Gavin Sawchuk Pre-Alamo Bowl (12-12-23)
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00:00 >> What's that say about Paulie that he's looking for another opportunity,
00:03 even though he's still practicing with you guys?
00:05 >> I mean, it's fun.
00:07 Finish what you started.
00:10 Back out on the team, finish what you started.
00:13 I'm happy for him.
00:15 I want the best for him, wish the best for him.
00:17 But I'm gonna let him have it.
00:20 >> As a player, transfer, you talked about people come and go,
00:25 you just gotta adapt and adjust.
00:26 But running back, they're probably gonna add somebody, it seems like.
00:32 Do you look at it as just more competition to enhance your game?
00:35 Or are you one that likes to split carries?
00:39 What's your philosophy on that?
00:41 >> It's like you said, more competition.
00:43 Being able to have guys in the room that are gonna push you,
00:46 motivate you to be your best every day, cuz you wanna be that guy.
00:50 So whoever we had, even the freshmen coming in, going in this next class,
00:54 you gotta keep stepping up your game every year.
00:57 You gotta win that position every day, every year.
01:00 So it's not like you're guaranteed anything.
01:01 It's great to have those guys around you to push you and motivate you to be the best.
01:04 >> You having this support is something that you're just sort of numb to at this
01:07 point, sort of the business side of college football?
01:10 >> Yeah, it's a crazy thing.
01:11 And yeah, I don't know how to explain it.
01:15 It's just a crazy thing.
01:16 Cuz it's got its benefits.
01:18 We get players opportunities, right?
01:21 They feel like they might not have some at the school that they're at.
01:23 But that's a crazy thing.
01:25 Crazy thing to be a part of, crazy thing to watch,
01:27 not having a college football.
01:28 So I don't know that too much more to say.
01:31 >> Take it, you miss a guy.
01:34 I know you try to understand the decisions.
01:36 Everyone's gonna make their own decisions.
01:38 Do you take it personally when you miss a teammate?
01:40 >> No.
01:41 >> Do you miss a teammate?
01:42 >> Yeah, I do miss best friend for sure.
01:44 That's what it is.
01:46 You gotta take care of it.
01:47 Take advantage of the opportunities.
01:49 If you have opportunities, you gotta take it.
01:50 Yeah, so, but personally, it's business.
01:53 Like you said, you gotta take care of yourself.
01:56 >> Kevin, the last half of the season, you looked more like yourself.
01:59 400 yard games and things.
02:01 Now you're gonna try to keep it going in the bowl game.
02:03 Talk about where you are with your game, where you feel like you can still get to.
02:07 >> Yeah, I just feel more confident in myself.
02:11 I feel like the game's going pretty, like, slowing down for me.
02:14 I'm starting to trust the old lines, trust the receivers, trust the quarterback,
02:17 trust the play call, everything.
02:19 I'm continuing to work hard out here at practice.
02:21 I think there's nothing in my game that's perfect.
02:24 There's a whole bunch of things I can get better at.
02:26 Reading better, blocking better, making people miss an open space,
02:30 catching out of the backfield.
02:31 So many things to still work on, which is a good thing.
02:34 So I'm just trying to emphasize and
02:35 focus on all that I can still benefit off of and get better at.
02:39 >> Gavin, you were in the backfield with Jackson at BYU.
02:42 He's so young, but he seems so poised.
02:45 What kind of energy is he getting off back there in the huddle,
02:49 just in those situations?
02:50 >> He's definitely a leader.
02:52 It's easy to tell when you're around people that are just there to play and
02:55 that are leading the team.
02:56 And he definitely has that, that he's leading the team.
02:59 I continue to trust him.
03:00 Just like you said, being back in BYU, backfield.
03:03 I know you handle things the same way.
03:05 You're just doing it.
03:06 Not even afraid to go over there and play.
03:08 So he's a leader.
03:10 I'm gonna have to trust him.
03:12 >> Will you tune in to the SEC schedule drop tomorrow?
03:14 >> Yeah, for sure, for sure.
03:17 It'll be fun to watch.
03:17 I'm excited for the transition.
03:19 I mean, I have an opportunity to go to a conference,
03:21 get to see people on the new teams.
03:22 I think it's a really exciting opportunity to go right into the third quarter.
03:25 >> What are you looking forward to?
03:27 >> Man, I guess one of the best free wheels on the list.
03:31 You haven't played there once, you're still a kid.
03:33 You've been talking a lot about it.
03:34 So I know if I can't do it, it's gonna be great for that.
03:37 I'm just really excited.
03:38 >> Do you feel like an SEC program?
03:41 Are you gonna fight for that?
03:42 >> I mean, I think so.
03:44 I think we just need to continue to put more effort into it.
03:47 I think our guys can see it.
03:50 So I'm gonna do it.
03:52 >> I heard your fans chanting a couple of games.
03:54 >> Yeah, yeah.
03:55 >> And it almost sort of feels like you're representing that league as much as the big
03:58 club and bowl.
03:58 >> Yeah, absolutely.
04:00 It's gonna be a year for our fans, a year for the Texas fans.
04:03 Good and bad, that's what it is.
04:04 But I'm excited for it, appreciate it.
04:07 Thanks a lot.
04:08 >> What has this season meant to you?
04:10 >> Yeah, it's meant a lot.
04:12 To be a part of this team, my trajectory throughout the year.
04:15 Not being able to get a little hurt, dealing with some adversity at the end of
04:19 the season, to be able to come back and help the team as much as I could.
04:21 It's only been the last half, it's been great.
04:24 I'm so thankful for Coach Reynolds, all the coaching staff, all the players.
04:28 It's been amazing, it's been a great time.
04:32 >> What would it mean to get an 11th win before you guys head to the SEC?
04:36 >> Yeah, it'd be great.
04:39 Man, first time, the first winning bowl game would be for me.
04:42 So excited for that, and I don't know, it's gonna be a great bowl.
04:46 Arizona's a great team, so it's a great challenge.
04:48 Gonna have to put in a lot of work to be ready for that game.
04:51 But it'd feel great to have a 11 game winning season.
04:55 It should be a great year for us.
04:57 >> Going back to Jackson,
04:58 last question was the difference in the offense with Dylan and Jackson.
05:02 What was that?
05:04 >> I mean, not too much.
05:06 I mean, I think they both offer a similar type of game.
05:10 Both Dylan and Jackson were attacking defense on the ground, in the air,
05:14 whatever it may be.
05:15 So I think he's feeling a little pretty well for what DG left.
05:20 And I'm excited for DG, excited for his opportunities.
05:23 But I think I'm excited for what Jackson's got as well.
05:25 So he's stepping up and I assume that will go really well.