Oklahoma RB Tawee Walker SMU Postgame Interview (9-9-23)
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00:00 That long run by the way, you bounced it to the right, and
00:02 you split a couple defenders.
00:04 Was that patience of getting it outside?
00:06 >> Yeah, I think that was- >> Am I helping you at all in that
00:09 description?
00:10 >> Yeah, I think I'm trying to remember what the play call was.
00:14 I know it was an inside zone, but yeah, I'm pretty sure that was,
00:19 I just can't really think of if I bounce it out fast or
00:23 I was patient and bounce it out.
00:24 That's the thing, I can't think of it right now.
00:26 >> Still gotta go to the tape.
00:27 I got it, it's all right.
00:28 >> [LAUGH] >> Are there any frustrations early in
00:31 the first half, just inability to move the ball?
00:34 >> It was the first time you guys kind of faced a little bit of adversity this year.
00:40 >> Yeah, yeah, for the whole offense, yes, it was.
00:44 We started kind of slow today, but we picked it up.
00:47 >> What is Dylan like on the sidelines when you guys are going through that?
00:50 >> Encouraging.
00:51 He'll come walk to the sidelines, shake everybody's hand and
00:54 tell them we got this next drive.
00:57 He got us, just let us know.
00:58 We have him and he's just a perfect leader in my eyes.
01:02 >> What is that confidence that he's imparted to you, do for you as a running back?
01:07 >> A lot, a lot, it's a lot, especially for watching him.
01:10 He's been a star since his freshman year.
01:12 So just him encouraging me, let me know he has my back,
01:16 means everything to me.
01:17 He tells me to just, if I know I'm gonna get it for it,
01:21 now he tells me, tell him he'll give it to me.
01:23 He just put his trust into me, that just means a lot to me.
01:25 >> What is your, I mean, you've talked a lot in the last couple weeks about your
01:29 background, your story, Juco, walk on.
01:32 How does that experience, I mean, the toughness and just the stick-to-it-iveness,
01:38 how does that play into you today, but really every game?
01:41 >> One big thing is just showing people that it's possible.
01:46 It's a lot of kids that don't get the opportunity,
01:49 especially from the area I'm from, North Las Vegas.
01:53 We don't have a lot of kids that make it out, and I just feel like being that person
01:58 that can show them that it's possible is just a big deal.
02:01 Especially, I wanna be a role model to them, and also my son,
02:03 I wanna be a role model to him,
02:04 somebody that he can look up to when he gets older.
02:06 So it's just making a route, showing people that it's possible.
02:09 >> I know your kid's only, she's only two, so
02:11 he's probably not saying, Dad, I'm following your lead.
02:13 But do you hear that from people back in Vegas?
02:15 >> Yes, all the time, yes, and it just makes me happy, especially when I go back.
02:19 My father used to be a youth football coach, so I'm always in tact with youth,
02:24 and I just love going back home and talking to them.
02:27 >> Tauwee, I know it's only been a couple of weeks, but your journey,
02:32 look back to where you came from, working in the warehouse,
02:35 all those things that we talked about last year.
02:37 Does this validate some of the decisions that you made that led you here?
02:43 >> Yes, well, again, I think everything happened for a reason, and
02:48 I think I've bet on myself and put myself in the right situations from help from my
02:52 family, my father, and my mother, just encouraging me to keep going and
02:58 just put myself in the perfect situations and capitalizing on my opportunities.
03:03 >> You feel like that scholarship is getting closer?
03:07 >> That's not really something that I'm thinking about right now.
03:09 I'm just thinking about winning games with my team and just keep practicing and
03:13 just keeping my head up.
03:14 Everything's gonna fall into place one day.
03:16 >> How is that room that you're in?
03:17 Are those guys all supporting you?
03:19 I mean, is it a pretty tight-knit group?
03:22 >> Yes, cuz everybody knows everybody's capable of doing it.
03:26 It's just who gets the opportunity that day, cuz everybody's amazing in our group.
03:30 We have different talents, but we all support each other.
03:35 All the running back, when I score, everybody's running to the touchdown when
03:39 Marcus scores, everybody running when Devontae scores.
03:41 Everybody's gonna run to the end zone.
03:43 So it's all love out there, running back group.
