Texas A&M Football weekly press conference: Auburn

Coach and player interview videos will be added as they are rendered.

Kevin Sumlin

"Before we get going, I just want to say that I thought our fans did a great job Saturday. I just want to thank the 12th Man and our team wanted to thank the 12th Man. A double-jeopardy deal where the weather was not nice and it was an early kick, and we (still) had a great crowd Saturday ... was really loud and really affected the game. We're going to need that again this weekend.

"Just wanted to say thank you — we don't take that for granted. You look across the country, attendance, our fans are as good as anybody."

On Kyler's performance...

"What was important was it wasn't just about Kyler, it was about the other 10 guys on the field too. He hasn't been here very long and that was the most he's played. That was his first complete game — and now it's on tape. People will start to watch it, including Will Muschamp. Now you have a resume that's more than just running around or being a situational player.

"The tempo we operated at for three quarters was effective. Our players did a good job of that, Kyler is comfortable with that. Our receivers, when the ball was not accurate, made plays — Ricky Seals-Jones and Josh Reynolds — and that helped us. We were better on the perimeter and we were able to run the ball with Tra Carson, and that doesn't happen without an offensive line that blocked pretty well."

On whether the QB competition is still open...

"No. Kyler is going to start this game."

On Jake Hubenak and Kyle Allen...

"They'll share the reps this week and based on that we'll see what happens at that position, who the next guy is in the game. You don't plan on your quarterback's helmet coming off in a series, and if it does it's usually a nasty hit and you have time to get guys reps. (When Kyler's helmet came off) Kyle was on the bench and Jake was standing up, so he went out there (for one play).

"Kyler will get the lion's share because he needs them, the other two will rotate throughout the week and we'll find out where Jake and Kyle are."

On Kyler's sliding...

"That's what he needs to do." (Smirk.) (Q: So he was told, 'Don't take a lot of hits?') "No, we want him to get hit all the time." (Laughter.) "We told him, 'Just go run around out there.' No, he's a competitor, but he's not the biggest guy in the world and doesn't need to take a lot of hits. Also, if you get your helmet ripped off and have a big scrape across your face, that'll wake you up that, 'Maybe I don't need to take that many of these hits.' ... I thought he was smart and poised to be able to handle that in those situations.

"He probably could've scored twice if he stuck his head in there, but he had confidence to get the ball down there and let us continue to run plays."

On Taylor Bertolet...

"He's been pretty good for the year. We've kicked more field goals this year than we have in the past three, I think we've averaged 11, 12, 13 field goals over the last three years. We've kicked him a lot more. He missed one early, (but) he's made some big ones for us. We still have a lot of confidence in him. A lot of people were worrying coming into this year if he was going to make any field goals, but he's made some big ones and continues to kick off and do some things. I think he's been solid.

"The kicking game will be big this week because ... they've got a strong kicker and they're fourth nationally in kickoff return. They've only returned five kickoffs and four punts, so they've got a really strong kicker and punter and and a strong return game. Inside the numbers, that's where the hidden yardage is going to be in this game. Special teams will be big in this game.

"You look at their record, they've lost a lot of one-score games in the last six or seven minutes of the game, and special teams have been a big part of keeping them in there. Sean White has come on, just in time for us, he's warming up, and they get Carl Lawson back. They have a lot to play for, as do we. Since we've played, the visitor has won the game (every time). We've gone over there twice and they've come here. They won't be intimidated. ... We've got to be ready to go. We'll get their best shot."

On Kyler's running ability opening up the offense...

"His ability to get to the perimeter certainly didn't hurt us at all, and maybe loosened up some things inside. But Auburn sees that all the time in practice. Gus Malzahn always has been really, really good at running the ball and finding a power running scheme even though it's a spread offense. A power running scheme that attacks both the interior and the perimeter.

"They see that in practice and we've got to be able to have some adjustments ourselves based on what we're doing. But certainly, his ability to get to the perimeter and put pressure on the edges certainly didn't hurt us last week."

On Auburn's offensive weapons...

"If you watch Auburn, they want to be a power run team. So their backs and the way they've been able to handle quarterbacks being part of the power run game, whether it's inside or getting a blocker on the perimeter to help them, has been very effective for them. Once you commit eight, nine guys up there to try to get that thing stopped, their big plays come off play-action.

"They've got a lot of talented, talented players on the perimeter that have big-play ability. Sean White was a guy we thought a lot of during Elite 11. Not surprised he's come on this year and has the ability to be consistent in the passing game and off of play-fakes, he's got a strong arm and can get the ball down the field. ... We've got to shore up our run defense, but we've GOT to eliminate big plays. Keep everything in front of us, contest balls in the passing game and try to create turnovers.

"Our defense hung in there and created turnovers (against South Carolina), but we've got to eliminate big plays — especially against this offense."

On the art of forcing fumbles...

