Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Preview Florida State
August 21, 2014 | Cowboy Football
Aug. 21, 2014
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and selected members of the football team visited with the media on Monday in Stillwater to preview the season-opening matchup with Florida State. Their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
“It's business as usual for us. We've had a really good camp. We've had a couple of scrimmages, 115 or 120 plays that have gone very well. The team's excited. Our health is good. Finally got some heat, so it's good we're getting the chance to work in some heat, and just looking forward to the next five or six practices and then we'll start to back off a little bit and get ready to play the game.”
On coaching young team:
“You know, it's kind of double-edged there. You have times you get a little frustrated because there's so many young players out there, but then also it's very enjoyable to watch them progress and develop. It's a different year for us. We have a lot of players that are inexperienced and they're learning on the run, so we bring them along just like we did the last group.”
On preparing for talented opponent in the opening game:
“I think it's much easier now because they know everything before they actually get to us with the exposure. With social media, they know more about the guys than we do. Just like every other opponent, we show them what we think are their strengths, their weaknesses and what our game plan is and we ask them to prepare and go out and play hard.”
On playing against Jameis Winston:
“He's a really good player that's dangerous, in that he can make a play at any time. He's got a strong arm, he's hard to bring down, he's mobile and he's got a great supporting cast.”
On breaking down Florida State players:
“There's a group of guys that play for them at the wide receiver position, running back position and the secondary position that are terrific, skilled athletes. When we break down opponents each week, we try to categorize what would be college players, somewhat-below college players that are playing at this level and then guys that have the capability of playing in the NFL. The majority of those guys at those positions have the capability of someday playing in the NFL.”
On evaluating team strengths:
“We have depth at the defensive line position, we're young at linebacker and we're young in the secondary. We're a little mature on the offensive line, but don't have much depth. At the running back and wide receiver spot, we have the same guys, but should be a little better through experience.”
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On which players have stepped up in practice recently:
"Several players, really. I'm not going to name names. There a lot of guys who have been practicing well, so if I mention just a few, there'd be a lot of guys left out. We've got several guys who have made a lot of plays this fall, but now that the season is coming up, it's time to go prove it."
On Florida State's defense:
"We spent a lot of time in the summer looking at them. Now that we're in the fall, we've been getting more in depth with the film, mainly looking at schemes and matchups."
On what excites him most about this year's receivers:
"Their explosiveness, their ability to go up and catch the ball, their route running skills and seeing them improve on the perimeter. We have a unique set of receivers who aren't just good going on the field, but also with presenting matchup problems against smaller defensive backs. Most of our receivers are over six foot and have some strength to them, so seeing them be aggressive on the perimeter is very important, as well. That's what every offensive coordinator likes to see."
On having Tyreek Hill involved with the offense:
"It's a lot of fun having Tyreek out there. He's a very explosive athlete, and he's also a very skilled young man with a great attitude. It's a lot of fun having him. He's an easy-going guy, but he takes his job very seriously at the same time. I can't say that I know him as well as Coach Singleton, but he seems like he is very business-like and has a great demeanor about him. He's a very fast guy, he's good in the open field and he can cut. He's got some juke to him, as well as some great straightaway speed."
On each of the quarterbacks' development since the start of camp:
"I think it's been pretty good. The main thing is ball security. At the quarterback position, that's where it starts. Their progressions are improving, and they're getting rid of the ball on time. The biggest thing is, when we talk about quarterbacks, they've got to know when to throw the ball away. Everybody in the stands sees it. Instead of forcing it into a bad situation, these guys are throwing the ball away. With that, you get to line up on fourth down and punt it instead of giving the opposition good field position. You're giving yourself a significantly better chance to win the football game. Those are decisions that I think we understand better at that spot, and we improve on them each day."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On how important it will be to limit the Florida State offense early on:
"It's important. It's a ballgame, though, so nobody here knows what's going to happen. Nobody can even think about what's going to happen, so we'll deal with that moment when it comes. We can come out and play great at first, but there will still be a lot of ballgame left. If they come out and bust a couple of big plays on us, will we shell up for the rest of the game? No. That 60th play and that 70th play have got to be played just like the first and the second."
