Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Football Hosts Media Day 2012
August 04, 2012 | Cowboy Football
Aug. 4, 2012
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State football hosted its annual media day Saturday, and the following is a sampling of thoughts from Cowboy coaches and players on preparing to defend their Big 12 Conference championship in 2012.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy
On how practice has gone
“We've had a couple good workouts. Today was better than yesterday. Tomorrow we get to put the pads on, which makes a difference. We've got everybody out there and guys are doing well. Just looking forward to continuing on and developing some young guys at key positions and guys that have to play in the first game and just kind of doing whatever we have to do to keep going.”
On the defense
“Our defense is more athletic and faster than we've ever been here, which, in my opinion, should result in more plays and better production overall. I'm looking forward to the linebackers and the second level guys staying fresh and not having to play 65 to 70 plays a game so we can run sideline-to-sideline and make some plays. I think we've made some strides on our defensive line, and I'm looking forward to those guys getting out there.
“I thought they were a lot better last year than what a lot of people gave them credit for. Either way we've got more depth and are more athletic so they just need to continue to work hard and make sure that they stick together. If we can keep the trend going and force as many turnovers as we have, it will certainly give us the chance to win a lot of football games.
On being ranked 19th in the coaches poll
“I saw it the other day before our team meeting a couple nights ago. It was going across the bottom of the TV so I mentioned it to the team, and I told them that we were preseason 19 and somebody thinks there are 18 other teams better than them. They've got a lot of work ahead of them.”
On Wes Lunt
“I think he's matured. He's bigger, 20 pounds heavier, so that's going to give him an advantage in throwing the football. He's carrying himself a little bit different, but he still has a long ways to go. He's making progress. Certain throws in the last couple days that I noticed in a spring on a scale to 1 to 10 were about a five and now they're about a seven. So he's getting a feel for the speed and the difference between high school and college in getting the ball in quicker because the defensive guys are faster and also adjusting to the speed of our receivers.”
“We opened it up for three guys and he was the best one at the end of spring ball. He showed some signs of natural ability and would perform things at scrimmages that you just can't coach.”
On the heat
“We're going to be out there early every morning and if the humidity is different and it's really bad then we'll cut it back. They only have so much in them. Just because they're in great shape doesn't mean if it's 110 heat index that they can practice for three hours. So we'll trim it down and keep them healthy and fresh, and they'll be ready for the first game.”
On the fans
“We had a great fan day, but the Oklahoma State people they're the same. People always talk about the 30,000 strong that have been here for years and years, which has now grown to about 50. They've always been awesome.”
Junior running back Jeremy Smith
On picking up blitzes
“Our offensive line is a great offensive line, and we are prepared because our offensive line coach and our running backs coach teach us about this all the time. We're ready.”
On how success last year can help you be successful this year
“It is the same as two years ago. We are a lot of unknowns, and we don't care. We know what our team is capable of. It will be pretty much the same this year. We just have to go out and compete.”
On how hard it is for Wes Lunt to learn the entire offense
“I thought he already knew it when he first came in. The way he has been going out there and throwing the ball around, I do not think he is fazed at all. He just keeps getting better.”
On changes to the offense this year
“It'll mostly be the same. Hopefully we will run the ball more, but I think it will pretty much be the same.”
Senior cornerback Brodrick Brown
On leading the young guys
“We are looking out for those guys in the film room. We are helping them so they know what to do in certain formations and plays. Those guys are going to be in our shoes one day, and we want to lead them in the right direction.”
On defense needing to get more recognition
“We surprised some people last year being number one in the nation in turnovers, and we just need to duplicate that this year. We got to keep doing what we do and that is hunting down the ball. Coach Young and the staff will put us in the right position.”
On what he thinks about Lunt from the defensive side
“He is not a freshman. It is going to say freshman by his name, but he is not a freshman. He is a big guy, and he can make all the throws. He is getting in there with Coach Monken learning the playbook, and he is just going to keep getting better and better.”
Junior cornerback Justin Gilbert
On being on an island
“I have no problem with it. If we have to go man to man every play for the defense to get pressure on the quarterback than I am cool with it.”
On having Brodrick Brown on the other side
“I think that will put some more pressure on the safeties and linebackers that have to cover the inside receivers. If they throw at us, we get more opportunities to make plays.”
On Daytawion Lowe:
“He does not get enough credit for what he does. He makes plays. He led the team in tackles. He is always around the ball.”
Senior defensive end Cooper Bassett
On Justin Gilbert
“Justin Gilbert is a freak athlete. He is a star. He is going to play at the next level. I remember when he first got in here, he wasn't the sharpest on playing the run. He wasn't looking to stick his head in there for contact, but he has flourished since switching to cornerback. He and Brodrick complement each other perfectly. It is awesome to have those two out on an island and being able to trust them.”
On what kind of defense we want to be
“We have the potential to stone some people on defense. We want to be known as a solid defense. We want to be able to defend the pass and create turnovers. We want to be known as a solid defense and not just a turnover defense.”
