Coaches, players meet media for Week 1 press conference

Kevin Sumlin

On being doubted by fans and the media...

Sumlin: "Everybody's got their opinion. Nobody really knows what we're getting into. We'll have a better assessment after playing the teams we have to play. Our schedule is back-ended with the road trips. I've said since I came here that we owe it to our fans, seniors and current players that we have to try to win now. It's coach-speak to say take it one week at a time, but that's how I coach and it's not going to change. We get 12 opportunities to play and the first is a week from today. That's the first step.

"For our fans, everybody is excited about Week 2. And they should be. But our focus as a team has been on Louisiana Tech. That's basically our biggest worry at this point. Everybody else can worry about the whole year. We've got to worry about next week."

On playing young DBs...

Sumlin: "There's two parts to that. One, there's young guys there because we don't have anybody else. Fortunately we recruited to that and we've thrown some guys into the fire. As a coach, I believe the best players play. We had a bunch of young guys in my first year as a coach and they grew through the program. If you challenge and trust them, competitively and athletically, they get better. We're going to give those guys a chance to play and that's a good thing. It creates competition. Just because you've been here four or five years does not mean you get to play, particularly because for some of those years it may have been a different scheme.

"We opened up competition across the board in the spring and, after the summer with Larry Jackson, our young guys came in and practiced and competed to play. We made a decision on quarterback because of preparation to play the first game and getting enough reps. But if you're still on the two-deep, keep going because it's not all decided yet. And just because you're a starter doesn't mean you'll get more snaps."

On Louisiana Tech...

Sumlin: "It helps that we played them last year, but they're a different team. Continuity, experience, guys that have been together, a quarterback that's been there, a receiving corps that's been there, a punter as good as any in the country. They have experience with the same offense and defense. We'll have an idea of what to expect from these players. But our players are chomping at the bit because we have new schemes across the board.

"You're concerned about that, but from an energy standpoint, things are good. Energy is good. It can create and it can get rid of staleness. Our guys are excited to go against somebody other than the same guys they've been going against the last two or three weeks."

How's the O-line with a new QB?

Sumlin: "Our offensive line is probably the strength of our team. And that's good when you have a young quarterback or have to send in a backup because he can grow as a player. An inexperienced line and an inexperienced quarterback ... the O-line gives us a chance to be successful with their experience and their size and success in big games.

"It's the other 10 guys, our perimeter players and the offensive line, that have to create a quarterback-friendly environment. Which I feel Coach Kingsbury has done an excellent job of in Fall Camp."

Does having a more experienced quarterback change it?

Sumlin: "What kind of question is that? (Laughter.) Of course. That's part of football. We could do some things in Houston after four years that we couldn't do in year one. You'd like to come in with a veteran quarterback, but sometimes young guys have to get the experience to become veterans. That's where the offensive line helps. Everybody is excited, looking forward to where we're headed and what we're going to do. But offensively it's different from what we were used to. And in special teams. I guarantee you players don't fall asleep in there with Brian Polian.

"From that standpoint, you can sometimes get bored if you're used to doing things the same way for a long time. I sense an energy level that's building with this team. And that's part of the excitement of college football. In the NFL you try and keep your core players together. Here, it's constantly changing. You have freshmen and the constant challenge is to integrate them into your system. And it creates a different kind of energy."

How has Pat Lewis come along?

Sumlin: "He's tired of me yelling, 'Hurry up.' (Smirk.) It's hot this time of year and it's different for a 300-pounder than it is for me yelling at him from behind. A couple times he's given me a look like, '...Shut up.' But he understands that we can't do anything without our center. I explained to Patrick early that we're waiting on him and that bugged him a bit. But I think he understands that and his ability to see defenses and get up there helped us in camp. You're looking at the only senior on an experienced line. That's big. He's a guy that's been in big games and understands it.

"As I told the team last night, "You're voted a captain not by the coaches, but by your peers. Like it or not, you're leading this team." The young men our team chose, I couldn't agree with more. That's how they're viewed from within. Not from the outside, not by the coaches, but from the inside. You look at the positions that were voted — Ryan Swope, a big-play guy for us; Patrick, the center; Sean Porter and Steven Terrell. Those are the guys we'll count on."

How did Manziel's leadership help get him picked?

Sumlin: "That's really a two-part question. All the quarterbacks were showing leadership. Selecting him two weeks in advance was to let the team adjust to the way he does things and it's not two days before the game with people looking at him and wondering where this guy came from.

