Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Preview Bedlam Game
November 28, 2011 | Cowboy Football
Nov. 28, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy and selected members of the team visited with the media on Monday in Boone Pickens Stadium to look ahead to Saturday's Bedlam Series contest with Oklahoma. The highlights:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"We took a few days off as a team - coaches and players. We brought the team back on Saturday night and had meetings and practice on Sunday and today is their day off. We'll be back at it on Tuesday. Everybody's spirits are high and excited. We had a good practice on Sunday afternoon. We're excited about the game; I know everybody else is. It's a great week for the state of Oklahoma and our players will be looking forward to playing in the game Saturday night. I think our challenge now is just to keep everybody kind of calm and under control, coaches included. Everybody is excited about the upcoming game, so that's kind of our goal from this point forward."
On which coaches need to be under control:
"Well, me. I'm pretty excited about the game. And all of them. Not anything to be alarmed about, I just think everybody is excited to get back on the field and play. As we all know, it's been 10 days or so that we played in a game. One thing we'd like to do is coach and play in a game, so they're just as excited to get back out on the field."
On where the Bedlam game ranks in importance in school history:
"I don't know. I say this all the time - they're all big, because if you don't win enough of them, then the ones at the end don't matter. For the first time in this program's history - I'll go back 50 years, maybe further - they have a chance to win a conference championship. So it's a big game for that reason. It's something that's not ever been accomplished here, and the players are aware of that and the coaches are aware of that. It would be nice for our team to go out and play well and win the football game to be able to accomplish something that's never been done here in football."
On how OSU is not viewed as a spoiler in the Bedlam match up anymore:
"It's interesting how college football has changed over the last few years. I don't know that there's a perception out there that we've earned the right to be a spoiler. I've said this for the last few years and I said it in August and throughout the season that in order for us to win a Big 12 Championship, we have to go through Austin and Norman; and I don't think that changes until a team accomplishes that goal. That's just stating the facts. I know that as a staff and as a team, we'll approach this game like any other, but with an opportunity to accomplish something that's never been done here, which is win a championship."
On if the team will approach the game differently because of its importance:
"We won't approach it any differently and it won't feel any different than it did last year. We were in the same situation last year, and so our players have been in that environment and the preparation this week should be the same. There's a lot of excitement in this state for the game. Obviously, we don't have professional football here and it's a fun week for everybody, but our players and our coaches have to stay focused on the task at hand."
On Justin Blackmon participating in Senior Day ceremonies:
"There's a good chance that Justin is going to be playing professional football next year. He's earned the right to walk on that field with his mother and father. When we have a player that's in his situation, we felt like that was the right thing to do. Obviously, it's not like applying for the draft and I said this a month ago - I hope he comes back and we'll save a scholarship for him, but chances are that he's going to move on and play professional football, so I would hate for him to leave here without being able to walk across that field with his family one last time."
On if winning a conference championship should be a requirement to play in the BCS Championship Game:
"It's extremely difficult to win all your games. I think there can be a really good team lose a game and still in the end may be the best football team in the country. There are some very, very good teams in a couple leagues that people feel like should have the right to play for the championship. Fortunately, I don't have to make that decision. We're under contract with the BCS. We all signed up and said we're going to agree to it, so I guess we're going to have to follow those guidelines until that contract expires."
On politicking for his team to be in the BCS Championship Game:
"I'm not comfortable in doing that. With where we are at right now, it's more important that we concentrate on preparing for the game and try to play the best we can and beat Oklahoma and win a conference championship and then move forward from that point."
On not having a vote in the USA Today Coaches poll:
"I would not have voted us any higher than the teams that are up there right now. We need to try to win every football game we can and at some point, the computer or the other people will vote however they feel your team has played and where they should be. Then as a team, we have to live with that and move forward."
On the thought process of politicking for rankings:
"I'm not saying that I wouldn't, but Kevin (Klintworth) and Gavin (Lang) keep me informed on what they think is best. I don't spend much time thinking about it. If somebody made me do it, I would probably say something. I'd do it uncomfortably and I wouldn't mention it until after the game, but like you said, maybe at that time, it might be too late. I just think we need to prepare and do the best we can to win this game and then move forward from that point on."
