Oct. 24, 2000

Redshirt Freshman QB Darius Outlaw

On the second half against Texas

"We go out and work hard. We're not getting the breaks we think we should be getting. We are this close. I just don't know what is happening in the second half."

On what they need to do this week against ISU

"We need to get off to a fast start and keep it going."

On practicing to win

This week, we're learning how to win. When we get tired, we are running another play. This week we want to score a lot of points."

Junior Linebacker Justin Smith

On Texas' offense last week

"They came out strong. From a defensive standpoint we were frustrated with ourselves that we couldn't make more stops."

On Iowa State

"I see a team that can score quick. They have a new running back (Haywood) that has stepped in for Davis. They have a good offensive line that doesn't allow sacks. We're going to have to play four quarters."

On ISU playing for a bowl appearance

"They're going to be motivated. We need to come in with a sense of urgency and get ourselves on a roll for the ladder part of the season."

Head Coach Larry Smith

On last week's game with Texas

"The bottom line is the big play. The first half it was a good football game. I think the second half we came out and only got three big plays on offense and we had four drives stopped by four sacks, three penalties and two turnovers which were touchdowns. Those are basically mental breakdowns and those are inconstancies that you can't win with. "

"The other thing that has me concerned is our punt coverage. It's the fourth straight game we've given up a big play in the punt game. The problem is we've got about three guys form the original punt team and it's really hurt our coverage. What we're battling is our coverage and finding speed on the punt team. Maybe we'll go higher, shorter kicks or kick the ball out of bounds."

On Iowa State

"I think they're an excellent football team. They're a veteran team, they have about 10 of 11 starters coming back on defense, and they basically have 23 seniors on the team. You can tell the difference. The big thing is they have a veteran quarterback, he doesn't make many mistakes, he's only been sacked four times, he refuses to be sacked, he'll just throw the ball out of bounds. They have a sound offense and a sound defense. They're not a complicated team, but they play hard."

On David Monroe

"He's a guy that has capitalized. He's one of those kids that is able to make hits with a pact, with a force and he's got a lower center of gravity and he's able to explode through hits and hit people straight up. A lot of times the helmet goes right through the ball. He's been a savior for us."

On Daruis Outlaw

"Basically he's an inexperienced quarterback that has had some good, strong spurts and he's had times where he's had breakdowns and inconstancy which is very common for a young quarterback."

On problems in the second half

"Part of it is we have a second-half game plan, and I think we have a very good game plan but we go in and make adjustments. But I think the adjustments aren't necessarily the things you work on that week because you get a different look at somebody and at half time you have to adjust. Adjusting is the hardest thing [the players] have to do"