"It's continuity and it gives him a chance to embrace his role as the quarterback and leader of the offense. He's grown in that, probably because he's getting more reps, but all the quarterbacks have done a nice job throughout Camp of leading the huddle, pushing the offense ... you guys who came to the scrimmages saw the improvement by the other two and by everybody.

"That's a tribute to our assistant coaches and how they brought the players along and developed them. If you watch video, our other players see that too. They understand that leadership is a lot easier when you've earned your spot."

How has Manziel handled it?

Sumlin: "Well. That's a tough position, especially when you're a young guy running out there on your first day and telling people what to do, a bunch of veteran guys that have played. That goes back to why we picked when we did, giving that time to set in."

Did he come back from California with different mechanics?

Sumlin: "A bit, but I think he's continued to work on it. You see that with all those kids. They all worked this summer. During two-a-days they continued to work. You look at the scrimmages and see the improvement in all of them. Matt Joeckel's improved in throwing the deep ball, which he used to struggle with. He might have thrown the best deep balls of anyone in live action. That's part of them following what Kliff gave them to work on over the summer and what they've done in Fall Camp. They work at it all the time. That whole group has gone very well.

"Now, they're all very young. And young guys are going to make mistakes. We're working to try to get those guys mechanically sound, fundamentally sound, so how they're throwing and delivering and handing off the ball becomes second nature. That takes time."

What's your comfort level with what you don't know about this team going into the season?

Sumlin: "I don't know that there's ever a first-year head coach that has all the answers. You know a lot about the team, but you really don't know until you know until you play somebody else. We're still learning about this team. You feel better about guys if you're a veteran coach who's been with the team. We know a lot more about our team right now than we did in January, but we'll know a lot more about our team by next Friday and in two months. It's hard to judge any team based on practicing against each other for the last 20 practices. You haven't really been on the field with these guys.

"For me as a coach, the first game, just like the first game at Houston, you worry about a lot of things, a lot of scenarios that may or may not happen, particularly with backup players. But these guys have worked hard at it and have a great coaching staff. We've tried to make it hard on them and they've handled it just fine."

What about your first game at Houston?

Sumlin: "Well, we won, so it must have went well (chuckle). But particularly as a first-year head coach, you wake up, you can't sleep. It'll probably be like that this time. Be the same. I'm usually like that, making sure there isn't something we missed. I've got a checklist and, even though I've been carrying it around for a while, I'm still worrying about it the night before the game."

What leadership does Swope bring?

Sumlin: "Ryan's a guy who has come in and embraced a new system, a bit different one than he's evolved in. He understands what we're trying to do, he's made big plays here in the past, and we're going to need his leadership. He can create a quarterback-friendly environment for our team.

"That's what perimeter players are about, particularly in a quarterback's career. As a quarterback gets more and more comfortable, that ball gets closer and closer to the middle of your numbers. But until then, you've got to make plays. (Swope)'s done that in the past and I expect him to do that this year."

How has the tight end position looked?

Sumlin: "Michael Lamothe is a guy who just does his job. I've been impressed with both he and Nehemiah Hicks the last couple weeks. They've responded well. Both of them are weapons. They can catch the ball, block, they're tough guys. And they understand their role on the team. They're going to have an integral role."

How do you feel about the punting situation?

Sumlin: "It's gotten a lot better. We went out and put more emphasis on the kicking game last week. We've got a script for special teams situations. We've had punts from all over the field in different situations. I think those guys have done well. Our snapping situation, I was kind of upset the other day because Jake Matthews ended up snapping after practice and I asked Brian (Polian), 'Why didn't you tell us?!'

"He said, 'I just... didn't bring it up.' (Shrug.) But (Matthews) is doing a good job with it. He's a veteran guy and, with his personality, nothing really gets to him. He calms it down. The snapping situation, that's really helped me as a coach. (Taylor) Bertolet, as the kicker, has done really well of late in various situations. (Ryan) Epperson, of late, has really solidified himself as a punter.

"But there's still competition going on. Like I said, if you're in the two-deep, you've got a chance to play. If guys aren't getting it done or there are questions about effort or consistency..."

Do you think moving the ball up on kickoffs with the rule change will help?

Sumlin: "Moving the ball up helps any kicker. Based on the scheme, it may. At Houston we had a guy that tied for the national record for kickoff returns for touchdowns, so I was sad when they moved it up. When this whole thing came up about ending the kickoff ... I think it's a part of college football. The fans love it. It sets the tone for the game. Guys who are good at it, it's like an offensive play. There's a scheme, a way to do things, and the returner becomes a weapons.

