Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Talk Texas Tech at Media Luncheon
November 13, 2006 | Cowboy Football
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On play of secondary against Baylor
“We were better this week than we have been at any point during the season, but you have to tie that in with the ability to put pressure on the passer, you do not have to cover as long. (Against Texas) We watched the ball instead of going after it and attacking, (this week) we went after the ball out here and we were very aggressive. That is why a couple of those pass interference calls did not bother me at all, I want to see our guys going after the ball. I would much rather see that than them watch the ball go over their head and the other team jump up and catch it for a touchdown.”
On team's level of maturity
“This is a very mature football team with a lot of young players. They act responsible, they understand what college football is all about. Our coaching staff has done a good job of instilling the right principles in them. We had two goals, our goal was to win the (Big 12) South and be in postseason play. We were able to accomplish one of those, but I do not think that anybody is selling out and saying lets just ride this thing out and go play a bowl game and have some fun. I know the staff is not and I would be very surprised if the team feels that way.
On leadership
“They are mature because we have good leadership and we had great leadership over the weekend. For example, Victor DeGrate, who was not able to play in the game, was more focused in meetings, practice, travel and preparation for the game maybe than he has ever been. A year ago, Victor is not going to do that.”
On last season's upset win over Texas Tech
“I think our defense had a good scheme and went out and executed. I think our guys played with great effort , pushed and put some pressure on the quarterback, got some hits on him, made some plays in the secondary. Offensively, we were able to move the football, rush the ball some and I think we worked well together on that day.”
On being more relaxed after becoming bowl eligible
“I do not know if you ever get relaxed in what we do as a coaching staff and as players. You just prepare for the next game. I do not know the difference in preparing to play Tech with six wins and preparing to play Tech with five. I want our team to play hard. I do not care if we are 10-0 or 0-10. So we are going to go play Tech, we happen to have six wins and we are going to go play hard.”
On Dantrell Savage's emergence
“I think his speed can be a little deceptive because he is not very tall. If you are pursuing him, if I was a defensive player, and I was not careful you think you are gaining on him and you are actually not gaining on him. He is a lot like (former Cowboy running back) Vernand Morency. If you remember during preseason camp, I told you that I thought he had a chance to be as good as Vernand Morency someday. He has some of the same characteristics as Vernand, but probably faster.”
Senior Offensive Lineman Corey Hilliard
On the play of the offensive line
“Coach Wickline challenged us at the beginning of the week to be physical, and that is what we did. I think we pretty much controlled the line of scrimmage the whole game.”
On the running game against Texas Tech
“It is the whole key to the game, controlling the clock. We need to keep our defense off the field. We need to wear their defense down. The more we do that the more we can score. That will be one of the keys to the game.”
On being bowl eligible
“It was just a big relief. It was a weight lifted off everyone's shoulders. It gave coach Gundy and the rest of the coaching staff a much deserved sixth win. Now we need to go finish off these next two games.”
Junior Linebacker Roderick Johnson
On what the defense will work on this week
“The passing game definitely. The secondary and linebackers will be the key to winning this game. If we can stop the passing game, we will definitely stop the running game. As we all know Texas Tech can put up a lot of points quick on offense. The key is formation recognition and knowing your assignments.”
On the Texas Tech offense
“We all know Texas Tech wants to throw the ball, but they have a lot more to their offense. They love screens and draws. You have to go out there and practice and prepare for everything. You never know what they are going to do. Last year, we did a good job. We are looking at trying to do it again.”
Redshirt Freshman Safety Andre Sexton
On playing a passing team two weeks in a row
“Hopefully it helps, Baylor passes the ball a lot. We worked on the pass a lot last week and it is another week of working on the pass and trying to get pressure on the quarterback. It is pretty similar to last week.”
On the interception opportunities playing against Texas Tech
“I have not gotten a pick yet this year, and it seems that everyone else has one. I want to go out and try to get me one. They are going to through the ball the whole game, so I will get the opportunity. I just have to put myself in the right position.”
