Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Gundy, Cowboys Preview UTSA
September 14, 2015 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and selected members of the football team visited with the media Monday in Boone Pickens Stadium to preview the Cowboys' next game versus UTSA. Their comments:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"We're back it, obviously, and preparing for Texas-San Antonio. It was interesting watching their games against Arizona and Kansas State. It'll be the third time we've played them in not that many years. We know a lot about them, and they know a lot about us. We need to continue to improve in all three phases. There were areas where we had improvement from the last game, which I was pleased with. There are some areas that we need to continue to work at as we progress through the season. We have a healthy football team. Our energy and attitude level are really good, and I like how our coaches are working at this time. We're in the third week and just moving forward."
On Jalen McCleskey's return game against Central Arkansas:
"There were two of them, well, one for sure, that we felt like he should have returned. The good news is that he's catching the ball, going to get it and returning it. There's a process that he needs to go through, and they all go through it. It just takes some time to get used to that. Returning punts could be the hardest thing for a true freshman to do. It kind of goes against human nature to just stand there, looking up in the air when you have guys running at you. He's learning, and he's doing good. He's still aggressive, and he wants to catch the ball."
On having multiple San Antonio-area players on the field against UTSA:
"All of those Texas guys are important. We've got a number of players from that central Texas area, and it's always good for those guys to compete against teams from that part of the state. We get a lot of young men that come and play here because we end up playing so many schools from that area of Texas. We certainly need all of those guys to make plays."
On Jordan Burton making an impact on defense:
"Jordan has been mature, he's been physical and he's been durable. He missed three or four days in fall camp, but he was good in the spring. He's learning on the run. He's one of those players that should be much better in the middle of the season than he is now. He's just making the adjustment from the JUCO level to this level."
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On the offensive performance against Central Arkansas:
"Too many negative yardage plays. We've got to stay ahead of the chains and we've got to be better on first down. Our balance and run/pass ratio was good, but we've got to be more effective in the run game by getting more yards per carry and making sure we're in second-and-normal downs."
On Mason Rudolph's communication with receivers:
"There were three of four plays where we should have thrown the ball a little bit better, and timing and getting to know one another will fix that. When you're only playing with two receivers it's really easy to know the ins-and-outs of that receiver. Our depth is a challenge for us to make sure that we're all on the same page. We have to know each other really well and that's a big time key. We have to keep the competition going at receiver, but at the same time we have to make sure that we know each other well."
On the offensive line from week to week:
"Competition and personnel is constantly being evaluated. We're always trying to push one another from that stand point. Every practice is evaluated. We are going to continue to do that throughout this week and throughout the game and we will see where we are at."
On the pass protection being solid, but the run blocking struggling:
"Well, there's a lot of things that fall into it. I don't think that's unique. I think our guys are doing a great job in pass protection. We're doing a real good job of mixing up play-action pass along with that. I think that's important because the defensive line doesn't know whether to pin their ears down and come at you. We have to improve, not just in the run game, but in pass protection as well. There was a couple times we lost a couple blocks and got some holding calls. There's a lot that goes into it and we have to put a lot of effort into our blocking as an offense."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On how he felt after watching film from Central Arkansas:
"I was pleased. The kids played really hard. I thought we played violent, which is what we ask of them. We had a lot of great stops."
On the defensive performance against Central Arkansas:
"Anytime you can stop somebody in the run game like we did, the whole front seven and the safeties are doing their job."
On UTSA:
"Yeah, they have a tough schedule every year. They've always played a good team before us, and usually on film they've taken it to the wire. They did last year by beating Houston and taking Arizona to the wire. Really had missed opportunities in the first half against Kansas State. In the second half, Kansas State controlled the clock and they just didn't have any shots at them. We have a lot of respect because it's not like you're looking at film against an opponent we've never seen. We are looking at the film and seeing them show up against some of the most talented players in the nation. So it's easy for our guys to have some respect."
