Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Talk About Upcoming Cotton Bowl
December 19, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 19, 2013
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboy assistant coaches and players met with the media Thursday to discuss their upcoming appearance in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 3 in Arlington, Texas. Their comments:
Head coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"The players were off yesterday, but we're back at it today and tomorrow. Then we'll take off a day, practice two days and be back together again after the holiday in Dallas. Everything is going really well, and the players are really excited about competing. It's a really busy time of year for us as coaches, but it's a great time for the players with school being out. They get the chance to focus on football and be around each other for an extra couple of weeks. We're looking forward to the next few days of preparation before we head to Dallas.
“Missouri's a great football team. With as many games as they've won and their current ranking, they're going to be talked about as a really good football team. They throw it around, they can run it and they've got tall receivers. Their schemes are really similar to what they've done in the past. Defensively, they've got two or three really good pass rushers, which is common with what they've always had in the past. They've always had guys up front that can cause issues for offenses. In the secondary, they're very similar to what we saw when they were in our league a few years ago. It should be a great game. I know that we're looking forward to it, and I'm sure Missouri feels the same way. The hospitality we've been receiving from the Cotton Bowl is tremendous, like always. Everybody's excited about getting to Dallas."
On if he thinks of Missouri as an SEC or a Big 12 team:
"I don't know if I'm into them being an SEC team yet or not. When people bring up (Texas) A&M and Missouri, and when I scan across their games on TV a few times a year, I still think to stop and watch them a little bit because we might still play them. It worked out that way this year with Missouri in the bowl game. With teams that had been in our conference for a long time, I still catch myself watching them, especially Colorado. Obviously, they're in the SEC now, but I don't really see that change being that different. It's only been two seasons [since they left].”
On how the Big 12 is perceived after Missouri and A&M's success in the SEC:
"I think the success they've had early in the SEC surprised most people across the country. The talk then was that Missouri and A&M were getting into a league that they weren't prepared for it in some people's opinion. We've always had a lot of respect for Missouri. A&M is in a geographical location that allows them to have really good football players. So you're playing against talented football teams either way. It's interesting that they made the change of going into the SEC and having tremendous success right away. It certainly makes us feel good about ourselves being in the Big 12.”
On what catches his attention in the Missouri defense:
"They have really good pass rushers. Like I mentioned earlier, they're really similar in their style of play to how they were in the past. They have 37 players from the state of Texas, and we have 77 players from the state of Texas. When I see players make plays, I start to look up where they're from, like I do with most teams in this league to get a feel of what's best for our recruiting. If you ask people across the country, I don't know that many of them could tell you that a team that's playing in the SEC would have 37 players from the state of Texas. They've done a really good job of recruiting and finding players that some might not think of as a five-star guy. They've have success within the program with developing and making plays, so that's where they're at on defense. They have players that show up and make a lot plays that end up getting selected in the second, third or fourth round of the draft. You start to look at where they come from, and they're coming from the same areas where we're recruiting. They're the same way on offense. They picked up their big name receiver, who I think was a five-star guy, but they also picked up some other players that are very similar to what they've used in the past. They do a good job of locating players that they can develop while other teams might think that they aren't ready to play at the same level."
On how he expects Missouri's recruiting in Texas to change after the move to the SEC:
"It's hard to speak for what their strategy is in recruiting. For us, we felt like the Big 12 would be an advantage because of the number of teams that are in the state of Texas, and we go to Texas a lot. Of course, we have two teams in Oklahoma, and then Kansas isn't too far off. For us, the team that's furthest away is Iowa State, and we don't really go that far north for recruiting in most cases. Like I said, it's hard to say what Missouri's plan is going to be going forward. Thirty-seven is their number right now so let's see what that number is four years from now. They may be going in a different direction toward the south or the east, but we see them in Texas all the time."
On how the 2008 win at Missouri changed the program:
"I think it was a big win for us. I think it was a seven o'clock game on national TV with a big audience, and they were really good. I remember going into that game, I don't think they had had a three-and-out all year. It was like the fifth or sixth game of the year, and they had the quarterback from down in Texas who made all the plays, Chase Daniel. On the first series, we had them at third-and-13 or third-and-15, and they converted. They threw the ball to that big tight end who ran a seven-cut, and I thought, 'Oh great.' I think we ended up stopping them on three or four three-and-outs that game, though, and that was the first time they had a three-and-out all year. It was a really big win for us on a really big stage that gave our players the evidence to think that we could do whatever was needed for people to believe in us. It was a big win for our university and our program."
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On how the team has bounced back from the Bedlam loss:
"It's been great. The guys have had a chance to get their legs back under them. I think they're very eager to get down there to Dallas and put in their best effort to show the country on a national stage what we can do. I think this is another opportunity to play the game we all love. Our players really love playing this sport, and in practice their effort has been a mirror image of that."
On the Missouri defense:
"I think they mix up their defensive coverages very well. They are able to disguise what they do. Their safeties understand the game very well. They understand their defense very well. They mix it up and give you a variety of different looks but then can disguise as well. They are able to outnumber you in the box at times and then at the same time if it looks like they're going to outnumber you, the safety is able to disguise and play coverage. I think they understand the schemes very well."
Defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer
On Missouri's offense
“They have a good offensive line, quarterback and receivers. They also have an explosive running back. They like to keep you guessing. It's going to be a challenge. There's a reason they have the record they have.”
On going out on top for the seniors
“We're really excited about that for them. We keep preaching to them that they have to finish strong. It's a big deal for the younger guys too, but we really want these seniors to go out with a win. That's a special deal for them, and I really want to win for those guys.”
