OSU Postgame Quotes vs. West Virginia

Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"That was a really good win for our team. The most complete game that we've played this year. I had mentioned that there were times where each of the three phases played better than the others, and a couple of times this year maybe considerably better than the others. Special teams has been really good for us throughout the year and I thought today our special teams was excellent. Our coverage units were excellent, our punter was excellent. We missed one field goal, but our return game was good. If you're sound in special teams and you don't turn the ball over, then you get a chance each week."

"I was very pleased with our coaching staff. West Virginia has done very, very well up to this point of not letting teams score points. We were able to score quite a few points, obviously, and our defense did a really nice job with turnovers. I was a little frustrated early in the game that we drove the ball down the field twice and only got field goals, but I guess it all worked itself out in the end."

"I thought Glenn (Spencer) and the defense made some really good adjustments on the inside passing game that West Virginia hit us on for a little while, but we were able to force some turnovers. It was interesting, there were times where we had really good pressure on the quarterback, and there were times we didn't have as much as we needed, but in the end, when you're plus three in the turnover category, you're really good in special teams and able to manufacture enough offense to score points, so it's a good win for all of us. I want the guys to enjoy this the rest of the day, and then get back to work tomorrow."

On if the story lines about West Virginia's defense motivated the offense:
"I think so. We don't talk a lot about that in detail, but I kind of watched from a distance and I agree with that. I think it instigated both sides of the ball. The last three times we've played them, we've had one good game plan offensively. We just weren't good enough to execute it. The other two times, we've won games, but our game plan wasn't that good. We forced turnovers and we were better on special teams. Our offensive staff and our players took it personally, and our defense did exactly what (it needed to do). That's not something I talk about directly, but I do see it from afar."

On the three forced turnovers:
"What they've done is they've practiced, with fumble recoveries and interceptions, blocking in front of the returner, not away from the play, because that's an automatic 15-yard penalty even if it's legal, and not blocking below the waist. The time that we've put into it and the players' ability to focus and absorb that information has paid great dividends for us, and today was a good example. You guys have watched a lot of football at this level. Most interceptions or fumble recoveries where a player runs down one sideline for 40 yards, cuts all the way back across the field and goes down the sideline for another 30, you're gonna get a flag. I told them that the work that they've put in and the understanding of what we can and can't do made a huge difference today. We started on the nine-yard line, when in most cases you get an illegal block in the back and start on your own 30. It's been really important that our coaches coach it and our players understand it and are able to execute it."

On if winning on the anniversary of last year's homecoming tragedy added significance to the win:
"I mentioned that to the team earlier in the week. I really don't know how to address it. We want to play the game and play every game as hard as we can. For all of us, homecoming here is special because it's the largest homecoming in the country. I saw D'Juan Woods in the locker room. D'Juan lives in Los Angeles now and he came all the way back here for homecoming. That means a lot to us and it should mean a lot to the coaching staff because it means the players want to come back. You want to play the best you can, but it's never a guarantee. It's nice to beat a team that's ranked 10th in the country on the same day for everybody involved."

On his 100th career victory:
"It's special for all of us. For me to say that 100 wins isn't special for me would not be fair because it means that we're doing well here and having success. The players know that at the end of the day, we're responsible for putting out a product that fans and people around the country want to see. They're exciting, they play the game the right way, they graduate in four years, then they go out in society with character and substance to them and be productive. That's really what our goal is. They know that. That far outweighs an individual 100-win accomplishment."

Oklahoma State Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On the Turnover Battle:
"It's however you get it done, but it's whatever it takes to steal possessions against a good team."

On the Team's Game Plan:
"The kids responded to a different game plan and executed well."

Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On Chris Lacy:
"His plays were huge, I call them money plays. I'm a big fan of that kid and he came through big time today."

On the Wide Receivers Stepping Up:
"With everything that's happened with us and (Marcell) Ateman in the
offseason it's great to see guys step up because any time there is adversity there's opportunity."

On the Offense Moving Forward:
"We need to continue to work hard and we haven't arrived yet. There's a lot more ball to play, thank goodness. It will be fun to see us close out the season."

Safety Jordan Sterns
On Gundy's 100th win:
"It was fun. It was definitely a historic moment for coach and the university. It was important for him. We came out and played one of our better games, in all aspects. It all came together. It feels good to get that win for him and to beat an undefeated team on homecoming. It means a lot."