On Emmanuel Ogbah's performance against Central Arkansas:
"He got our defensive player of the game award last week. He was very productive and he tackled. He had three quarterback hurries, a sack and a tackle-for-loss. So a very disruptive game for him."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On UTSA:
"They're a good team that's played a couple of other good teams these first two games. Obviously, they've come up short but we found out last year they're a good team, so we're going to prepare hard for them. We have to focus on ourselves, make adjustments, and correct mistakes from the previous week to get better."
On the receivers:
"Not only James [Washington], but I feel comfortable going to a lot of our wide receivers. When you put it in their area, they're going to come down with it most times. It makes my job a lot easier. They've all been playing well, but credit the offensive line for giving me time to distribute the ball to them."
On reading different defenses:
"There's a lot more things they can throw at you, whereas is high school there are only three or four things they can do. It just comes with a little bit of experience and higher level of play. It takes that much more preparation, but the staff, offense and defenses put it in so now we're focused on what UTSA is going to do this week."
Defensive End Emmanuel Ogbah
On the defense's progress:
"Our main goal is to get turnovers each game, but I thought we've played well as a defense. We just have to keep getting better every week."
On preparing for UTSA:
"They have a good tight end, number 82 (David Morgan II). He's an NFL-sized tight end, so it'll be a good matchup to go against him. I feel like, as a defense, we need to corral to the ball and that will stop them."
On UTSA:
"UTSA is a good team. We are not taking them lightly. We're taking them just like a Big 12 opponent. We're going to go out there and give it our all."
On staying focused on the week at hand:
"The coaches keep us locked in. It's not tough, because we always think about the next game we have, which is UTSA. That's what we're focused on."
Defensive Tackle Vincent Taylor
On finding his defensive role:
"Knowing that we had two seniors leaving in James Castleman and Ofa Hautau, so we needed someone to step up and I felt like it was my time."
On learning from seniors last year:
"Redshirting and freshman year watching them, I learned a lot. When I went into the game, they would tell me what I did right and wrong. That helped me a lot and gave me specific things to work on."
On performing up to the precedent:
"I just try to make plays and do what's best for the team. Those two guys had good careers, but I tell myself every day on the field – not anything against those guys – that I want to be better than them."
Receiver David Glidden
On the offense's communication:
"If you were to ask Coach Dunn about the communication we have during games, he would get a chuckle out of it because I'm constantly in his ear. Every time I come off of the field, I tell him what I see, ways to get me or another guy the ball. Whatever we can do to get the offense in a rhythm, I'm in his ear about."
On his long touchdown catch:
"We faked the screen, a little pop screen is all it was. Luckily Mason gave a good pump fake and when you have a guy like Brandon Sheperd out there, who draws a lot of attention from defenses, it all worked out. It's a play we've ran for a couple of years and I think it's worked every time now."
On his thoughts when the play happened:
"I thought I needed to go score. Every time I catch it, I just try to get it rolling and pick up as much green as possible. I don't want to be a dancer or guy that prances around. I saw the green grass and it all worked out."
Running Back Rennie Childs
On his relationship with fellow running back Chris Carson:
"Me and Chris are friends on and off the field. We're just trying to lead this team to victory. We do everything in our abilities to get into the endzone."
On how Central Arkansas defended the running game:
"They were trying to stop our run game, which opened up (David) Glidden and Marcell (Ateman) on the edge. Their defensive backs couldn't hang with our receivers, so we just threw it up there."
On the last non-conference game:
"We just need to have another good week of preparation and take it week by week and try to get this victory against UTSA."
Safety Jordan Sterns
On the defense's progress:
"I feel good about it. I think we can get better at creating turnovers, which I think we will. We've got guys ripping at the ball. We're just one play away from creating those big turnovers that we need."
On the defense's performance against Central Arkansas:
"It definitely feels good. I wish we wouldn't have given up a touchdown, but things happen."
On generating turnovers:
"You've got to go out in practice and really work at it. That's one thing we've decided. If we don't get enough turnovers, then we have to run after practice. We've got to work hard ripping at the ball and getting interceptions when the ball is in the air. We emphasize it and try to carry it over into the game."
