Habe on the Horns: Getting playmakers involved will be key to defensive turnaround

By Steve Habel, Senior Editor

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns’ open week after its three non-conference games, and their first loss of the season, allowed them a chance to evaluate what they have done right and to correct the things they have done wrong in advance of the Big 12 opener Saturday at Oklahoma State.

Texas coach Charlie Strong said Monday during his regularly scheduled media availability that the No. 22 Longhorns understand they have to be better on defense and that he will take a heightened role in the preparation on that side of the ball — mostly with personnel decisions.

After the Longhorns (2-1) had numerous busts [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]in their 50-43 loss Sept. 17 at California, Strong said there has been emphasis on defense: fundamentals, concepts and a better game plan.

“We have to put our guys in a position to make plays and not assume that they understand what we are coaching them. It’s all about repetition, repetition, repetition,” Strong said. “We haven’t played very smart, but we are going to get it fixed.”

Strong is adamant that neither he nor the Longhorns players have not lost confidence in defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, who has been under fire and added scrutiny since the loss to Cal and in the wake of Texas’ abysmal performance on the defensive side ball in 2015.

“Vance is a professional and it’s not like he’s all of a sudden forgot how to coach defense,” Strong said. “He knows we’ve got to get better — he’s not running from it. The team still believes in Vance and what he’s doing.”

Expect UT’s younger playmakers — guys like linebackers Malcolm Roach and Breckyn Hager and possibly safety freshman safety Brandon Jones — to have a bigger role in the defensive scheme as Strong looks to shake some things up against the Cowboys, who lost Saturday to Baylor and are 2-2 overall, and 0-1 in Big 12 play.

“It’s our responsibility as coaches to have the players prepared and to put the players on the field that can make things happen and give us the best chance to win,” Strong said. “I’ve sat in on the meeting with the defensive staff this week and told the coaches that they are accountable for their positions. Any changes in roles right now would hurt us more than it would help us.”

Asked if the loss to California dealt a blow to the Longhorns’ confidence, Strong said the players have moved on and will carry the same swagger.

“This is a different team with a different attitude,” Strong explained. “It’s all about confidence now and we have to play better on the road. We are taking things one game at a time.”

Other things addressed by Strong at his press conference Monday included:

• Strong said that the Oklahoma State defensive front will be the best the Texas offense will face through the first four games and will be a challenge for the Longhorns’ offensive line, which will be without senior right guard Kent Perkins. Perkins was arrested for driving under the influence early Friday morning and has been suspended for the Oklahoma State game, will undergo counseling and perform community service on top of what he faces in legally for the crime.

• Strong said that “about 10 plays” made the difference between winning and losing against California. “The main thing is we can’t let the ball get thrown over our heads and we have to understand how many receivers we have coming into our zones,” he said.

• The past seven games between Texas and Oklahoma State have been won by the visiting team.

• Strong said the team had a great week of practice and showed unusual focus despite the open week. “We have a string of nine straight games now and we have to make sure we protect our guys and do what we can to keep them fresh,” Strong said. “The open week gave us a chance to reset and concentrate on the conference game we have ahead of us.”

• Next week’s Texas-Oklahoma dustup in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas will have an 11 a.m. CDT kickoff and be televised by Fox Sports 1.

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