Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coach Gundy and Players Talk about 2006 Season Opener
August 28, 2006 | Cowboy Football
Oklahoma State Press Luncheon
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the team
“As a staff we have to evaluate where we are as a team after the game. We are never going to stand up here and say we are going to blow somebody out in order to meet expectations. We want to play a disciplined football game and we want to see where our young players are at and we will play a lot of them in this game.”
On the team's improvement
“We are a better football team now than what we were. We are looking forward to playing and seeing how our team has formed. We want to see how far the young players have come along, and the players who were young last year should play better now. There will be freshmen out there playing and we will try to bring those guys along as fast as we can.”
On Missouri State
“We do not have any idea of what Missouri State is going to do obviously with a new coaching staff and the coordinators coming from different places. We are concerned with our execution and getting the ball to guys who can make plays, tackling and doing things we talked about. We have no idea of what they will run.”
On the improvement of Bobby Reid
“We have asked (Bobby) to run the football and not to just run and slide, but to run and make somebody miss him. He needs to be able to run the football effectively, whether it's a structured play or not.”
On the defense
“I think we are better tacklers on defense. I like our speed and our athleticism in the secondary and at linebacker. Chris Collins is a true freshman who has a lot of ability and he has not played in a game in two years. Jacob Lacey and Perrish Cox are a couple young guys who will do a good job tackling once they get a feel for it. Andre Sexton at safety will eventually be a good tackler. We are better in those two areas.”
D'Juan Woods
On the new season
“We get an opportunity to get back on the playing field. We have a chance to strap on the pads and get another shot at it. We are just thankful that some of us get that opportunity.”
On the offense
“We are going to be a lot better. We are working a lot more on the details, not necessarily where we need to go and what we need to do. We are working a lot more on polishing everything up.”
On Bobby Reid
“This is his team. He knows that now. It is getting to the point were you see a guy take ownership of something. This is his offense and when a guy gets that in his head he is a new person. We are behind him 100 percent.“
Andre Sexton
On the defensive backfield
“We have grown together in so many different ways. We are closer as friends on and off the field. We communicate a lot more. We understand formations and what they can do. We are more relaxed.”
On where the defense needs to improve
“We are going to force more turnovers. That is one thing the coaches have preached during the off season.”
On year two in the defensive system
“Everybody is a lot more comfortable than they were last year. It was hard for me to pick up the defense at first. In the spring, I picked it up a lot easier. Being in the system longer helps. We do not have to worry about lining up in our assignments. We just worry about what the offense is going to do and how to stop them.”
Corey Hilliard
On the offensive line
I would not say we were the weak link but we have a lot more stability with (David) Koenig at guard. Brady (Bond) has been a surprise for us and that has been a good thing.”
On the importance of a good start
“It is very important from a confidence stand point. It is good to get off on a good foot. We do not want to start off like we did last year with the close games.”
On the running backs
“It does not matter to me as long as they are getting yards and producing. I do not care who is back there.”
Bobby Reid
On moving on from preseason
“We had guys fighting, battling and getting hurt. I think two-a-days really are a mental thing. You have to stay mentally focused and tough. The temperature was always high. You have to stay focused. I am glad it is over with.”
On the importance of a good start
“It is real important. Coach Gundy has been stressing that to the offense. Especially the first game to set the tempo. We need to have a big weekend.”
On what fans can expect from him
“That I am just out there having fun. The smile is going to be there. A lot of people said they did not notice my smile last year because I had a lot on my mind. I just cannot wait to play. I am a little nervous but I cannot wait until Saturday.”
