Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Cowboys Preview Kansas
November 21, 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 Kansas. Some of their comments:
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On what he thinks Rudolph's and Washington's legacies will be:
"For certain fans, they're going to have associations. Whether it's Weeden and Blackmon, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or whatever, there's been great teammates over the years and (Rudolph and Washington), certainly in my life and in my career, have been exceptional. No question about it. That's probably an understatement, but they're just terrific young men. When you think about the quality of character, the player, the person – exceptional young men with bright futures, and (I'm) just very thankful to have had the opportunity to coach those guys. It's been a lot of fun and what they've given and what they've sacrificed for the team has been tremendous."
On how Rudolph and Washington have improved off the field during their time at OSU:
"Off the field, I don't think there was anything negative to start from. I think what they've done off the field is just really improve themselves and watch more film on their own and study more film, and try to become pros at the sport that they're in."
On Rudolph and Washington's chemistry:
"I think early on, anybody could see that they were going to be special as far as their talent goes and their work ethic. You understand what you have and I think we've done a great job as a staff of trying to recruit to a certain standard. I think the biggest thing that this program receives from them is their ability to lead and show others by example. Not only the production, but you get them as leaders and the younger players follow suit. That's what's special in our opinion, and it gives the younger players a model of what's to be expected, what is the standard. That's awesome when young players can learn from tremendous people such as those."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On KU's offense:
"They moved the ball and busted some runs on Texas. … They've had some spurts where they got up and down the field on people and kind of self-destructed when they got close; didn't finish some drives. Then against Texas, all the sudden against one of the stoutest defenses in the conference they had a lot of yards and moved the ball."
On the team coming off a loss:
"They're ready to play. That's the culture here. They want to play well. They want to finish their last game here in this stadium playing some good defense."
On the seniors:
"I had them Sunday after we watched film ... the good and the bad. I made them stand up, and I said, 'Look around guys. This will be the last week here in this stadium you'll be with these guys. You'll always remember your last one. I did as a player, and that was decades ago.' I told them they owe it to the guy sitting next to them to prepare well and have an edge this week. They've sacrificed a lot for all of us. It's neat because I've been around for all of these guys, four or five years now. Anytime you come in and see a young man grow and adapt to our culture, to learn to not play selfishly and really care about each other, that's always a tremendous thing to see. They've given a lot. They've sacrificed a lot. That's the beauty of this game; the memories of brotherhood that make that. They've really sacrificed a ton, and I want to send them out on a good note."
Wide Receiver James Washington
On game days in Stillwater:
"It means a lot. It reminds me of my hometown. Stamford is a big football town, and every game was packed. The pep rallies were packed. The doughnut shop was packed on Fridays just because they're so pumped for football. So it kind of reminds me of back home."
On possibly breaking Rashaun Woods' receiving record:
"It never crossed my mind that I could break that when I got here. Every time I step on the field, I just try to do my job. My coach always says, 'You do your job and good things happen.' This is just one of those good things. It would be nice to break it. Whatever I'm able to do and however I'm able to help is the best way I can assist my teammates. Kasey Dunn has been a lot of help. He's taught me a lot since high school. We've gotten close over the years that I've been here, and he's one of the greatest guys I know, on and off the field for all types of advice. I look up to him."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On James Washington:
"We made a lot of plays from the beginning of our careers together. He started playing earlier than I did, but a lot of good memories, a lot of deep touchdowns, exciting moments in different stadiums around the conference, but I'm excited for Saturday and then the bowl game, as well as our future. I think we'll continue to stay in contact wherever we land and it'll be cool to go through this whole process with not only James, but a lot of our seniors that are moving on having a chance to play at the next level."
On his first impression of Washington:
"Really I just remember him catching a bunch of jump balls; his leaping ability, and I was like, 'The kid's pretty fast too and he's got unbelievable ball skills. It's going to be fun to play with him for four years.'"