Co-defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer
What Caleb Lavey brings to the defense
“You have a young man that has started an entire season for us. He made his mark early by being so smart. So much on defense has to do with knowing your assignment, knowing where to be and showing up there with an attitude. Last year he proved he could produce. He made plays for us. That experience is huge. The 10 are confident in him. When he changes the call on defense, they are going to listen to him. He is a no-nonsense guy.”
On Lavey's improvement
“He takes a lot of pride in proving himself athletically. He dropped 10 pounds. You could tell in spring and in the first two days of practice that he has gained a step. Whatever deficiencies he has had, he has improved them.”
Junior running back Joseph Randle
On expectations for the season
"I don't think expectations should go down. I feel like our expectations should remain the same. Last year, we wanted to win every game on our schedule, and I feel like this year they should be the same."
On challenges ahead
"The most important challenge for this team is getting better during this camp and making every day better than the last one. I think that's the most important challenge. I think everyone is so focused on their assignments. Football is such a tough game, and you shouldn't try to focus on other people's assignments. If everyone focuses on their own assignment, then we should be great."
On camp
"I think a lot of our freshman receivers are standing out, and of course, our quarterback is doing a great job. Our offensive line is looking good, too."
Junior quarterback Clint Chelf
On camp
"It's super hot, but it's been good. The first couple of days we've been only in helmets, so we've just been getting acclimated to being back and doing football activities as a team. It's going well. We look good as an offense and our defense is doing well."
On expectations
"We want to win the Big 12. With what we did last year, that set the standard. We don't have any reason to believe that we can't do it."
On standout players at camp
"Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith, when they get the ball, it's fun to watch. There's a lot of people making plays. Cooper Bassett has made a couple of sacks in practice, and he's playing well. We have a bunch of guys that are doing good things. There's a couple of freshmen stepping up. Receivers C.J. Curry and Brandon Sheperd are playing well. I could go on and on about our team. Everyone is playing really well, right now."
On challenges ahead
"Every game we play, we're going to have a target on our back after winning the Big 12 last year. Everyone is going to try to knock us off, and I think that's going to be one of our biggest challenges. We're gonna have to fight through that, take everyone's best shot and deliver it right back at them."
Junior wide receiver Charlie Moore
On expectations
"I think I've entered this season with confidence because of what I have put together this summer and what I will continue to put together every day this fall. My expectations are for this team to win the Big 12 championship. It's not about me. It's about the team."
On receivers
"I think with Isaiah (Anderson), Tracey (Moore), Blake Jackson and all the guys they're bringing in, everybody should be excited. These guys have a lot of talent. The team chemistry is good. With these new, young receivers and (Wes) Lunt, it works out perfectly. We kind of help them out as older guys, and they trust us, which is always good."
Redshirt freshman receiver David Glidden
On camp
"For me, camp is a little different with me being on the injury waiver. I go in and get my lift in while they're outside practicing. Me and Andre May get a little bit of heavier lifting than the guys do because they're out there practicing everyday. But we're still out there with the team learning offense and helping the younger guys get going. It's just starting, and it's a new experience every year because you've got new faces."
The freshman class
"The whole class is talented. They have loads of talent. Just look at the receivers. You've got receivers like Blake Jackson, C.J. Curry and Austin Hays. Wes (Lunt) steeped up and did his thing, and now he's in the spot he wanted to be in. Wes is an unbelievable talent, and he's smart. He knows how to get people into the right spot. His arm speaks for itself."
On TCU and WVU
"We're definitely looking forward to playing the new teams in the conference. You look at West Virginia, and it feels like they have half our coaching staff over there. Once we find a rhythm - a strong, smooth rhythm - big things are going to happen there. The defense has a lot of experience, and that's definitely a strong point. We want every game to be a 'W.' We want to go to the BCS and win another Big 12 championship."
Wide receivers coach Kasey Dunn
On the loss of Justin Blackmon
"We're not trying to replace Blackmon. We're trying to replace his numbers. I'm sure it will get spread out among the entire receiving team. It's not about replacing the 120 catches from that position. It's the 120 added to the group, and that's where we need to start. For us, it's a matter of finding those guys that are going to make big plays and be consistent in making those plays throughout the season. It's business as usual. We just need to find guys that are able to perform week in and week out."
On camp
"It's hard to say. We're in pajamas right now, and I'm reserving judgment right now on some of the young receivers until they actually put on a helmet and pads and get hit a few times. That's where the game changes, and character changes, too. When they get hit, it's a different game."
On TCU and WVU
"I think TCU is a good football program. They've won a lot of ballgames, and they've got a very good tradition over the last few years. They're going to come in with confidence and swagger. I'm sure they're going to expect too come out and perform well within the Big 12, and it's going to be hard. It's the same with West Virginia. Every game is going to be rock 'em, sock 'em. You may come out of it beat up and bruised, but you have to be able to recover."
