Oklahoma State University Athletics
Quotes From Oklahoma State's Monday Media Conference
August 28, 2007 | Cowboy Football
Head Coach Mike Gundy regarding his concerns going into the Georgia game:
“We have young guys that are playing hard and I think we have them prepared to play in this game. They need to stay healthy inside that defensive line. That's a concern that I have more than anything. Honestly, Coach Richt and his staff are aware of that. They are going to line up and try to run the ball right at them and try to keep the ball away from our offense. Our guys that are in there, I think will make plays. They are going to get knocked around a little bit. The first time you play at this level, you get knocked around much less playing against a quality opponent like Georgia. They have to fight back and I think we have a plan on defense to put them in position.”
Gundy regarding leadership:
“We are going to have three captains. An offense, defense and special teams even though we have more candidates. We are going to allow the team to vote and whoever has the most votes in that category will be our captain.”
Gundy regarding his thoughts on where the team is leading up to the Georgia game:
“I feel good. I think we are in very good physical condition. I think we have good leadership. We have a good attitude and I think our players are looking forward to playing.”
Gundy regarding Donovan Woods:
“Donovan is one of our leaders and does a great job with our team. He is one of those guys that is a candidate for a captain. A year ago he didn't want to make that transition, but I think after seeing what coach Beckman's system allows him to do in that position, that he has decided to do it. At 232 pounds that is really where he should be playing. We have been proud of him for accepting this role and he has been a good leader for us.”
Gundy regarding the OSU offense:
“We haven't been very patient offensively around here in the last two years. We were pretty aggressive right from the start. I think there are some areas where you have to allow the flow of the game to take place and react at some point. Our philosophy offensively has been to attack pretty much but that doesn't mean we don't have to show some signs of patience depending on the game.”
Gundy regarding quarterback Bobby Reid:
“He is a better player now than he was in the bowl game. He is more mature. He starting to get a real good feel for what we try to do on offense. He has matured in a lot of areas. In order for Bobby to play well he has to run in the game, whether it's a break down in a fast play and him take off and run or it's a design run which we do a lot of. He needs to run well and put that extra pressure on the defense. He has to run the ball in order for us to be good on offense because that's the recipe to success at this point for us. He has to pick up the slack in that area.”
Gundy regarding Georgia:
“It's a big game. Our goal is to have our players prepared both mentally and physically. If we play well and compete hard and win every game we play, that's what we try to accomplish every week.”
Gundy regarding Georgia's crowd:
“I don't think that there is any doubt that it will be loud. We have tried to prepare for that the best we can. One thing about our offense is we talk all the time. That does give us an advantage in my opinion, because we practice so much of it. At times our players are so comfortable with it that they don't even have to hear each other. They can tell by looking at signals and things what the play may be so I think that's an advantage.”
Gundy regarding OSU's preparation:
“Our guys are really excited about playing. We are cutting back to two-hour and fifteen-minute practices. The coaches are ready and I think the players are ready. We still need three or four good practices. The way things are set up we get pretty far into it. We are ready to go play and see exactly where we stand.”
Gundy regarding Georgia:
“Obviously, it's not just another game. I don't think there is anybody that has been around college football or knows the time and effort that goes into preparing for a season or another game that would say it's just another game. Even around the house on Sunday when I am cutting the grass and a neighbor walks by and they actually have enough guts to say something to me. They will ask me if I am excited, but excited really hasn't started for me yet because there is so much preparation that goes into these games. As a coach, you never feel like you have enough days to prepare. You worry about every little scenario that could happen in the first game and you want to do the best job of coaching and put your players in situations in practice that they could be prepared for in case it happens.”
Gundy regarding his team:
“When you have guys that can make plays on offense and you feel confident that if they touch the ball they will have opportunities to make plays, that gives you the reassurance that at some point you will move the ball. We are not as far along as mature players that have the same playmaking ability that we do on offense, but I feel confident that our defense will play hard, run to the football and tackle better than we have. They have come together as a group. We have good leadership for our team.”
