Press Conference: Klein and Bateman address media on A&M's bye week

The following are live, paraphrased notes from the Monday afternoon media availability:

Collin Klein

• I have been really proud of Marcel Reed in these last three to five weeks. We have grown in a lot of areas. We put a lot on his plate. He manages it well. Our efficiency has increased in large part due to his progress and decision-making.
   
• The Heisman is a team award. You are not in the conversation unless you are winning football games. Credit to everyone on offense for making it happen around him. He has grown as a tremendous leader. There is a lot of season left. We have to keep our heads down.
   
• Reed should absolutely be a Heisman candidate.
   
• The OL’s mentality and approach from the get-go have been outstanding. Two of our captains are from that unit. We are able to put a big run-game package on the field every week. The way they have pass-protected in this league has been really good.
   
• I think Coach Elko said it best. It's an honor to have your name in those head coaching conversations. It means you're doing something right. There is a lot of season left and a lot ahead of us.
   
• It doesn't matter how much credit you get, positive or negative; it’s not why you do it. Reed’s wiring is right. He cares about his teammates. He does things the right way. He is blocking out the noise. The chips will fall where they will.
   
• I had seen the T-formation in a couple of different ways. It’s been good for us. In practice, Nate Boerkircher has been natural at it with those exchanges. He does a good job in blocking situations out of those sets.
   
• Head coaching would be a dream of mine. It’s about being with the right people at the right time. Right now, that's right here.
   
• With Ashton Bethel-Roman, it’s just been a matter of time. It’s been great to see those plays come to fruition. He’s had great weeks of practice. He was capitalized.
   
• The playbook is building the puzzle based on what you're going against that week. They have all bought into the fact that the more everyone brings to the table, the more everyone can eat. They are buying into the big picture concept. I want to get everyone the touches, but seeing them buy into the group effort is awesome.
   
• The different ways we can get playmakers the ball, we will try to find new wrinkles to do that every week.
   
• Really excited about Jamarion Morrow and all the things he is doing. He has made the most of his opportunities. His ball skills, ability to catch it... We are excited to continue to feature him.
   
• Having seven offensive linemen to play is a bit of a luxury. You can keep guys fresh.
   
• Our competitive maturity has continued to grow. They are staying the course, keep competing.
   
• The running success without Le’Veon Moss is a credit to the RB room and our OL. The last few weeks, Reed has done a nice job adding to the running game.
   
• We talked about not trying to be so perfect with the deep ball, and he was overaiming. He is trusting his receivers. Proud of him and the work the wideouts have done.
   
• At Arkansas, Reed did a nice job of letting the defense know where the football goes.
   
• We need to keep ourselves out of third-and-long situations and protect the football in the red zone.
   
• Mario Craver’s play strength is off the charts for his size. He runs the ball well when it's in his hands. The Notre Dame play sticks out when he kicked out of that tackle.
   
• The sky is the limit. This is a process-driven deal.
   
• The conversations in Reed’s helmet are pretty one-sided. There is a relationship piece between him and me when we talk to each other in practice that translates on the field.
   
• We are a much faster unit, which helps. We are blocking a lot better on the perimeter. It gets eyes moving and fits changing. It causes strain.

Jay Bateman

• Going in, the multiplicity of what we can do with DEs is different. Cashius Howell has been tremendous. Marco Jones and T.J. Searcy are behind him.
   
• Jones continues to impress. He is a smart young man. Landon Rink has come along. We are rotating him in more. Those young guys in the class, we feel really good about.
   
• We are disappointed with how we played and coached at Arkansas. We talked about playing in Baton Rouge at night. We had a meeting on Friday night, and I was confident we would play at a high level.
   
• We spend a lot of time on third down. Those have been third-and-long situations. They embrace it.
   
• The hardest part at linebacker is that there are not enough reps to go around. Noah Mikhail and Jordan Lockhart are getting in. It was good to see Scooby Williams back. I don’t know if I could be prouder of a kid than I am of Daymion Sanford.
   
• I love Howell. He is so unselfish. I think he is everything you want in a football player. It’s a testament to a young man who put in work. I love going to practice with him every day.
   
• We missed tackles that we shouldn't miss. Once we got settled, they were having a hard time blocking us on first and second down. Our ability to dial in on what is happening right now has been driven home.
   
• I felt like last year, Howell was one of the better players in our conference. He is talented, and he works really hard at it. That is what you are seeing.
   
• I saw the video of Howell, and I love it. If you are going to play SEC football, you have to play with a certain attitude and edge.
   
• Taurean York is really bright. Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks have come so far. It’s so important to York. He has a high level of expectations for himself. There is a sense of calm in the defense with York.
   
• Every game is different. You can anticipate them attacking us. We have good players. When we get them in the right focus, we can play with anyone. We can get them at halftime and talk to them.
   
• Searcy and Dayon Hayes are 1A, 1B. I knew Searcy would fit what we needed. He is an important part of our run defense.
   
• It’s a privilege to play on third down. I tell them that third down is the only down. They understand the value of it. When you have success and they have enjoyed it, they go to work at it.
   
• Being on the field this year, the biggest difference has been with the linebackers to look them in the eye. I like being down there, and I think the kids like it.
   
• Run defense has not been as fundamentally consistent as it needs to be. Our lines in the gap need to be cleaner. In coverage, we had opportunities to make big plays. We weren't in the exact spot we needed to be.
   
• I think there are kids on our team who have the focus and mindset you need. There are kids who come into this, realize how special it is and want to keep it going.
   
• DJ Hicks is a problem. Defensive tackles get double-teamed a lot. He has been a good pass receiver. Moves the pocket and collapses things. Albert Regis is playing at a high level. Tyler Onyedim has added a third piece there.
   
• I am not afraid to tell them I screwed up. The way we chart practice builds a level of accountability. No one is immune. We have achieved a player-driven standard.
   
• I am a believer that when you are in rhythm, keep playing. But I think we do need a physical break. It is coming at a good time.
   
• Coach Adam Cushing does a great job. The OL doesn’t get fooled much. They are long. They are a good group of kids to compete against. This is a big man’s league.
   
• Dezz Ricks’ penalty was addressed by Coach Bateman and others very quickly. We tell them not to leave the game in the officials' hands.
   
• If you want to be hard and with an edge, you should do that. And then be able to handle your emotions.
   
• I have a lot of respect for Missouri. Eli Drinkwitz has always been able to run the football. When Missouri’s new quarterback came in, I was impressed.