"We'll see where we are. We've got some guys back there that can return kicks. They'll give us a chance. We'll see how that plays out this year. I think moving the ball up five yards will be a big deal in college football. You'll get a feel for teams and what they're trying to do as far as the kicking situation. Some guys will kick it far back and guys catching it deep in the end zone may not bring it out."

How do you assess Colby Cameron as LA Tech's QB?

Sumlin: "Any time you have a veteran quarterback that's played in games and won, you have to feel good about it. But it's a combination of all the parts. He's thrown the ball effectively, they've caught it effectively, an effective run game, they spread it out. He's an athletic guy that has some weapons out on the perimeter. He's a guy who won't be intimidated.

"Matter of fact, their whole team won't be intimidated by us coming in. They've played SEC teams in the past and have been in those ballgames, they've beaten SEC teams in the past. They were a defensive stop away from beating TCU last year in the bowl game. There's a confidence factor them. But for us, as I said, it's a chance for us to get on the field and play a quality football team, a league champion, and really assess where we are and how far we've come in the last month."

Do you see an advantage to opening on the road?

Sumlin: "You're really a glass-half-full guy, huh? (Smirk.) The advantage of going on the road instead of staying home? Do you really want me to answer that? (Laughter.)"

After fall camp, how do you assess your D-line and the depth?

Sumlin: "We're a work in progress up front. We've got Ennis and Mathis giving us size in there at 300 pounds. I think moving Nealy from the outside, where he was limited athletically as a pass-rusher, he becomes athletic inside. He's not an every-down player but he gives us some rotation. We're probably going to have to ... Alonzo Williams is a guy who's gotten better and better over the last week who adds depth there. But inside is where the difference is in the league we're getting into.

"Outside, at defensive end in the rush, Damontre Moore has to be great for us and continue to turn up his game. Julien Obioha has come in as a hard-playing guy, plays with a high motor. As a young guy, you've got to get the little stuff done. He's got a high motor, quick-twitch, good hands ... he's going to get better and better. These guys are rushing against two pretty good tackles every day.

"Competition makes your team better and players get better from playing against each other. They've benefitted from rushing against Jake Matthews and Luke Joeckel every day. That's not fun. But (Obioha) didn't get discouraged and he's worked at his craft."

Kliff Kingsbury

Has Manziel done a good job of balancing his leadership role with respecting the veterans?

Kingsbury: "I think so. It's a tough position for a young guy who hasn't been out there. He's done a good job defining his role and settling in out there. He's done well. Not much fazes him. He knows what type of player he wants to become and he's been working on that and not letting outside factors bother him.

"He's still a work in progress. He's young, but much improved from the spring. He was reckless with the ball this spring and he's made a concentrated effort to take care of the ball. He's a firey guy who likes to keep the play alive and likes to have the ball in his hands."

How has Ryan Swope helped him?

Kingsbury: "He's a security blanket. If he gets in trouble, Ryan will be there and he'll make plays for him. He's talked to him and done a good job settling down."

Were you surprised he progressed so quickly?

Kingsbury: "Yeah, you could see the skillset was there in the spring but the reads and progressions weren't where they needed to be. He came back for Fall Camp and it was totally different. Any time you think you're getting better, you're getting better."

How much have you had to be on Pat Lewis for tempo?

Kingsbury: "He's done a good job. As he goes, we go. He's getting the ball snapped and taken a leadership role in the offense. It's a completely different change than he's used to but he's adjusted."

How is Manziel handling this system?

Kingsbury: "He played in a similar offense in high school, so it's been a pretty smooth transition. He's handling it well."

Do you feel comfortable with the eight guys you have at WR on the two-deep?

Kingsbury: "Yeah, they've been doing well. There are five other guys on that list that can come in at any time."

What's your impression of Trey Williams been?

Kingsbury: "He's a special player. We thought that's what we were getting and it's definitely what we got. He's going to play. We don't know how much, but he's going to play."

How will you handle plays in this offense?

Kingsbury: "We're not going to throw it 72 times a game (chuckle). We're going to tailor it to the personnel we have and the games we're playing."

How has the experience of the offensive line helped?

Kingsbury: "It's been big. That's an experienced group of guys and they've played in big games. With a freshman quarterback, that's a huge help. He's got a lot around him to help him."

What have you seen from Louisiana Tech's defense?

