Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Meets With The Media
August 02, 2008 | Cowboy Football
Members of the Oklahoma State football team met with members of the media Saturday in Stillwater to discuss the 2008 season. The following is a sampling of quotes from Cowboy coaches and players.
Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy:
On practice:
"The players are moving around well. We've stayed healthy. We're excited. The defense really played well today. We got close to setting a record for the most turnovers in one preseason practice, which is really good for the defense. We're excited about that."
On the team's "December 6, Big 12 Championship" bracelet's
"That's something the players came up with. They put one of those on my desk. I think it's more of a commitment to team and a goal. One thing that we had mentioned as a unit is that we don't talk enough around here about winning a championship. The players felt like they needed to talk more about winning a championship."
On the example of Kansas' success last season:
"That's something you would like to talk about, but I think the players are well aware of it. I think it's a good example of if a team comes together and works really hard - and in my personal opinion I thought the coaching staff did a tremendous job - that you can do anything you want to do."
On the offensive line:
"We really feel like we have two solid centers and three guards and three tackles, and we have several young players on the offensive line that we think are going to be good players."
On Zac Robinson and Big 12 Quarterbacks:
"For us, I wouldn't trade (Robinson) for anybody. There are some really good quarterbacks in this league, and I think the coaches and the offensive coordinators have done a good job getting players that really adapt to their style of play. They're different, but you always feel like if you play a team with a good quarterback you have to play very well because they always have a chance to win. For what we do on offense, we think Zac is great and we're glad to have him."
Junior defensive end Derek Burton
On his development as a player:
"It was great learning behind Victor DeGrate. He really helped me develop as a player. I think (he showed me) off the field, just how to carry yourself. When you learn how to carry yourself (off the field), it will be make you that much better on the field. Go about everything 100 percent and win or lose, you did your best. That's all you can ask for."
On working under new defensive line coach Glenn Spencer:
"It's new. He's a different style from our last coach, but he's a really good guy. We're still getting to know him, and it's been a lot of fun learning from him. Our last coach was a little more laid back. Coach Spencer is very to-the-point."
On his nervousness entering the season as a starter:
"I've always gotten nervous. Even back in high school, going out there and starting has always been a big thing to me. I started a few games last year so I know what it's like. I got to start against
Junior linebacker Andre Sexton
On what he likes about the linebacker position:
"I like getting to blitz more, getting to be close to the line of scrimmage, feeling more like a run stopper. I feel like it plays more into my strong suits."
On the defense entering this season:
"I definitely think it is (more comfortable for the defense entering this season) because everybody has adjusted to Coach Beckman more. He's also adjusted his schemes to fit our personalities better. Everybody's comfortable out there and everybody's having fun, and when everybody's having fun it makes it a lot easier to go out there and practice hard."
On what drew him to
"The coaches, the atmosphere; I really liked coach Gundy when he came in. He really wanted to get after it. The opportunity to play, (
On the defensive competition:
"We've got a nice group of young freshmen that came in. Richetti Jones will get a chance to step up. Guys work so hard in the weight room and get so strong and fast, they can't do anything but help us and make us better. We're going to have more depth. I think that's what we lacked last year and the couple of years I've been here. We're right there with the top teams like
Redshirt freshman defensive end Richetti Jones:
On the defensive improvement:
"The defense made a big stride in the spring, a very big stride. I feel that when the season starts, the offense and the defense will be clicking on all cylinders. We've been working hard and we feel that we can be a very productive defense just like our offense."
On the defensive pressure:
"What you saw in the spring, we'll show you in the fall. We have been working hard, and we really want to focus on the task at hand and play hard."
On the wristbands the players wear:
"It gives you something to really look forward to. When you wake up or you're just walking down the street and you look down at your wrist and see that wristband - 'December 6, Big 12 Championship.' That's where we want to be and that's where we're striving to be at so it plays a big key in what we're doing. It's more than just being on the field. It's mental."
Senior defensive back Ricky Price
On the goals for the defense:
"We're shooting for a Top-25 defense. That's our goal. With the way we're coming out in practice, with the way we're working hard, it's very achievable."
On going through last year after switching from offense to defense:
"It was okay. At times I struggled, just with my learning curve and having to go from offense to defense. That was the hardest thing, just changing my whole mentality and not blocking everybody that I had to tackle."
Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman
On the new junior college players:
"The first thing I'll say about those junior college players is that they're all winners. They all came from great programs, and they all know what it takes to be a champion because they've all played in championship games or played for a championship. That was one thing we looked at with the junior college players because they know how to win. They've been taught how to win."
On the defense:
"I still believe deep down in my heart, and I know, that defense wins championships so that's what we keep on harping on. We learn to take care of our own business, and everything will take care of itself. I'm big on family, and we're going to treat each other as family, as a brother. They've done a good job with that, and I've seen them really buying in to what we're asking them to do."
On increased comfort in the defensive system:
"They're more comfortable with me I'm sure, and I'm more comfortable with them. We've brought in a recruiting class that's kind of based around the defense for what we're looking at. I feel more comfortable and I'm sure they are, and we're excited and eager for the next season to get started."
