Oklahoma State University Athletics
Football Media Luncheon Quotes
October 14, 2002 | Cowboy Football
Oct. 14, 2002
Head Coach Les Miles
On the Kansas State game
"We are a little surprised at how we played. I saw a game coming down to the fourth quarter and being decided by the special teams. We would have liked to have that scenario because Luke Phillips would have won the game for us."
"Offensively we could not protect the passer. We ran the ball efficiently, not well. We could not move the ball to sustain drives against the defense."
"On defense, I was surprised that they moved the ball as well as they did. I was surprised that they moved the ball on the ground at all. I did not think that they would be able to throw the ball against our secondary like they did. We have to respond as a team, not only to play Nebraska and beat them, but for ourselves."
Kicker Luke Phillips
On the game at Kansas State
"We didn't play as well as we hoped we would. I believe that everyone has the mental outlook that we know we are good and we know we can go out and play with teams. We just have to go out and do it."
On returning home
"This stretch in October is very tough. We are playing some very good teams. There is nothing like playing in your own stadium, hearing your fans scream and yell. Come Saturday when we play Nebraska we are ready for a huge crowd. Against every team that we have played, the crowd has stepped up to support us."
On getting less opportunities
"I have enough faith and confidence in my offense and defense to put me in that sort of position. Last year I had a total of 27 PAT's. Through six games this year I have already had 22 attempts. Obviously we are scoring a lot more and some of those field goals that I had last year are turning into PAT's. I would rather kick a PAT than a field goal."
On a game winning field goal
"Everyone dreams of hitting that last minute shot in basketball or catching that game winning touchdown. In the kickers sense, kicking a game winning field goal is a lot of pressure. There have been a lot of opportunities for other kickers to do that. I do believe that if I had the opportunity and chance, that the operation would go perfectly, the snap, hold and blocks. If I have the opportunity, hopefully I will be able to step up and do that for the team and the fans."
On facing Nebraska
"I believe that the Big 12 is the toughest conference in the nation. We must come to play every team that we face. You can not walk out there and just lay down. Nebraska is one of those teams that has great tradition, just like Texas, Kansas State, OU and every other team that we face. We hope to come in and make a name for ourselves."
Linebacker Paul Duren
On the passing attack of Kansas State
"We thought that we would see a lot more of the option. We were surprised at the way that (Ell) Roberson could throw the ball. He threw the ball a lot better than we expected and it really got us off of our game a little."
On the teams confidence level
"I feel like our team is confident and we can go out and hang with anyone. We had a bad game. I am not taking anything away from Kansas State, they are a great football team. I did not feel like we played to our potential."
On preparing for Nebraska
"We were all a little disappointed in the way that we played and the outcome of the game. We can not dwell on things and we have to move on. I feel like as a team we did that last night and we are getting ready for Nebraska."
On the crowd at Kansas State
"From the places that I have been I think that it is definitely one of the toughest places to play. I thought that it was even louder than Texas which had about 31,000 more people."