Kingsbury: "(Playing there last year) helps a lot. Last year we went there and got outplayed and outcoached, and a couple great players made plays to get us the win. This is not a team to take lightly. They've got great players and a great coaching staff. This is one I've had circled for a while."

With Brandon Williams denied his waiver, is there concern about putting Trey on the field at kick returner?

Kingsbury: "You'd have to ask Brian (Polian). However we can get (Trey) on the field, I'll be happy."

On Christine Michael...

Kingsbury: "We're excited to get him out there and see what he can do. He leads with his work ethic. He came out in 7-on-7 and went to work."

Mark Snyder

Are you planning on leaving Deshazor Everett at corner?

Snyder: "Injuries happen in this game. That's the plan for now, but he may move. We're cross-training a lot of guys — Jonathan Stewart and Sean Porter are a few who have."

On Toney Hurd...

Snyder: "He's a tough football player, very instinctive. A lot of guys have played well, but I've been impressed with Toney."

How is the understanding of the defense coming along?

Snyder: "It's gotten better. The ones, mostly. There's work to be done with the twos. But we really won't know until we get to game speed."

What do you see from LA Tech's offense?

Snyder: "This is a team that put up 400 yards a game, 30 points a game. It starts with the offensive line. They're 6-4, 300 on average. Their center is their best guy ... and he's the littlest one. The quarterback does a great job managing the game and they're explosive on the outside. #4 is something else. But if you try and stop him, they've got #7. It's pick-your-poison."

Do you think they'll come out with a tempo similar to yours?

Snyder: "I don't know much about their offensive coordinator, but I sure hope they won't go any faster than ours (laughter)."

Have you been impressed by Jonathan Stewart?

Snyder: "I have. Stew is a smart guy, a smart football player. He's the guy who gets the defense lined up. You asked about cross-training earlier. He's one of those guys who can handle it, and handle it pretty easily."

How are you feeling about DT?

Snyder: "You sleep a little easier at night. Spencer Nealy isn't the best, but he tries the hardest. We'll have a little three-man rotation in there. We've got Mathis, Kirby Ennis and Ivan Robinson will be the fourth."

Have you seen enough of the freshman DEs to put them out there?

Snyder: "I have. You'll see them early and often. Julien Obioha is smart. #50 coming off the edge, Taylor, has some juice. He can get off the edge, and he can move."

On Brandon Alexander and Caleb Russell...

Snyder: "Brandon's not really in our mix right now. Caleb's been out with injury."

What does Alexander have to do to work his way back in?

Snyder: "Some more explosiveness, will, want-to, excitement, all that. These freshmen have brought some energy to our team and it's a different level. It's not that Brandon isn't talented. He just isn't there."

On Floyd Raven...

Snyder: "He's in the rotation. He's in the mix."

How has Donnie Baggs taken to his role?

Snyder: "It's been good for Donnie. We're going to count on Donnie all year. Everybody gets locked in on Steven Jenkins. Donnie's going to be in the rotation and he's going to benefit from it. He'll be a valuable backup goal-line linebacker and I hope we'll see that on Thursday."

On depth...

Snyder: "The only place we feel we really have depth is at corner, because we've had to play them all."

Are you nervous starting young guys on D?

Snyder: "Yes. But we've got to get them all in. They're talented and they're our future. Ask me in three years and we'll probably say it was good. But I'm nervous right now. This is a heck of a first opener."

Are you limited scheme-wise in what you can do?

Snyder: "I don't think so. In front of a crowd, we'll see. But right now I don't think I'm hamstrung at all."

What do you compare to where you need to get to on the D-line to be like other SEC teams?

Snyder: "We're a long way away. We've got to get bigger, we've got to get more physical. We're getting fast. We've got talented guys but they've got to get bigger. The SEC has big guys that are explosive. Sudden."

Ryan Swope

What excites you most about this offense?

Swope: "It's exciting how fast we can move down the field and how easy it is to score. We have so many guys on the field who can make plays in this offense, and with how fast we go it's hard to adjust. It's important that we just execute and practice hard."

Do you see this offense as taking it to another level?

Swope: "Yeah, most definitely. This offense is very fast. I feel we're trying to get 100+ plays in a game and really wear out defenses. I can tell that every practice's tempo, very fast, is going to help us in the third and fourth quarters of football games."

Is 100 catches a possibility for you?

Swope: "I'm not too concerned with how many catches I'm going to have and how many yards. I'm concerned with the team as a whole and how we're going to perform on the field. There's so much character and leadership on this team that we'll be good. I think this offense is just an explosive offense.