On play of secondary against Baylor
“We were better this week than we have been at any point during the season, but you have to tie that in with the ability to put pressure on the passer, you do not have to cover as long. (Against Texas) We watched the ball instead of going after it and attacking, (this week) we went after the ball out here and we were very aggressive. That is why a couple of those pass interference calls did not bother me at all, I want to see our guys going after the ball. I would much rather see that than them watch the ball go over their head and the other team jump up and catch it for a touchdown.”
On team's level of maturity
“This is a very mature football team with a lot of young players. They act responsible, they understand what college football is all about. Our coaching staff has done a good job of instilling the right principles in them. We had two goals, our goal was to win the (Big 12) South and be in postseason play. We were able to accomplish one of those, but I do not think that anybody is selling out and saying lets just ride this thing out and go play a bowl game and have some fun. I know the staff is not and I would be very surprised if the team feels that way.
On leadership
“They are mature because we have good leadership and we had great leadership over the weekend. For example, Victor DeGrate, who was not able to play in the game, was more focused in meetings, practice, travel and preparation for the game maybe than he has ever been. A year ago, Victor is not going to do that.”
On last season's upset win over Texas Tech
“I think our defense had a good scheme and went out and executed. I think our guys played with great effort , pushed and put some pressure on the quarterback, got some hits on him, made some plays in the secondary. Offensively, we were able to move the football, rush the ball some and I think we worked well together on that day.”
On being more relaxed after becoming bowl eligible
“I do not know if you ever get relaxed in what we do as a coaching staff and as players. You just prepare for the next game. I do not know the difference in preparing to play Tech with six wins and preparing to play Tech with five. I want our team to play hard. I do not care if we are 10-0 or 0-10. So we are going to go play Tech, we happen to have six wins and we are going to go play hard.”
On Dantrell Savage's emergence
“I think his speed can be a little deceptive because he is not very tall. If you are pursuing him, if I was a defensive player, and I was not careful you think you are gaining on him and you are actually not gaining on him. He is a lot like (former Cowboy running back) Vernand Morency. If you remember during preseason camp, I told you that I thought he had a chance to be as good as Vernand Morency someday. He has some of the same characteristics as Vernand, but probably faster.”
Senior Offensive Lineman Corey Hilliard
On the play of the offensive line
“Coach Wickline challenged us at the beginning of the week to be physical, and that is what we did. I think we pretty much controlled the line of scrimmage the whole game.”
On the running game against Texas Tech
“It is the whole key to the game, controlling the clock. We need to keep our defense off the field. We need to wear their defense down. The more we do that the more we can score. That will be one of the keys to the game.”
On being bowl eligible
“It was just a big relief. It was a weight lifted off everyone's shoulders. It gave coach Gundy and the rest of the coaching staff a much deserved sixth win. Now we need to go finish off these next two games.”
Junior Linebacker Roderick Johnson
On what the defense will work on this week
“The passing game definitely. The secondary and linebackers will be the key to winning this game. If we can stop the passing game, we will definitely stop the running game. As we all know Texas Tech can put up a lot of points quick on offense. The key is formation recognition and knowing your assignments.”
On the Texas Tech offense
“We all know Texas Tech wants to throw the ball, but they have a lot more to their offense. They love screens and draws. You have to go out there and practice and prepare for everything. You never know what they are going to do. Last year, we did a good job. We are looking at trying to do it again.”
Redshirt Freshman Safety Andre Sexton
On playing a passing team two weeks in a row
“Hopefully it helps, Baylor passes the ball a lot. We worked on the pass a lot last week and it is another week of working on the pass and trying to get pressure on the quarterback. It is pretty similar to last week.”
On the interception opportunities playing against Texas Tech
“I have not gotten a pick yet this year, and it seems that everyone else has one. I want to go out and try to get me one. They are going to through the ball the whole game, so I will get the opportunity. I just have to put myself in the right position.”
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