Brett Byford

Center Brett Byford<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

On the potential that the offense is pressing

“The only thing we’re really pressing to do is score points.  It was pretty frustrating at <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Missouri and the first half here (against OklahomaState) last week when we didn’t score.  I think, more than anything, we’re just trying to score.  I don’t know that that’s more than what you really should do.  We’re really just working hard at that.”

 

On players potentially trying too hard

“Maybe some guys (are trying too hard).  I don’t think, overall, that it’s a real big issue.  Everyone is trying hard and wanting to do well.  It’s a minor thing, but I don’t think it’s that big a thing.”

 

On his message to the team after the athletic director change

“(I’m) just encourage guys to use this as a tool to come together more as a family and just bond together during a time like this and move on.  I think the big thing is that we have a game this week.  There’s a lot of other stuff going on.  The focus, I think, is spread out, as far as all the stuff that’s going on, surrounding the program.  For us, we really have to just focus on the game because we’re going to be out there and none of this other stuff is going to matter.  We’re on the field.”

 

On the move as a potential distraction

“It’s distracting (for this to happen during football season), to a degree, probably for some guys more than others.  I don’t think we can let it be too big a distraction because we still have business to take care of and games to play.  If we let it be a distraction, it wouldn’t be good.  It could be a distraction, it probably is a little bit, but we just have to really focus and not allow it to be too big a distraction.”

 

On feeling responsible for an athletic director change

“I guess, you can say a little bit.  I don’t know.  I try not to think that way because I think that’s just a little too much pressure to put on guys that everyone’s job depends on us.  Hopefully, guys don’t feel that responsible and they focus on being themselves, taking care of schoolwork and football.  That’s basically our job.”

 

On putting responsibility for jobs on football players

“I guess it’s not extremely unreasonable, just because everyone has they’re opinion, but for us, I don’t think it’s accurate.  I don’t think we can look at it that way.”

 

On the USC game affecting the season

“I haven’t seen that much.  The fact that we’ve lost a couple games, if anything, has hurt confidence.  We have guys who have played before and guys who have been successful last year.  I don’t think confidence is a huge thing.  I know it sounds like a clich?, but I think it comes down to lack of execution and overall individual play, here and there, with various players at different times lacking execution.  I wouldn’t say everyone is lacking confidence.  Everyone is just really trying to win games.”

 

On losing by a big margin as opposed to losing a close game

“It’s kind of embarrassing and something that you don’t want to put that on the program.  We just have to move on and not dwell on it.  If you dwell on it too much, it will haunt you.  If you keep looking in the rear-view mirror, you’re going to have a wreck.”

 

On the offensive line’s performance against OklahomaState

“We rushed pretty well last week.  It was kind of late.  I think the offensive line played very aggressive and very physical.  It was fun watching that on film.  I thought guys really hustled and I saw some pretty good stuff.”