On what he expects out of Florida State running back Karlos Williams:
"You know, they've moved him around quite a bit. He wasn't even the starting tailback last year, so good for them. They discovered a hard runner that can see a seam and have the speed to take it. He runs with his pads down in front of him. We just saw him run over a DB in the end zone about 10 minutes ago. Their offensive line creates things for those guys, but they also do a nice job with their fullback and tailback tandems. They're great at exposing people who overrun and over pursue them. They've also got the speed to catch you on the edge, too."
On the defensive line stacking up against Florida State's run game:
"Every week starts with looking at it. These guys want to look at it and study it, but they also realize they've got to be careful what they wish for. With the talent and depth we have on the defensive line, and with how great of a camp they've had, we're going to go out there and be confident. Still, it depends on what we see. The first two or three drives, if we can physically match up with them, the guys are disciplined and our backs are secure, then some good things can happen. If we've got guys out there who don't know what they're doing, we're going to be playing down real quick."
On Ryan Simmons' leadership:
"Ryan hasn't disappointed me one day throughout camp. His preparation for the game, his preparation for camp and his preparation for practice – they're all what you want to see in a leader. We've even tested him a few days out there, but he's consistently been a guy who gets the job done. He has earned that distinction with the rest of the team."
Linebacker Ryan Simmons
On what jumps out to him on Florida State's offense:
“Jameis Winston. He is the control of that offense. The offensive line is great. Everything works around Jameis and the o-line. That whole interior area is top of the line.”
On guys learning to play on the go:
“Definitely, the guys that don't have the fits need to just depend upon the players that are closest to fill in for those gaps. It's all about adjustments and playing on the go. Hopefully, they learn fast enough so they have no questions and can play to their full potential.”
Cornerback Kevin Peterson
On how big of a challenge Florida State's offense is:
“They have the Heisman Trophy winner and great recruits. Also, they have some pretty good receivers, so it's going to be fun to show what we can do.”
On what makes Jameis Winston better than other quarterbacks that they have faced:
“He makes a lot of plays on his feet, breaks a lot of tackles and you have to stay in coverage and contain him.”
On what kind of speed he expects from Florida State's receivers:
“We have heard that they have Olympic speed, but covering receivers like that is going to be fun. Condition is what it's going to come down to.”
Receiver Jhajuan Seales
On the importance of blocking:
“Yeah, we need to stretch our blocking because if not, then we can't open the pass game.”
On if playing a team as good as Florida State is motivating:
“Yeah, it's motivation. We are ready to get out there and play another team.”
On playing at AT&T Stadium:
“It's going to be a great environment to play in (AT&T Stadium) against the defending champs.”
Defensive Tackle James Castleman
On the defensive line and the progression of Ofa Hautau:
“I'm really excited for the defensive line. Ofa Hautau is strong; he's a beast. I'm really excited for him. Then, of course, you've got Jimmy Bean, Sam Wren and Emmanuel Ogbah on the edge. I'm excited about them because they're fast and strong.”
On helping the newcomers:
“I try to help with the pressure. I know what it's like, with them being so young, to get thrown in the mix. I just try to push them along and help them out. I try to lead by example and do my things right.”
On how Florida State compares to other teams the Cowboys have faced:
“I think that this team as a whole will probably be one of the better teams we will ever face. I also think this team offensively, their o-line and receiver corps, will be probably the best we will face. This offensive line is probably the biggest all around. They average around 310 pounds, so that's the biggest I've ever seen since I've been here. I'm excited to play against them. I'm excited to play against the Heisman winner. I'm excited about all of it.”
Fullback Teddy Johnson
On going to his hometown to play Florida State:
“Dallas is where I'm from, and it's where we've played a lot of our playoff games. It's where we played the Cotton Bowl. It means a lot to me to be able to go back home and start my senior year with such a big game.”
On opening up the season against the defending national champions:
“We like this chance we have. We want to show the country that what we're able to do, so we're really excited to play Florida State on opening night.”
On the OSU offensive line:
“The offensive line has been spectacular. They've put in the effort to get where they need to be. I'm excited for them.”
Offensive Lineman Zac Veatch
On preparing for Florida State:
"Our offensive coordinator and o-line coach have put together a great scheme for us. As long as we execute it, we'll be alright."
On what jumps out about Florida State:
"Their d-linemen do a lot of jumping around. They're going to come off the ball and use their size and strength to make contact."
On how the offensive line has come together:
"At first, it was kind of rocky with the new coach and new system, but we've spent all of our time in the offseason and in the summer working on it. We've really groomed together as a team."
