Oklahoma State University Athletics
Les Miles Answers Questions About Iowa State
September 27, 2004 | Cowboy Football
Head Coach Les Miles
On the week off
“The week off was good. We got some guys healthy, and we did some things that were productive on offense, defense and special teams. We had a mock scrimmage against Iowa State on Thursday. It was a productive week.”
On Bobby Reid
“Bobby takes a series of snaps at every practice. He is progressing. He has to be reintroduced to the offense. I imagine that he will be ready to play in a short time. It is tough to say when he is going to play. You do not know how fast he is going to come along, and what the team needs at the time of the decision. Those two things are the requirements.”
On the quarterback competition
“I think Donovan is doing everything that he can to help this football team. I do not think that he is looking behind himself. He certainly understands that if we turned to somebody else, that they are capable as well. I think he is just focused on the job that he has to do.”
On opening conference play at home
“It is nice to be home. We enjoy playing in Boone Pickens Stadium. We like our routine when we get to play at home.”
On having a chance to start the season 4-0
“Starting 4-0 becomes important as it improves our standing in the conference. It allows us to progress towards our goals. Being 4-0 is awfully important, but 5-0 is even more important and it keeps going.”
On Iowa State
“I think they are a good running team. They have a physical offensive line. They have an athletic quarterback with tall receivers that can catch the ball. They are capable on defense. I think their defense is athletic. They have good players along the defensive line. They have big and strong linebackers. The safeties are tall, athletic, big and rangy. They also have good corners. They are a good quality defense. I look at them as a tremendous challenge.”
Defensive Back Vernon Grant
On the defense “I feel like we've come a long way. Our main focus this season is to create turnovers. Last year we had a lot of interceptions, but not too many fumble recoveries. We made our focus to get turnovers on defense, because that is what wins games.”
On Iowa State “They have a good quarterback and a good, tall receiving corps. They have a pretty good offense.”
On his play this season “It has been kind of a shock to me. I just continue to make plays. I've got two interceptions for the season. I continue to look for more: more turnovers, more tackles, more interceptions. That is my main focus coming into the game.”
Running Back Vernand Morency
On Iowa State “They're a good ball club, well coached, and they are very run-stop conscious. We are going to go in with the same game plan and just go at them.”
On the success of Big 12 running backs “It is a great thing. The Big 12 is known for physical play, that's just what we do.”
Quarterback Donovan Woods
On the game plan “We are going to continue to do things that Oklahoma State does, and adapt to how their team plays.”
On holding on to the ball “It's definitely a positive. We want to continue to hold on to the ball and not have turnovers. If you do that, you give your team a whole lot better chance to win.”
