Coach Pete Kwiatkowski and The Texas Defense fan club

KU scored an average of 36.9 PPG

Until they faced us.

 

And only scored when back ups started coming in.

Another very good performance

 

Ok I want two Coach K sweatshirts. All cotton and XXL for today and XXXL as I get fatter and Happy>

 

The Texas Defense is now only giving up an average of 20.6 PPG.

In this day and age of high scoring offenses, that’s really good.

 

The defense still needs to improve zone coverage and playing the ball in the air. But everything else is much better. Credit where it is due. Some of this will get better with recruiting and a 3rd year in the system.

I wouldn't mind an upgrade at position coach slots, like Joseph, but other than that if they continue on this trajectory, I'm in.

 

The defense seems fast and confident. This isn't a typical Kansas team. The dismantling was a show of force.

 

The open field tackling is better, but not where it needs to be. The gang tackling around the LoS is very high level.

 

This week was probably the least amount of pressure we’ve applied to the QB all year. But it didn’t matter. We had 3 different dudes contribut with tackles on 3rd and 4th and short that have not done so before. Thompson made the play on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd on one series of downs. No first down. We’re pretty solid on contain. We have a lot of guys that help others make plays in the run game.

Overall, there are many positives.

 

Jerrin Thompson has turned into a real star on Defense.

Jerrin Thompson - Football - University of Texas Athletics

 

Improving responsibilities in zone coverage, and further minimizing blown coverages, may be the last piece in the puzzle. Of course, we're already better at minimizing blown coverages than we've been in a long time.

 

Are we? We probably are, but the pass rush helps that tremendously. I’d like more sacks but making a QB uncomfortable is hugely important. Quicker throws. More off target. More anxiousness at the snap. Night and day difference this year.

And I will say last year we weren’t beat deep a ton. OU hurt us big time down the field, but it was solid coverage and some incredible catches. Then Tech after the score was out of reach, but there were few others. Last year’s defense really didn’t have much break their way.

 

I'm pleased with the defense this season. We've seen steady improvement each week. Thay are playing with intensity. IMO, this bodes well for next season.

 

We're moving steadily in the right direction. Keep going and we'll get really salty on D.

- The D-front is where we want it---they have arrived.
- DBs: mostly pretty good (Jerrin Thompson = A+), keep improving as a group. Master the zone. Further limit blown coverages.
- LBs: have the tendency to be big-play artists; could be a bit more steady down-to-down.

All 3 groups (DL, LB, DB) have improved over the course of the year IMHO.

 

Last game's performance of the Texas D:

 

The only concern I have for next year is what we are losing off the D line.

 

People are jumping on the bandwagon----GOOD!!!!
No more empty room with me having the pretzels all to myself.


Photo from the latest Coach PK fan club meeting (overflow from the meeting room):

 

I was once on the Todd Orlando bandwagon.

 

Vance Bedford here. At least he gave good interviews and bled burnt orange.

 

Only wish they would come through with more of those ‘in the hands’ pics. Game changers are those interceptions.

 

Fair point indeed.

I'm not overly worried, but some good un's will indeed move on.

Returning DL/DEs with NEXT Year's class status, and with my (opinion) projections/thoughts:

Big/Interior DTs:
(still an A or at least an A- as a group)

Murphy -- Jr (total stud; All-Conference 1st team; potential All-American)
Collins - Sr (All-Conference 2nd team)
Broughton - Jr (All-Conference Hon. Mention)
Bryant - Fr/RS (All-something Freshman) Big strong dude from Mississippi w/ good mobility for his size
Ross - Fr/RS (Real quick; needs some more bulk & strength)
Bledsoe - Fr/RS (Real quick; needs some more bulk & strength)
Swanson - Fr/RS (Real quick; needs some more bulk & strength) could go back to DE if needed???

Importantly -- enough quality depth to confidently rotate 2 sets of 2 big DTs. Maybe 3 sets of 2 later, but that's not with confidence yet.


Edge/Quick DEs:
(At least a B+ as a group -- with total BAM_ Sorrell on one end and a rising young player, or Dorbah, on the other)

Sorrell -- Jr (total stud; All-Conference 1st team; potential All-American; can take over a game and wreck an offense)
Finkley -- So (should be good)
Dorbah -- Jr (showed promise, could be ready to break out)
Burke -- Fr/RS or So (hard to block pass rushing specialist)
Armstrong -- Fr/RS ???
Harris -- So ???
Tapp -- Fr/RS ???
Egbuna -- Fr/RS ???
Swanson -- might play DE??? Would be a classic strong side DE in traditional 4-3 D

One proven A+ stud at one DE. Undetermined talented youngster at the other.



Jr - Jr - Sr - So
E - DT - DT - E

 

I am glad we beat Kansas but that wasnt the same Kansas to start the year. Their qb is why they were on fire and when he got hurt it showed how fragile they were. This was his first game back. We still have a qb issue but hoping to see something better on friday when we get the baptists. Bijon was a monster in the ku game. If we could have completed a pass against the frogs to loosen the 10 men in the box perhaps he could have done the same in that game. The frog game cost us 1 dl recruit in Marcus Deal who is now a froggie. I still have hopes we are on the top of Hills list. Cant see how we cant poach a few more d recruits from the meltdown in sheepville although their #1 dl recruit from last year just portaled.

 

Why can Sark not see what we all see. Ewers needs to sit for awhile. He is very much a liability now and you do not continue ‘hoping’ a liability will magically change.

 

Or at least give Card a shot. Dont see Bijon running on Aranda like he did last week. Any kind of passing game or misdirection would be very helpful on Friday!

 

Yep.

Aranda will likely watch the TCU vs. UT film and stack the line until we can beat them through the air.

Sanders and J Whitt could win it for us. Maybe we spread it out to open up the run. It will be a test for Sark and the O-coaching brain trust.

 

And Baylor doesn't stink on offense either.

Baylor's offense is 4th in the Conference at 34.2 PPG.

This will also be another test for Coach PK and the Texas D.

 

The PK bandwagon gets fuller. Former critics and doubters are always welcome to jump on.

Only gave up 17 points on D to Baylor
(Ewers and the O gave up an 8 pt TD and a safety)

Baylor averaged scoring 34.2 PPG

More and more good performances by PK and the Texas D!!!!

 

D is legit. Not perfect but legit.

 

D is so much better than last year, not yet where it needs to be but man o man can you see the improvement and see them moving toward getting where they need to be.

 

Defense is making enough plays to win, and they played well enough for the offense to get their shat together. Excellent performance against an above average offense especially being on the field for a long time. They could have gotten off the field on some of those third and fourth downs but credit bailor for making some plays. Only the last possession before the half was a really bad defensive series and one blown coverage for 14 points.

 

PK credit continues. The tackling across the board is so much better, plus defensive takeaways and TDs are the mark of a significantly improved unit.