Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coach Gundy and Players Meet with the Media
October 09, 2006 | Cowboy Football
OSU Football
Media Luncheon
Monday, October 7, 20006
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Head Coach Mike Gundy
On his team's attitude
“They understand that in life this is not the last time that something is going to happen to them that they do not want or that is difficult to swallow. Let me remind everybody, that when we have players on this team that accept a loss and it does not bother them for a couple of days, then we have a problem. Anything you work for, pay the price or put a lot into, as a coach, player or anything, and you do not achieve want you want it should hurt. As a coaching staff, it is our job to show the players that good things did happen in the game. We also have to show the players where the made mistakes. We show the players that up until four minutes or so left in the game they (Kansas State) were averaging 2.3 or 2.7 yards per snap. Then we had some coverage break downs and some missed tackles. Their quarterback made some big plays and they won the game. We had opportunities to make big plays and we did not. When you show them that, then as young people, they understand and they get back to work.”
On freshman running back Keith Toston
“The plays he makes on game day are the things that come natural to him. He is still a freshman and there is a lot of learning involved. The thing I like about Keith is he shows a lot of toughness, both physically and mentally. Players who continue to develop and get better on this level are players who are tough. He is further ahead physically and mentally from a toughness standpoint than most freshman.”
On learning to win
“I think any success that anyone has in sports is done through repetition. The players on the team know they are a better football team. We have to make the plays late. As coaches, that is what we have to instill in them. You are in position to make a play, now go do it.”
On the importance of the Kansas game
“Every game we play is important. There is no more important game, to us, than Kansas. They had a tough loss. They could have won that game. They are doing a good job. It is going to be a dog fight. When you play in this league on the road you better have your A game. In the last game, the defense played good for all but four minutes and they offense did not start until the third quarter. You cannot do that. Guys have got to be ready to play football.”
On Kansas
“I think they are a very well coached football team. It is obvious coach Mangino has his systems in place. He is doing a nice job. He has put his team in positions to win in just about every game they have played in. I think there is something to be said for that.”
Linebacker Rodrick Johnson
On K-State's fourth quarter comeback
“I think guys started thinking maybe this game was won already and didn't play to the best of their abilities. It just got away from us and (a) blur is a good way to describe it because when I look back on it, half the plays they ran I cannot remember. It went by so quick.”
On the defense
“As a defense, we did not finish the game and that is what it ultimately came down to. You do well all through the game and then at the end of the game you let it slip away, that is the toughest way to lose.”
On moving forward after the loss
“This is just another stepping stone that we have to get over. This team will get better and this defense will get better. This team is ten times better than we were last year at this point and I do not see us taking any backward steps, I only see us moving forward from here.”
Offensive Lineman Corey Hilliard
On Saturday's loss
“I am still not over it, honestly. That is probably the most painful loss I have had since I have been here.”
On importance of Kansas game
“Every week is a challenge. Especially this week with two teams in the same boat, we both need this win bad, it is going to be another dog fight.”
On the Kansas game
“I'm sure they want it just as bad as we do, so nothing but our best effort is going to win this game. (We need) our best effort and our best preparation, watching film, putting this other game behind us and just getting ready for another quality team.”
On the play of Bobby Reid
“I am proud of Bobby. He is stepping up and I told him that after the game. I am proud of the way he is running the offense and how he has matured so far. I am just happy that he is doing good right now.”
Defensive end Darnell Smith
On Moving on from the loss
“It has been devastating before and we came back and learned from our mistakes and we built upon the loss, we overcame it.”
On being able to finish games in the future
“The only thing we have to do differently is capitalize on our mistakes. We have to finish the game. We started the game kind of slow and then we built up, but we have got to finish. We are going to stick to our game plan, we are going to do what we do best, but we have got to learn to finish and capitalize.”
