Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Meet With Media
October 17, 2018 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboy players met with media Wednesday after practice to discuss the team's status during the open week. Some of their comments:
Mike Gundy
On this week's practices:
"We had good practices this week. The guys were very enthusiastic and probably more enthusiastic than they've been in a while. We got a lot done. They've been about 15-20 minutes longer each day. We've done a little more individual work and have actually put in a period at the end of practice to correct mistakes, which is hard to do during the season because of legs and reps. We've had really good practices though. They've got school and lifting tomorrow then no class on Friday, so most of them have a few days off."
On corrections from the K-State game:
"We've got a lot of things to correct. One week we don't block well to run the ball, the next week we don't block well to throw the ball. One week we throw the ball well, one week we don't throw the ball well. Defensively, we had a couple weeks where we didn't defend the throw down the field, then the last game we defended the ball well down the field and got worn down a little bit in the running game. We've got a lot of things to work on, and we've tried to address that in these last two practices."
On players who are energizing the team:
"I guess really everybody. They're good guys. They're a good group, and they work hard. They practice hard. I don't even feel like they need to be energized. I think they're doing pretty good. I think they were upset and frustrated and discouraged because of the effort they put in, but I don't see a lack of effort. I don't see guys who aren't focused or aren't trying to get better. If they're doing that, then that's really all we can ask. We've got to do a better job coaching them and put them in a position for success."
On if he's concerned about having enough player leadership:
"I'm always concerned about it. I wouldn't say I'm worried. We don't have enough mature, experienced leaders like we have had. That is true, but that's where some guys who haven't had to shoulder that responsibility in the past have to step up. You guys who have been around here with me for a number of years. I always tell you that's one thing the team really has to do itself. As coaches, we can't generate that. It has to happen naturally over a period of time."
Running Back Justice Hill
On when the team started preparing for Texas:
"We started right after the last game. They're a good team. They have good players on defense and they make plays."
On the success Texas has had this season:
"I just knew they had good players. It was all meant to come together eventually."
On the team:
"We are ready to get a win. We just have to get ready and be prepared to get a win."
Defensive Tackle Enoch Smith Jr.
On practice this week:
"Intense, the coaches have been on us from the start of practice all the way to the end of practice demanding the best out of us. Nobody has the type of attitude here where we are just going to accept losing and fall by the wayside because that is not the type of program Oklahoma State is and not the Cowboy culture. We pride ourselves on fighting from the beginning until the clock strikes zero. We all stand together. No one man defines this team, we all define this team."
On the team's keys to success:
"Continuing to hold each other accountable, not pointing the fingers, waking up, going to the lifts, being there on time. Doing the small things to not only make yourself better, but ultimately the team better."
On dealing with losses:
"When it comes to a loss you are always going to be frustrated. I'm not used to losing, so whenever we do lose it hits home. I'm not that social after a loss, but I have to remember that you can't harp over one game. We live to play another game. We have five more games to play this season, we have to do what we need to do to become bowl eligible and show everyone else that we're still here."
Cowboy Back Britton Abbott
On his growth:
"Just been part of a lot. Just plain and simple. Been with a team that's been to some big-time bowls. Been with a team that's 7-5. Just grown up a lot. Just grown a lot as a person and as a player. I love this place. I attribute a lot of my growth as a person to Oklahoma State. I've had a lot of good guys in front of me. I just try to take what I've learned from them and pass it along to someone else. That's just what our culture is really about."
On the importance of leadership:
"It's huge. It's big time. Coach has a quote that says, 'Strength of the team is the strength of the leaders.' We've just really got to rely on our leadership and just keep working and take every week, every day as a challenge to get better. We have Texas next and get ready to do the best we can."
On Coach Gundy:
"As players, we have all the trust in the world in Coach Gundy. We believe in him and we believe in our staff that they are going to put us in great situations to make plays. It takes a lot of trust to play this game. We really believe in our staff. … I don't have any worry about being in the right play call. I know we have some of the best coaches in the country so that's a good feeling."
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius
On the team's energy during this week of practice:
"It's been good. It's been up. No one has been hanging their head. We're preparing like we would any other week. We're ready to go."
On what the team needs to do to get back to winning:
"We started (the year) off hot, but we just need to execute better when we're out there to get it rolling again."
On what he learned from the Kansas State film:
"We need to execute in key moments. When the defense gets a turnover or a stop, we need to go down and score."
