Written by Jose Terrassa
Coach Frost’s post-game press conference following the 27-20 loss to Kansas was defined by a mix of frustration and forced optimism, as the program once again failed to close out a tight contest. The defeat served as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead, compounded by significant injury concerns at key positions heading into a difficult conference matchup.
Frost opened his remarks by expressing his disappointment at squandering a key moment for the program. “We had a great opportunity to win the game and take a step forward, and not getting it done,” he told the media. He pointed directly to missed opportunities late in the game, stating his team simply did not “capitalize on those late drives. The persistent issue of losing close games dominated the conversation.
Frost framed the solution not as a schematic adjustment, but as a mandate for growth through experience. “We just have to keep putting ourselves in that situation,” the coach emphasized, referring to late-game scenarios. He acknowledged the team’s lack of experience in these moments has contributed to the losses but maintained that continuous exposure will “make us better as a team and will ultimately start winning.”
He also identified emotional control as a hurdle, noting that players’ “emotions got in the way instead of staying patient” in high-pressure situations. Frost praised the high caliber of the Big 12 Conference, confirming he “loves the conference” and expects “games like the one we played vs. Kansas every weekend.” When asked how his team can ultimately make an impact in the league, his answer was conditional: “If we play well, we are going to have a chance to win.”
The ongoing crisis at the quarterback position remains a critical concern. Frost confirmed that the availability of all three signal-callers is “TBD” for the upcoming game. He did offer a slight positive note on one injured player, confirming Tayven Jackson’s post-game X-rays and associated reports were negative. Jackson will be monitored throughout the week. Frost described the constant rotation of quarterbacks due to injury as a “unique situation,” noting he has “never dealt with having much change in quarterbacks” in his coaching career.
Compounding the injury woes, Frost confirmed a season-ending injury for a crucial defensive player. Defensive tackle Horace Lockett suffered a torn pectoral muscle and is out for the remainder of the year. Frost called losing Lockett “a big blow to the team” but expressed confidence in the defensive staff, crediting Coach Grinch for the “great job” he has been doing. The team will now be forced to “rely more on their young guys to step up and fill that void.”
Attention immediately turns to the next opponent, a formidable Cincinnati team. Frost offered significant praise for the Bearcats, calling them a team that is “playing very well” and singling out their quarterback as “playing as well as anyone in the league”. He acknowledged Cincinnati’s comprehensive execution, stating they “demonstrate a strong understanding of their system on offense and defense.”
In closing, Coach Frost underscored the need for continued effort and resilience, expressing the “trust he has in his players to make the right adjustments” and assuring that “this group will keep fighting.” The team’s immediate future hinges on overcoming the mental hurdle of close defeats and navigating a precarious injury situation against a strong conference rival.
