Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Cowboys Preview Texas Game
October 17, 2017 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State coordinators and selected players met with media after practice Tuesday inside the Sherman E. Smith Training Center to preview this weekend's matchup against Texas. Some of their comments:
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On the Cowboys' vertical passing game:
"Well, I don't know about who throws it deep more in regard to us compared to everybody else, but we just try to take what the defense gives us. So, if we have a chance to take it over the top, I think that plays into strengths of our receiving corps because we have some guys that can stretch the field vertically and Mason Rudolph has a really good long ball. We just try to play to the strengths of our personnel and attack the defense when we think we can get behind them."
On Mason Rudolph's deep-ball ability:
"He has a good long ball. That's from a combination of things - hard work, strength training and genetics. To be a good long-ball thrower, you have to have good height, timing and have to have good protection, so it's not just him, but the offensive line as well. In order to throw the ball down the field, you need good protection and I think it all starts up front. Our guys up front deserve some credit for that, but we need to continue to work on our timing and our landmarks and such."
On the Texas defensive front:
"We need to block them with a lot of effort and covering them up while also making sure that we maintain our feet and a low pad level. Those are things that you need to do to be successful against a good defensive front."
On UT's different defensive schemes with a new coaching staff:
"It's a different style of defense. They're similar to what they were when that group was coaching at Houston I believe. They're a well-coached group. They disguise blitzes and they try to check what you're doing and they do a nice job of balancing their attack and at the same time mixing up coverages. They also bring a multitude of blitzes so it's going to be a challenge for us to meet that obstacle and make sure that we have things covered up and that we're sound in our run and pass protection schemes."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On Oklahoma State's success in Austin:
"I've only been a part of one in Austin. I obviously didn't play my best that day so it was a day to forget for me, but that's why I'm excited to get back down there and get that taste out of my mouth in that stadium and do a better job. I think Coach Gundy does a great job at preparing his teams every year to go on the road and be victorious, so it is kind of in the culture here that when you come in you understand that our back is against the wall. It's us against the world when we go into opposing stadiums, but its 11 versus 11 at the end of the day and you have to cancel everything else out."
Wide Receiver James Washington
On his impact on the game when he gets more attention from the defense:
"Last year a bunch of people only thought of me about go's and posts, just deep routes, but I try to maximize every attempt that I get and I see the same thing in my teammates."
On being double covered by the defense:
"In times like that you have to run better decoy routes then your other guy's open when you're triple covered. In times like that you have to lock in and not think about how you're not open. You have to get other guys open."
Wide Receiver Marcell Ateman
On what his Friday looks like when there are road games:
"The schedule is just faster paced on when we have to leave. I quite frankly like it. I like getting it done. I don't like waiting around, getting on the plane. I just want to get up there so we can relax."
On the Texas defense:
"They are always coachable and they have great players on their team. They run their defense nicely. Texas is Texas. We just have to do everything we can to prepare for them from today to Friday."
Linebacker Chad Whitener
On playing at Texas:
"Being from there and really not getting a look ever, the last couple times we played them just showing that they missed out. I'm very blessed to be here and I'm thankful to be here, but it's always fun to go home and beat a storied program like Texas. We really got to prepare this week and get ready for them because they're playing with a lot of confidence right now. They might not have the record they want but they're playing with a lot of confidence and they're finishing games well."
On stopping the Texas offensive attack:
"We've been really focusing on getting turnovers, especially today in practice. Coach Gundy came over, it was an emphasis for us today. We've got to make sure everyone's buttoned up and we all know what to do and be able to identify formations and different tips and keys that we have and really just go out there and execute."
On the Texas running game:
"It's an opportunity for us to bow up. I feel like especially in our conference we don't see that a lot. It's fun, I enjoy it a lot. I think it's fun to get my stats up finally, so I'm enjoying it a lot."
Defensive Back Rodarius Williams
On going up against OSU's wide receiver corps every day in practice:
"Most definitely they make me a better corner because not to many wide receivers have got the fundamentals like James Washington. So going against him makes it pretty easy to go against other wide receivers."
On improving during his redshirt season last year:
"It played a huge role for me. One of the main people that kept me up was James (Washington), because as a redshirt I was on scout team and I got to go against him more than the other guys. So I was able to work my way in and got the starting job."
On guarding James Washington in practice for the past two years:
"It started out rough, and then I kind of worked my way on playing with him. Knowing I could play with James just gave me the upper hand for playing in the season."
Linebacker Calvin Bundage
On the game plan for stopping the Texas offense:
"I think we have to stop their quarterback run. We have to make the quarterback be a quarterback and stay in the pocket and throw the ball instead of trying to run. I think that's what we have to do, and that's the game plan."