On Chris Carson hurdling a Central Arkansas defender:
"It just shows off how much athleticism he has and how much explosiveness he brings to the backfield and the offense."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"We're back it, obviously, and preparing for Texas-San Antonio. It was interesting watching their games against Arizona and Kansas State. It'll be the third time we've played them in not that many years. We know a lot about them, and they know a lot about us. We need to continue to improve in all three phases. There were areas where we had improvement from the last game, which I was pleased with. There are some areas that we need to continue to work at as we progress through the season. We have a healthy football team. Our energy and attitude level are really good, and I like how our coaches are working at this time. We're in the third week and just moving forward."
On Jalen McCleskey's return game against Central Arkansas:
"There were two of them, well, one for sure, that we felt like he should have returned. The good news is that he's catching the ball, going to get it and returning it. There's a process that he needs to go through, and they all go through it. It just takes some time to get used to that. Returning punts could be the hardest thing for a true freshman to do. It kind of goes against human nature to just stand there, looking up in the air when you have guys running at you. He's learning, and he's doing good. He's still aggressive, and he wants to catch the ball."
On having multiple San Antonio-area players on the field against UTSA:
"All of those Texas guys are important. We've got a number of players from that central Texas area, and it's always good for those guys to compete against teams from that part of the state. We get a lot of young men that come and play here because we end up playing so many schools from that area of Texas. We certainly need all of those guys to make plays."
On Jordan Burton making an impact on defense:
"Jordan has been mature, he's been physical and he's been durable. He missed three or four days in fall camp, but he was good in the spring. He's learning on the run. He's one of those players that should be much better in the middle of the season than he is now. He's just making the adjustment from the JUCO level to this level."
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On the offensive performance against Central Arkansas:
"Too many negative yardage plays. We've got to stay ahead of the chains and we've got to be better on first down. Our balance and run/pass ratio was good, but we've got to be more effective in the run game by getting more yards per carry and making sure we're in second-and-normal downs."
On Mason Rudolph's communication with receivers:
"There were three of four plays where we should have thrown the ball a little bit better, and timing and getting to know one another will fix that. When you're only playing with two receivers it's really easy to know the ins-and-outs of that receiver. Our depth is a challenge for us to make sure that we're all on the same page. We have to know each other really well and that's a big time key. We have to keep the competition going at receiver, but at the same time we have to make sure that we know each other well."
On the offensive line from week to week:
"Competition and personnel is constantly being evaluated. We're always trying to push one another from that stand point. Every practice is evaluated. We are going to continue to do that throughout this week and throughout the game and we will see where we are at."
On the pass protection being solid, but the run blocking struggling:
"Well, there's a lot of things that fall into it. I don't think that's unique. I think our guys are doing a great job in pass protection. We're doing a real good job of mixing up play-action pass along with that. I think that's important because the defensive line doesn't know whether to pin their ears down and come at you. We have to improve, not just in the run game, but in pass protection as well. There was a couple times we lost a couple blocks and got some holding calls. There's a lot that goes into it and we have to put a lot of effort into our blocking as an offense."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On how he felt after watching film from Central Arkansas:
"I was pleased. The kids played really hard. I thought we played violent, which is what we ask of them. We had a lot of great stops."
On the defensive performance against Central Arkansas:
"Anytime you can stop somebody in the run game like we did, the whole front seven and the safeties are doing their job."
On UTSA:
"Yeah, they have a tough schedule every year. They've always played a good team before us, and usually on film they've taken it to the wire. They did last year by beating Houston and taking Arizona to the wire. Really had missed opportunities in the first half against Kansas State. In the second half, Kansas State controlled the clock and they just didn't have any shots at them. We have a lot of respect because it's not like you're looking at film against an opponent we've never seen. We are looking at the film and seeing them show up against some of the most talented players in the nation. So it's easy for our guys to have some respect."
On Emmanuel Ogbah's performance against Central Arkansas:
"He got our defensive player of the game award last week. He was very productive and he tackled. He had three quarterback hurries, a sack and a tackle-for-loss. So a very disruptive game for him."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On UTSA:
"They're a good team that's played a couple of other good teams these first two games. Obviously, they've come up short but we found out last year they're a good team, so we're going to prepare hard for them. We have to focus on ourselves, make adjustments, and correct mistakes from the previous week to get better."