On what he respects most about Washington:
"James is ... always working hard and he always treats every single rep in practice like a game rep and that's what you've got to do. You've got to put pressure on yourself in practice just like in the game, so the game ends up being easier. He's done a lot of good things, and he's worked hard every single year, never dropped off. He never loafed, he was always an example for the younger guys and kind of brought the culture along here at Oklahoma State."
Wide Receiver Marcell Ateman
On what his emotions will be on Senior Day:
"Kind of like a bittersweet moment. You get to just move on in the journey, and just kind of reminisce on all the friends and brothers and coaches and fans that I've built a relationship with, so it will be bittersweet."
On the KU defense:
"They've definitely improved. We got to watch it on film. We're going to have to prepare and come to play."
Safety Tre Flowers
On the Kansas State game:
"It's just not the way we wanted it to go, but that's life. I know life doesn't always go the way it's planned, and we've just got to keep getting better."
On what challenges Kansas presents:
"They've got good receivers. Their tight end can go get the ball. They're just trying to find themselves. They've got a great coach. I know they're well-coached, and their defense is good, so it's a good team just trying to find it."
Reflecting on his time at Oklahoma State:
"I came into Oklahoma State a hungry, skinny freshman, and I'm leaving a little bit bigger and still hungry, still trying to make a way for my family and play football as long as I can."
Linebacker Chad Whitener
On his time at OSU:
"I'm really happy about the time I've had here at Oklahoma State and finishing out the right way is how I want to go out. There was a lot of uncertainty when I came here because I was leaving a scholarship to walk on. I think having the mindset I did coming into it that I was going to earn everything, being ready to go, I think that panned out for me through my career here."
On this team:
"Reflecting is for when all this is over with. Right now we're just focusing on Kansas, and whatever happens after that happens. I'm really just focused on finishing out my career here the right way. The way we were practicing this week and the intensity that Coach Gundy and Coach Spencer were bringing, I feel like we'll be ready to go."
On his academic success:
"That was something that we stressed in my household and the standard that my family had set as far as how they were doing school and everything. My sister graduated from college early, and my brother went to academies. I was really taking advantage of the opportunity I had here, finishing with one degree last year and then getting another this year with two minors."
Offensive Coordinator Mike Yurcich
On what he thinks Rudolph's and Washington's legacies will be:
"For certain fans, they're going to have associations. Whether it's Weeden and Blackmon, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or whatever, there's been great teammates over the years and (Rudolph and Washington), certainly in my life and in my career, have been exceptional. No question about it. That's probably an understatement, but they're just terrific young men. When you think about the quality of character, the player, the person – exceptional young men with bright futures, and (I'm) just very thankful to have had the opportunity to coach those guys. It's been a lot of fun and what they've given and what they've sacrificed for the team has been tremendous."
On how Rudolph and Washington have improved off the field during their time at OSU:
"Off the field, I don't think there was anything negative to start from. I think what they've done off the field is just really improve themselves and watch more film on their own and study more film, and try to become pros at the sport that they're in."
On Rudolph and Washington's chemistry:
"I think early on, anybody could see that they were going to be special as far as their talent goes and their work ethic. You understand what you have and I think we've done a great job as a staff of trying to recruit to a certain standard. I think the biggest thing that this program receives from them is their ability to lead and show others by example. Not only the production, but you get them as leaders and the younger players follow suit. That's what's special in our opinion, and it gives the younger players a model of what's to be expected, what is the standard. That's awesome when young players can learn from tremendous people such as those."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On KU's offense:
"They moved the ball and busted some runs on Texas. … They've had some spurts where they got up and down the field on people and kind of self-destructed when they got close; didn't finish some drives. Then against Texas, all the sudden against one of the stoutest defenses in the conference they had a lot of yards and moved the ball."
On the team coming off a loss:
"They're ready to play. That's the culture here. They want to play well. They want to finish their last game here in this stadium playing some good defense."