On the defensive play:
"Everyone was fired up. There were guys making big time plays today. Kevin Henry had a huge interception. Ramon Richards was in the zone all day. Everyone stepped up on defense."

Cornerback Ramon Richards
On his interception:
"Well, I dropped my first one so I just kept thinking, it has to come back to me, and it came back. When I got the ball, I thought about high school. I played quarterback so I thought to myself, I have to score."

On the defensive play:
"I feel great. Coach Spencer and coach Duffy set us up for greatness and success. We just do what we're coached to do."

Wide Receiver Chris Lacy
On the win:
"It feels great. We knew we had a big game coming and this was a game to go out and make a statement. We wanted to prove that we run the Big 12. It was a big win."

On his big catches:
"Mason just found me when I was open, he trusted me and I made the catch."

On Coach's 100th win:
"Coach Gundy came in here and turned this program around. It feels great to be a part of his 100th win."

Offensive Lineman Zach Crabtree
On the energy of the team:
"It all started on the walk over and then coach Gundy gave us a phenomenal pregame speech. He got us ready to go. We always talk about taking that tunnel with fire and that's what we did today. We came out to play. It was a great overall team win."

On the crowd's effect during the game:
"This crowd is huge. When that stadium is full and rocking like it was today, it has a huge impact. We feed off of the energy. It makes this place a hard place to play. When it's loud, it's not the place an opponent wants to play. They don't want to be in that situation. It's a tough, adverse environment. It was a big win, and we couldn't have done it without the fans today."

West Virginia Head Coach Dana Holgerson

Opening statement:
"Well this one is pretty simple. Two pretty evenly matched teams. They made three plays that flat out affected the game. It's as simple as that. They forced three turnovers. They took all three of them down into the red zone. Basically gave them 17 points and we lose by 17 points. That's the difference in the game. They're as good as anybody in the country at converting on turnovers. Congratulations to Coach Gundy on his 100th win. He's doing a great job with this program. You guys see this place. It's spectacular. They've got good players and coaches. They were better than us today."

On quarterback Skyler Howard:
"He threw for a lot of yards. I was scared to death of their pass defense on third down situations, which is why we ran it early. You get down you've got to throw it. They made a couple plays down the field."

On the secondary:
"Average. James Washington is good as advertised. Jalen McCleskey is pretty damn good too. They've got a couple good players. You can probably attract pretty good players to a place like this. They did a good job."

On defending the Oklahoma State receivers:
"They were covered. They made plays. They're good players. I challenge you to find one better than James Washington. Pretty good player. You have to give them some of the credit. The quarterback did a great job sitting back in the pocket. We didn't pressure him very much and he sat back there and threw strikes."

On bouncing back next week:
"We will be fine. Looking forward to playing again next week."

Oklahoma State Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On the Turnover Battle:
"It's however you get it done, but it's whatever it takes to steal possessions against a good team."

On the Team's Game Plan:
"The kids responded to a different game plan and executed well."

Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On Chris Lacy:
"His plays were huge, I call them money plays. I'm a big fan of that kid and he came through big time today."

On the Wide Receivers Stepping Up:
"With everything that's happened with us and (Marcell) Ateman in the offseason it's great to see guys step up because any time there is adversity there's opportunity."

On the Offense Moving Forward:
"We need to continue to work hard and we haven't arrived yet. There's a lot more ball to play, thank goodness. It will be fun to see us close out the season."

Safety Jordan Sterns
On Gundy's 100th win:
"It was fun. It was definitely a historic moment for coach and the university. It was important for him. We came out and played one of our better games, in all aspects. It all came together. It feels good to get that win for him and to beat an undefeated team on homecoming. It means a lot."

On the defensive play:
"Everyone was fired up. There were guys making big time plays today. Kevin Henry had a huge interception. Ramon Richards was in the zone all day. Everyone stepped up on defense."

Cornerback Ramon Richards
On his interception:
"Well, I dropped my first one so I just kept thinking, it has to come back to me, and it came back. When I got the ball, I thought about high school. I played quarterback so I thought to myself, I have to score."

On the defensive play:
"I feel great. Coach Spencer and coach Duffy set us up for greatness and success. We just do what we're coached to do."

Wide Receiver Chris Lacy
On the win:
"It feels great. We knew we had a big game coming and this was a game to go out and make a statement. We wanted to prove that we run the Big 12. It was a big win."

On his big catches:
"Mason just found me when I was open, he trusted me and I made the catch."