03:45 >> I thought you were the first guy out there after Marcus scored.
03:47 Just how happy is that room for him to starting to contribute?
03:51 >> Man, it's amazing, especially he's been here a while.
03:54 He's finally getting the love.
03:57 He's from here, local kids, so I'm pretty sure he's very excited.
04:00 I'm excited for him cuz he deserves it.
04:02 >> Talk to me about leg drive.
04:05 When you make contact,
04:07 what is it that goes through your head to keep those legs going?
04:09 >> Really just to get the first down.
04:17 DeMarco just stresses us about, you don't wanna be a third and
04:21 short or second and short, get that first down.
04:23 Just if you wanna go to the sideline without any critiques or
04:26 nothing, just do what he wants you to do, and that's what's been in my head.
04:30 >> Is that easier to roll through as the game wears on?
04:32 You kinda get into a rhythm as opposed to kinda little disjoint one drive here,
04:36 then you're off the sideline for a couple drives?
04:37 >> Of course it is, but we have so many running backs that we're all capable of
04:42 doing great things, so it's kinda hard to just have one person in there the whole
04:46 game, but of course, being in a rhythm, it makes it way easier.
04:51 >> Can you tell us what the attitude was in the huddle before that big scoring
04:55 drive at the end after SVU had kind of tightened the ropes a little bit?
05:01 What was the team talking about on the sidelines?
05:03 >> Man, the team is just, we're all very encouraging.
05:05 This year we have a whole bunch of leadership across the board, so
05:09 I can't even name who was talking, cuz everybody was literally talking,
05:13 smacking each other on the helmet, just telling us let's go, we got it.
05:15 We're about to run them out the stadium and just finish the game.
05:21 >> What's been your impression of Dylan's running ability?
05:24 I know a lot of times he's scrambling, but
05:26 he seems like he's got some pretty decent vision out there.
05:30 >> Yeah, Dylan definitely has a lot of talent throwing and running the ball.
05:34 Man, he can definitely run.
05:35 I like Dylan, man.
05:38 He's a great player, great teammate.
05:40 He looks good out there running the ball.
05:41 >> He said he really made that a focus in the offseason,
05:44 getting himself physically ready to be a better runner.
05:47 >> Definitely, he was being a great leader during some of these workouts.
05:50 He was coming in first in his groups, just being a leader,
05:54 pushing us, making sure we push him.
05:56 He definitely did his thing.
05:58 >> How much more dangerous does that,
06:00 what kind of element does that lend to the offense when you've got a quarterback?
06:03 Maybe that's not his strength, but he can still do that.
06:07 >> Dual quarterback is a big strength to any offense cuz you have to contain him,
06:12 you have to contain the running back.
06:13 If we can do a read option,
06:14 it can be a lot of things you can do with a running quarterback.
06:16 So just you have to change up your defense and
06:18 when you change it up for one thing, we'll do another thing.
06:20 So it's a big deal.
06:22 >> The running game got better in general as the game went on.
06:24 Is that something you guys can roll with week to week or
06:27 does that type of just not carry it over at all for you guys?
06:31 You're like start a new kickoff next week.
06:34 >> It's really, we just have to start off faster.
06:37 I feel like hopefully this momentum carries on the next week.
06:42 We know it's a new game, new game plan, but
06:45 our plan is to start off hot every week, so hopefully that's the plan.
06:49 >> How many games you had you didn't get to score tonight?
06:52 Is that your one lament on tonight?
06:55 >> Of course I wish I would have scored, but I was just excited for
06:59 Mark to score, Jalil to score, my DG to throw touchdowns.
07:02 Just excited for them if I would have scored, and we got the W, so
07:06 I'm happy regardless.
07:07 >> Sorry if you've been asked it, but last week you mentioned you got a lot of texts
07:10 from your parents and family throughout the game.
07:12 Did you get back to the locker room to get some more texts?
07:14 >> Same thing, exact same thing.
07:17 Literally, they're just excited to watch me play as I'm excited to play.
07:21 >> What is that constant support system like?
07:23 It sounds like you look forward to going back and grabbing your phone and saying-
07:25 >> It's amazing.
07:25 That's one thing for I keep me going.
07:29 Just make sure they let me know how proud they are of me and just keeps me going.