Wide receiver Adarius Bowman on the challenge of facing Georgia:
“I mainly know the advantages we have versus our biggest challenge. I know from the film we have been watching and the information we've heard that they are lacking experience on defense. I look at that as an advantage.”
Bowman regarding the Georgia defense:
“I feel like coach Fedora has done a great job preparing us. I feel like whatever the other defense has for us, we have something to match it. I am confident about this season.”
Bowman regarding opening the season with a ranked team:
“I feel like our team is ready to step up to the plate. In my opinion, I feel like if you want to be one of the best you you've got to play the best and what better way to start it off than against a ranked team. I'm all for it. I'm glad we did this.”
Quarterback Bobby Reid regarding Georgia:
“I think now I am kind of excited to play in front of a big crowd like that. Last year when we played at Texas, I was not really too fired up about it. I think that comes with the territory. I am just trying to get my guys ready. Coaches have been doing a good job of turning the speakers up on us and making me yell more.”
Reid regarding Georgia's defense:
“That's something that we are going to try to expose. We don't know what this defense brings. They have three guys coming back that have played last year. The rest are new to the game, so I believe we have an edge on that.”
Reid regarding OSU linebacker Donovan Woods:
“A guy like Donovan, I look up to him. Any less of a person that has been through what he has been through probably would have transferred. I have been here just as long as he has. Every move he makes, he makes 100 percent. In practice, he has made the move from offense to defense, which is a hard thing to do. I have been playing offense all my life so I can't imagine what it's like. Then he moved to linebacker and I have been watching every step that he has taken and I admire him so much and I don't think he really knows it. It's really important for a guy like him to keep pushing and keep fighting because it's all going to pay off for him in the end. Now he is one of our leaders on defense and I always look to him to make something happen and he always comes through for us.”
Wide receiver Tommy Devereaux regarding Georgia's crowd:
“I think with the way we play with hand signals and if we stay focused and humble, we will be alright even with the noise.
Devereaux regarding Bobby Reid being more vocal:
“I think it helps a whole lot because offense takes time. He is more relaxed. Bobby just calms down and he has become a real leader.”
Devereaux regarding Georgia:
“Who wouldn't want to play in a big game on TV, in a big stadium against a top-ranked team? That's what every kid dreams of. I always wanted to be here at one time. It's an opportunity for us and we are excited about that.”
Devereaux regarding Georgia:
If we win this game it will be a motivator and confidence booster for all the coaches and players. I think it will open up a lot of eyes to everybody in the nation to think of Oklahoma State as a real contender.”
Defensive End Nathan Peterson regarding differences in the defensive scheme from last year:
“We are pretty much running a whole new defense and have a whole new mentality. Everything we do is pretty different. The focus is on speed and execution as far as running our blitzes and being in the right place at the right time.”
Peterson regarding practice:
“I honestly have seen huge strides since the spring. We have finally learned everything and everyone is getting down what they need to and you start to see everything come into sync.”
Offensive lineman David Koenig regarding offensive line coach Joe Wickline moving players into multiple positions along the offensive line
“For me, I don't care where I play. Anywhere I play on the offensive line I feel comfortable. I think it is more taking one for the team. I think he feels comfortable putting many anywhere on the offensive line and I think he is just moving guys around trying to give them experience.”
Koenig regarding the offensive line:
“I feel that we are a little underappreciated and a little overlooked. That could be a key advantage for us. I feel like we have come together and we are ready for this year.”
Linebacker Marcus Brown regarding defense:
“I think with our new defensive coordinator, the sky is the limit for our defense with our potential, especially with the moves that we have made with bringing Donovan Woods down to linebacker. He has been playing awesome. Everybody is on the boat with Coach Beckman and I think the sky is the limit.”
Brown regarding Woods' position change:
“I really think it is a better fit for him than safety. With his body structure, he is six-foot-two, 230 pounds, fast, and in the spring he was learning the position. But now he has brought his game to a whole new level at linebacker.”
