STAFF TAKEAWAYS

Our thoughts from Monday’s UT press conference:

Ryan Autullo: UT radio analyst Roger Wallace made an astute point when he compared senior linebacker Peter Jinkens to receiver John Harris from last year’s team. Both were mired in undistinguished careers before coming alive in their final seasons — Jinkens as a QB menace, Harris as a 1,000-yard passcatcher. Jinkens may be the closest thing Texas has to an All-Big 12 performer, ahead of even cornerback Duke Thomas. Good for him.

Kirk Bohls: I loved the way Charlie Strong completely dismissed his team’s blowout of Kansas and didn’t even bother to show the players the highlights of last Saturday’s game. It registered with the media and Strong’s players, including cornerback Duke Thomas, who was asked to name the team’s MVP of the Kansas game, shrugged and said, “I don’t remember.” Fans aren’t going to remember the Kansas game for long because the West Virginia contest is critical to Texas’ bowl chances. At least the new approach is a good one.

Cedric Golden: Johnathan Gray downplays returning to the scene of his hardest night as a college football player. On Nov. 9, 2013, he went down with a tear to his Achilles tendon at West Virginia, ending his sophomore season on the same night defensive tackle Chris Whaley blew out his knee. “Everything happens for a reason,” Gray said. “You have to have faith and stay humble and understand life. It’s only up to you what you do through adversity.” Gray has always had a grasp on what it means to step up to a challenge, whether it’s the tough season Texas is having or youngster D’Onta Foreman pushing him for more backfield reps. I’ve always respected Gray’s approach to the game.