"Coach Kingsbury does a great job of coaching our players to move quickly on the field and get to our spot as fast as possible and move 100 mph. One of the things we want to accomplish this year is practice hard and really just focus on that tempo, trying to wear out defenses."

How has Pat Lewis handled it?

Swope: "Patrick does a great job of just taking that leadership role on the field and really getting that tempo moving. It starts up front with those five guys and he really holds those guys accountable, holds the whole offense accountable to get the ball and make a play. He's had to up his game one level, not performance-wise but conditioning-wise because he's got to get there so fast. He's done a great job this summer of working hard and working on his speed. The tempo we move at is critical and he's done a great job of adjusting to that."

How has Johnny Manziel handled it?

Swope: "Really well. He's the kind of guy who takes this game very seriously. He's hungry to win and that's the kind of guy we need back there in that leadership role. Stay up late and come in early, work on his game and lead us. That shows greatness in him. Especially as a freshman, it's hard to step in and have that leadership role at a young age. He's handled it well.

"I sat down and talked to him this summer and I think he really started seeing the big picture. As a receiver I get to see him, and he's an incredible athlete and a great quarterback. He's got all the tools. Once he felt comfortable with himself and his teammates, he really blossomed and made plays. He's come a long way. It's just a great opportunity for a young guy and he'll be good for us."

On what they talked about...

Swope: "As a freshman, sometimes, you don't have confidence or you don't know how the college football scheme really works. I thought it was the right thing to do, kind of take him under my wing and boost him. He's taken it well. He's really helped our football team. He's being a leader out there and doing the small things that'll help us win football games."

Did you talk about the life stuff too?

Swope: "Most definitely. He's doing a good job right now. I've got trust in him. I feel like our whole team does, and that's important. Just can't get complacent, and we tell him that every day. He's got three guys behind him."

Is LA Tech a real test for you?

Swope: "This is a very important game. LA Tech is a great football team with great coaches and it's not a game we're going to take lightly. We're excited for it and we've got team camaraderie right now. We're ready to win. There's a good vibe right now. We're anxious."

Swope: "They've made me so much better. After watching Coach Sumlin and what he did at Houston ... that was incredible. He had three receivers go over 1,000 yards. Just an impressive offense they ran. When I got to meet him and talk to him on the phone, he seemed like a guy I'd want to play for. I have so much trust in him.

"The coaches are confident they can win football games. It's important to have that confidence in each other as coaches and players. That's the biggest reason I was excited to come back."

How have the practices been?

Swope: "It's great. It's like a game atmosphere. In most practices it's quiet and it doesn't really get you ready, but with the music turned up it shows what being in front of the fans will be like. It gets you ready for game situations."

Luke Joeckel

How much better are you as a unit now?

Joeckel: "We've gotten a lot better. We had a great fall camp and now we're just working on the little things, not making as many mental mistakes anymore. Fall Camp was great for our offensive line."

On Pat Lewis...

Joeckel: "He does a great job setting the tempo and communicating with the offense. It all starts with him and he's done a great job with the calls."

Is the line getting more comfortable with the tempo?

Joeckel: "Yeah, I think we're almost there. We'll get better as the season goes along, but we're getting there right now. We've got a good group of guys that are working hard. We've just got to keep finishing and working at it. We've got to keep getting better."

Do you like that there's still an emphasis on running the ball?

Joeckel: "It's really good. I love run-blocking and I think the rest of our offensive line does too. It brings the tough, physical aspect to it. We're a bit more passive in pass plays, but getting down there and run-blocking really toughens you up. It's too bad Brandon Williams won't be able to play, but our other guys, we'll give them a crease."

Joeckel: "You've just got to keep blocking until the whistle blows. You don't know if he got a quick one out or if he's running around and when he's going to stop and throw a 65-yard touchdown."

Has the D-line improved?

Joeckel: "They've gotten a lot better through fall camp. They used to have trouble keeping up with us and getting lined up, but they're in a lot better shape now, they know the defense better and they know the calls. They've had a great fall camp too."

How does the LA Tech D look?

Joeckel: "They never stop playing. They go 'til the whistle, chase the ball down ... we'll have to work on going until the play is finished. They work hard and they're good players."

On the freshmen...

Joeckel: "They play hard. Julien Obioha has a motor. Great speed, great strength and plays hard. He's hard to block on every play. Tyrone Taylor has a great pass rush. He's got to keep working on his run game but he's got a great pass rush and a great first step."

