Texas LB David Gbenda on Atmosphere vs. Michigan: ‘It was different’

Texas linebacker David Gbenda has played in big games. He’s played in front of big crowds during his career as a Longhorn. He played last season at Alabama. He also played in the Cotton Bowl.

But despite all those experiences, he said nothing compares to playing for Michigan.

“I would say it’s kind of in between (Alabama and Dallas),” Gbenda said Monday. “Because of the start, man, it was loud. It was rocking when the offense came. I was like, wow. For an away game, it was a very lively atmosphere, it was very different, if I can remember for a while.”

Gbenda made one of the most underrated plays of the game when he kicked over Michigan center Dominick Giudice and then tackled running back Donovan Edwards.

Take a look:

He explained how he was thinking during that play.

“What I saw was, well, they were calling my number, I was obviously trying to make a play. I was just staring at the quarterback to make sure I had the right cadence. And then the center just flashed, and I just ran into him, you know, saw the ball go. So I just ran over him, and he just fell. He disappeared for a second. I didn’t really think about it, because I was like, ‘Where’s the ball? Where’s the ball?’ And I got the tackle. And then on film. I didn’t realize what I did until I saw it, but I thought, damn, that was pretty cool.”

No. 2 Texas hosts UTSA on Saturday.