Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Preview Bedlam Clash
November 22, 2010 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 22, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy and selected members of the team visited with the media on Monday at Boone Pickens Stadium to look ahead to this week's game against Bedlam Series rival Oklahoma. The highlights:
Opening Statement
“We're back to work again. We had a good win on the road. We were pretty average in the way we played in the first half and I think everyone is aware of that. I'm not sure why that took place but I'm glad they came around in the second half and came back. We had enough guys make some plays and the defense played much better and we had some key plays on special teams. We're looking forward to this week and it's obviously a very big game. I don't know if there is anybody who will say anything other than that. Our team is excited about preparation this week and our team is looking forward to three good days of practice, a walk though and get ready to play. We're certainly excited about what's ahead of us but we won't change anything from what we've done any other week. We want our players to prepare and practice the same way we have. Coaches will have good plans and hold players accountable for effort on Saturday and go play Saturday night. ”
On extra excitement with the team for this week's game
“I think there is always extra excitement when you come to this point of the season when you're involved in really big football games. They've had a lot of success. The ESPN Gameday bus is here and Gameday is coming for the weekend so just the buzz that you feel on campus and in the community and I'm sure they're getting it over in the campus apartments where they live. We're happy they're having success.”
On practicing this week with Thanksgiving
“We always practice a little earlier on Thanksgiving that way players who live relatively close have the opportunity to go home and spend time with their family and come back on Friday. There's a little bit of variance in what we do but total number of reps and practice time that we do every other week will stay the same.”
On defending Ryan Broyles
“Our defensive coaches will have to put their heads together. They started working on it last night. He's very good. He's elusive in space, catches the ball well, catches the ball down the field well and he's been very competitive. He's going to make some plays. When you compete against an athlete who has had as much success as he's had, you have to understand that he's going to make some plays and you try and limit those and put him in situation where it's more difficult to get the ball to him and force them to punt.”
Bill Young, Defensive Coordinator
On the diamond formation that OU's offense has used lately and if they stole the idea from OSU
"I'm not sure if they stole it from anybody, but they just incorporated it into their offense and it fit their personal really well. Instead of having a wide receiver in motion, they just line them up in the back field."
On the importance of the Bedlam game
"We just take everything day by day. It is a huge game for our program and it is a huge game for our coaches and players. We are just going to go out and do the best that we can do. We are further along than anyone anticipated and we have had a heck of a year."
On Saturday's big game
"We play week to week and you don't know what package you are going to pull out on Saturday so we have to prepare for a lot of different things and that is how we are planning to prepare for it."
Dana Holgorsen, Offensive Coordinator
On OSU's team as a whole this season
"It is something that I have been saying all year with this team, we are just finding ways to play together. When one side isn't doing so great, the other side picks up the slack. When you have a team that plays well on all three sides of the ball, and knows how to play together, you usually get a good result."
On the Bedlam game
"You have to treat them all the same. There isn't going to be anything different from the coaches and players perspective this week. That is just the way you've got to do it. At the end of the season you look back and you will think about some of the things that were fine and some of the things that were bad, but during an actual game week you get into a routine and do everything the same way."
On Kendall Hunter
"He is the backbone of what we do. Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden are emerging, but Kendall Hunter has been the consistent force of what has happened around here for three or four years now. He is the guy that people look to for consistency and how to be a college football player. I have a lot of respect for him, he can do a lot."
Brandon Weeden, Quarterback
On OU's defense
“I've had a chance to watch them play quite a bit and I've already seen a little bit of tape. They try to confuse you. They're very athletic up front and they're big, and obviously Jeremy Beal is a good player. They're going to try to confuse us, but you can only do so much, as far as in the back end. That's really what I'm concerned about. The guys up front have done a really good job sorting out blitzes and stunts and stuff like that; they've done a tremendous job. It takes some pressure of me in a sense. Also the backs are picking up blitzes. The back end is what I'm more concerned with. Something I've really watched throughout the week is just what they do coverage-wise and how we can split them.”
