Zac Alley

OU football co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Zac Alley during open practice on April 12.

 Olivia Lauter/OU Daily

Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Zac Alley's postgame press conference after the Sooners' 16-12 win over Houston.

Filmed and edited by Aryanna Smith

Chapters:

00:04 - Overall what do you think of the defense?

01:11 - Zach Alley on Gentry Williams

01:37 - Zach Alley on the defensive standard

02:14 - Zach Alley on Gracen Halton

02:42 - Zach Alley on Gracen Halton commitment

03:14 - Zach Alley on players' work ethic

03:36 - Zach Alley on defense getting work done

04:01 - How do you maintain the firefighter mentality?

04:46 - Zach Alley on Woodi Washington

05:35 - Zach Alley on defensive drive on penalties

06:22 - Zach Alley on Gracen Halton's speed during plays

06:46 - Zach Alley on the toughness of OU's program

07:33 - Zach Alley on discussion with defensive players

No. 15 Oklahoma (2-0) defeated Houston (0-2) 16-12 on Saturday in Norman.

Here is what co-defensive coordinator Zac Alley said postgame:

On OU’s defensive performance:

“We made some critical stops when we had to. I thought we played well on third down overall, 27% conversion percentage. But obviously there are a lot of things to clean up. We had a couple opportunities early where we could’ve forced them into a second and 15, and we just missed a lot of tackles. We have to work on that this week.

“… We had quite a few times where we were in a position to make a play (and didn’t). We just have to execute a little bit better.”

On Danny Stutsman:

“From the start of the game, he was locked in. … He did a really good job, and when it mattered the most he was calling the guys up and getting them ready to go, and giving everyone a great mindset for the team all night.

“... He's always trying to get better, and that's why he's so successful. Nothing's ever good enough, and that's always the mindset that he has.”

On Gentry Williams’ injury:

“Obviously, we love Gentry. He's a heck of a player, and just has had a lot of injuries. He’s just kind of one of those guys who’s always kind of banged up. Hopefully it's nothing serious and he'll be able to come back again next week and help us because when he's (healthy), man, he's one of the best in the country. We need him, for sure.”

On Gracen Halton:

“Gracen did a great job just doing the little things really well. When you watch the play, (he got) width and beat the guard right up the field. Nothing spectacular per se, just really good at doing his job, and he's a heck of a talented player. So when it came down to the moment to make the play, he could. I’m proud of him, just his development, his growth, you can just see that the passion is there and the ability is there. He's just an awesome player.”

OU Daily sports reporter Daniel Homrok shares his defense takeaways from OU's 16-12 win against Houston on September 7.

Filmed and edited by Cassidy Martin and Aryanna Smith

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