On the environment at Texas:
"It's going to be crazy. This is the best Texas team I've ever played against, and I don't think their record shows how good they are."
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On the Cowboys' vertical passing game:
"Well, I don't know about who throws it deep more in regard to us compared to everybody else, but we just try to take what the defense gives us. So, if we have a chance to take it over the top, I think that plays into strengths of our receiving corps because we have some guys that can stretch the field vertically and Mason Rudolph has a really good long ball. We just try to play to the strengths of our personnel and attack the defense when we think we can get behind them."
On Mason Rudolph's deep-ball ability:
"He has a good long ball. That's from a combination of things - hard work, strength training and genetics. To be a good long-ball thrower, you have to have good height, timing and have to have good protection, so it's not just him, but the offensive line as well. In order to throw the ball down the field, you need good protection and I think it all starts up front. Our guys up front deserve some credit for that, but we need to continue to work on our timing and our landmarks and such."
On the Texas defensive front:
"We need to block them with a lot of effort and covering them up while also making sure that we maintain our feet and a low pad level. Those are things that you need to do to be successful against a good defensive front."
On UT's different defensive schemes with a new coaching staff:
"It's a different style of defense. They're similar to what they were when that group was coaching at Houston I believe. They're a well-coached group. They disguise blitzes and they try to check what you're doing and they do a nice job of balancing their attack and at the same time mixing up coverages. They also bring a multitude of blitzes so it's going to be a challenge for us to meet that obstacle and make sure that we have things covered up and that we're sound in our run and pass protection schemes."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On Oklahoma State's success in Austin:
"I've only been a part of one in Austin. I obviously didn't play my best that day so it was a day to forget for me, but that's why I'm excited to get back down there and get that taste out of my mouth in that stadium and do a better job. I think Coach Gundy does a great job at preparing his teams every year to go on the road and be victorious, so it is kind of in the culture here that when you come in you understand that our back is against the wall. It's us against the world when we go into opposing stadiums, but its 11 versus 11 at the end of the day and you have to cancel everything else out."
Wide Receiver James Washington
On his impact on the game when he gets more attention from the defense:
"Last year a bunch of people only thought of me about go's and posts, just deep routes, but I try to maximize every attempt that I get and I see the same thing in my teammates."
On being double covered by the defense:
"In times like that you have to run better decoy routes then your other guy's open when you're triple covered. In times like that you have to lock in and not think about how you're not open. You have to get other guys open."
Wide Receiver Marcell Ateman
On what his Friday looks like when there are road games:
"The schedule is just faster paced on when we have to leave. I quite frankly like it. I like getting it done. I don't like waiting around, getting on the plane. I just want to get up there so we can relax."
On the Texas defense:
"They are always coachable and they have great players on their team. They run their defense nicely. Texas is Texas. We just have to do everything we can to prepare for them from today to Friday."
Linebacker Chad Whitener
On playing at Texas:
"Being from there and really not getting a look ever, the last couple times we played them just showing that they missed out. I'm very blessed to be here and I'm thankful to be here, but it's always fun to go home and beat a storied program like Texas. We really got to prepare this week and get ready for them because they're playing with a lot of confidence right now. They might not have the record they want but they're playing with a lot of confidence and they're finishing games well."
On stopping the Texas offensive attack:
"We've been really focusing on getting turnovers, especially today in practice. Coach Gundy came over, it was an emphasis for us today. We've got to make sure everyone's buttoned up and we all know what to do and be able to identify formations and different tips and keys that we have and really just go out there and execute."
On the Texas running game:
"It's an opportunity for us to bow up. I feel like especially in our conference we don't see that a lot. It's fun, I enjoy it a lot. I think it's fun to get my stats up finally, so I'm enjoying it a lot."
Defensive Back Rodarius Williams
On going up against OSU's wide receiver corps every day in practice:
"Most definitely they make me a better corner because not to many wide receivers have got the fundamentals like James Washington. So going against him makes it pretty easy to go against other wide receivers."
On improving during his redshirt season last year:
"It played a huge role for me. One of the main people that kept me up was James (Washington), because as a redshirt I was on scout team and I got to go against him more than the other guys. So I was able to work my way in and got the starting job."
On guarding James Washington in practice for the past two years:
"It started out rough, and then I kind of worked my way on playing with him. Knowing I could play with James just gave me the upper hand for playing in the season."
Linebacker Calvin Bundage
On the game plan for stopping the Texas offense:
"I think we have to stop their quarterback run. We have to make the quarterback be a quarterback and stay in the pocket and throw the ball instead of trying to run. I think that's what we have to do, and that's the game plan."
On the environment at Texas:
"It's going to be crazy. This is the best Texas team I've ever played against, and I don't think their record shows how good they are."
Players Mentioned
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