Oklahoma State University Athletics
Players and Coaches Discuss Tulsa Game
April 07, 2003 | Cowboy Football
On Tulsa "I didn't get to see the game they played against UNC (North Carolina). From what I read and heard, they played well but turned the ball over. I don't think that will be the case this weekend. I think those kids will be excited see us."
On preparing for Tulsa and their new coaching staff "You look at the history of the coaches and you try to get information on the styles of offense and defense that they have used in the past. They will do the same for us I am sure. They will look up the styles of offense that Dell Miller has used. To counter their passing attack one of our themes this week will be pressure. Our secondary will be an area we will have to do a good job. Our guys up front (Zac) Warner, (Juqua) Thomas, and (Kevin) Williams have to do a good job of putting pressure on the quarterback and we can't ignore the running game."
On opening on the road against Tulsa "We like going to Tulsa. We have over 30,000 alumni in the Tulsa area. Although it is a game away from home, it is a contest we feel we will have a lot of support."
On the status of Jamaal Fobbs "He looks better. For the first time Friday I saw his stride and he has been in for treatment. We are looking forward to having him out there. It has been a while since he has been healthy."
On coaching a team with a lot of experience "We do have a number of seniors. It is a game of a lot of emotions. We have a lot of guys that have played, you won't see too many freshman on our roster. As we get into the flow of the game, it is important that cooler heads prevail and we don't get caught up in our emotions. When you do, you tend to make mistakes and we don't want to make mistakes."
Regarding the team's preparation "Obviously, we need to focus on the fundamentals. When your opponent has already played one game before you have, you cannot turn the ball over."
On playing a week later than most teams "I think the extra week gave us a little more time to prepare on offense and defense. After watching games on TV Saturday, I got to moving around and now I believe we are ready to go. Our team is anxious to hit somebody else."
Senior QB Tony Lindsay On being ready to play "I am ready to go and I am anxious. We have been here since the beginning of August and gone through two-a-days and scrimmages. We have been waiting for this day for a long time."
On starting the season against an in-state rival " I think it is good. It makes our season exciting to start off against Tulsa. The first game is always a big game and starting with Tulsa makes it bigger. It's a game that we all need to be focused on and prepared."
On his injury last year "It doesn't enter my mind at all. I can't think about that. I am 100 percent now and I have to get ready to go out there and play."
On having Reggie White in the backfield "I am excited about having him back there. He is a big back that brings a lot of options to the table. He can elude people, making them think where he is going and we look forward to him making a lot of big plays for us this weekend."
Junior LB Dwayne Levels On being prepared and ready to play "I think we are anxious and ready to go. We had an extra week of practice and prepared for this week's game. The opener is a very big game for us. We want to set the tone early in the year. We have to go out there and control our emotions. The first game of the year is always the most emotional. We may be shaky at first, but as long as we settle down, we will be all right."
On some of the new faces surrounding him on defense "They have stepped up and have come along and are very talented. They just lack experience, but that comes with playing time. Once they get into the groove of the game and settle in, then they will be pretty good. We lost some experience from last year but when you look at the talent level we are the same if not more talented this year."
On his thoughts of Tulsa's QB Josh Blakenship "If you give him time, just like any quarterback, then he will pick you apart. We have to put pressure on him, keep him moving around and keep him off balance in order to be effective."
Senior TE Marcellus Rivers On his role in the offense "I don't think my role has changed. I am being asked to do a lot more by playing wide out as well as coming back in and playing tight end. It is more or less what I have always been asked, just different schemes."
