I give a lot of credit to Leipold, the staff, players, and others inside the program. They are better than I thought they would be at this point. Three weeks ago I would have never thought they would win in Austin and damn-near win at TCU.
It is a group effort because Leipold and the coaches have to have a plan but the players have to buy it and execute it. This program is going in the right direction and they are getting there faster than I imagined.
The reason this is different is because the team played well and then followed it up with another good performance. Here is what Leipold said after the game.
"I think its really important for the direction of where we're heading and really says a lot about how receptive this group has been to being coached and taking each and every day," Leipold said. "Each and every game in and of its own and not get discouraged in those regards. And though we all are by the scoreboard, they're starting to see what's happening and they feel good about that part of it. And now they're going to try to find a way to get it over the hump on a consistent basis."
No update on Devin Neal
Leipold said he didn't have a detailed report on Neal's injury but early reports he may questionable going into next week.
"They just shut him down," Leipold said. "I wouldn't want to get into a guessing game, but it may be tough. I don't know. But as we know, he is got a very bright future and we want to be very smart with him on this as well, and that'll go to the medical experts to tell me whether or not he's able to go or not."
Missed tackles
Leipold was asked after the game about missing tackles.
"Yeah, we're missing tackles," he said. "But again, you're live tackling and tackling could be a lot of things. Is it fundamentals? Is it strength? Is it where are we at? Late in the season. Tomorrow, it may even be on my desk darn near by the time we land. I'll have somebody give me the missed tackles and what was the reason. And then we look at those and those have been charted, and that's what we work at. And we try to find ways to drill those and improve on those. So it's something that has to be improved and we will continue to work on that."
My take on this is it will improve. That's what kind of program Leipold runs. They will get better. They will get stronger. They will improve the fundamentals and that starts in the weight room.
The thing is, they are in position to make plays. They just aren't making them. That's better than not being in position.
Injury update
Leipold said Kardell went out and not sure his status. He said Malik Clark and Mason Fairchild are likely doubtful.
Jared Casey comes back with a good game
Last week Casey really just made one, big play. That put him on the map. Today showed he can be a good football player for more than just one play.
Here is what Leipold said about him.
"He was pressed into action, staying ready, sort of showing now that he's a reliable target and those things," he said. "And played even more than he was anticipating playing again, and staying ready to go. So really, again, proud of him and that whole story. But I think the good thing about that, it shows it's just not a one play story and that the young man's a good football player, and he's there battling and doing things and preparing. All the things he went through last week it didn't distract him to be ready to perform tonight and he played well."
Daniels settles in, has another good start
Daniels missed some time this week and didn't get as many reps as a normal game week. But once he settled in he made some big plays.
"I think he took another good step," Leipold said. "He was under the weather and missed Wednesday's practice so he missed a little time. He was a little drained, obviously a warm day as well. I think he didn't start the way he wanted to, but once he got into rhythm I thought he made some really clutch throws."
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