Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Football Report, August 13
August 13, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Aug 13, 2013
STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State football team practiced for approximately two and a half hours Tuesday in the Sherman Smith Training Center. After practice, coach Mike Gundy and others visited with members of the media:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"We had an enthusiastic workout this morning. It was a better day than yesterday. Yesterday was pretty average, but today was very good and very competitive. Players had a nice two and a half hour workout and we have walk-through this afternoon, and back to two practices tomorrow."
On what position battles are left:
"We need a punter. Other than that, with the way we play by rotating players in on both sides of the ball, everybody has pretty much fallen into place. Our kickoff man will be Kip Smith. Ben Grogan also kicks off, but I think Kip will handle the kickoff duties for us. "
On the demands of this week:
"This week is a grind. Everyone in the country is going through it. They've been out there for a week and a half and fatigue sets in with the early morning wake ups and getting to bed at 10, it's a full day. There is some wear and tear. These are the practices that are the most crucial. Young players who want to play in the first game have to make it through these next four or five days and then the veteran players have to push through in order to practice at a high level that gives us the best chance to win."
On preparing for Mississippi State:
"We compete a lot in practice. We now get to start working on the plays in all three phases that we'll run in the game. The players then get excited about their opportunities as an individual, and obviously as an offense or a defense for the Mississippi State game. "
On Calvin Barnett:
"His adjustment was just the wear and tear on your body. The offseason conditioning that we go through here is different than what he was accustomed too. He was more ready than most two-year players that we get because he's intelligent and he's stable mentally. Sometimes guys we get are not focused mentally and it takes them a while to get adjusted to our system. Calvin was farther ahead in that area."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On Mississippi State:
"What you read on film is true. They have an experienced quarterback, running back, offensive line and they're all coming back. They could bring in another quarterback and run some option. Coach Gundy is doing a good job giving us time in camp to prepare for them."
On the comfortable point to shift focus in practice:
"We have always done good-on-good all throughout the season. So just to get the speed of the game, we go against our offense and we will do seven-on-seven. After this week, you do start specializing in different areas and knowing what you have to lock in on as far as their particular attack."
Receivers Coach Jason Ray
On his first impression:
"The inside guys are really talented. You have Josh Stewart and David Glidden. We flop those guys around and have gotten away from the inside and outside receiver thing to make them interchangeable. Overall, the group is a pretty strong focused group."
On what it's like coaching at Oklahoma State:
"It's great. Anytime you have players that enjoy the game of football, those kids are the easiest kids to coach no matter where you're at. If a kid enjoys playing the game and puts himself in the position where he wants to have success, then it's a great time to be able to coach them."
On his coaching style:
"I think my coaching style is fundamentals. We want to teach the guys to be fundamentalists in their position. I have a lot of high energy and in our group we have a good mix of personalities."
Cornerbacks Coach Van Malone
On camp:
"One of the things we wanted to do going into the fall is compete, even more so than the spring. So far, this whole camp of guys has done that. We were in a position the last couple of days where the receivers kind of got the best of us, and it goes back and forth. I kind of motivated my guys yesterday and this morning and told them that now, it's our turn. What we're trying to do is achieve a level of consistency, but it all starts with aggression."
On his assessment of the cornerbacks:
"Starting in the spring, we gave Kevin Peterson the opportunity to step into that role, but like I told those guys a couple of days ago, it's constant competition. Justin Gilbert is one of our most talented guys on defense, but he understands that no job is safe. So there's been a lot of competition. Peterson has done well, and Ashton Lampkin is right behind him. Tyler Patmon, a transfer who's coming in, has done a good job as well. As a coach, for me to see these guys competing and have the hope that there is true competition in the group, that's exciting."
Defensive End Tyler Johnson
On helping out younger teammates:
"We go out there and work hard. After each and every practice we go to the meetings and learn how to correct the mistakes. It's an exciting environment right now because there are guys that want to learn."
On being a senior:
"It's one of those things that you have to take ownership on. It's obvious that I'm a senior and a lot of guys look up to me. I am excited to take on that role."
On the transition from baseball to football:
"It was really slow at first. It took time and it didn't happen right away. It was on my mind and heart each and every day. I felt like I made the decision through prayers and a lot of support. From then on, it's been gravy."
Running Back Desmond Roland
On competing for the starting spot:
"With this offense, we are a tempo offense so everything is very fast paced. I'm going to get my reps eventually as long as I keep working hard and focus on myself."
On playing late in games:
"It got my nervousness out. Playing in the third or fourth quarters still helps you as a player by showing you the game speed. I know what to look forward to this season."
Wide Receiver Tracy Moore
On where he wants to be with his senior season:
"It's definitely no pressure. I would rather be underrated than overrated. So being under the radar, there is nowhere to go but up really."
On the quarterbacks:
"They are all pretty good. We have three good ones."
On having another chance to play this season:
"It's definitely been a blessing to be able to come back and play with these guys. We all have our hearts set on a National Championship and the Big 12 Championship."
On being on the grind this week:
"We have such a great group of guys. It's really something special. We have guys calling to make sure each other is up. It's more special than anything I've ever been around."
Defensive Tackle Calvin Barnett
On Mississippi State:
"If you're not ready for Mississippi State right now you're on the wrong team. We are getting familiar with their stuff right now."
On the grind of this week:
"This is where it comes in to be mentally tough. Of course you're going to be fatigued, a lot of people on the team will be banged up and your body is starting to wear down on you. So this is the part where the mental toughness comes in because you can see the end but you have to keep working hard."
Linebacker Dominic Ramacher
On wanting to change positions:
"My whole life I have played defense - and linebacker specifically - so I have always had a defensive mind and instincts. When I was recruited here as an athlete they weren't sure what I was going to do and they felt I could help more as fullback. I helped the best I could but I thought the best thing for me was to be a linebacker. I went to Coach Singleton to make sure it was okay and then I went to Coach Spencer."
On the transition to linebacker:
"I am picking it up really fast. I feel like it's all coming back to me and it's going to be good."
On the ability to transition to different positions:
"I guess it's just a mindset to be able to switch back and forth."
