Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Football Report - April 5
April 05, 2013 | Cowboy Football
April 5, 2013
STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State football team practiced in ideal conditions Friday on the Boone Pickens Stadium turf dressed in full pads. After the approximately two-hour session, new safeties coach Tim Duffie shared some of his insight into his position group:
On the safeties who have caught his eye during spring ball:
"All five of the seniors. The biggest thing is that this group is unselfish. Daytawion Lowe is a really good player and Shamiel Gary. Lyndell Johnson is really coming on. He played down last year and is moving back. Larry Stephens has done some really good things. As a group, we're playing pretty consistent. There are some minor things we try to correct to get them coached up a little better, but this is a really good group."
On why Daytawion Lowe has caught his eye:
"His experience and his passion for the game - you can tell he really loves the game. He prepares off the field, on the field, just the way he carries himself. He helps the young guys with less experience."
On how Oklahoma State's new defensive philosophy affects the safeties:
"As a group, we're trying to be more aggressive and compete for more balls than they have in the past. Not that they haven't, but we're just trying to tighten up the coverage with the experience and the knowledge - learning where to guess and playing with some leverage on the back end as a group. Corner play helps us all as a defense and we've got some really good guys returning. Justin Gilbert is playing great. That's where it all starts."
On if he's ever coached practices at the pace of Oklahoma State's high-speed practice sessions:
"No, this is a first for me but I think I'd better get used to it because the ball flies around in this conference."
On what he prides himself on as a coach:
"Everything is based on discipline and competing, challenging receivers, trying to limit the amount of easy throws and making it difficult in the pass game - closing windows. It's pretty much the same principle here."
On getting his family settled in Stillwater:
"We're trying to get them here as fast as we can. It's been a little difficult being away - they're back in North Carolina. They'll be here for the spring game."
On the talent level of Oklahoma State's defensive players:
"I'm pleased with the talent level. Talent-wise, we're pretty good, but the experience factor to me is most evident. You can be really talented and have no experience and get eaten up. I'd rather have the experience than the talent. Obviously, we want talented players, but I really like the experience."
