Nov. 17, 2009

Head Coach Art Briles

Opening statement...
"Coming off of last week, we played a good football team. With a team like that we have to play extremely well, pretty error free and win the three majors: field position, turnovers and momentum. I think the outcome shows that we did not do that but we're still breathing, we're still fighting, we're moving on and we're getting ready for the Aggies this week."

On importance of this game with bowl implications for both teams...
"Yes it does take on more importance and thankfully so. I welcome the challenge of these bowl implications that are involved because that's why you play. I think if you asked me that and I said no, I wouldn't be honest, but it certainly does. It's always going to be a big game because it's in your state, a rivalry and they're 80 miles down the road. But you add a bowl game to it and it makes it even better."

On J.D. Walton and what he brings to the team...
"He brings experience. He's a big mobile guy, a quick twitch and very intelligent. The thing we have to look for at center is an athletic person and that's what J.D. is so he's got all of the ingredients that you look for at that position. And he's tenacious enough and intelligent enough to go along with that tenacity. He's a tough guy and knows his limits of what he is and isn't able to do on the field, so you appreciate that and I think a lot of that comes through experience."

On Texas A&M's defensive end Von Miller...
"He's good and last year he was kind of a second team guy, but towards the end of the season we started noticing him. He had a great game against Jason (Smith) last year because he was so quick Jason had a hard time getting on him. So we've been aware of him for about 12 months now and he certainly is their main person up front that you have to watch out for. The difference in this year and last year is that he's not always going to be line up right over here or right over there. They're moving him around and setting him up differently, so it's hard to get a read on where he's going to be and why he's there. They know what they're doing, they know he's a good football player and they're moving him around and protecting him."

On A&M being a tough place today...
"Well we enjoy it this week because that's where we're going. If the lights red, you stop. If it's green, you go. We're playing at A&M so we've got to go win. It doesn't really make any difference what I think or how I feel because that's the situation we're in. I know our guys will be ready and they'll be prepared. It's a great atmosphere and a great environment, but we're going to focus between the lines for 60 minutes and if we're focused on anything else then we're not doing our job."

Senior Linebacker Joe Pawelek

On importance of the A&M game and bowl implications...
"I think that anytime we have played these guys it always seems to be an exciting game. It's a big rivalry and both sides are always amped up for the game. Also with both sides coming in, they need one more and we need two more for bowl contention, I think that it'll be nothing short of how it usually is."

On what the A&M game means to him...
"Growing up, my dad graduated from A&M so I was always pulling for the Aggies, but as you grow and the whole recruiting process comes along, that definitely changes some hearts within myself and my family as well. My fiancée is there right now and two or three of my cousins graduated from there, so it's definitely interesting from a family perspective. When it comes down to it, that's always right on the surface, but once you kind of get past that we've got a good team on our hands and from a defensive standpoint, we've got to come out and play well on Saturday."

Freshman Quarterback Nick Florence

On the Baylor/A&M rivalry...
"It's a huge game. I have family that went to Baylor and family that went to A&M. I was at the game last year and it's a huge rivalry so it should be fun."

On the importance of this particular game...
"It's huge, every game still matters. Last year in this situation we weren't going to a bowl game, we were just playing for pride. But this year it's more than that, so we're going to practice hard and play for each other. We're going to leave it all on that field and so are they. They're in the same boat, so it's going to be a great game and we're excited."

Senior Center J.D. Walton

On importance of the game and bowl implications...
"We definitely have to get a win for bowl eligibility. There's a great atmosphere down at Texas A&M at Kyle Field, it's exciting for us. We took care of business last year and we've got to come out and work hard this week and take it down to College Station with us."

On the atmosphere at Kyle Field...
"It's definitely crazy and the better they're playing, the louder the crowd gets into it. Hopefully we can get up on them and get some points and take the crowd out of it so we don't have to worry about it. We've been telling the younger guys to be ready for it to be loud and don't be staring at the stands, be focused on the game."