On the seniors:
"I had them Sunday after we watched film ... the good and the bad. I made them stand up, and I said, 'Look around guys. This will be the last week here in this stadium you'll be with these guys. You'll always remember your last one. I did as a player, and that was decades ago.' I told them they owe it to the guy sitting next to them to prepare well and have an edge this week. They've sacrificed a lot for all of us. It's neat because I've been around for all of these guys, four or five years now. Anytime you come in and see a young man grow and adapt to our culture, to learn to not play selfishly and really care about each other, that's always a tremendous thing to see. They've given a lot. They've sacrificed a lot. That's the beauty of this game; the memories of brotherhood that make that. They've really sacrificed a ton, and I want to send them out on a good note."
Wide Receiver James Washington
On game days in Stillwater:
"It means a lot. It reminds me of my hometown. Stamford is a big football town, and every game was packed. The pep rallies were packed. The doughnut shop was packed on Fridays just because they're so pumped for football. So it kind of reminds me of back home."
On possibly breaking Rashaun Woods' receiving record:
"It never crossed my mind that I could break that when I got here. Every time I step on the field, I just try to do my job. My coach always says, 'You do your job and good things happen.' This is just one of those good things. It would be nice to break it. Whatever I'm able to do and however I'm able to help is the best way I can assist my teammates. Kasey Dunn has been a lot of help. He's taught me a lot since high school. We've gotten close over the years that I've been here, and he's one of the greatest guys I know, on and off the field for all types of advice. I look up to him."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On James Washington:
"We made a lot of plays from the beginning of our careers together. He started playing earlier than I did, but a lot of good memories, a lot of deep touchdowns, exciting moments in different stadiums around the conference, but I'm excited for Saturday and then the bowl game, as well as our future. I think we'll continue to stay in contact wherever we land and it'll be cool to go through this whole process with not only James, but a lot of our seniors that are moving on having a chance to play at the next level."
On his first impression of Washington:
"Really I just remember him catching a bunch of jump balls; his leaping ability, and I was like, 'The kid's pretty fast too and he's got unbelievable ball skills. It's going to be fun to play with him for four years.'"
On what he respects most about Washington:
"James is ... always working hard and he always treats every single rep in practice like a game rep and that's what you've got to do. You've got to put pressure on yourself in practice just like in the game, so the game ends up being easier. He's done a lot of good things, and he's worked hard every single year, never dropped off. He never loafed, he was always an example for the younger guys and kind of brought the culture along here at Oklahoma State."
Wide Receiver Marcell Ateman
On what his emotions will be on Senior Day:
"Kind of like a bittersweet moment. You get to just move on in the journey, and just kind of reminisce on all the friends and brothers and coaches and fans that I've built a relationship with, so it will be bittersweet."
On the KU defense:
"They've definitely improved. We got to watch it on film. We're going to have to prepare and come to play."
Safety Tre Flowers
On the Kansas State game:
"It's just not the way we wanted it to go, but that's life. I know life doesn't always go the way it's planned, and we've just got to keep getting better."
On what challenges Kansas presents:
"They've got good receivers. Their tight end can go get the ball. They're just trying to find themselves. They've got a great coach. I know they're well-coached, and their defense is good, so it's a good team just trying to find it."
Reflecting on his time at Oklahoma State:
"I came into Oklahoma State a hungry, skinny freshman, and I'm leaving a little bit bigger and still hungry, still trying to make a way for my family and play football as long as I can."
Linebacker Chad Whitener
On his time at OSU:
"I'm really happy about the time I've had here at Oklahoma State and finishing out the right way is how I want to go out. There was a lot of uncertainty when I came here because I was leaving a scholarship to walk on. I think having the mindset I did coming into it that I was going to earn everything, being ready to go, I think that panned out for me through my career here."
On this team:
"Reflecting is for when all this is over with. Right now we're just focusing on Kansas, and whatever happens after that happens. I'm really just focused on finishing out my career here the right way. The way we were practicing this week and the intensity that Coach Gundy and Coach Spencer were bringing, I feel like we'll be ready to go."
On his academic success:
"That was something that we stressed in my household and the standard that my family had set as far as how they were doing school and everything. My sister graduated from college early, and my brother went to academies. I was really taking advantage of the opportunity I had here, finishing with one degree last year and then getting another this year with two minors."
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