Oklahoma State University Athletics
Quotes From Wednesday's Football Media Luncheon
December 19, 2007 | Cowboy Football
Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
“We're halfway through bowl practice and everything's going well. Just continuing preparation for Indiana and trying to get back on track. The coaches have been back in the office since Sunday and are off the road from recruiting. It's nice to get back in and be there as a group and have functional staff meetings and get organized for the remainder of the week and in bowl game prep. We had good weather to practice. We'll practice Thursday, Friday and Saturday, then turn the players loose and they'll meet us out there on the 26th, so everything's going accordingly. Just trying to stay on track and get ready to play Indiana.”
On Any Changes With Larry Fedora Now Gone To Southern Miss:
“The practice organization was done way before Larry left, so that was all structured. Offensive meetings go the exact same as they have gone. When you've done it as long as we've done it, it just continues. Our practices look the same, the structure is the same. I've picked up the scripting part that he had before practice. I've done that and everything else has stayed the same.”
“Everything we've done offensively in those meetings has been a collective effort. We come to a conclusion on what we want to do depending on what Indiana's doing. It hasn't changed much. You really wouldn't notice the difference unless he's obviously not there scripting that final part of practice, but all the discussions and things that take place are the same as they have been.”
On Indiana:
“It's really hard to compare them to anybody. They rely heavily on Kellen Lewis' ability to make a play. He's very elusive. If you load the box, they're going to throw it out to James Hardy. They play hard, they're well-coached.”
“They're very sound in what they do on defense. They don't do a lot. Obviously, they've had a month to prepare for this game, so they may change some of those things. They're going to stay back, they don't give up a lot of big plays, they're in the right spot. They use their hands well. They do a good job of getting in their gaps. Everyone's aware of the edge pressure. They've got a guy in Greg Middleton who's got 16 sacks and they've got another guy in Jammie Kirlew whose got a number himself. They're good pass rushers off the edge. In the middle, they do a good job holding down their gaps and holding down linemen and keeping them off their backers.”
Senior linebacker Donovan Woods
On the defense's struggles
“At times, we need to tackle better. There's no secret to the defense, no secret call or anything like that can help you stop people. The basic thing is you've got to run to the ball and you've got to hit and tackle.”
On the development of the defense
“At times we played like we're capable of playing. It's those times that we didn't that keep you from being a good defense. Coach Beckman definitely has the right people in place, and we're continuing to get good players. Next year, we'll continue to build on the positive things that we did this year, and I think we'll continue to get better.”
Senior defensive end Nathan Peterson
On the bowl game
“It means everything to me personally. (Indiana) is going to get my best game. Our whole team takes this game very seriously, especially the seniors because this is our last time to play college football. They're going to get our best game, just like we expect theirs.”
On coordinator Tim Beckman's defense
“I see things getting better for our defense down the road. It takes time for a new coordinator to come in and get the style he wants to run and the players he wants to recruit. That's a process, and I'm confident this will end up being one of the best defenses in the conference in time.”
Sophomore quarterback Zac Robinson
On his injured shoulder
“I feel great. I haven't had a problem with the shoulder since I started throwing full time. It's feeling good and haven't had any problems. I'm ready to go.”
On his season
“It's been a lot of ups and downs. Just not knowing what to expect. There were a lot of things that I didn't expect to happen coming into the season that did. I took advantage of the opportunity and just had fun with it. I can't thank the guys around me enough for helping me out.”
On what he was most pleased about
“Being able to finish games like we didn't do last year. We won the Texas Tech game last minute and the Kansas State game as well.”
On the Indiana defense
“They're really fundamentally sound. You don't catch them in the wrong plays very much. They've got a lot of good players, and a defensive end that leads the country in sacks. We're going to have our hands full. Scheme-wise, they're kind of like Texas Tech, and they're always in the right place.”
Sophomore center Andrew Lewis
On going to the Insight Bowl
“Everybody is excited. We're excited about going to the warm weather and getting the chance to go against Indiana. For us, it's all about having fun but also taking care of business.”
On the success of the offense
“I don't know the numbers or anything, but we've obviously had a lot of success. Zac (Robinson) has done a good job controlling the offense and being a leader. We've got a lot of weapons, and it's exciting because we're not just limited to one thing. It's fun to do different things in the offense.”
On taking over at center when David Washington was lost due to injury
“It was weird. At the Georgia game, I was just another lineman trying to do a job. Then Dave got hurt, and I went in there at center. Playing center, you've got to be more in control, be the leader of the offensive line and make all the calls. I think I've improved playing center. I've gotten more vocal and become a leader on the offensive line.”
Junior safety Ricky Price
On moving from wide receiver to safety this season
“Towards the end of the season I started getting a lot more confident. I was able to make more plays and I felt that I was in the right place at the right time. The biggest improvement I made was tackling and being aggressive. I still need to work more on reading my keys better.”
On what was the most difficult adjustment from offense to defense
“Reading the keys to make the tackle because I still had it in me to pop somebody.”
On his favorite memory from the season
“It would have to be the Texas Tech game, the last play of the game when I barely got a finger on the ball.”