On motivating younger players on the team through losses:
"I've got to keep a positive attitude. Having up-tempo practices and bringing the energy every day. We know that we can get this thing rolling at any time."
Offensive Lineman Larry Williams
On the team:
"We're focusing on the little things, like not getting too comfortable with not playing a game. We still have to prepare for Texas and just stay focused and play physical."
On if he's tried to help the team step up:
"I have, but I feel like there are some guys that are younger guys that are stepping up more now than they have before because we're trying to stick together in these times."
On playing Texas:
"Me personally, I'm ready to play Texas. I've only played them one time since I've been here, but I feel like it's more of a trying to level out some things."
Defensive End Jordan Brailford
On Texas:
"The quarterback's a good runner. … The quarterback run game is what we will have to worry about most. After that we just have to be sound on defense."
On the open week:
"It's good timing, a lot of people are banged up. It's a good half-way point in the season. We're lucky to get this bye week at the exact half way point in the season. A lot of guys get to recover a little bit and get our legs back under us, and I feel like the next couple of days off are going to help us both physically and mentally prepare for Texas."
On facing Texas:
"We always like to game plan for the opponent. So with the type of defense we run it's going to look different every week. So this week will be no different. We will throw in some things you've never seen before but we're also going to do some things you have."
Defensive Tackle Trey Carter
On the mood after the loss to K-State:
"It was a bad mood. Everybody was quiet. Basically, everyone was just thinking what did they do wrong? What could they have done better? At the end of the day, everybody hates losing. I just feel like we should take and put it down the drain. Hopefully, everyone has recovered from it. We can't do anything about (last week) now. We just have to keep going and finish strong."
On bouncing back:
"I hope to be a quick bounce back. If you continue to dwell on something, it's not going to make the season go any better. This is my last go-around. I'm looking at it like, 'What do I need to do to make this better? What can I do to make the team better? What can I do to make the defense better?'"
Cornerback Rodarius Williams
On how the secondary has been practicing and improving:
"We've had a lot more communication. Over the last two days, there's been a lot more talking on the field and corrections being made trying to get everything right.
On the timing of the open week:
"Definitely came at the right moment for everybody to settle down and get back to the beginning of things, just like the spring. The energy is coming back."
Mike Gundy
On this week's practices:
"We had good practices this week. The guys were very enthusiastic and probably more enthusiastic than they've been in a while. We got a lot done. They've been about 15-20 minutes longer each day. We've done a little more individual work and have actually put in a period at the end of practice to correct mistakes, which is hard to do during the season because of legs and reps. We've had really good practices though. They've got school and lifting tomorrow then no class on Friday, so most of them have a few days off."
On corrections from the K-State game:
"We've got a lot of things to correct. One week we don't block well to run the ball, the next week we don't block well to throw the ball. One week we throw the ball well, one week we don't throw the ball well. Defensively, we had a couple weeks where we didn't defend the throw down the field, then the last game we defended the ball well down the field and got worn down a little bit in the running game. We've got a lot of things to work on, and we've tried to address that in these last two practices."
On players who are energizing the team:
"I guess really everybody. They're good guys. They're a good group, and they work hard. They practice hard. I don't even feel like they need to be energized. I think they're doing pretty good. I think they were upset and frustrated and discouraged because of the effort they put in, but I don't see a lack of effort. I don't see guys who aren't focused or aren't trying to get better. If they're doing that, then that's really all we can ask. We've got to do a better job coaching them and put them in a position for success."
On if he's concerned about having enough player leadership:
"I'm always concerned about it. I wouldn't say I'm worried. We don't have enough mature, experienced leaders like we have had. That is true, but that's where some guys who haven't had to shoulder that responsibility in the past have to step up. You guys who have been around here with me for a number of years. I always tell you that's one thing the team really has to do itself. As coaches, we can't generate that. It has to happen naturally over a period of time."
Running Back Justice Hill
On when the team started preparing for Texas:
"We started right after the last game. They're a good team. They have good players on defense and they make plays."
On the success Texas has had this season:
"I just knew they had good players. It was all meant to come together eventually."
On the team:
"We are ready to get a win. We just have to get ready and be prepared to get a win."
Defensive Tackle Enoch Smith Jr.
On practice this week:
"Intense, the coaches have been on us from the start of practice all the way to the end of practice demanding the best out of us. Nobody has the type of attitude here where we are just going to accept losing and fall by the wayside because that is not the type of program Oklahoma State is and not the Cowboy culture. We pride ourselves on fighting from the beginning until the clock strikes zero. We all stand together. No one man defines this team, we all define this team."
