Oklahoma State University Athletics
Football Media Luncheon Quotes
September 30, 2002 | Cowboy Football
Sept. 30, 2002
OSU Coach Les Miles
On giving the players a chance to recuperate
"I know that three backs are healthy. I am not certain on Greg Jones, but he is one of the guys we need to have healthy. Also, Morency is a little achy, but I think the rest of the guys are good."
On playing on the road against Texas
"I hope it is not something that we would be unprepared for. Playing on the road in front of a large crowd should be something we are comfortable with. What we have to do is play our best and not give Texas any shortcuts through penalties. We have to stop drives and not let them keep going. We have to make them go the long distance. We have to put pressure on them from the start. We are going to have to play well. We want to move the football and score points. We have to restrict them and put pressure on them."
On special teams
"We're going to have to cover punts and cover kicks. They [Texas] are talented guys no doubt about it, and we're going to have to do things to win. We'll approach the kicking game strategically. I think we will compete pretty well against them. "
On Rashaun Woods
"I would suspect that he'll be just as dangerous and effective for us. If they choose to take him away, hopefully we'll be able to use some other areas."
Senior Offensive Lineman Jason Russell
On Texas' defense
"They are athletic, big and fast, there is not much more I can say about them. They are a great defense. They will probably be one of the best defenses we face this year. We know we need to slow them down and I think we are developing the game plan to do that."
On the opposing crowd
"You always want to take the crowd out of the game. The best way to do it is to run the ball on them and break one for 40-50 yards, that takes the crowd out of it."
On the OSU running backs
"We have got great running backs and knowing that they are 100 percent, for me that is a huge confidence booster. I know that I won't have to hold the block for that long because they will get through that hole and break for the yards."
On developing a lead and holding it
"You can't have negative plays on offense. You have negative plays, you get them and their crowd back into it. We know that we need to go out there and keep pushing and pushing and don't stop pushing until that final horn goes off."
On the effect of the off week for the offensive line
"Anytime we can get another week and come together even more it is big. We are new, we have guys that have come in and taken starting spots. The past two games we have really meshed together and know what each other is going to do. So last week really helped out, especially going into Texas, we have to know what each other is going to do."
On the team's progress from last season
"We are better this year. We are 100 percent better as an offensive group and as a defense. We know that we can play with anyone. We have got to take the crowd out of it and keep away from negative plays and if we do that, we have a really good opportunity to win this game."
Senior Linebacker Terrence Robinson
On the Big 12 opener
"Being from Texas this is a huge game for me and for the team. This is a huge game for us against the No. 2 team in the country. It allows us a chance to go out and play our style of football."
On the talent on Texas' offense
"They have an exceptional offense. Benson is a strong and powerful runner, Simms can really throw the ball and make plays at quarterback with the receivers. They have a lot of weapons on offense. It will be important for us as a defense to go out and be patient and play with a lot of intensity and emotion and eliminate the mental errors and go out and play ball."
