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Texas Head Coach Mack Brown met with the media at his usual Monday press conference ahead of this weeks game against Oklahoma State. Brown covered a number of subjects in a more “talkative” presser than in past weeks.
Brown announced this game was Veterans Appreciation Day. Longhorns long snapper and US Army Soldier Nate Boyer will be honored. Additionally, there will be special team captains for the game announced later.
Brown said Saturday nights game was a lot of fun and shows the resiliency of the team. The Longhorns have a bond, confidence, Â and made plays needed to win the game. He gave credit to Head Coach Dana Holgorsen and West Virginia for a good atmosphere and good treatment.
Brown stated injured DTÂ Chris Whaley (torn ACL) Â and injured RB Johnathan Gray (torn achilles) both were with the team on the sidelines and addressed team at end of game. Re-stated both are out for year. Said both are NFL prospects, and the Longhorns will miss the on field leadership of both players. Brown said he will break his normal rules and both players will be with the team in meetings, in the hotel and on the sidelines.
Brown talked extensively about big plays made by the defense. Highlighted Byndom and Phillips making plays late, and Edmond ending the game in OT.
Complimented Oklahoma State and Coach Mike Gundy, saying the game should be fun. Pointed out Gundy has been  8-1 in four of the last six years. Oklahoma state was 8-1 only four times in history before him. Cowboys have held last three teams faced to 0-29 on 3rd and 7 or more,  have forced 23 turnovers and are Top 15 in kick and punt returns.
Brown expects his team will have their hands full but expects huge crowd. Said the players know they have three games left to win the Big 12 Championship. Team is proud of themselves, and not allowing injuries to be an excuse.
Brown on the injury bug: Team is taking a next man up mentality. Mentioned someone has to step up, and it’s a physical game. NCAA needs to change rule where you can play in five games pertaining to redshirt status because kids are needed. Talked about depth being built up over the last three years and that is what the staff had been working toward.
Mentioned the defensive staff, Duane Akina in particular, are being much more conscious on targeting and coaching how to hit.
On facing the Oklahoma State run defense and missing Johnathan Gray: Will have to wait and see how Cowboys play them. Mentioned thinking going into last weeks game West Virginia would walk up safeties and they did. Brown expects the next three opponents to load the box and try to make the passing game beat them. He was proud of Major Applewhite and the offensive staff for not giving up on the run, but did say the Longhorns must do a better job in the redzone. Â Brown said the team has to score more touchdowns and less field goals, as you won’t win the next three games on field goals.
On Joe Bergeron coming back from “the doghouse”: Thought his attitude was a message to all, but said Bergeron had been out of the mix because of the play of Brown and Gray, then mentioned the fumbles. Brown commended Bergeron on working hard instead of wanting to transfer or quit, saying he asked to be on special teams, did great, and had been honored for his play.
Going back to last weeks game, Brown said he thought Texas would win the game without overtime and was disappointed it didn’t happen. Later, speaking on his first overtime experience, he said he would never want to do again unless behind and have to do it to win. Said the team has always practiced for it and watched it. Said he is always worried about the defense getting tired, worried about not getting home on time, and inflating statistics. Said you don’t realize until you are there a mistake puts you at other teams mercy.
Brown was asked about laughing during the 4th and 7 play late: He said everyone is looking at/to him, if he appears tight, the team will be tight. He told them how much fun it is and they will make it. Said the attitude is important because if he screams and shouts they will think he has doubt. Said he told them to do their jobs and be proud, because this is what you come [to Texas] for.
Speaking on the DeLaTorre TD: The play was a special moment, commended him on being a great blocker, and thought it was good to reward him with catch.
At that point a member of the international media supposedly here for F1 this weekend asked an off track question about the event and if he was conscious of international fans and media: Brown handled the unusual question well, saying he is aware, been involved with friends who brought it here, thinks it will be fun and a hopping city on Saturday night. The reporter then asked about the players being free on Sunday, and was informed by Brown the players do have some off time on Sunday. Definitely not questions we normally see at these events.
Brown was then asked about the continued late game heroics of Case McCoy: Â He said Colt was the same winning late games. Things the [stuff] came from family, and they were [quarterbacks] who wanted the ball late.
Brown was asked about Jaxon Shipley’s big game after being quiet lately: Brown said he has been double covered, but works hard, and is proud of guys like Johnson and Sanders since Davis/Shipley get a lot of double coverage.
Brown spoke on Cowboys quarterback Clint Chelf: Said he was an 0lder guy, been around, and played a lot of football. Said JW Walsh brought the option game, but pointed out Clint Chelf can do it as well. Said Oklahoma State has one of the best offensive lines in conference. Later spoke about how crazy Texas/Oklahoma State games get, saying the Cowboys have a lot of Texans on roster wanting to show out for family and prove they can play here.
Brown was asked about being ranked: He said  he thought the team would be ranked, was glad to be in BCS, but mentioned with three games left things will work themselves out.
23rd ranked Texas hosts 12th Ranked Oklahoma State at Darryl K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium this Saturday. Kick off is set for 2:30 pm on Fox with the Cowboys currently a three point favorite.