On the importance of the Bedlam game
“It's kind of crazy that it comes down to the last one, but that's the way we want it. We've worked hard and we've had a great year and to have it come down to this last one, that's why you play college football. Obviously, Oklahoma's had a great year too, but we're happy with where we're sitting. We control our own destiny; we don't have to rely on somebody else to lose. If we win, we move on, and that's the way we're going about it.”
On if he expects a shootout
“You don't want to look at it in that perspective, you don't want to try to score one more point than the other team. We know we're going to have to score some points because their offense can do the same. We've just got to continue doing what we've done the last 11 games; be productive, get first downs, usually that turns into points for us. That's one thing we focus on is first downs and last week we did a great job of it.”
On if he thinks the offense has the firepower to put points on OU's defense
“We've consistently done it all year against very good defenses. I think we've proven that we can score points and move the ball, so I think it's something we feel comfortable doing. It's going to be an interesting game. It's going to be two good offenses and two good defenses, two of the top 15 teams in the country kind of playing for the whole the thing.”
Kendall Hunter, Running Back
On the challenge OU's defense presents
“It's a challenge for every offense in the Big 12 because we're in one of the hardest conferences. We're going to face a good defense basically every week.”
On the importance of the game
“It's important for all of us and the community, everybody, for us to go out there and give it our best and try to come up with a win.”
On if he expected the Bedlam game to decide the winner of the Big 12 South
“It's our goal every year coming in to try to compete and win a Big 12 championship.”
Andrew McGee, Cornerback
On playing in a rivalry game
“I've seen games, when it's a rivalry game or a game that's as important as this, crazy things happen, so that's why we have to focus on doing our job, doing every little thing right and minimizing the mistakes and just play hard and give it all we have. I'm a senior; this is my last regular-season game, it's my senior game, so I'm just going to put it all on the line and hopefully we'll come out with the win.”
On what a Bedlam game is like
“It's just chaos. The fans are crazy. It's really fun. On my visit here two years ago, I visited on Bedlam when it was in Stillwater and it was freezing, but it was the craziest game I've ever been a part of. Being at it as a fan point of view and playing in the game I'm sure is a completely different feel. I'll block all that out; all the craziness that goes on with the fans.”
Markelle Martin, Safety
On the Bedlam game
"It is just another game, and it is just another week, but at the same time we understand that this is for all the marbles and we can't approach it like it is just another game. We know that we have to bring our best game because OU can put up points."
On OU's offense
"We just have to be sound as a defense. The defensive line, the linebackers and us all have to be on the same page. It is our chance to show how our defense can work as a unit and we can get the job done."
Shane Jarka, Defensive Tackle
On Brandon Weeden
"I see a great quarterback and a great leader. He took over the offense and he immediately earned the respect of all the players. He was out there running it and they listen to him. They did everything they needed to do to become the offense that they are today. He is confident and he is a championship quarterback. I think his maturity and wisdom helped out the team. We look up to him and I think that really helped out in establishing his leadership role."
On the Bedlam game
"This game is huge to us because there is so much at stake. It is senior night, it is Bedlam and there is a championship on the line, so there is a lot of excitement going into this week. This game is bigger than any of the previous game we have been in, but it is all about staying focused."
Levy Adcock, Offensive Lineman
On OU's defensive line
"You already know that OU is going to have good defensive linemen every year, they play hard every play. We just have to become more physical and finish our blocks."
On the Bedlam game
"It is just another game. Every week is the most important week of the season, and we are moving on to this week and it is the most important week of the season. We have to focus on that, have a good game plan, and execute it on Saturday."
Richetti Jones, Defensive End
On the Bedlam game
“It's an excitement that you really can't explain. It's an excitement that, if you could sell it in a can, you'd be the richest man on earth, I could tell you that much. It's going to be a great game and everyone is excited to play.”
On OU's offense
“I feel they'll probably be one of the best teams we've played this season. We're expecting a dog fight and we're just ready to go out and play.”
On preparing for OU's up-tempo offense
“We go against it every day against our offense, because our offense, they move the ball pretty fast. We're just going to practice like we do regularly, because or offense, they move very fast, so we'll just go against them. I guess we'll tell them to pick it up a notch if they can, but they move pretty fast, so I think we'll be fine.”