On the team's keys to success:
"Continuing to hold each other accountable, not pointing the fingers, waking up, going to the lifts, being there on time. Doing the small things to not only make yourself better, but ultimately the team better."
On dealing with losses:
"When it comes to a loss you are always going to be frustrated. I'm not used to losing, so whenever we do lose it hits home. I'm not that social after a loss, but I have to remember that you can't harp over one game. We live to play another game. We have five more games to play this season, we have to do what we need to do to become bowl eligible and show everyone else that we're still here."
Cowboy Back Britton Abbott
On his growth:
"Just been part of a lot. Just plain and simple. Been with a team that's been to some big-time bowls. Been with a team that's 7-5. Just grown up a lot. Just grown a lot as a person and as a player. I love this place. I attribute a lot of my growth as a person to Oklahoma State. I've had a lot of good guys in front of me. I just try to take what I've learned from them and pass it along to someone else. That's just what our culture is really about."
On the importance of leadership:
"It's huge. It's big time. Coach has a quote that says, 'Strength of the team is the strength of the leaders.' We've just really got to rely on our leadership and just keep working and take every week, every day as a challenge to get better. We have Texas next and get ready to do the best we can."
On Coach Gundy:
"As players, we have all the trust in the world in Coach Gundy. We believe in him and we believe in our staff that they are going to put us in great situations to make plays. It takes a lot of trust to play this game. We really believe in our staff. … I don't have any worry about being in the right play call. I know we have some of the best coaches in the country so that's a good feeling."
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius
On the team's energy during this week of practice:
"It's been good. It's been up. No one has been hanging their head. We're preparing like we would any other week. We're ready to go."
On what the team needs to do to get back to winning:
"We started (the year) off hot, but we just need to execute better when we're out there to get it rolling again."
On what he learned from the Kansas State film:
"We need to execute in key moments. When the defense gets a turnover or a stop, we need to go down and score."
On motivating younger players on the team through losses:
"I've got to keep a positive attitude. Having up-tempo practices and bringing the energy every day. We know that we can get this thing rolling at any time."
Offensive Lineman Larry Williams
On the team:
"We're focusing on the little things, like not getting too comfortable with not playing a game. We still have to prepare for Texas and just stay focused and play physical."
On if he's tried to help the team step up:
"I have, but I feel like there are some guys that are younger guys that are stepping up more now than they have before because we're trying to stick together in these times."
On playing Texas:
"Me personally, I'm ready to play Texas. I've only played them one time since I've been here, but I feel like it's more of a trying to level out some things."
Defensive End Jordan Brailford
On Texas:
"The quarterback's a good runner. … The quarterback run game is what we will have to worry about most. After that we just have to be sound on defense."
On the open week:
"It's good timing, a lot of people are banged up. It's a good half-way point in the season. We're lucky to get this bye week at the exact half way point in the season. A lot of guys get to recover a little bit and get our legs back under us, and I feel like the next couple of days off are going to help us both physically and mentally prepare for Texas."
On facing Texas:
"We always like to game plan for the opponent. So with the type of defense we run it's going to look different every week. So this week will be no different. We will throw in some things you've never seen before but we're also going to do some things you have."
Defensive Tackle Trey Carter
On the mood after the loss to K-State:
"It was a bad mood. Everybody was quiet. Basically, everyone was just thinking what did they do wrong? What could they have done better? At the end of the day, everybody hates losing. I just feel like we should take and put it down the drain. Hopefully, everyone has recovered from it. We can't do anything about (last week) now. We just have to keep going and finish strong."
On bouncing back:
"I hope to be a quick bounce back. If you continue to dwell on something, it's not going to make the season go any better. This is my last go-around. I'm looking at it like, 'What do I need to do to make this better? What can I do to make the team better? What can I do to make the defense better?'"
Cornerback Rodarius Williams
On how the secondary has been practicing and improving:
"We've had a lot more communication. Over the last two days, there's been a lot more talking on the field and corrections being made trying to get everything right.
On the timing of the open week:
"Definitely came at the right moment for everybody to settle down and get back to the beginning of things, just like the spring. The energy is coming back."
Players Mentioned
CW
/ Cowboy Football
DE
/ Cowboy Football
DT
/ Cowboy Football
QB
/ Cowboy Football
RB
/ Cowboy Football
OL
/ Cowboy Football
CB
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