Oklahoma State University Athletics
Highlights From Monday's Football Media Luncheon
November 19, 2007 | Cowboy Football
“Obviously it was a good win for us last week, it was good for the players to get back on the winning track. I said after the game obviously it would help with the attitude this week and the practice tonight, so we're looking forward to this next game. Everybody in here is very familiar with the Bedlam game and this is a good football team, as good a defense as we've faced. It should be a challenge for us in all areas. I think the keys to the game are very simple; take care of the football, tackle in space and be sound in special teams. It seems to be that way each week and when you play the teams that are better than the others then it becomes more evident that you need to have success in those areas.”
On Zac Robinson's Improvement:
“He gets better each game. He gets a better feel for what's happening out there. Zac has good vision and he sees things. As he continues to get more reps and play more games, he'll get better each game and he has shown those signs of improvement. He made some throws in the last two or three games that he wouldn't have made five games ago because he just couldn't see it all. Now he starts to see it all and he learns to play to the speed of the game.”
On Zac Robinson Running the Ball:
“Zac has a pretty good feel for that (zone-read) play. That play is like a drop back passer, sometimes guys can anticipate where a receiver will be in a window and throw it before it happens and some guys can practice it all their life and never do it. We've leaned pretty heavy on it because of his natural ability to know how to handle it.”
On Oklahoma's Defense:
“They're as good as we've played so far on defense. They're obviously very big and physical up front. DeMarcus Granger and Gerald McCoy and those guys in there are good players and they run well. Curtis Lofton moves well side to side and they're physical in the back end and they're good tacklers in the back end.”
On offensive struggles during recent Bedlam games:
“They've got good players that run well side to side and I think they've had good plans against us. Part of slowing down a running game is being able to defend down the field throwing the ball and they've had guys that have played pretty well defending us down the field throwing the ball.”
On The Offensive Line's Improvement:
“They were pretty good against Baylor. They had been average up to this point, but the Baylor game they blocked well. We didn't pass-protect very well, but we blocked in the running game well. They're better than they were because they've had seven games, but we still have a ways to go up front.”
On Andrew Lewis' Improvement at Center:
“He's getting a little bit better each game. He's understanding recognition. He has a better feel for what's going on. He's not quite as physical as what we'd want him to be, but he's getting there.”
On Oklahoma losing at Texas Tech:
“Nothing shocks me with college football anymore, especially this season. I got asked that this morning on my Big 12 call and I think that's probably here to stay, the parity in college football.”
Defensive end Marque Fountain
Who enjoys this game more, the players or the fans?
“I think it's both. It is a really exciting week for our football team and the fans as well especially with us playing OU and being the last game of the regular season. It has always been an exciting game for me in the four years that I have been here.”
On OSU's recent success on the road:
“We practice hard and we haven't changed our practice habits and sometimes the game does not turn out like we want it. We just have to go out there and practice hard and get ready for the team that we have to play.”
On facing Oklahoma:
“This is our rival. I think that any time a team plays its rival it is going to be exciting. We have to go out and put another win on our schedule. I don't look at it as being a spoiler for them, but we have to go out there and take care of our business and get a win for OSU.”
Defensive end Nathan Peterson
On the rivalry with Oklahoma:
“It is something I have grown up around ever since I was a little kid. I watched this rivalry every year. It is really important to me and I haven't beat OU since I have been here. This is an important game and I would like to pull an upset for my senior year.”
On last week's win at Baylor:
“It was just a lot of fun. Our whole defense was having fun. Guys were making plays on the D-Line and in the secondary as well. To have such a great win like that to make our team bowl eligible is a memorable experience.”
On being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week:
“It means a lot. I have been fortunate enough- this is the second time- to receive this honor and it is something that I am definitely really proud of. In such a great conference, to be able to do that really means a lot to me. At the same time it is really important to carry it over and follow up with another really good game.”
Quarterback Zac Robinson
On OSU's Offensive balance:
“Our balance is what gets us going. I think I heard someone say that we are averaging the same amount of yards rushing and passing per game and that's a lot of credit to our offensive line to do both and our running backs and receivers who are making plays.”
On setting the single-season record for total yards:
“I haven't really thought about it a lot. It is definitely really nice, but a lot of credit has to go to my teammates. We've got so many guys that are just big weapons in this offense and it just makes my job a whole lot easier. I haven't really thought about it, but maybe after the season I will realize what it was.”
Linebacker Jeremy Nethon
On the difference between Bedlam and other games:
“It is just the feel of it. It's the environment and the buzz around the community and just the family. I've got OU people in my family and OSU people in my family. It's a good feel and it is something that you come to college for...that rivalry and for that feeling.”
On having the ability to spoil OU's season:
“That would be good. I don't really want to take the role on us being the spoiler, but it would be a good feeling.”
On playing in Norman:
“That's a really hostile environment. Last time I was down there it was just insane. I have never seen anything like it. It is going to be tough to go down there and play because the fans are a tough crowd. You've got to get ready for it.”
Safety Clint Coe
On the Bedlam Series:
“Our next opportunity to be a better team than we were last year is in front of us this week. [Bedlam] means a lot to the players that are from Oklahoma and that are really familiar with the rivalry. Even the players from out-of-state understand the importance of the rivalry.”
On what he's thankful for:
“I am thankful for the opportunity to play in bedlam this week and to go out with a win my senior year.”