On the receivers:
"Not only James [Washington], but I feel comfortable going to a lot of our wide receivers. When you put it in their area, they're going to come down with it most times. It makes my job a lot easier. They've all been playing well, but credit the offensive line for giving me time to distribute the ball to them."
On reading different defenses:
"There's a lot more things they can throw at you, whereas is high school there are only three or four things they can do. It just comes with a little bit of experience and higher level of play. It takes that much more preparation, but the staff, offense and defenses put it in so now we're focused on what UTSA is going to do this week."
Defensive End Emmanuel Ogbah
On the defense's progress:
"Our main goal is to get turnovers each game, but I thought we've played well as a defense. We just have to keep getting better every week."
On preparing for UTSA:
"They have a good tight end, number 82 (David Morgan II). He's an NFL-sized tight end, so it'll be a good matchup to go against him. I feel like, as a defense, we need to corral to the ball and that will stop them."
On UTSA:
"UTSA is a good team. We are not taking them lightly. We're taking them just like a Big 12 opponent. We're going to go out there and give it our all."
On staying focused on the week at hand:
"The coaches keep us locked in. It's not tough, because we always think about the next game we have, which is UTSA. That's what we're focused on."
Defensive Tackle Vincent Taylor
On finding his defensive role:
"Knowing that we had two seniors leaving in James Castleman and Ofa Hautau, so we needed someone to step up and I felt like it was my time."
On learning from seniors last year:
"Redshirting and freshman year watching them, I learned a lot. When I went into the game, they would tell me what I did right and wrong. That helped me a lot and gave me specific things to work on."
On performing up to the precedent:
"I just try to make plays and do what's best for the team. Those two guys had good careers, but I tell myself every day on the field – not anything against those guys – that I want to be better than them."
Receiver David Glidden
On the offense's communication:
"If you were to ask Coach Dunn about the communication we have during games, he would get a chuckle out of it because I'm constantly in his ear. Every time I come off of the field, I tell him what I see, ways to get me or another guy the ball. Whatever we can do to get the offense in a rhythm, I'm in his ear about."
On his long touchdown catch:
"We faked the screen, a little pop screen is all it was. Luckily Mason gave a good pump fake and when you have a guy like Brandon Sheperd out there, who draws a lot of attention from defenses, it all worked out. It's a play we've ran for a couple of years and I think it's worked every time now."
On his thoughts when the play happened:
"I thought I needed to go score. Every time I catch it, I just try to get it rolling and pick up as much green as possible. I don't want to be a dancer or guy that prances around. I saw the green grass and it all worked out."
Running Back Rennie Childs
On his relationship with fellow running back Chris Carson:
"Me and Chris are friends on and off the field. We're just trying to lead this team to victory. We do everything in our abilities to get into the endzone."
On how Central Arkansas defended the running game:
"They were trying to stop our run game, which opened up (David) Glidden and Marcell (Ateman) on the edge. Their defensive backs couldn't hang with our receivers, so we just threw it up there."
On the last non-conference game:
"We just need to have another good week of preparation and take it week by week and try to get this victory against UTSA."
Safety Jordan Sterns
On the defense's progress:
"I feel good about it. I think we can get better at creating turnovers, which I think we will. We've got guys ripping at the ball. We're just one play away from creating those big turnovers that we need."
On the defense's performance against Central Arkansas:
"It definitely feels good. I wish we wouldn't have given up a touchdown, but things happen."
On generating turnovers:
"You've got to go out in practice and really work at it. That's one thing we've decided. If we don't get enough turnovers, then we have to run after practice. We've got to work hard ripping at the ball and getting interceptions when the ball is in the air. We emphasize it and try to carry it over into the game."
On Chris Carson hurdling a Central Arkansas defender:
"It just shows off how much athleticism he has and how much explosiveness he brings to the backfield and the offense."
Players Mentioned
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