"We put an emphasis on turnover margin from the beginning. We meet every Tuesday and talk about turnovers and penalties. In our two losses, that's what's been so disappointing. In the other games, it's gone pretty well in those areas. We had some outliers in our two losses. We only had three penalties Saturday and were plus-two in turnover margin. We've put emphasis on it defensively and going about it.

"The other thing is, the emphasis of running to the ball with a purpose. We've got more guys to the football — even with missed tackles, guys are there — but when the ball gets loose, guys are there. Those are effort plays. ... Some guys are better than others at it, that's what they call 'a nose for the ball' ... guys like Myles Garrett and Donovan Wilson."

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John Chavis

On Richard Moore...

"We're to the point where he can do some things. He's not ready to do everything, but we felt coming into fall camp that he'd be a guy that could make a contribution. Unfortunately you have to deal with injuries and him missing a lot of time, but he's a talented young man who can help us — there's no question."

On the increase in turnovers forced...

"We do turnover circuits, but the biggest thing is stripping the football. We practice even things like pulling the fingers off the football, we go into that much detail. We need to create turnovers, that's the easiest way to get off the field. Then you've got guys doing it and it becomes contagious. ... You'd be amazed sometimes at the things they have to see before the snap, during the snap, and then have to run over and decide whether to tackle or strip the football. We've gotten better, and they're buying into it."

On what leads to big plays allowed...

"I don't think it's physical. I really don't. We've gone back and looked at it; you can't put a finger right on it, because if you could we would have it fixed already. But it's been a multitude of things — it's a linebacker not in his gap, or a missed tackle. We've got to continue to grow. It's a confidence thing, and that's the thing we talked about Monday. Knock on wood, but we've played our best football in the fourth quarter when its balls-to-the-wall. What we've got to do is play that in the first three quarters as well.

"It was 190 yards on four plays. Usually you're talking about four plays, you lost. You can't play defense in this league and give up 190 yards on four plays."

On Donovan Wilson...

"We saw a little bit in spring practice. It was a situation coming into spring practice, a lot of guys on defense felt a breath of fresh air because of the change. We're not going to talk about last year, and that's what we said, we're going to move forward. There's going to be competition, there are no starters — even Myles Garrett, you have to earn your spot. He took that challenge, and I knew I was going to anyway." (Laughter)

"(Wilson) saw that and ... he's done a great job."

On his impressions of Will Muschamp...

"His intensity, and his knowledge. There've been years when we didn't play each other and we got to share information. I've always been impressed with Will, for as long as I can remember, for his intensity and his knowledge of the game. You put those two together and see the result. I've got a lot of respect for not just what he does but how he does it."

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Jake Spavital

On how Kyler has progressed with the playbook...

"He's going to continue to keep getting better. From what you've seen from his performance from the Arizona State game until now, you can tell he's getting more comfortable. Each week, based off what we think will lead us to success, we're going to put that into the game plan because Kyler can handle it."

On the Auburn defense under Will Muschamp...

"They're a very physical unit, that's something he's brought. They play with a lot of energy, a lot of emotion, they're one of the more physical fronts we'll see. ... I think they're a lot better than what the stats show. They're still playing with an edge. They're back to full health and I expect it to be a pretty good challenge for us."

On Kyler's rapid progress as a true freshman...

"A lot has to do with him being here in the summer and we had been working each day on giving him plenty of reps throughout the fall. This week his reps will bump up even more with the ones, and the more you throw at that kid, the more comfortable he'll be."

On comparisons to Johnny Manziel after one start...

"No, I don't think it's fair. Just because he runs around and makes plays they're quite similar, but I wouldn't compare them."

On Speedy Noil...

"Speedy is healthy now. He was dinged up at the start of the season and you can see how his reps have gradually increased. He's playing with high energy right now and it's good to see No. 2 out there right now."

On Kyler's week leading up to the start...

"He's been great. Had a great week of preparation. The way he handled the situation was great and I thought he performed at a very high level. He came back to work Sunday and Monday and he's going to have a great week of preparation to go against Auburn."

On how much freedom Kyler has on the field...

"He's got all the freedom that I give every quarterback. He made a few checks in the game, things we discussed throughout the week and he saw looks they gave and changed it and I thought he did great. I think he's comfortable, and that's a lot to do with our discussions throughout the week."

On whether he leans on John Chavis to prepare the Kyler-led offense...

"That's a pretty tough question because Kyler's only got so much on tape and I think he's a dynamic thrower as well. But I talk to Coach Chavis every week about how he thinks teams will play us."

On Christian Kirk's recent struggles...

"Christian has been great. He's not a selfish kid and he wants to do anything to help this team win. He gets so disappointed in himself ebcause he thinks he can do more to help the team win, that's just the kind of kid he is. But he's going to get more touches ... I tell kids as they get here, you want great players around you because if they try to take one of them out of the game, you're (up next). Teams are going to try to defend (Josh and Ricky) and that'll open up more touches for him."