On Coach's 100th win:
"Coach Gundy came in here and turned this program around. It feels great to be a part of his 100th win."

Offensive Lineman Zach Crabtree
On the energy of the team:
"It all started on the walk over and then coach Gundy gave us a phenomenal pregame speech. He got us ready to go. We always talk about taking that tunnel with fire and that's what we did today. We came out to play. It was a great overall team win."

On the crowd's effect during the game:
"This crowd is huge. When that stadium is full and rocking like it was today, it has a huge impact. We feed off of the energy. It makes this place a hard place to play. When it's loud, it's not the place an opponent wants to play. They don't want to be in that situation. It's a tough, adverse environment. It was a big win, and we couldn't have done it without the fans today."

West Virginia Head Coach Dana Holgerson

Opening statement:
"Well this one is pretty simple. Two pretty evenly matched teams. They made three plays that flat out affected the game. It's as simple as that. They forced three turnovers. They took all three of them down into the red zone. Basically gave them 17 points and we lose by 17 points. That's the difference in the game. They're as good as anybody in the country at converting on turnovers. Congratulations to Coach Gundy on his 100th win. He's doing a great job with this program. You guys see this place. It's spectacular. They've got good players and coaches. They were better than us today."

On quarterback Skyler Howard:
"He threw for a lot of yards. I was scared to death of their pass defense on third down situations, which is why we ran it early. You get down you've got to throw it. They made a couple plays down the field."

On the secondary:
"Average. James Washington is good as advertised. Jalen McCleskey is pretty damn good too. They've got a couple good players. You can probably attract pretty good players to a place like this. They did a good job."

On defending the Oklahoma State receivers:
"They were covered. They made plays. They're good players. I challenge you to find one better than James Washington. Pretty good player. You have to give them some of the credit. The quarterback did a great job sitting back in the pocket. We didn't pressure him very much and he sat back there and threw strikes."

On bouncing back next week:
"We will be fine. Looking forward to playing again next week."
West Virginia Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson
On Oklahoma State making plays:
"Their offense was better than our defense. Their defense was better than our offense. Their special teams were better than our special teams. They were the better team today. The surprising thing is we're lucky it was 34-20 because there was a chance it could have been 37-20. We didn't play good. It's disappointing, but when you look at it, I think we played with effort, we just couldn't get them off the field on third down early. We finally got some things going in the second half. We had a couple of good series right in a row and just couldn't make a play when we needed to. We're down seven, had a little more momentum on offense, and we let them drive the field on us. Obviously we have to go back to work. I don't think we were over confident, at least I would hope we weren't. It just wasn't clicking today. We had no energy, and we were sluggish. It wasn't us. It wasn't our team that we've had the first six weeks. We just couldn't find a way to make a play."

On how difficult it was to account for all of their weapons, especially Washington:
"He's really good. He is by far the best kid we've faced all year, up to this point. We had some things for him. In the second half, I don't know how many catches he had, but I thought we did a better job with him. We were playing a little loose in coverage. I don't know why, but we'll get all that fixed. We have to get these guys ready to go for next week."

Offensive Lineman Tyler Orlosky
On if there was anything they hadn't seen from film and what Oklahoma State's defensive line presented:
"They were a well coached team. They didn't give us anything we were unfamiliar with. I just think we didn't execute plays well, and we can't turn the ball over three times. You get no turnovers, you win a game"

On if physicality was an issue with Oklahoma State:
"I don't think so. I thought we did well when we did run the ball. They opened up lanes pretty well. It just goes back to execution. We didn't execute today."

On what do you tell a teammate like Skyler Howard after a game where things don't exactly go as planned:
"You have to understand, it's the whole team, not just Skyler. This isn't the end of our season. We didn't go into the season thinking about a national championship. We're thinking about a Big 12 championship and that's still on the line. We have a game next week against Kansas and that's what we're looking towards."

Defensive Lineman Noble Nwachukwu
On what he thinks they did well and didn't do well:
"I don't think we got off the field on third down enough. I think they just outplayed us today on both sides of the ball. We just got outplayed."

On how disappointing it was on the third down when they were back within seven in the fourth quarter and then Oklahoma State was able to convert:
"Very disappointing. It was probably the most important play of the game. We had to get off the field, and we didn't, so it was very disappointing."

On how difficult it is playing an offense like Oklahoma State:
"It's very difficult. I think their quarterback did a good job of getting the ball out and getting it out quick. We were trying to put pressure on him, but the pressure never quite got there."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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