Sept. 14, 2008

The Baylor football team takes to the road for the first time this season as it heads to East Hartford, Conn. to take on the University of Connecticut, Friday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CDT at Rentschler Field.

Here are head coach Art Briles' thoughts on Baylor's 45-17 win over Washington State and this weekend's game against UConn:

On the Washington State game...
"We feel we feel that we are certainly on the right track in terms with the effort and tenacity that we are playing with, particularly up front. As a team, we are learning how to play fast, and that is what we have to do."

On the defensive effort against Washington State...
"Relentless pressure up front, physical play and striving to be dominant--some of those are characteristics that you want your defense to have, and they are getting there."

On the defensive pressure forcing sacks...
"I think the relentless pressure from our guys up front is what caused it (sacks). Those things start adding up later in the game because offensive linemen get winded a little bit; the quarterback is a step slower. As long as you keep a steady line of pressure you have a chance to get some sacks."

On the importance of solid line play...
"We have been emphasizing since day one that our front four on defense and our front five on offense have to be the tough guys on the team. We are picking guys that are going to get in a corner with us; we don't need to be picking anyone besides our offensive and defensive linemen. They have got to be the toughest guys on the team, and they have to be that way on the field."

On Joe Pawelek...
"What an individual, what a person. As good as he is on the field, I am more impressed with him on his practice habits, his mental preparation and his unselfishness as a teammate and just in general, the type of person that he is. It is honor for a coaching staff and for team members to be on the same team with him."

On the offensive line setting up the running game...
"There were some good running lanes that our offensive line opened up. They have got to be guys. If we are going to win football games, they have to be good up front and they have to set the tone. They are kind of like your hands and your feet--they have to work together. If they all do their job each play, then we will have a chance for success. That is what they are working towards--learning how to be a cohesive unit that knows how to play with tenacity and fearlessness."

On back-to-back wins creating confidence...
"You hope so. We just don't want to be happy. We can have some confidence and we can understand that we are taking steps in the right direction. We can't become just a happy football team. We have a long way to go and we have some big games in front of us. Once again, this won't be the highlight of our season."

On Connecticut...
"They are a good football team. They went 9-4 last year, won the Big East and went to a bowl game. They have 19 of 22 starters back. They are 26-8 at home over the last four years and they have won the last 8 or 9 in a row. They are a tough team."