Oklahoma State University Athletics
Media Luncheon Quotes (September 29)
September 30, 2003 | General
Head Coach Les Miles
On the possibility of upsets
'College football is one you have to prepare and go out with emotion, and you will have an opportunity to win and I think that happens across the board in the Big 12 and in other leagues.'
On practice in the off week
'We really changed our routine up. We went in shorts and shoulder pads on Monday and went in pads and a team scrimmage format on Tuesday. We lifted and ran on Friday and did a short walkthrough practice, and then sent them home for the weekend. I think we have improved. There are some things we set out to do with our players specifically and with our strategy. I believe we got a lot accomplished.'
On Louisiana-Lafayette
'They have played some good teams. They are an 0-5 team that is getting better. If we do what we are supposed to do and get after this team, it is one we should win. They are a very capable team and one we have to take seriously.'
On the offensive game plan
'We will go into the game thinking they will make that decision for us. Historically, they put a lot of people around the line of scrimmage and make it very difficult to run the football. Some of their opponents have had some success running the football.'
On where his team is
'I think we are improved, but I do not know to what extent. We have played some good opponents and some people that we had some advantages against. We have an opponent this week that will test us uniquely. How all this fares in the Big 12 will be decided in the Big 12.'
On making accomplishments during the off week
'You never get everything you want accomplished. It is only a week and I think that we made some strides. We spent some time on some key areas. This open week was beneficial to us.'
On what areas made improvement
'We spent a lot of time on our individual personnel, and I think our team is improved there. I think strategically in offense, defense and special teams we moved along in what we might employ at this point in the season. We got some rest for our kids and we got some people in the weight room that needed strength. I look at it in those areas in the strategy we employ, and how we will change things.'
On Louisiana-Lafayette's personnel
'I think they are talented. I see a bunch of big, strong and athletic kids that will hit you and play hard. If they put it together and play their best football than they will be very competitive. We need to come out and play our game and put it on them.'
Offensive Lineman Ben Buie
On the offensive line
'We're definitely not where we want to be. We're headed in the direction we need to be. We still lack the experience on the edge. They (the tackles) just keep getting better with every game, but I wouldn't say we're where we need to be yet.'
On what he expects from Louisiana-Lafayettte
'They're going to throw everything they've got at us, and give us their best shot. We just need to use it as an opportunity to get better and take another step towards the Big 12 Conference.'
On protecting the quarterback
'Sam Mayes, Chris Akin and I sat down with the younger guys and told them that we couldn't give up sacks. We led the Big 12 in least sacks given up last year. I told them we've got the best quarterback around if we give him time to throw. It's kind of a pride thing with us to not let him get hit.'
Defensive Back Vernon Grant
On the defense
'I feel like we can get better. Our concept now is to get more turnovers. We feel pretty comfortable with everybody in the secondary. Between Elbert Craig and Darrent Williams we have some veterans on the team. Our communication level has been better than last year. We'll be better at getting turnovers this year.'
On preparation for the game
'I just go out there and play, I just go out and have fun. I treat every game the same. I focus on my key points and what I have to do to get the job done.'
Defensive Lineman Antonio Smith
On the mentality of the team
'We go out to attack. It doesn't matter who the team is or what their record is, we are going to play them just as hard. Every single down we are going to give them all we've got.'
On the defense
'We are where we want to be at this point in the season, but you always want to get better with every practice and every game. I think we can get a lot better than we are now. We're improving every day, our skill level is rising. The best thing we've been doing is stopping the run and rushing the passer. The secondary has been holding up a lot of the receivers for us. The D-line has been getting a lot of sacks lately.'
On the defensive newcomers
'I love our young guys, they go out there and play with at the same intensity level as we do, there's no drop off when we have to come off the field.'
On helping each other during a game
'We all coach each other. Whatever we see on the field we go and tell the others about. What moves would be easy to beat them with. As the game goes along, you figure out exactly what your opponent is going to do.'
On the possibility of upsets
'College football is one you have to prepare and go out with emotion, and you will have an opportunity to win and I think that happens across the board in the Big 12 and in other leagues.'
On practice in the off week
'We really changed our routine up. We went in shorts and shoulder pads on Monday and went in pads and a team scrimmage format on Tuesday. We lifted and ran on Friday and did a short walkthrough practice, and then sent them home for the weekend. I think we have improved. There are some things we set out to do with our players specifically and with our strategy. I believe we got a lot accomplished.'
On Louisiana-Lafayette
'They have played some good teams. They are an 0-5 team that is getting better. If we do what we are supposed to do and get after this team, it is one we should win. They are a very capable team and one we have to take seriously.'
On the offensive game plan
'We will go into the game thinking they will make that decision for us. Historically, they put a lot of people around the line of scrimmage and make it very difficult to run the football. Some of their opponents have had some success running the football.'
On where his team is
'I think we are improved, but I do not know to what extent. We have played some good opponents and some people that we had some advantages against. We have an opponent this week that will test us uniquely. How all this fares in the Big 12 will be decided in the Big 12.'
On making accomplishments during the off week
'You never get everything you want accomplished. It is only a week and I think that we made some strides. We spent some time on some key areas. This open week was beneficial to us.'
On what areas made improvement
'We spent a lot of time on our individual personnel, and I think our team is improved there. I think strategically in offense, defense and special teams we moved along in what we might employ at this point in the season. We got some rest for our kids and we got some people in the weight room that needed strength. I look at it in those areas in the strategy we employ, and how we will change things.'
On Louisiana-Lafayette's personnel
'I think they are talented. I see a bunch of big, strong and athletic kids that will hit you and play hard. If they put it together and play their best football than they will be very competitive. We need to come out and play our game and put it on them.'
Offensive Lineman Ben Buie
On the offensive line
'We're definitely not where we want to be. We're headed in the direction we need to be. We still lack the experience on the edge. They (the tackles) just keep getting better with every game, but I wouldn't say we're where we need to be yet.'
On what he expects from Louisiana-Lafayettte
'They're going to throw everything they've got at us, and give us their best shot. We just need to use it as an opportunity to get better and take another step towards the Big 12 Conference.'
On protecting the quarterback
'Sam Mayes, Chris Akin and I sat down with the younger guys and told them that we couldn't give up sacks. We led the Big 12 in least sacks given up last year. I told them we've got the best quarterback around if we give him time to throw. It's kind of a pride thing with us to not let him get hit.'
Defensive Back Vernon Grant
On the defense
'I feel like we can get better. Our concept now is to get more turnovers. We feel pretty comfortable with everybody in the secondary. Between Elbert Craig and Darrent Williams we have some veterans on the team. Our communication level has been better than last year. We'll be better at getting turnovers this year.'
On preparation for the game
'I just go out there and play, I just go out and have fun. I treat every game the same. I focus on my key points and what I have to do to get the job done.'
Defensive Lineman Antonio Smith
On the mentality of the team
'We go out to attack. It doesn't matter who the team is or what their record is, we are going to play them just as hard. Every single down we are going to give them all we've got.'
On the defense
'We are where we want to be at this point in the season, but you always want to get better with every practice and every game. I think we can get a lot better than we are now. We're improving every day, our skill level is rising. The best thing we've been doing is stopping the run and rushing the passer. The secondary has been holding up a lot of the receivers for us. The D-line has been getting a lot of sacks lately.'
On the defensive newcomers
'I love our young guys, they go out there and play with at the same intensity level as we do, there's no drop off when we have to come off the field.'
On helping each other during a game
'We all coach each other. Whatever we see on the field we go and tell the others about. What moves would be easy to beat them with. As the game goes along, you figure out exactly what your opponent is going to do.'
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