On if he should point out that OSU's only loss came just hours after the team learned of the plane crash that killed Oklahoma State basketball coaches Kurt Budke and Miranda Serna:
"I'm just not comfortable with that. If (Klintworth and Lang) would come to me and say that or the athletic director or the president would say that you owe it to your team or that we need to do this, then I would think about it and we would try to come to an agreement, but I'm just not comfortable. That's not my background. That's not my personality. I would just rather prepare for the next game and try to get the guys to go out there and play as hard as possible and eliminate turnovers and missed assignments and let them have fun."
On who he would vote for if he had a vote
"Right now, I'd vote for LSU. I don't even think that is a debate. You asked about Alabama. If somebody sat me down and said you had to make a decision with where we are at right now, Alabama lost to what would be the number one team in the country and Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State. If I was doing it fair, I don't know how I could put us in front of them right now."
On Virginia Tech and Stanford being ahead of Oklahoma State in the Coaches Poll:
"I haven't even watched them. I've seen a little bit of Alabama and I follow it a little bit. I would have to really sit down and look at what's happened, look at the teams and then make that decision. Fortunately, I don't have to do that."
On if it's counter-productive to say he'd vote Alabama ahead of Oklahoma State:
"Right now - you asked me about today - we have a loss and they have a loss. They lost to the number one team in the country. I love that you guys are fighting for Oklahoma State. I'm fighting for Oklahoma State and our team, but the message that I've given them is that I want them to practice well this week and go out and play hard and do everything they can to win the game. I don't vote, but I don't know how you say there are two one-loss teams and one lost to a team that was number one in the country and one lost to a team that was unranked. Other circumstances may factor in, but that's just my personal opinion. I like our football team. On any given day on any site in the country, we can play with anyone in the country. I don't doubt that for one second."
Defensive Coordinator Bill Young
On how facing Kansas State QB Collin Klein helps OSU prepare for Blake Bell
"We certainly know what to anticipate, because we've seen it. They'll run some other plays we didn't see, they ran two or three against Iowa State that they haven't shown. I'm sure there's more to that package than we know."
On preparing for the OU offense without Ryan Broyles
"They are so talented at wide receiver, they can take a great player like Broyles and not really miss a lot. It would be like us losing Blackmon. We have some other really good players. They're very talented, and it won't be much of a drop off."
On the benefits of the bye week
"I think it has helped to some extent. You lose some rhythm, but having the extra days to be ready will help us. I think it gave Iowa State a huge advantage against us, because we had four days to get ready and they had two weeks. It won't be that drastic, but I think it will help us."
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken
On the aggressiveness of the OU defense
"I don't know if it's one thing in particular. When some teams have hit big plays against them, in their defense, maybe there were blown assignments. Maybe there are things Baylor and Texas Tech did, that we don't do. It's the same old thing. We have to do what we do and do it better, and hopefully that works."
On whether OU has made major changes defensively requiring different preparation
"Not really. They didn't really change anything. They changed out a safety. At this point in the season, you have what you have. They're trying to do what best fits them at the moment. When we watch film as an offense, we don't grade their players, they do. They're going to do what they do, and they're going to have a plan against us."
On preparing for things not seen on film
"What it does, is it disrupts you as a coordinator. You freak out when you don't have to. They do a few things, and you start getting yourself out of rhythm. Do I think it disrupts what you prepared for all week? Sure. But, no one cares if they have three down linemen or four, you just have to score."
Quarterback Brandon Weeden
On making a case to play in the BCS Championship Game
"You guys know the BCS stuff more than I do. I don't even get to watch the show because we have practice. All we can control is winning, and winning by a margin to help yourself out. You guys know more than I do."
On comparing OSU to other one-loss teams
"Our strength of schedule has to be pretty tough. We've played some top 25 teams on the road and at home. I don't know how they figure it, but if we take care of business - and that's the first and foremost rule - the pieces have to fall where they may. It comes back to us. If we win them all, they can't keep us out, but unfortunately we had a stumble."
On winning a Big 12 Championship
"Last year, we accomplished some things we had never done here at Oklahoma State, and I think we can take it a step farther and accomplish another thing we haven't done here and win a conference championship. I think that's everyone's goal."
