Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Report, Aug. 13
August 13, 2016 | Cowboy Football
https://www.flickr.com/photos/osuathletics/albums/72157669330673614
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team participated in a two-hour, 116-play scrimmage Saturday afternoon at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. After the session, head coach Mike Gundy gave his thoughts:
Â
On today's scrimmage:
"I really liked our scrimmage. We had 116 plays. The offense started a little slow. The defense was able to rally, and in fact, scored off of a turnover. Then the offense came in, settled down and ran the ball effectively, which opens up play action.
Â
"Mason (Rudolph) played well. We had a few wideouts that made some plays. We played a lot of young wideouts with the varsity, or the ones as I would call them, to get them some quality work. We were able to make some headway running the ball. I thought the offensive line played well. I don't think they were great, but I've got to watch the tape. They knocked a few holes and we were able to turn the corner at times, so it was good.
Â
"Defensively, we were active. It's always a tougher scrimmage for them because there are probably some times that the offense was down and the referees didn't blow the whistle because they didn't go all the way to the ground. Our kicking was good. Both kickers were effective, so overall it was a good day.
Â
"We worked our young kids, which would be the true freshmen. They got 32 plays, which is awesome. We're back into a system to where we have enough threes in the program to get quality work. We haven't been able to do that the last two years. I'm excited about that. We'll have a lighter practice tomorrow, then have a day off and let them go to school Monday."
Â
On what he's learned about his team throughout fall camp so far:
"I think that we're about where I thought we would be running the ball. I like that we've got as many defensive tackles that we feel like can play in a game. We knew we had the bodies, but you're just never sure if they can actually factor in. Without watching the tape, it looks like we're going to have six guys at the two spots that can factor in, which is going to be good for us. I obviously didn't know that we were going to have two freshmen that may factor in as receivers, but you never know that. I like our freshmen running back group. I like Justice (Hill), I like LD (Brown)… (Barry Sanders) had a catch today for about 27 yards, and then a touchdown run for about 30. We made some strides today. I wasn't sure what we would get there, but it was a pretty pleasant surprise."
Â
On what he liked from the scrimmage:
"Offensively, other the early turnover, we took care of the ball. At one point, we had a few issues, but it was related to being outside, being in the sun, being in the heat, which is the reason we practiced out in the heat today. It's an easy fix. I thought the defense did a good job when the ones were in about defending downfield throws. The twos got beat on a couple of balls, but the ones did a good job of defending balls thrown down the field."
Â
On if he thinks the team improved today:
"They did. I complimented them on that. Coaches have big egos, and players are the same way. They want to win the scrimmage, but that isn't what our goal is. My goal is for them to get better, to remember that we need to…protect each other but play hard. I don't really care about what happens out here, other than be sound, get lined up, function, the clock isn't a factor, take care of the football. All of that is important to me, and I think the players understand what their role is at this point in the season."
Â
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team participated in a two-hour, 116-play scrimmage Saturday afternoon at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. After the session, head coach Mike Gundy gave his thoughts:
Â
On today's scrimmage:
"I really liked our scrimmage. We had 116 plays. The offense started a little slow. The defense was able to rally, and in fact, scored off of a turnover. Then the offense came in, settled down and ran the ball effectively, which opens up play action.
Â
"Mason (Rudolph) played well. We had a few wideouts that made some plays. We played a lot of young wideouts with the varsity, or the ones as I would call them, to get them some quality work. We were able to make some headway running the ball. I thought the offensive line played well. I don't think they were great, but I've got to watch the tape. They knocked a few holes and we were able to turn the corner at times, so it was good.
Â
"Defensively, we were active. It's always a tougher scrimmage for them because there are probably some times that the offense was down and the referees didn't blow the whistle because they didn't go all the way to the ground. Our kicking was good. Both kickers were effective, so overall it was a good day.
Â
"We worked our young kids, which would be the true freshmen. They got 32 plays, which is awesome. We're back into a system to where we have enough threes in the program to get quality work. We haven't been able to do that the last two years. I'm excited about that. We'll have a lighter practice tomorrow, then have a day off and let them go to school Monday."
Â
On what he's learned about his team throughout fall camp so far:
"I think that we're about where I thought we would be running the ball. I like that we've got as many defensive tackles that we feel like can play in a game. We knew we had the bodies, but you're just never sure if they can actually factor in. Without watching the tape, it looks like we're going to have six guys at the two spots that can factor in, which is going to be good for us. I obviously didn't know that we were going to have two freshmen that may factor in as receivers, but you never know that. I like our freshmen running back group. I like Justice (Hill), I like LD (Brown)… (Barry Sanders) had a catch today for about 27 yards, and then a touchdown run for about 30. We made some strides today. I wasn't sure what we would get there, but it was a pretty pleasant surprise."
Â
On what he liked from the scrimmage:
"Offensively, other the early turnover, we took care of the ball. At one point, we had a few issues, but it was related to being outside, being in the sun, being in the heat, which is the reason we practiced out in the heat today. It's an easy fix. I thought the defense did a good job when the ones were in about defending downfield throws. The twos got beat on a couple of balls, but the ones did a good job of defending balls thrown down the field."
Â
On if he thinks the team improved today:
"They did. I complimented them on that. Coaches have big egos, and players are the same way. They want to win the scrimmage, but that isn't what our goal is. My goal is for them to get better, to remember that we need to…protect each other but play hard. I don't really care about what happens out here, other than be sound, get lined up, function, the clock isn't a factor, take care of the football. All of that is important to me, and I think the players understand what their role is at this point in the season."
Â
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
