Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Practice Report - August 17
August 17, 2011 | Cowboy Football
Aug. 17, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Oklahoma State football team practiced twice on Wednesday, battling through a three-hour session dressed in full pads in the morning before coming back for a light practice with no pads in the evening. Following the evening session, reigning Big 12 Coach of the Year Mike Gundy talked about the challenges of fall camp:
On the grind of fall camp
"Practices eight through 20 is where the grind comes from. It's the fatigue and the players are getting up at five in the morning after going to bed at 10 at night. Their bodies are sore and tired and there's mental strain from the coaches putting it on the players, but that's what camp is all about. If you're going to be a good football team, you have to go through that grind and you have to know when to back off toward the end. We've had a pretty good formula for that the last couple years."
On the current mindset of his team
"I feel good about our team. I like our leadership, I like our chemistry. We get on them and they rally back. Our coaches challenge them and they step up to the plate. I feel really good with where we are at with our team."
On players who have emerged as pleasant surprises
"Andrae May has been a pleasant surprise for us on defense. Parker Graham has been a pleasant surprise on offense. Michael Reichenstein has been a great surprise for us. He may be the most improved player on our team, the backup punter. We've had a number of guys who have done a nice job and that's kind of what your season is dictated on - we know the guys from last year who are going to make plays, but it's those middle of the row guys that need to step up."
