Oklahoma DE Taylor Wein pre-Georgia Interview

Yeah, they're super well coached. They play really aggressive downhill. You can just tell just by the way they read things that they're super well coached and trained and equipped. Very athletic. They do a lot of things are versatile. And so it's gonna be a game of physicality. This is gonna be a game one in the trenches. And we know that they're gonna bring their best and they're really well coached and they're physical. They're dominant. They're one of the best in the country. And so we gotta come correct when it comes to physicality and playing behind our pads and getting our helmets underneath their chin straps. The way they play, isn't this a game that you guys are looking forward to? Oh, of course. Yeah, we're super excited. It's not about the logo, but they're one of the top programs in the country and in history. And so we're just excited about that. And to me, what's more exciting is that they're well coached and they're physical. And so, yeah, that's what I'm most excited about. What'd you like most about just the way that you guys played on Saturday? Say it again. What'd you like most about the way that you guys played just in general from a defensive standpoint? Yeah, I think we responded well. And we had young cats that had to step up. And everyone responded well and we understood. There's sometimes our backs are against the wall and how are you gonna respond? And to me, that shows our work the past eight months. And those situations and that game was won eight months ago when we started our game prep. And so, yeah, that's what's most important. But it was exciting to see those young guys step up and take control. James Nesta, he took control. He took lead. And, man, he was explosive out there. Was there a lot of pride, too, just in kind of some bad spots the offense put you in by turnovers, just getting out of those? Yeah, it doesn't matter. We don't. I mean, I played DN. So I don't know. Honestly, I don't know what's going on over there. That's not for me to deal with. We're worried about what's gonna happen when we step on the field and how we're gonna respond. Wherever the ball is spotted, spot the ball. And we have to execute and we have to play dominant football, regardless of where we're at on the field and who's with us and who's out there. Is there any fear that you guys went on the road and it's hard to feel in this environment? Yeah, as far as turnovers, I mean, that's how you win games. So we have to be really intentional with pepper in the rock. And when we tip the ball, we have to come with it. It's got to go the soonest way. And there's a direct correlation to football when it comes to winning games and the turnover margin. We have failed to do that the past couple games, and so we have to continue to be more intentional. And then on offense, we've got to hold on to it and secure the ball. Is there any advantage to playing on the road? I know David mentioned something about that. Maybe there's a little pressure off you. No, it's not pressure. I mean, there's always distractions when it comes to travel. Advantage? There's no advantage or disadvantage. We practice in multiple locations, practice field indoor, rugby fields, so we're used to playing on different fields and we're used to being in different environments. But at the end of the day, we're going to fall back on our practice habits. We just look forward to playing at a historic stadium and playing in front of an awesome crowd and getting ready to showcase what we've worked on for eight months. Taylor, after the game, David said that Friday night he got up in front of the team and just kind of talked about how he hadn't been himself those first two games. What did it, I guess, mean to see him kind of take accountability like that and then go out and have the kind of game he had on Saturday? Yeah, it doesn't surprise me. That's who Stone is. He's a selfless guy and he's also not delusional. He understands that his ceiling is really high and we expect him to play really winning football and dominant football. That's what he's put on tape, that's who he is, and that's what he's done the past eight months. So we're not surprised at all and he's a really accountable dude. He takes accountability and he knows how to respond. So that's one thing that I'm really, it was encouraging to see him step up, especially for the young guys to see that. I think that's what's bigger, seeing those young guys see, like, okay, I understand and I can call myself up and then deliver as well, respond. Talk about just the linebackers. There was hardly any depth on Saturday. Can you talk about just their resilience, I guess, and just everything they went through? Yeah, like I said, they had a great week of practice and they executed really well throughout practice and, man, they just took control. Physically they exhausted their mind and their body and that's what it should look like. The coaches talk about, and we talk about all week, how at the end of the game on Saturday we should be mentally and physically exhausted because we poured everything out, whether it's game planning and mentally exhausted or physically exhausted from the game. And those guys, they laid it out. And I think Owen took every rep and Nesta almost the same. And so, yeah, for a young cat like Nesta to step up like that, it shows a lot of maturity and also shows our coaching, Coach Dryland, getting them ready, how elite they are when it comes to that. Is there anything you'd like to say? Three games in with these three opponents, have you guys noticed any common threads between the three opponents of how they're trying to neutralize your guys' pass rush at all? No. I mean, they're all on scholarship and they're well coached and they have good personnel. As far as schematically, I'm not sure. At the end of the day we got to execute what's called in and we also got to win our one-on-ones. So we should be able to send and rush four guys and win. And that's the standard here and that's what's been set since I got here. And so using our tools that Coach Chave, Coach Bates, they teach us and then executing the calls that Coach B calls in. Taylor, what can you say about the start for PGA? Not surprised. I told you guys at SEC media day, you guys asked who to look out for and I said PGA. And that's just who he is and I'm not surprised at all. And he has not played his best football yet and he'll tell you that himself. So be on the lookout. His best four quarters of football is coming. Taylor, obviously a lot of criticism comes with playing quarterback, but how have you seen Jon Mathieu as a leader in this respect? Yeah, he's stepped up tremendously. He hasn't changed at all. I mean, as far as the past eight months, he's the same Jon I know. And I don't play quarterback, so I don't know as far as that. But as a leader, he's the same leader. He shows up ready to go. And we have a process of doing things. Regardless of the outcome of games, we have a process and we go back to work. We flush it Sunday and we get back to work Monday. And so we're not going to change the process at all. And we know that his leadership is extremely high and we expect a lot out of him and he expects a lot out of himself as well. So.