On the respect between OU and OSU
"There's a tremendous amount of respect. Obviously getting to know Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles, we respect them. We respect each other, and it's a mutual deal, but when it comes time to play on Saturday, we're both going to do whatever it takes between the white lines."
Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon
On containing excitement for the Bedlam game
"It's very hard. Bedlam is a big game for both schools. We have to control ourselves and keep the big picture at hand. We can't play until Saturday, so we have to focus all week, learn the gameplan and try to execute on Saturday."
On the importance of this Bedlam game compared to other previous big games
"I think it's a very big game. If we win, it will take us places we have never been before. Like I said, we have to focus like any other game and execute like any other week."
On facing the OU secondary
"I'm just excited to be able to go out there and step on the field. I'm sure it will be a good game and people will be out there competing."
On the benefits of the bye week
"I think it helped us a lot. People who were dinged up are healed up now. It gave us an extra week to sit back and watch OU. We got to watch their game Saturday and we got to study them a little bit more."
Running back Jeremy Smith
On the emotions of the Bedlam game
"I think the emotions are laying low right now. Everybody wants to get out and shout a little bit, but right now we have to compose everything and make sure we're staying focused so we can go out this week, get a win and win the Big 12."
On bouncing back from the Iowa State game
"We know what we did. Things happen. We have to get over that because our goals are still right in front of us. Starting the season, our goals were to win the Big 12 Championship and get to a BCS game. Those are still right in front of our eyes."
On thinking about "style points" and hopes for the BCS championship game
"No. This is for the Big 12. Whatever happens after this game on Saturday happens. But this is for the Big 12, and that's what we really want. We want the ring that says `Oklahoma State. Big 12 Champions,' and not share it."
Cornerback Brodrick Brown
On creating turnovers
"We want to get at least three turnovers a game. We are always trying to get the ball back to our offense. When we are tackling, we are always trying to strip the ball from the opponent."
On Oklahoma quarterback Blake Bell
"He is another guy that we have to focus on. The Bell Package has had some success for them this year. We will have to practice on stopping that this week. We know it is coming in the red zone and everybody has to do their job. Beat the person in front of you and hopefully we will be successful."
On Bedlam
"This game means everything in Oklahoma. It's bragging rights for the next 365 days."
Receiver Josh Cooper
On his feeling towards Oklahoma
"They don't like us and we don't like them. It is going to be a dog fight and I'm ready."
On beating Oklahoma
"It would be great. I have never done it and it has been nine years since we last did it. It would be a dream come true for me and to win a Big 12 championship would be great too."
On the BCS
"We don't try and focus on the rankings. We just focus on the team in front of us. It's great to be up there but it doesn't really make a difference for this Saturday."
Defensive End Jamie Blatnick
On Bedlam excitement
"I'm too excited. Almost can't put it into words. It's a big game for us and a really big game for me. I can't wait to play."
On the OU offense
"You have to take it one step at a time. Games like this are going to come down to playing hard and making plays. It's going to be about fighting, making plays and getting on the ball."
On Oklahoma quarterback Blake Bell
"It's pretty much what K-State does with Klein. It's not like we haven't seen it before. It's just one of those things where you have to do your job then you have to do a little extra. It's going to be about just really getting after him at the line of scrimmage."
On his career at OSU
"Every time I think about it, I'm like, `Wow, that just flew by.' It's nice but I'm not ready to sit back and look on it just yet. It's not over. Until then, it's just Bedlam, Bedlam, Bedlam. That's all I've got on my mind. I'm going to do everything I possibly can to put our team in the best position to win.
Safety Daytawion Lowe
On the Oklahoma receivers
"They're great players. We're going to have to play fundamentals and try to make stops. Do the same thing we've been doing so far this year."
On the Bedlam rivalry
"It means a lot, not only for me being an Oklahoma guy, but also for my team. I'm just playing for my team. The rivalry is a big thing, but now that I'm in it, it's a lot different than from how I viewed it growing up because I know I have to stay focused and make an impact."
On National Title game potential
"I feel like we've got to beat OU. That's all I can think of."
On winning a Big 12 title
"Winning a Big 12 championship was one of our goals at the beginning of the season and that's one that we're still working to achieve."