Offensive lineman Parker Graham
On if being a senior has sunk in yet:
"It definitely has. Playing the last game in Boone Pickens Stadium was a lot of fun. Obviously it didn't go our way. We're very aware that this is going to be our last time putting on the pads and putting on the orange and black for Oklahoma State."
On getting over the Bedlam loss:
"I don't think it's lingering anymore. What happened happened, and we're definitely over it by now. We have a tough game against Missouri coming up, and they're no joke of a team. We had a quick transition and a quick turnaround, and we're excited to play one last game for OSU."
On the challenge of blocking Missouri's Michael Sam:
"He offers a lot of problems. He's an athletic guy, he's a strong guy. He's a perfect combination of both. He's going to give our tackles a lot of problems, but
I have faith in those guys and I know they'll be ready to play come game time.”
Safety Daytawion Lowe
On the secondary's matchup with the Missouri receivers:
"We're going to have to be physical. They're big guys so we're going to have to get our hands on them and play physically. Really, it comes down to attacking the ball in the air. They're big so they're going to try to go up and get the ball and box you out. We have to play the ball well, and I think we'll be alright."
On what he remembers from the 2011 game against Missouri:
"I remember some athletic guys. They were athletic. From my memory, Franklin was athletic. They had a couple of receivers that were big. They were a complete team. They could run, they could pass. They had weapons on the outside."
Wide receiver Charlie Moore
On being able to play so close to home:
"It's exciting. It's only an hour and a half away from home so I have a lot of family and friends coming out to this game. Playing in Texas in one of the greatest stadiums in the world and playing a good Missouri team is awesome. I'm very excited."
On what he remembers from the 2011 game against Missouri:
"I remember that game, but I haven't watched much of it since 2011. They have a great defense. Their defensive backs are quick and physical. Then, of course, their defensive line is pretty tough. We're preparing for them. We've got to worry about ourselves, and I trust our coaches to have a great game plan."
On if playing his last game as a Cowboy has sunk in:
"It has. It's already started to sink in. I've been packing up my house. When I leave next Monday, I 'm leaving. After the bowl game, I'll be going down to Tyler. I'll be back home. It's kind of crazy to think about that, but as far as my last game, it's crazy that it's here. This season has felt like it's flown by. I'm going to soak it in for all it's worth and enjoy every bit of it and every minute I have with the guys on this team."
Quarterback Clint Chelf
On if there is any hangover after the Bedlam game:
"The first week after the game, I would have said yes. It was a tough loss. Now, we're focused on Missouri. We're excited to play again and to get that bad taste out of our mouth."
On if this season went the way he had wanted it to:
"Obviously, in the beginning I would have said no. But looking at the way we finished and ended up playing, that's all you can ask for. I tried to do the best I could. Going out with this group of seniors, this is the way that I would have wanted to go out. Have a fun bowl, enjoy it and relax. Take it all in. There have been ups and downs, and it's like that for everybody in every season, but I'm proud of the way we finished."
On the importance of getting a bowl win:
"It's extremely important. This is the last game some of us are going to play here, so you obviously want to win. For all that we've been through as seniors, we all want to go out with a win."
Linebacker Caleb Lavey
On playing in the Cotton Bowl:
"I'm excited. I'm from Dallas. It's right in my back yard. We get to play an SEC team. We get to play in AT&T Stadium. You can't ask for a better stadium. It's the perfect place to end my career here at OSU with such a great group of seniors."
On getting to play so close to home:
"It's going to be special because we're going to be able to bring our families in. It's not too bad of a drive. Most of my family will be there. We have a lot of OSU alumni and students from the area so we'll be able to bring a lot of orange out, which is good. There will be plenty of noise for the Cowboys out there."
On the importance of ending his OSU career with a win:
"I really just want to win for these seniors. I want to get this bad taste out of my mouth after Bedlam. We want to end the season with a win, especially against an SEC team. They're a great team with a lot of weapons. They nearly went to the national championship. Being able to wrap it up in Dallas with a win would be the perfect way to end my career."
Linebacker Shaun Lewis
On Missouri's offense:
"They want to pass the ball and make sure they establish a run game. Franklin runs everything back there. They've got some long-range receivers. They're a spread team. They can move the ball in a hurry."
On the importance of finishing his career with a win:
"It's very important. When you talk about leaving a legacy that you're satisfied with, you always want to go out with a win. This might be my last time playing football, so I definitely want to go out on the good side."
On his family being able to come to the game:
"Last year at the Heart of Dallas Bowl, I had to find 26 tickets so this year with this bowl being a little bit bigger, I'll probably have to find more than that...I'm really excited to have the opportunity to play in front of my family, play with these guys one more time and end my career on a good note.
Cornerback Tyler Patmon
On what his season has been like
"It's been a great experience. To come here and win all the games we have won, everything I have experienced at Oklahoma State has been great."
On the moment when Coach Spencer congratulated him for making a bowl game
"I was sitting on the bus and we were waiting to leave to go to the airport, and he walked on the bus and came up to me and congratulated me. It seemed sincere. It was greatly appreciated for him to do that."
On if he had thought about it before Spencer came up to him
"Oh yeah. He had already been putting it in my head that week. He definitely knew it was a big game for me. I knew it was a big game for the team and me, also."
On the support of other guys in the secondary
"The guys in the secondary have treated me like family. It feels like I've been here for four years instead of one. That's greatly appreciated."
