Oklahoma State University Athletics
Press Luncheon - Monday, August 25, 2003
August 25, 2003 | General
Head Coach Les Miles
On Nebraska: "Nebraska is a very talented football team both offensively and defensively. We expect a great game from them. We will find out a lot when they line up their offense, defense and special team. I think we have the leadership capable of doing that."
On if there is more pressure on this year's game: "It is tough for me to determine if there is more pressure. I do not know how they are going to approach the game, but I do know how we are going to approach it. We are looking forward to going to a full stadium and we know they are going to be a good football team. We are going to play our style of football just like we always have."
On opening the season with a conference game: "It is on the schedule as the first game. We look forward to playing Nebraska. I might have given you a different answer two years ago, but considering we are a week away from one heck of a contest, I think everyone is looking looking forward to it."
On how big this game is for the program: "We want to be the team we are capable of being. We feel we are playing a good football team. We do not play for the program or the advantages it gives us in recruiting, but to be the best football team that we can be. We want to make our mark in this conference and this is our first opportunity."
On the type of game he wants to play: "I think any coach looks forward to a Saturday with the plan that the defense stops them, the kicking team operates extremely well and the offense scores a lot of points. That is how I would like to see it go and I am sure that is how he would like it to go."
On Nebraska's offensive philosophy: "They become more predictable in the running game if they continue to do the things that they have done. They become less predictable if they can put the ball in the air as well as on the ground. I am certain that is why they made the change, and they had a reason for the change. We are prepared for it to develop. I think they are very equipped right now to run the football. We will concern ourselves with running first and then with the passing game."
Cowboy Senior Elbert Craig
How good has Donovan Woods done in imitating Jamal Lord: "Donovan did a great job. That is his style, he loves to run and he can throw the ball. He was just being himself when he was out there trying to be like Jamal Lord."
On opening the season at Nebraska: "Since I have been a Cowboy, we have been the underdog. We are getting a kick out of going there. There are 70,000 people. That is going to be great for us. It will be a nationally televised game. We will get a great thrill out of that."
On playing at Nebraska: "I think this is the best time to catch Nebraska. They have a new offensive and defensive coordinator. I think this is the best time to open up against them and catch them on the road like this."
On Nebraska being down: "I never thought that because growing up I always thought Nebraska was a power house team. They have always been good. This last year they had an average season. I could have never imagined them having that type of season."
On the series history: "That is just history. We can not do anything about that. All we can do is handle what we can handle. We don't really talk about the history as a team."
On not overlooking Nebraska: "We can have confidence, but you can never overlook a team. Nebraska is still a good team. Jamal Lord is a great quarterback. At any time, Nebraska can break a good run. You can never be relaxed about playing them."
On Nebraska's new offense: "I can never imagine them getting away from the running game. That is Nebraska, the powerhouse. They are going to run the ball and throw a couple of passes, but as far as getting away from the running game, I can't see that. I don't see them coming out in strange formations. They might throw a trick play here and there, but I don't see them getting away from the running game."
On marking the first opponent: "It doesn't matter who we play. We are going to put a bulls eye on it. In the last couple of years we have been losing our season opener. Going into this year we wanted to start with a win on the road. We have the bulls eye on Nebraska."
On the offense: "I think our offense is great. Having the ability to throw and run the ball makes us a balanced team. What more could you ask for in an offense. Having Rashaun Woods, the best wide receiver in the nation, makes it positive all the time."
On the defense: "Now it is going to more of a team effort and not just the defensive line. We all have to pull together this year to make plays. As a secondary we have to start very strong this year. We need to get away from those mental mistakes that we made last year. If we limit some of those then we will be a very good team going into Nebraska."
On building off of last year: "Every year you have a little success. That can only help your confidence a whole lot. This year we start the season ranked, something we haven't been since I arrived here. I think everyone is looking forward to having a great season."
Cowboy Senior Rashaun Woods
On tough contests: "Football wouldn't be any fun if you didn't have games like this. If you went out every Saturday and whooped up on everyone 60-0, it wouldn't be any fun."
On playing Nebraska: "I'm ready. They have our schemes down pretty well right now. To play against somebody else brings us a little added enjoyment."
On Nebraska's pass coverage: "They are a good football team. I don't expect to see to much man coverage, especially on my side of the ball. I expect to see a lot of zoning and double coverage."
"Last year they didn't flip their corners on me and we took advantage of their young guy. I guess he is the young guy again, but he has more experience. I don't think how they line their corners up is going to change things at all."
On the atmosphere: "I expect it to be loud. I expect there to be a lot of red. It is going to be a good game. Nebraska is a great place to play and a tough place to play. We will be prepared."
On his senior season: "I have worked hard. This is a tremendous investment for me. I am not going to just sit back and let everything fall into place. I am going to make sure that I am prepared, in shape, and I'm doing the things that I need to do to get ready for the season."
On being a team leader: "It was tough at first, but I understand that I have to be a leader vocally now. I have to come out and say it is time to get things done. When you are a senior you have to get the younger guys to understand that we are out on the field to get a job done. On Saturdays it is about winning. I think that message is clear to them."