Is it good to play a team in Week 1 that'll challenge you?

Joeckel: "Yeah, I've seen film on them. They've got a great team and they play hard. I've been impressed with them. We're not taking them lightly. We're going to be ready in Shreveport. A lot of guys are playing closer to where they're from and they're excited. They're looking forward to being in Louisiana again."

Patrick Lewis

How have you adjusted to the tempo?

Lewis: "Over the course of camp we made a major progression as an offense, as an offensive line. And myself, I became real familiar with the offense. I'm able to make points just off of certain calls. Certain calls the running back makes and certain calls the quarterback makes. It's getting real easy. I'm still watching film, making sure the running backs get in the right place and the offensive line knows who we're blocking."

How have the scrimmages helped get acclimated?

Lewis: "It's helped. We do installs like Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, but we mix it up in the scrimmages. Do a bit of everything, running different plays and formations. It's helped us."

What does it mean to be team captain?

Lewis: "It's an honor. I really didn't think I was going to be picked. But I'm glad I did and I'm honored they chose me to be one of the captains. I'm planning on not letting them down and stepping into that role and leading the team."

Will it be hard for Manziel to be that leader?

Lewis: "He's doing a real good job of stepping up and being vocal. He tells us what he wants and what he expects. For him to be able to command our attention so young, so early ... he demands perfection already. I'm proud of him and happy for him. I can't wait to see what he does when we start playing the games.

"He says stuff to get us going, demands perfection, wants it done right. He's the type of guy that, if it's not done right, he wants to see that look again, do it right. You can't help but respect somebody that demands perfection out of you and the rest of your teammates. If a receiver didn't run a right route, he'll talk with them and get Coach (Kliff) Kingsbury to run it over. In walkthroughs and such (he goes for perfection)."

Is there anything the O-line has to pay special attention to with a mobile QB?

Lewis: "The only answer to that is keep playing. There's no telling with a quarterback like Johnny where he's going to go. So the answer is to keep blocking. Finish plays."

How Manziel won the competition...

Lewis: "He's stepped up as a young guy and he made the plays. He overcame what he had to in order to be the quarterback. The competition looked pretty even for a long time. I personally didn't even know what quarterback was in on which series because we go so fast. But he really started to make big plays and kept the ball a lot and did what he was brought here to do — put the ball in a zone. Those passes, I guess, pushed him over the top at the end."

Do you feel like you've gotten to where you've got the tempo where coach wants it?

Lewis: "I'm getting real close (chuckle). He still gets on me every day to make it go faster, but I'm getting to the ball and making points before the ref even blows the whistle, so I think I'm making progress and getting the tempo to where Coach Sumlin and Coach Kingsbury want to see."

What's been the most difficult part of the transition?

Lewis: "I think last year we might have run 70-80-90 plays a day. But in this offense they tell us they want 100-115. They want us to be fast, run to the ball, hand it to the ref, anything to get more plays and more scoring opportunities."

Have you lost any weight with all that running?

Lewis: "It's been up and down. They feed us a lot (laughter)."

Lewis: "I'm real excited to play there again. I haven't played there since, freshman year, we lost to Georgia. Hopefully we'll come out on top this time. But I'm happy to be in Louisiana. I'll have family there. I'll be pumped up for that game."

Lewis: "They seem really eager to play. They can't wait to get on the field. They challenge us every day in practice. The edge those guys have on the field is unbelievable. They want to beat us every play. So I have to say that the eagerness to compete, as a team, is better. We get after it whether it's fast-start, offense, defense, drill line, everything. It's making us better."

When in this offense did you stop and go, 'This is good stuff'?

Lewis: "You get into doing a lot of hot reads and getting to the line and you wouldn't think you'd gain 600 yards of offense, but you get into it and the magic gets going and then you go back and look at the film of what you accomplished as an offense and it's a 'Wow' moment. Creating a lot of plays for the running backs, throwing bubbles, next thing you know you've got 60 points. It's a good scheme and it'll be hard for defenses to handle."

Do you think you can slow it down against SEC teams and get 3-4 yards a play?

Lewis: "According to Coach Sumlin and Coach Kingsbury, we won't be slowing it down. There's no taking the foot off the gas. It's 100 miles-per-hour the whole way."

How is the blocking scheme different?

Lewis: "It's similar to what we did last year, so once we got in the film room with Coach (B.J.) Anderson and broke it down ... we picked it up in maybe two weeks."

