Covering ISU, MU & the Bayou State with Pat Lewis

Jordan Kirkland: Patrick, first, evaluate the offensive performance against Iowa State this past weekend.

Patrick Lewis: "It didn't start off too pretty. It was real ugly in the first half, something like 1-of-7 on third downs, but like we always do we got together and kept it real professional, gathered ourselves and talked amongst each other. We got together and started to roll and get a rhythm going and that pretty much sparked us off for the rest of the game."

JK: What was the biggest difference between the first quarter — you mentioned not a lot of production — and the last three quarters?

Lewis: "We just had to get a feel for what they were doing. They showed a lot of different stuff than what we saw on the film, and that happens sometimes. You have to recollect as an offense and come together and communicate with each other. At that time everything has to become better, communication and the way we work together on the sideline to get things corrected. We really did a good job of that after the first and second quarter. That's pretty much what pulled us ahead."

JK: You're now over halfway through the season. What is your level of comfort at center this year?

Lewis: "I'm getting more comfortable by the day. I'm doing a lot of film review as far as making the right calls and making sure I put everybody in the right spot. I talked with Coach Turner a lot, Coach Sherman gives advice, Danny Baker ... I'm just doing a lot of talking to people and making sure I'm putting everybody in the right spot. We're all just working together to accomplish one goal."

JK: How much pressure is put on the offensive line as far as the production of the running backs? Do you feel pressure to make sure that Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray have the best ability to run the furthest they can?

Lewis: "You feel a lot of pressure, but at the same time that's our job. That's what we were brought to Texas A&M to do: Create holes for the running backs, protect Ryan Tannehill, whoever's at quarterback, whoever has the ball. That's our job, just getting that accomplished and having those stats. And winning ballgames — that's all that matters to us."

JK: You mentioned Coach Turner and how you've been spending time with him. How great is it to have a coach that has so many accolades helping you out, as well as Coach Sherman who was an offensive line coach in the NFL?

Lewis: "Very beneficial. Coach Sherman and Coach Turner, they spend a lot of time working with us and making sure — it always starts with the line. We've done a good job of playing together and making sure that we're in the right spots, and it shows on the field how good a group we are when we all gel together and that's what we just try to do at the end of the day. It's all about communication with us. Coach Turner puts us in the right spots, Coach Sherman puts us in the right spots and at the end of the day we're all successful."

JK: You are the veteran of this offensive line and you're only a junior. What can you say about these young guys that are coming up around you and stepping up?

Lewis: "It's an excellent young group. They all came and saw me and Brian (Thomas), the juniors on the offensive line, and you've got to give those guys two thumbs up. They're doing a real good job; they know the system, and they're like veterans in the game. Like I said, it all goes back to Coach Turner and all the time we put in together. We're real big on the schemes and technique and learning the system and knowing the system in and out. We've been doing a good job, and that shows."

JK: How's the preparation going for Missouri? I know a lot of the guys have been saying they've had this game circled since they defeated us last year at Kyle Field. What are y'all working on to really be ready for this team that's going to come in with a marker on y'all's back as well?

Lewis: "We're just going to play this game real physical. They beat us at home last year and it was a pretty big loss, a tough pill to swallow, so we're just going out to practice every day with everybody set on one goal: Winning this football game, worrying about this week and not looking forward to anything else. We're just really focusing on Missouri and beating Missouri."

JK: Switching gears a little bit, I want to talk about you personally. You're from Louisiana ... what is the biggest thing you miss about it?

Lewis: "Just being around family sometimes. I moved away from all my family. All my family is back in Louisiana. It's just being away from home a little bit and then the food. That's about it."

JK: What's your favorite food that they cook there?

Lewis: "I really like jambalaya. Jambalaya has to be my favorite, and the type of crawfish we eat down there."

JK: One of your teammates, Floyd Raven, is now here with you from East St. John. How nice is that to have? And there are a lot of fellow Louisianans here as well. How great is it to have a team that's starting to become a little more 'spicy'?

Lewis: "It's good to bring a little home-style here to Texas. You need Louisiana on your team. Anybody, everybody does. We add a little spice to everything."

JK: You were the highest-recruited person coming in for the 2009 class. What made you choose A&M?

Lewis: "Coach Sherman, the ability to play for him. I remember him coaching for the Packers a while back and I remember saying, 'I'll play for him one day.' And he just happened to give me a call at Texas A&M and he offered me a scholarship and I quickly jumped on it."

JK: What's so great about being here at Texas A&M? What's one of the things, even outside of football, that you enjoy about College Station and this University?

Lewis: "It's a big difference, coming from Louisiana — everybody's real nice here. That's the biggest thing I like. Everyone's real nice, real friendly. That's what I like."