Oklahoma State University Athletics
Media Luncheon Quotes
August 30, 2004 | Cowboy Football
OSU Coach Les Miles
On the Captains for UCLA
“We gave the opportunity for our football team to vote on captains for the UCLA game. The three guys chosen were senior tight end Billy Bajema, free safety Jon Holland and our punter Cole Farden. Three guys that are most deserving and have displayed leadership since they have been here.”
On being ready for UCLA
“We are a young football team in certain places and i think that we are a very talented football team. I think that there are enough veterans throughout this team that provide leadership and consistent play. I think that our football team is prepared offensively. It has been a great summer, Donavon Woods has thrown the football very well. We are healthy enough to compete, but a little nicked up coming out of two-a-days. I think we are capable and offensively we will be ready for the opener.”
On the Running backs
“Vernand Morency, Greg Jones and Seymore Shaw should all be healthy to play in this game. I don't think that there is any question that all three will be ready.”
On Special Teams
“I think that our special teams is going to be pretty solid. A coach always wants a kicker that will kick it out of the end zone. Our return guys are solid. Then Luke Roberts and Jason Ricks have good competition for field goal and extra point placements. I think we will come out with a guy, if we don't already have one, who will be pretty darn good at it.”
On Donavon Woods' leadership
“He has been competitive and is a very bright guy. He is capable physically. He can throw and run, but he is a mature competitor. He wants to win, and there is not going to be any lack of aggressiveness. He's going to go out and compete. He has, in my opinion, all of the intangibles of being a competitor.
Senior Safety Jon Holland
On team's young offense
”Offensive wise, our running game is pretty good, and our passing game is going to come along.”
On team's defense ”I think we are more physical and faster than we were last year. Every year, your defense changes. You have other people playing, but I feel much faster. Our secondary and linebackers are pretty much the same as last year, and our defensive line is young but they are definitely coming along.”
Senior Tight End Billy Bajema
On young quarterback Donovan Woods
“I don't think he is the type of player that will lose his cool. He has a lot of confidence and I think he will be able to go in there and maybe even calm some of the other guys down.”
On young group of receivers
“Well, Rashaun is gone so a few young guys are gonna have to step up. We do have a lot of playmakers. Our receivers can go in there and catch some big balls and make some big plays. We have a lot of confidence in them.“
On being named a team captain for the UCLA game
“It's just a great honor. I guess there is a lot of responsibility with it. I just want to live up to it by providing leadership, and be the kind of guy your teammates can look up to to lead us into our first game.“
Junior linebacker Paul Duren
On UCLA's offense
“They run a west coast offense with a smash mouth style running game, and they love throwing the short drops in the passing game.”
On opening the season in the Rose Bowl
“It's just gonna be a great experience. Last year we went to Lincoln for the opener, and this year we go to the grand daddy of them all. It's awesome and it is gonna be a great experience.”
