Ford explained the team’s “pissed off” attitude by saying, “It’s a respect thing.” “I simply feel that we don’t always receive the respect we deserve as people outside of this organisation.”

“And I told every member of the crew that we had to go take it. Go out there and make it clear that, by the conclusion of the game, they should be claiming that this is a good team, even if they choose not to give it to us. This is a fantastic team victory. They play with physicality and have a heart—all those kinds of things. I want to make sure there are no questions or doubts at the conclusion of the game, and I feel

like that’s how we get our respect.”

Ford says he feels this lack of respect comes from the teams that Texas plays.

“I don’t think we’re respected well enough, from opponents,” Ford stated. To be honest, I believe that’s simply a necessary item to have in order to have an advantage. We kind of took that and ran with it, just looking for something to motivate this team.”

Regarding TCU, Ford thinks it’s still unclear if the Horned Frogs will treat the Longhorns with the deference they merit.

“We’ll see how much they respect us,” he added. “We got to go out there and play.”

In the third quarter of the victory, Ford, who has emerged as possibly the best leader of a superb Texas defence going back to last season, made an enormous fumble recovery.

Though K-State would end up coming back and tying things up, this was a turning point in a game that came down to the last play, though Ford and the defense were able to come up with a crucial stop at the goal line in overtime to secure the win.

The Longhorns will be hoping there aren’t as many tense moments on Saturday when Texas and TCU kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT.