Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Postgame Quotes
November 23, 2002 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 23, 2002
Recap?|? Final Stats
OSU Coach Les Miles
On the game
"In the throws, they made some decisions to play man. We have other weapons besides Rashaun. We got the run going a little bit. John Lewis was going a little bit. The defense turned up the heat after the first drive. We knew that that style of defense was not going to be played and Baylor saw that. After the offensive showing, obviously the game was going to be out of reach."
"We needed to have a good showing on offense, defense and special teams. Our punt returner Gabe Lindsay did well and gave us good field position all day. The defense played well after the opening drive. Offensively, it is exactly what we needed. We needed to execute--throw and run like it was designed. It sets up the rest of the season. With the idea of having two more games to play, our guys will be fired up."
On defense
"On the first drive, for whatever reason, they were just not there. Kevin Williams and a couple of those leaders on defense just stepped up."
On Baylor
"We expected them to do a number of things that we hadn't worked on. It was not as disconcerting as it seemed. We just had to see it and play it."
"You shift to see how they play. After it was obvious how they wanted to start the game we had to go to other weapons. When we have the ability to hurt you and win the game with John Lewis, you're in trouble. Then we ran the football, then back to Rashaun. They did what they thought was best. We have to operate opposite of that."
On Josh Fields rushing
"They were playing man and running all over the field. When you draw the quarterback out and he has some mobility, you can get 10 or 12 yards."
Wide Receiver/Punt Returner Gabe Lindsay
On the game
"The win felt really great and the punt returns felt great too. I'm just happy that we are bowl eligible."
On his punt returns
"I don't know if I am just that good or if they just weren't playing, but I do know that it was a great day on punt returns and a great day period. I think that Coach DeForest is the best special teams coach in the nation. The emphasis on special teams all week was so hard that I know whoever was back there returning punts was going to do a great job. I have to give all of the credit to the people on the punt return team because they blocked and made it happen."
Wide Receiver Rashaun Woods
On the game
"It means a lot from the perspective of going to a bowl. We haven't been to a bowl since 1997 and it's a statement saying that we're going to turn this program around. "
On the team's offensive performance
"Everything seemed to be going right, and when things are going like that you're really tough to beat. We executed every play that was called. We were focused all week."
On his receiving records
"It's great now that we've made it and accomplished going to a bowl. It's a great feeling to go to a bowl and get these accomplishments. They're great and I'm gonna take them for as long as I can remember them. It's something that you enjoy and cherish."
On being bowl eligible
"As a player I wanted to go to a bowl. When I chose to come here Coach Simmons signed this class to get us back on top and to a bowl, and that's what we did. We have a different head coach, but the same dream."
On Josh Fields
"He was very active today. He was even more active during the Kansas game and I think that we are starting to get a feel for each other. He and the receivers are starting to get the timing down . He's learning how everybody runs and does things."
Defensive End Kyle Beck
On the win
"It's really a relief. For the last four years we've been working hard and trying to get there but we just haven't had the edge. But this year we finally got it."
On the defense's performance
"We knew that we were the part of the team that needed to step up because we can't let teams like that score on us. Our offense can score as much as they want but if we let them score it's going to be a close game. We stepped it up a little bit and ended up playing a good game."
Baylor Head Coach Kevin Steele
On outlook of the game
"It was an amazing deal. We have been on an emotional roller coaster the past couple of weeks, and you need to have emotion to play this game. I thought we came out and moved the ball offensively and thought we were going to be okay, but the bottom line is that we just couldn't stop them. We tried switching things up and going to more man coverage than we had played all year because we felt that is what we needed to do to get things done, but it just didn't happen. Josh Fields is an incredible quarterback, and his receivers are very good, but we just didn't match up."
On punting
"The punting and kicking situation has been a deal all year. It hasn't been any one persons fault, we just haven't punted in terms of the kick team, kick coverage or the whole operation well all year. It leaves us with playing on a short field a lot of times this year and that makes it tough, but that is no excuse."
On hopes for the game
"We came in here hoping to win a football game. It would have said a lot to come in here and win the first Big 12 game on the road, since the history of the Big 12, we would have won our second Big 12 conference game which also had not been done at Baylor since the start of the Big 12. It is obviously frustrating and disheartening, but this isn't the time to be emotional or say we could have, or why didn't we, what's done is done."
On teams first drive
"We executed pretty well and had them off balance for a little bit. Then they got us off balance and backed us up, and were fragile enough with everything that has taken place that the momentum definitely went their way."
On Oklahoma State's performance
"Obviously they have made strides. They beat Texas A&M and Nebraska at home and that is hard to do. They went to a bowl in 1997, there was a little slip here and there, but they have pulled out of that and are taking steps forward."
Opposing Players
Linebacker Greg Wade
On the pass defense
"There were a few plays where we were in man coverage and we didn't get any rush, and when that happens they're going to bomb you out all day. Once the receivers got downfield it was like our corners couldn't keep up or got tired or something."
On OSU's quick scoring drives and good field position
"They got good field position and it would be one or two plays and they would score. We kind of calmed it down in the second half but it was a little too late for that. It's kind of hard when you know they don't have to go but 40 yards to score. When you give them half the field it gives the offense a little more confidence because they can see the end zone."
Wide receiver Reggie Newhouse
On getting the Baylor receiving record
"It felt good. I can honestly say that at the beginning of the game it was something I was shooting for. It feels good to finish off on a good note."
On the first drive
"When everything is clicking, everything is clicking. We wish we would have had a lot more opportunities but we didn't. I'm just happy and proud that we went out there and moved the ball down the field like we knew we could and we went out there and played our last game with great attitude and great effort. "
On comparing OU and OSU
"I think anybody can be beaten on any given day. They're two great teams, they both have great athletes who make great plays, but I can't really say who's better than the other."
