Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Talks Fiesta Bowl
December 04, 2011 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 4, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State players and coaches met with the media on Sunday night at Boone Pickens Stadium to talk about the Cowboys' upcoming trip to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The highlights:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the SEC vs. Big 12 Discussion
"The debate has gone on all year about the defenses in the SEC and the offenses in the Big 12 and we had a chance to settle that. That's what is really disappointing to me. I said exactly what I said to the team last night. They had an opportunity to shine on the big stage as a defense. We felt like they were better than what people want to give them credit for. We wish we had more three-and-outs, but I think they've proved the last few weeks that they're not the 107th-ranked defense in the country. Statistics have been misleading based on the number of plays they have been on the field. I'm disappointed for our team. These guys have worked hard and I'm disappointed that we don't have an opportunity to settle that league versus this league because I believe there are some people in this league that have offenses that can score some points."
On the Final BCS Standings
"I don't understand the eye test. I don't know what that means. That would have done it for Secretariat I guess; they wouldn't let her have a shot at it. I don't understand what the eye test has to do with anybody making a decision on who should be in that game. Their reasons are based on something that could drive television markets. Our team was disappointed for five minutes until we said 'listen, you're in a BCS bowl. You get to go play in the Fiesta Bowl'. We wanted to put all that to rest tonight because we are excited for going to Glendale and playing Stanford. I'm not going to stand up here and say that there wasn't some disappointment with our players because there was. They wanted to play and they wanted a shot at it."
On Oklahoma State's quality wins
"We lost a double-overtime game on the road. Other than that we've had some big road victories this season against quality opponents. Our margin of victory against good, ranked teams was pretty significant. I'm not sure anybody wants to play Baylor right now, and I think we were ahead of them 49-3 at half. Kansas State ends up eighth in the country and we had a battle against them. Oklahoma was tenth when we played them and at one point we were ahead by five or six touchdowns."
Quarterback Brandon Weeden
On not making the BCS Championship game
"It's just like Coach Gundy said. Obviously it's a little bit disappointing, but we did everything in our power, with what happened at Iowa State, to give ourselves a chance. To see how short we were, it's tough to swallow, but the two team playing in the national championship are really good football teams. I know - me personally - I'm excited to go to Glendale and play in the Fiesta Bowl. I think it's going to be a lot of fun and it's still a BCS game. That's what we wanted as a program."
On going home tonight and still being Big 12 Champions and going to a BCS bowl
"That's about as good as it gets. That was our goal. I told you guys before our first game that our goal was to win the Big 12 and play in a BCS game. The big one would have been better, but this is still pretty special. All's good. I'm happy with where we're at and I'm excited to play for another month."
On the matchup between him and Andrew Luck in the Fiesta Bowl
"I think it's two totally different styles of offense. They're more of the pro style and obviously he's a great quarterback and a great guy. That will probably be a story line, but it will be interested. I haven't watched any film on them, so I don't know what they do defensively. When I watched them play, they play hard. Obviously they're the fourth-ranked team in the country so they're going to be pretty good."
On being disappointed
"I don't think it's necessarily that way. I think, really, the guys are excited about it. Obviously we wanted to go to the big one. The way the show went, you couldn't really cheer and celebrate, but overall I think everybody's really, really excited about the opportunity. I think everybody's looking forward to being in Glendale. Hopefully I can go out and play a little golf. Shoot, it's a BCS game and it's never been done here before."
On if he was nervous watching the show
"I had seen on Twitter that the news had broken a little bit before, so I expected it. Really there was no anticipation; I kind of knew it was going to happen. Like I said, I'm tickled to death. I'm excited about it. I'm ready to strap it on and go play again."
Running Back Jeremy Smith
On the season
"It was pretty fun. I'm glad we got the opportunity to win the Big 12 Championship. Our team did a great job this season and I'm happy for everybody."
On the success against Oklahoma
"Coach Monken told us we were going to run the ball. He told us to just pound it. That's pretty much what we did. Me and Joe went out there and worked hard and played unselfish and got it done."
On not getting to the BCS Championship game
"It would have been nice to play, but I'm just happy with where we're at. We wanted to go to a BCS bowl and that's what we got. Right now we're just going to prepare for that game and try to get that win.
Defensive End Jamie Blatnick
On Watching the BCS Selection Show
"It was bitter, but there's nothing we can do about it now. We all would have loved to play in the national championship. I think that would have been the best matchup, but we can't. We just have to take our frustrations out on Stanford."
On Criticism of the Defense
"It's frustrating when you get criticized from people who don't see the full picture, but there's nothing to be upset about. We had a great season. We are Big 12 champions and we're going to a BCS bowl so I'm still happy."
Receiver Josh Cooper
On the BCS Selection
"It's disappointing not to go play in that game, but we got picked to go to a BCS game. It's pretty exciting to go to the Fiesta Bowl and go play Stanford."
On the Oklahoma Game
"We're still celebrating from last night. It was fun to see everyone storm the field and it was just a great atmosphere to be around last night."
