SECCG. Phase three begins this weekend.

Sark says too many times over the last three games have teams had free rushers at the quarterback where the QB believed there would be protection. He says as a result, it can spook a quarterback in the pocket when they are getting hit when they believed protection would be there.

Sarkisian on DB Andrew Mukuba as he returns from injury: “I thought Andrew had a really good practice today… he was in really good spirits after practice.”

The UF OL is the engine that starts the offense says Sark. They are big and physical up front and provide an issue for opposing DL. Sarkisian says Napier and his staff do a good job of committing to the run game which opens up play actions, boot legs and other passing opportunities as a result.

"Hopefully we are playing a lot more games this season." Sark on the importance of building the depth on defensive side of the rock.

The staff has been intent n finding opportunities for younger players on special forces to get their feet wet for when it is their turn. It has been a key for the Texas defense to build that depth.

Sarkisian says the emphasis in practice has been to "move the ball forward" which means no penalties, no turnovers.

Sarkisian says the departure of Johntay Cook was "mutual" between both sides.

Sarkisian says the Texas staff prides itself on being developmental based. But when players depart for other opportunities, he understands why that is the case when the opportunities to get on the field aren't as available.

Sarkisian says sometimes practice can become a bit monotonous in November and he didn't feel like that was the case at all. Says guys were flying around today.

Sarkisian: "This is a very quality opponent. On the flipside, we have had a really good week of work."

Sarkisian starts off the availability wishing luck to Texas Soccer. The Lady Longhorns are in the SEC Semifinals tonight.

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian is speaking with the media Thursday morning one final time ahead of the Longhorns' meeting with Florida on Saturday. Of course the big news out of Austin this morning is the departure of Johntay Cook from the program. Notes and quotes in the comments below.

Very much so. Still, I don’t think his availability would have done a whole lot to change the complexion of the RB room this season.

I was told it was very much a freak accident. Unfortunate more than anything.

Reminder that neither Isaiah Bond or Andrew Mukuba made the trip to Nashville for the Vanderbilt game, so both are essentially coming off of two weeks for recovery.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian provided an update on some injuries during the SEC Teleconference Wednesday morning. Sarkisian says WR Isaiah Bond and DB Andrew Mukuba "have both had a good week so far." Also, RB Velton Gardner will miss the remainder of the season with an eye injury he suffered in practice earlier in the season. The SEC Availability Report will release town around 7:00 p.m. CST. We will see how the Longhorns shake out on their designations, right now I would list both Mukuba and Bond as questionable.

Texas also allows just 3.69 yards per play defensively. Best in the country. Second ranked defense is Indiana at 4.43 yards allowed per play. The Longhorn offense has fallen to 18th in the country at 6.64 yards per play gained. The net average of 2.95 yards per play for the Longhorns ranks 4th in the country.

For comparison, this was the chart on September 24 after Week 4.

Texas has the best defense in the country in points allowed per defensive possession. Elite defense.

An updated look at the points per possession graph in the SEC via BCFToys.com. Texas ranks 1st in the country in points per possession allowed defensively (1.01) and 12th in the country on offense, scoring 3.13 points per offensive possession. – Oklahoma has the worst offense in the conference. – Mississippi State has far and away the worst defense in the conference, and the entire country for that matter. – Four teams on the Texas schedule include Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas A&M. – Ole Miss losing to Kentucky looks all sorts of improbable then and inexcusable now. – Vanderbilt sneaky up the charts as well. Can't believe they lost to Georgia State. – Tennessee's offense has fallen quickly down to earth. The Vols are averaging just 22.8 PPD in SEC play this year, without scoring 30 points once. Yuck.

Definitely agree with this.

I think he changes directions a bit better

From the Elite Camp on June 1