On Louisiana Tech...

Lewis: "You never overlook an opponent in college football. Any given Saturday, you can lose. We learned last year not to take it for granted, to come out and play hard and not overlook Louisiana Tech. You can lose, any day."

Sean Porter

How are you feeling going into your senior year?

Porter: "I think it's hit me pretty hard in the last few days that that was my last two-a-days in college, last year in college, but I'm pretty excited for this ride and it's going to be fun in the SEC."

What have these last three weeks done for y'all as a team?

Porter: "It's been good for us. We've gotten a lot done. Gotten our run fits and gotten better as a defense. The biggest challenge was adjusting to football again. It wasn't 7-on-7, it was full speed practice. It's about getting your body used to it again."

What about Johnny Manziel do you like?

Porter: "He's a good quarterback. He can throw the ball and he can do things with his legs that not a lot of quarterbacks in the country can do. All the quarterbacks had done well and it was really a toss-up going into two-a-days, but he really separated himself."

Porter: "I think it's OK for us (the linebackers) to have to carry the load. We definitely have to go out there and make the right call and get guys in the right spots. That's our responsibility, to lead this team and lead the way and take that upon ourselves. That's not a bad thing. That's how it should be."

How ready are you to get into a game week?

Porter: "It's nice to be focused on Louisiana Tech and not be out there beating each other up. They're a spread team. They run the ball a bit. They have a very good receiver. They're a basic spread team though, nothing special. Nothing we'll have issues with. It'll be a fun game. Then we'll prep for somebody else."

How has Donnie Baggs looked, since he'll have to start in place of the suspended Steven Jenkins...

Porter: "He's progressed well. He's done pretty good. It's good to have a guy who can come in and play and play for us the rest of the season if somebody gets tired. It'll be a good experience for him to get in and get his first start."

Where are you conditioning-wise from last year?

Porter: "I'm better than last year. We all made progress over the summer. I'm well-conditioned. I've been playing special teams and running with the ones. It's been good for us."

How have the young guys looked?

Porter: "They're out there battling. De'Vante Harris has done good. Deshazor Everett. Floyd Raven too. Those guys can play. And then you've got a veteran in Dustin Harris. The competition is good."

Do you feel a changed leadership role, being more vocal?

Porter: "I don't think, in years past, that I've been very vocal because I believe in seniority and letting the seniors take it. But this year I've felt it's my responsibility to be vocal and take control of the team."

On LA Tech...

Porter: "We know they're a good team. We don't disrespect any opponent. We're not overlooking them at all. We're excited to play them. We're excited to get to an SEC schedule and LA Tech will be a good way to get ready for that."

Is there an us-against-them mentality with this defense?

Porter: "I'm not going to try to bring that out. I just want our guys to realize this is a serious situation. We're going into a man's league. We're not playing at a low level. This is a very high level and we have to play serious football. I just want everyone to be more serious about it. Be pros about it. That's what I'm trying to get across to the guys. Play well and take it serious.

"That happened in the summertime. We went through a lot of changes as a team. We weren't around the coaches a lot. It was us and Coach (Larry) Jackson. So without the coaches we did a lot as a team."

Jonathan Stewart

You're from Louisiana? How many people do you have going to the game?

Stewart: "Shreveport, born and raised. More than one ... and less than 55,000 (laughter)."

How special is this game for you, playing in Shreveport?

Stewart: "It'll be special enough because, once I left high school, I never thought I'd play in Shreveport again. Ended up playing in the Independence Bowl there and now the first game to kick off the season is there. It's definitely a game we need to win as a team to start the season off the right way, get momentum to start the season and be ready for SEC play."

Coming full circle, how far have you come individually?

Stewart: "I've matured a lot. Coming in as a freshman, walking in and not knowing what it takes to play big-time college football, now I've seen and I know how to put certain things on the back burner so you can succeed on and off the field."

Any old enemies that'll be there?

Stewart: "Maybe players from old high schools that'll be on the team, but no deep hatred (chuckle)."

Is there a difference in the change you've made as a 4-3 MIKE?

Stewart: "Yes, gap fits. Gap fits. Big-time difference. You can shoot the gap in a 3-4 but in a 4-3, you have to let it play out. Pass defense. And terminology, coaching lingo. Those are the biggest differences between the 3-4 and 4-3. I love this. It's a great fit."

What's your mentality as a defense?

