Seventeen minutes was all the time Gary Patterson allotted took to answer the media’s questions at his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

With talk about injuries, rivalries and contingencies for a banged-up defense, the gathering was among the shortest press sessions in the coach’s 15 seasons as the Horned Frogs’ head man.

When it was over, Patterson walked out of the Four Sevens Team Meeting Room and hustled back to his office to work. Usually, he lingers a few minutes to chat up a columnist or two.

Not in the third week of the season. Not with another defensive starter lost for the year. Not with historic rival SMU coming to town. Too much to do.

But to show he had a sense of humor, Patterson ended with, “See ya Saturday. 7 o’clock, right?”

The line drew chuckles. But the humor belied a reality that the 2015 season, that started with historic rankings and playoff aspirations, has not gone as imagined.

“This season’s not any different because of the high expectations,” he said. “This season’s different because we’ve had injuries.”

To date, the down-for-the-count tally includes linebackers Sammy Douglas and Mike Freeze, defensive linemen Davion Pierson and James McFarland, and now safety Kenny Iloka, who will be sidelined for the year with a knee injury. Patterson did suggest that Pierson could return this week against SMU, and Freeze would be welcomed back if he returns from a personal leave. Freeze essentially has until the Nov. 9 class drop date to decide.

Patterson didn’t reveal much about the availability of defensive lineman Mike Tuaua, who did not suit up for last Saturday’s game against Stephen F. Austin, and wide receiver Desmon White, who was hurt in the game. “We’ll have to see their status by the end of the week,” he said.

Despite the ups and downs, the program’s goal remains the same: “Our only rule is to give our seniors the best season we can,” he said.

Asked if the team heard his message from a week ago about insufficient buy-in, Patterson nodded. “Seemed like it. … We played better on special teams.”

Patterson rewarded the effort by moving his team up on his own ballot in the Amway Coaches Poll, he said.

The coach also admitted that he’s tinkering with personnel on defense. While sophomore walkon safety Michael Downing snagged an interception and recorded a tackle against SFA, he is not necessarily the starter against SMU, Patterson said. “I don’t know if [Downing] is a starter yet It says it on the depth chart, but we’ll see what it’s like on Saturday. We’ll move guys around.”

Patterson said senior free safety Derrick Kindred, who can play all three safety positions, could see time at Iloka’s spot. But so could Nick Orr, who has shifted between safety and cornerback since the spring.

The coach indicated that he’d like to see backup cornerbacks play better before moving Orr.

The Mustangs, especially with their new dual-threat quarterback Mike Davis, a Texas A&M transfer, will test the defense, he said. “He’s really athletic. He’s put a spark in them. He’s probably scariest when he drops back to pass because you’re covering everybody and he takes off.”

Patterson said he expects an “emotional, physical ballgame,” but it’s a matchup he is keen on maintaining.

“It’s hard to find games. You go across town for lots of reasons – historical, for the budget,” he said. “Why not go across town instead of getting on an airplane? It’s just a better ballgame than what you could go out there and find. … For the kids’ sake … academically, quality of life.”