Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Report, Aug. 8
August 08, 2014 | Cowboy Football
Aug. 8, 2014
STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State football team practiced in full pads for approximately two hours Friday at the Sherman E. Smith Training Facility, spending the day indoors after Stillwater received heavy rainfall early Friday morning. Offensive line coach Bob Connelly talked about practice and the Cowboy offensive line. His comments:
Offensive line coach Bob Connelly
On today's practice
"It was a good day. We're getting better. Today, we put an emphasis on goal-line and short yardage. I thought we came to compete, I think the guys are coming along and I'm pleased with the progress we're making. It was good to see, with me being new and the offensive line being young, when we started day one, I feel like we started day 16 from spring practice, which was good. We had a lot of retention. The guys are working extremely hard, and I think they're starting to come together as a unit. I thought today was a good day. It was obviously a little short, but today's the first day of two-a-days, so we've got two practices today. I thought our mindset was good coming for our first two-a-days practice."
On the strengths of the offensive line
"You know, I think that we're a very good run team right now. We've got to continue to grow and develop, and we're young, as we stated. We're going to continue to get better each and every day. Obviously, that's a goal of mine for them and a goal of Coach Gundy for the football team. As long as we take baby steps and show improvement each day, we're doing that. As we develop mentally and understand the scheme structures both offensively and defensively, I think we'll continue to progress. Right now, there's still a little too much thinking going on. As they learn and the concept gets better, we're going to be able to increase our level of play because less thinking allows us to play faster. I really do expect, each and every day, to see progression as we move forward toward our first game."
On the energy level in camp
"It's good, so far. I'm very pleased with that. Obviously, I encourage the guys to come out and have a purpose each and every day, and they're able to do that. If we come out to practice and have a mindset to try and get through practice, through a meeting or through a workout, that's generally what we're going to get. I'm pleased with the effort. I'm pleased with how they're playing right now. Obviously, we're not where we need to be, but we're striving to get there."