Stewart: "Be physical, be playmakers and be aggressive. If we employ those things, we should be able to handle any offense. Physicality is big. Not going east-west. If we know our jobs and know how and when to do it, we'll make plays, cause turnovers, get stops and get off the field when we need to. That's the key to winning football."

How confident are you that every guy knows what they're doing?

Stewart: "Very. This coaching staff wouldn't be putting guys out there if they didn't think they were ready. Even young guys like De'Vante Harris or me and the other linebackers as seniors. We know we have a great chance to put a mark in football history at Texas A&M."

How far has this D come since the spring?

Stewart: "A long way. We're starting to get more comfortable. In the spring you focus way too much on technique and let someone else make the play so you don't mess up. Then you start getting more comfortable and anticipating. All that is just repetition. We'll keep repping LA Tech's offense so, come game time, we'll be ready to roll."

Have the Louisiana players on the two-deep been talking about this game?

Stewart: "We haven't necessarily gotten in a circle and talked about it or anything, but you can feel the excitement. It's always wonderful. Everybody's going to love it from the fan perspective, the players ... it's going to be a great time. But we're all excited about just going out there and taking care of business."

Is there a level of pride that comes from being a product of Louisiana HS football?

Stewart: "For me, yeah, because I was the first prospect at my school to sign a D-I LOI since Arnez Battle. I want to show people that if you work hard you can get it done. That's what I want to see. Hard work. Hard work beats talent every day."

What does it mean to the D that you're being doubted?

Stewart: "We hear it, but we ignore it. If we listen to what people say, we're going to be mediocre, not compete against other SEC teams, not make a bowl. We hear it but we don't listen because the games are played for a reason. If people listened to the media we'd already have crowned a national champion and it wouldn't matter. It's December and the first week of January that matters."

Steven Terrell

What type of mistakes was the secondary making early on?

Terrell: "Little things like eyes and turns. As a DB, the little things are huge. If you're a second late, that can be a touchdown. If you turn the wrong way, it can be a touchdown. Things like that are very important for us. I think (the young guys) are picking up on that and starting to understand."

What have you been doing to improve?

Terrell: "Staying in the film room. And the coaches know what they're talking about, so I try to stay focused on everything they say. Every tip they give me, I write down."

What makes De'Vante Harris so good as a freshman?

Terrell: "He makes plays. The thing Coach (Marcel) Yates says is, whoever makes plays will be on the field. He makes plays. He likes to compete and be out there. But the biggest thing is he's been making plays."

What do you see from LA Tech?

Terrell: "They're a spread team, they have a good running back, a great receiver, a good quarterback. They spread it around and go fast like us. They do a lot of things like trips into the boundary that's unorthodox for most offenses. It's going to be a big game for the secondary."

Do you feel like you're better-equipped for hurry-up spreads now?

Terrell: "Absolutely. The tempo our offense goes, it's good practice for us. If we can defend our offense, we should be able to defend any offense."

What makes #4 so good?

Terrell: "He's a tall guy, pretty fast, good hands. Good routes. He's their deep threat and, obviously, their best receiver. He's their go-to guy?"

How much tougher is this team now, mentally?

Terrell: "We're tougher now than we've been in the past, because of the no-excuses attitude Coach Sumlin and Coach Jackson brought in here. We've been buying into everything they've been saying, so it's made us tougher."

How will the secondary operate?

Terrell: "We're going to do a lot of different things as a team, depending on who we're playing. Men in the box, zone, man, we're going to throw a bit of everything at them. Steven Campbell's good at blitzes, Deshazor Everett ... everybody has their blitzes, corner blitzes (even), and we're all pretty good at it."

Do you sense that LA Tech wants a tempo as fast as y'all's?

Terrell: "I do. Most teams want to do tempo, but they can't. They'll try to go fast, but I don't think they'll be able to keep up with our offense. I'm pretty sure we're going to see (them try) though."

Why won't y'all wear down being on the field after a quick-scoring offense?

Terrell: "Because we've seen it all offseason. Everything we train to do is fast. Everything Coach Jackson has taught us is being fast and finishing. It's going to show up. We trust our coaches, our strength coaches, and everything we've done has been based on finishing. I feel like it'll show up."

Are you seeing more opportunities in this defense to mix it up?

Terrell: "Absolutely. Throughout camp we've gotten more used to it. When all the guys have a great grasp of the defense, you can do more things with it. We can have guys showing one coverage and playing another. That helps a lot. It confuses the quarterback. That's our goal as a defense, to show the quarterback one thing and give them another and keep them on their toes."