Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Cowboy Football Report, Aug. 3
August 03, 2016 | Cowboy Football
Photo Gallery
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team wrapped up its second day of fall preseason camp on Wednesday, practicing in helmets at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center.
After practice, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich shared his thoughts about the development of the offense. His comments:
On how it feels for the team to be back on the practice field:
"It's awesome. We have a great bunch of guys. We have some veteran players that are returning, so you're hitting the ground running a lot faster. At the same time, you've got to strip it back down and get back to the basics. It's fun to teach the fundamentals of the game. We just have helmets on right now, so it will be better tomorrow when we get the pads on a little bit more to go up against the defense in some team settings."
On if he feels like the offense is farther along this year with so many veterans returning:
"I think so. My first year, we were pretty far along as well and we were pretty inexperienced there (for a time)…It's not like it's something new. In 2013, it was a lot like that as far as guys knowing the system and hitting the ground running a lot faster."
On the biggest strengths of the offense right now:
"Our receiving corps is good, our quarterbacks are experienced and I really think our depth on the offensive line has gotten better. We have some tailbacks with experience, and we have some good young tailbacks coming in that we feel good about right now, even though we've only practiced in helmets, so time will tell on that. Our cowboy back position is deep. It seems, for now, we're focused on being a well-rounded offense and having more than just one area of strength."
On what's different about quarterback Mason Rudolph heading into this camp compared to previous camps:
"I wouldn't say anything is different. Mason has always had a professional attitude, and has always treated himself and prepared like a pro. He comes in and wants to get better. That's really never changed. You put all the work in, you get more experienced, you get smarter, you understand the game better, you ask more in-depth questions and you bring more information to the table. From my standpoint, he gives great feedback to us coaches. He's also able to coach up some of the receivers out there. He knows the concepts, and he knows what we're looking for. He's another coach on the field and he's molded back into that role, so that's just developed. Nothing is really different. Just with experience, he's gotten better."
On the quarterbacks behind Rudolph and their development:
"Taylor Cornelius is a guy that has really good arm strength. His feet in the pocket are very good. He's a pocket passer guy. He's a guy that understands the system very well, and he's getting better. He needs more game experience to really find out how good he can be, but he does really well in our drills and what we set up in 7-on-7 and team.
"John Kolar, he'll come along. Last spring was a really good spring for John, and it looks like he's continuing on that progression. He's shown good signs so far in his limited practice time. It's hard to see those younger guys and give you a total breakdown in those limited reps. John has athleticism as well, so he can escape and we can call some quarterback runs with him if he's in the game.
"Keondre Wudtee, I'm going to hold on him because time's going to tell on him. Obviously, he's got great athleticism, he's got great arm strength and he's a smart kid, but he has less experience in the system, so it's going to take a few more practices to get him moving to where we can evaluate him a little bit better."
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team wrapped up its second day of fall preseason camp on Wednesday, practicing in helmets at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center.
After practice, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich shared his thoughts about the development of the offense. His comments:
On how it feels for the team to be back on the practice field:
"It's awesome. We have a great bunch of guys. We have some veteran players that are returning, so you're hitting the ground running a lot faster. At the same time, you've got to strip it back down and get back to the basics. It's fun to teach the fundamentals of the game. We just have helmets on right now, so it will be better tomorrow when we get the pads on a little bit more to go up against the defense in some team settings."
On if he feels like the offense is farther along this year with so many veterans returning:
"I think so. My first year, we were pretty far along as well and we were pretty inexperienced there (for a time)…It's not like it's something new. In 2013, it was a lot like that as far as guys knowing the system and hitting the ground running a lot faster."
On the biggest strengths of the offense right now:
"Our receiving corps is good, our quarterbacks are experienced and I really think our depth on the offensive line has gotten better. We have some tailbacks with experience, and we have some good young tailbacks coming in that we feel good about right now, even though we've only practiced in helmets, so time will tell on that. Our cowboy back position is deep. It seems, for now, we're focused on being a well-rounded offense and having more than just one area of strength."
On what's different about quarterback Mason Rudolph heading into this camp compared to previous camps:
"I wouldn't say anything is different. Mason has always had a professional attitude, and has always treated himself and prepared like a pro. He comes in and wants to get better. That's really never changed. You put all the work in, you get more experienced, you get smarter, you understand the game better, you ask more in-depth questions and you bring more information to the table. From my standpoint, he gives great feedback to us coaches. He's also able to coach up some of the receivers out there. He knows the concepts, and he knows what we're looking for. He's another coach on the field and he's molded back into that role, so that's just developed. Nothing is really different. Just with experience, he's gotten better."
On the quarterbacks behind Rudolph and their development:
"Taylor Cornelius is a guy that has really good arm strength. His feet in the pocket are very good. He's a pocket passer guy. He's a guy that understands the system very well, and he's getting better. He needs more game experience to really find out how good he can be, but he does really well in our drills and what we set up in 7-on-7 and team.
"John Kolar, he'll come along. Last spring was a really good spring for John, and it looks like he's continuing on that progression. He's shown good signs so far in his limited practice time. It's hard to see those younger guys and give you a total breakdown in those limited reps. John has athleticism as well, so he can escape and we can call some quarterback runs with him if he's in the game.
"Keondre Wudtee, I'm going to hold on him because time's going to tell on him. Obviously, he's got great athleticism, he's got great arm strength and he's a smart kid, but he has less experience in the system, so it's going to take a few more practices to get him moving to where we can evaluate him a little bit better."
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Cowboy Football
QB
/ Cowboy Football
QB
/ Cowboy Football
QB
/ Cowboy FootballTuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
