Oklahoma State University Athletics

Cowboys Discuss Boise State Matchup
September 11, 2018 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Select members of the Oklahoma State football team met with members of the media after practice Tuesday to discuss the Cowboys' upcoming matchup with Boise State. Some of their comments:
Wide Receiver Tyron Johnson
On what he's looking forward to seeing out of the offense:
"The balance. The first game it was more run than pass, and the last game it was more pass than run. But when the offense is balanced and we're running well and throwing well, it could be a dangerous offense."
On what he's seen from Boise State secondary on film:
"I'm impressed. I like watching them, and you know me. I like good corners. I like a challenge, and this will be a challenge against good corners."
On their secondary playing as a unit:
"They lost one guy to the first round and have ten returning, so they know each other and the (defensive) scheme well. That's what they do, they play together."
On the matchup:
"The matchup is perfect. It's speed on speed, athleticism on athleticism. It's just going to come down to who wants it more."
Linebacker Justin Phillips
On Boise State's offense:
"They are a talented group. They've got a lot of skilled players, a lot of playmakers on their team and they know how to move the ball well. Our coaches have put up a good scheme for it and we are going to be ready."
On facing a tougher offense:
"It's a pretty big jump. I'm not going to downgrade other teams that we have played. This is a talented team and they got good players that can go make plays with the ball."
On Brett Rypien:
"He is quick with his decisions and he makes the right decisions."
Running Back Justice Hill
On playing time:
"I'm fine as long as we win. Anything he calls, it's good with me."
On any concerns about the running game after last week:
"Not at all, not at all. We just have to pick it up in practice and do the little things a bit different and we'll be fine."
On his excitement to face Boise State:
"I'm excited for every game, no matter who it is. But to be honest, this one is going to be fun coming out against a good opponent – they have good players so it's going to be fun."
Safety Malcolm Rodriguez
On his wrestling background helping him tackle:
"Wrestling is all about the hips, and reading (the opponent's) hips and everything. It definitely plays a big part in football because when they're running I just watch their hips and it really helps me out."
On his recruitment coming out of high school:
"I wasn't very heavily recruited for football. I just had offers from OSU and a couple other schools.
On his role now as a leader in the secondary:
"It's an honor, it's a blessing to be here. God works in mysterious ways."
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius
On Boise State's defense:
"Way more athletic. They are flying around and making big-time plays. They are known for their turnovers, trying to cause havoc over there. Just trying to get to the quarterbacks."
On Boise State's secondary:
"Good all-around defense, no doubt about it. Their secondary, especially DeAndre Davis, who is probably their best player. A lot of respect for them and we've got to be ready to go."
On his turnovers:
"Hopefully it doesn't happen Saturday."
Offensive Tackle Arlington Hambright
On protecting the running backs:
"It's really important to us because they're all special. It can be a big play whenever we do our job right. It can be a big play any play, so it definitely is important."
On the chemistry of the offensive line while rotating players in and out:
"We're kind of used to it. We've been moving around the whole spring and summer."
On the mood at practice this week:
"We just want to make sure we're practicing hard every day and giving it all we've got every day so we can come out and compete to the best of our ability."
Wide Receiver Tyron Johnson
On what he's looking forward to seeing out of the offense:
"The balance. The first game it was more run than pass, and the last game it was more pass than run. But when the offense is balanced and we're running well and throwing well, it could be a dangerous offense."
On what he's seen from Boise State secondary on film:
"I'm impressed. I like watching them, and you know me. I like good corners. I like a challenge, and this will be a challenge against good corners."
On their secondary playing as a unit:
"They lost one guy to the first round and have ten returning, so they know each other and the (defensive) scheme well. That's what they do, they play together."
On the matchup:
"The matchup is perfect. It's speed on speed, athleticism on athleticism. It's just going to come down to who wants it more."
Linebacker Justin Phillips
On Boise State's offense:
"They are a talented group. They've got a lot of skilled players, a lot of playmakers on their team and they know how to move the ball well. Our coaches have put up a good scheme for it and we are going to be ready."
On facing a tougher offense:
"It's a pretty big jump. I'm not going to downgrade other teams that we have played. This is a talented team and they got good players that can go make plays with the ball."
On Brett Rypien:
"He is quick with his decisions and he makes the right decisions."
Running Back Justice Hill
On playing time:
"I'm fine as long as we win. Anything he calls, it's good with me."
On any concerns about the running game after last week:
"Not at all, not at all. We just have to pick it up in practice and do the little things a bit different and we'll be fine."
On his excitement to face Boise State:
"I'm excited for every game, no matter who it is. But to be honest, this one is going to be fun coming out against a good opponent – they have good players so it's going to be fun."
Safety Malcolm Rodriguez
On his wrestling background helping him tackle:
"Wrestling is all about the hips, and reading (the opponent's) hips and everything. It definitely plays a big part in football because when they're running I just watch their hips and it really helps me out."
On his recruitment coming out of high school:
"I wasn't very heavily recruited for football. I just had offers from OSU and a couple other schools.
On his role now as a leader in the secondary:
"It's an honor, it's a blessing to be here. God works in mysterious ways."
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius
On Boise State's defense:
"Way more athletic. They are flying around and making big-time plays. They are known for their turnovers, trying to cause havoc over there. Just trying to get to the quarterbacks."
On Boise State's secondary:
"Good all-around defense, no doubt about it. Their secondary, especially DeAndre Davis, who is probably their best player. A lot of respect for them and we've got to be ready to go."
On his turnovers:
"Hopefully it doesn't happen Saturday."
Offensive Tackle Arlington Hambright
On protecting the running backs:
"It's really important to us because they're all special. It can be a big play whenever we do our job right. It can be a big play any play, so it definitely is important."
On the chemistry of the offensive line while rotating players in and out:
"We're kind of used to it. We've been moving around the whole spring and summer."
On the mood at practice this week:
"We just want to make sure we're practicing hard every day and giving it all we've got every day so we can come out and compete to the best of our ability."
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