Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Hosts Annual Media Golf Outing
July 27, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State hosted its annual Cowboy Football Media Golf Outing Wednesday at Karsten Creek. After playing a scramble-style tournament, Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and several assistant coaches met with media to preview the upcoming football season. Some of their comments:
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On his excitement for fall camp:
"I was just talking to some other people, and I guess this is my 27th or 28th year. Every year, there are some new challenges. You just really enjoy the process. A new group means trying to find out what the heartbeat of this defense is going to be and stimulating these kids, trying to find their reason for doing what they do. You've got to get it all centered in one direction. It's fun. It's a fun time of year."
On filling in holes left by Emmanuel Ogbah, Kevin Peterson and other key defensive players:
"You know, that started in January, so it's a process. Until the new group gets out there and starts performing and we start keeping score, you never know. I was very pleased in the spring with how those young defensive ends are coming along, but like I said, they haven't proven anything yet. We've improved in the Mike linebacker with Chad (Whitener) and Justin Phillips to replace Ryan Simmons, and then a couple of corners to replace Kevin Peterson. People also don't mention Seth Jacobs, who would have been a fifth-year guy, and might have been a preseason All-Big 12 guy. He graduated and left, so that one hurt. All over the field, I'm talking about guys that won a lot of games around here. It's a process."
On his biggest question marks going into preseason camp:
"I've got so many, but that's just me. I could sit here and talk about all of the good. The issues are youth at end, a couple of new faces in the back end that are going to play for us, and we've got a good transfer coming in that I have to find out if he can help out. The big thing also is some guys coming off some offseason surgery: Ashton Lampkin, Jordan Burton and Vili Leveni. Those are three good players that are going to be OK. Everything says they're working toward it, but none of them are going to be 100 percent once camp starts."
On having continuity with the staff from last season to this season:
"You know I haven't had to spend some time with a new guy this year explaining what we do and why we do this. They know the culture, and they know me. We've got a great room. We've got guys that all pull the rope in the same direction. They're good minds, and I know that they're going to go recruit and work hard. It's comforting, and it allows me to think about some other things than coaching a coach."
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On where the running game broke down last season:
"I think injuries played a little bit of a part in it, and I'll take responsibility for not being in the best plays that we could have been. I think lack of depth on the offensive line (played a part as well). We played some very good defenses last season, and I think that plays into it. … We've got to be tougher. We've got to be in better football plays running-wise, and that falls on my shoulders. Other than that, we've just got to practice and become better at running the football."
On QB Mason Rudolph's progression this offseason and how his foot injury affected his development:
"The foot seemed to be a non-factor, and he says he feels great. He's throwing the ball extremely well. The biggest thing with him is just the mental aspect. He's constantly in the office, he's always watching film. He works with Zac Robinson on some throwing techniques, so he's always looking for that next step. He has never thought that he's arrived. He's always looking to get better. That's a quality that all great quarterbacks have to have. He's a film rat, and he's getting better with his football knowledge, from defensive identification, to protections, to what's a good run, to what different looks we receive from the defense."
On what newcomer running back Barry J. Sanders brings to the team:
"He brings experience and he's a very intelligent young man, so those things we know about him. Having not seen him practice live, it would be hard to project anything further. We're hoping he brings a nasty attitude, can run the ball like no other, is hard to tackle, is dependable and can come out of the backfield and catch passes like all of our tailbacks do. Time will tell on Barry, so let us have a chance to evaluate him in practice."
On how the continuity on the staff helps the players:
"That's a great point. … Their relationships. To have great relationships, it takes time. You can't just get to know somebody and pretend you know where their grandma goes to church. It really doesn't mean anything when you say something like that. You've got to invest the time and care about one another. The longer that you're with those people, players and coaches, the more camaraderie is there."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On his excitement for fall camp:
"I was just talking to some other people, and I guess this is my 27th or 28th year. Every year, there are some new challenges. You just really enjoy the process. A new group means trying to find out what the heartbeat of this defense is going to be and stimulating these kids, trying to find their reason for doing what they do. You've got to get it all centered in one direction. It's fun. It's a fun time of year."
On filling in holes left by Emmanuel Ogbah, Kevin Peterson and other key defensive players:
"You know, that started in January, so it's a process. Until the new group gets out there and starts performing and we start keeping score, you never know. I was very pleased in the spring with how those young defensive ends are coming along, but like I said, they haven't proven anything yet. We've improved in the Mike linebacker with Chad (Whitener) and Justin Phillips to replace Ryan Simmons, and then a couple of corners to replace Kevin Peterson. People also don't mention Seth Jacobs, who would have been a fifth-year guy, and might have been a preseason All-Big 12 guy. He graduated and left, so that one hurt. All over the field, I'm talking about guys that won a lot of games around here. It's a process."
On his biggest question marks going into preseason camp:
"I've got so many, but that's just me. I could sit here and talk about all of the good. The issues are youth at end, a couple of new faces in the back end that are going to play for us, and we've got a good transfer coming in that I have to find out if he can help out. The big thing also is some guys coming off some offseason surgery: Ashton Lampkin, Jordan Burton and Vili Leveni. Those are three good players that are going to be OK. Everything says they're working toward it, but none of them are going to be 100 percent once camp starts."
On having continuity with the staff from last season to this season:
"You know I haven't had to spend some time with a new guy this year explaining what we do and why we do this. They know the culture, and they know me. We've got a great room. We've got guys that all pull the rope in the same direction. They're good minds, and I know that they're going to go recruit and work hard. It's comforting, and it allows me to think about some other things than coaching a coach."
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On where the running game broke down last season:
"I think injuries played a little bit of a part in it, and I'll take responsibility for not being in the best plays that we could have been. I think lack of depth on the offensive line (played a part as well). We played some very good defenses last season, and I think that plays into it. … We've got to be tougher. We've got to be in better football plays running-wise, and that falls on my shoulders. Other than that, we've just got to practice and become better at running the football."
On QB Mason Rudolph's progression this offseason and how his foot injury affected his development:
"The foot seemed to be a non-factor, and he says he feels great. He's throwing the ball extremely well. The biggest thing with him is just the mental aspect. He's constantly in the office, he's always watching film. He works with Zac Robinson on some throwing techniques, so he's always looking for that next step. He has never thought that he's arrived. He's always looking to get better. That's a quality that all great quarterbacks have to have. He's a film rat, and he's getting better with his football knowledge, from defensive identification, to protections, to what's a good run, to what different looks we receive from the defense."
On what newcomer running back Barry J. Sanders brings to the team:
"He brings experience and he's a very intelligent young man, so those things we know about him. Having not seen him practice live, it would be hard to project anything further. We're hoping he brings a nasty attitude, can run the ball like no other, is hard to tackle, is dependable and can come out of the backfield and catch passes like all of our tailbacks do. Time will tell on Barry, so let us have a chance to evaluate him in practice."
On how the continuity on the staff helps the players:
"That's a great point. … Their relationships. To have great relationships, it takes time. You can't just get to know somebody and pretend you know where their grandma goes to church. It really doesn't mean anything when you say something like that. You've got to invest the time and care about one another. The longer that you're with those people, players and coaches, the more camaraderie is there."
Players Mentioned
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