Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Meet The Media
October 11, 2010 | Cowboy Football
Oct. 11, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy and selected Cowboys met with members of the media at Boone Pickens Stadium on Monday to look ahead to this week's game at Texas Tech. The highlights:
Mike Gundy, Head Coach
Opening Statement
“We're back to work and looking forward to a good week of practice. This will be a good challenge for our football team playing a very explosive offense and a defense that runs very well side-to-side. This is a team that played very well in the last game. We need to continue to improve on pass rush and defend the passing game better. Offensively we need to be consistent over four quarters and find ways to run the football and take care of the football. Anytime you play in a game like this, turnovers will be key. Whoever wins that battle will have a great chance to win the game. We're looking forward to getting back to work and playing out there on Saturday afternoon.”
On not playing consistently over all four quarters
“Last week was different in that we started good in the first quarter, then tapered off a little bit and made some adjustments and played better in the third quarter. I don't think there is any question that our coaching staff and our players are aware that we need to play consistent throughout the game. I've probably watched more college football than ever this year because of the way our schedule is set up and I have more free time on Saturdays. But you see other teams do it and I don't know why it is. Teams get hot, slow down and then get hot again. Emotions play a big part in that.”
On communication between coaches and players
“I'm comfortable with the approach that we have with Coach Young and Coach Holgorsen and the way they communicate with the players. During the game I think our coaches do a good job in between series at correcting mistakes or talking about continuing what they were able to accomplish in the series before. I think they do a good job at halftime as well talking about what was good and what was bad. And they talk about the solution for the second half and not worry about the first half because you can't go back and change it whether it was good or bad. They get the information to the players in a way that they can absorb it and execute it in the second half. If there's too much to it they can't absorb it all and execute.”
On Texas Tech
“They're faster. Their offensive coordinator came from Troy and you guys have seen Troy. They run the same offense and run the ball effectively. Their quarterback is throwing the ball really well and they have two backs that run well and are physical. They had a good carry-over recruiting-wise from when Coach Leach was there. There are a lot of similarities like the speed of the offense.”
Bill Young, Defensive Coordinator
On Orie Lemon
"Not only is Orie a great vocal leader but he also leads by example. He rallies the team together and gets them ready."
On the game against Louisiana-Lafayette
"We were playing a little bit soft on our edges and on the base coverage and so we changed some things and I think that helped us a lot. We ended up getting a pick early in the second half and I think that changed the complexion of things for us."
On Texas Tech's offense
"Texas Tech's offense is going to be very similar to Troy. They are going to spread you out and throw a lot of screens all over the place. One of the issues we had with that kind of offense is that if you miss a tackle in open spaces they are gone."
Kendall Hunter, Running Back
On if the team panicked after being down against Louisiana-Lafayette
"There wasn't a panic. We started slow and we knew going into halftime that we needed to make an adjustment and come back out and start fast."
On Brandon Weeden's performance under pressure
"He didn't panic at all. He knew that we needed to make adjustments and come out and start better, even though the first half didn't go the way we wanted it to go.”
On finding holes
"I just go with whatever they give me and try to make the best of it."
Brandon Weeden, Quarterback
On comfort level with the offense
"I'm getting more and more comfortable every week. After watching film, I wasn't accurate with some of my throws, but as far as the way I operated and little stuff like that with the offense, I felt really good with it. It's probably the best I've operated all year long. I'm getting more and more comfortable every week and it shows. In some situations, checking runs and checking passes, trying to get us in the right play and that's what Coach Holgorsen was harping on at halftime, 'Get us in the right play.' He can't always call perfect plays, so it's my job to get us in the right play."
On how he goes about changing the play
"There's a time there when it was third and nine and we were on our 41-yard line. I checked to run. In those situations, fans would be like, 'What's he doing?' But, they didn't have as many guys in the box and when Kendall is back there, he can get nine yards a pop. We just have to take what the defense gives us. Obviously, we want to throw the ball around a little bit, but also if they only put four or five guys in the box, we have to run the football."
On being a backup quarterback last season
"It was tough being in that position, but being a backup quarterback, you're one hit away; you never know. But I got my shot and I made the best of it, and that's all you can do. You see it on Sundays all the time; a good example would be Michael Vick. Kevin Kolb comes in and throws well. Being a backup quarterback, it's tough, but at the same time, when your number is called, you have to be ready."
Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver
On why OSU has struggled to win in Lubbock
"I've never been there before, but from what I've heard, it's an intense place to play. The fans are right there on you and it's just a good environment for them to play in, but bad for the visiting team."
On overcoming halftime deficits
"We all feel confident. Obviously, we need to start off fast and we want to start off fast, but we're not going to get down if we start off slow. We're going to keep playing and keep trying to execute our plays."
On playing only Big 12 games for the rest of the regular season
"We know that the speed of the game is going to pick up a lot more and we're in conference play now, so we're just going to have to go week by week. It's just another game. We're still going to focus, we're just going to keep the same week in practice.”
Dan Bailey, Kicker
On his senior year
"I feel pretty good. I feel healthy and I am just having fun. A lot of guys told me to just have fun my senior year. So that is what I am trying to do."
On competing for the NCAA scoring title with teammate Justin Blackmon
"We haven't really said anything to each other about it. I am happy for him and he is doing great. It is fun to watch him and then I get to kick the extra point for him after he scores."
On being Big 12 Special Teams player of the week
"I actually just found out. It is a cool honor. It's something that you work for. I just want to go out there and contribute for my team so it is nice to get rewarded for it."
Markelle Martin, Safety
On halftime adjustments
"They've been great. We have a good senior class and they come in and beat the coaches to telling us what we need to do and accomplish so we have great halftime adjustments."
On Texas Tech's offense under Tommy Tuberville
"We understand it's a new season and they have a new offensive coordinator. They're going to throw the ball and try to make you miss in space. We understand those philosophies that they have, so we just have to try to tackle them and bring them down."
On how practicing against Cowboys' offense helps prepare the defense for Texas Tech's offense
"It helps us a lot. Our offense does a lot of different things, a lot of different formations, so we're used to being under pressure trying to make plays. I think we'll be alright because we understand what the offense is trying to accomplish."
Richetti Jones, Defensive End
On Bill Young's coaching methods
"Coach Young and the staff are a great staff and great coaches. Coach Young is a veteran in the game so when it comes to hard times he is not the kind of coach that is going to put you down. He is going to talk to you and tell you that we have done this all week and we are going to run our plays. He is going to motivate you and tell you what to do. He made those corrections at halftime and we executed it."
On the corrections made at halftime of the Louisiana-Lafayette game
"Coach Young wants to know everything. 'What are they giving you, did you hear anything, what did you see.' So at halftime he walks around and asks everyone what they saw or heard and makes adjustments."
On Justin Blackmon
"He does those circus catches. Some of the stuff that he does is ridiculous. I love watching him. When the ball is in the air and No. 81 is running for it, I am ready to put my hands up for a touchdown."
Jonathan Rush, Offensive Lineman
On the game against Louisiana-Lafayette
"It was good. We kind of started slow, but we came back out the second half and played better. We took coaching well and did what we were supposed to do. We won so that is always a good thing."
On the upcoming game against Texas Tech
"I am looking forward to hopefully another win. Everything else can go by the wayside. I want to be 6-0."
On another Big 12 opponent
"It is just another game and we will go about it the same way."
