Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Meet with Media Following Practice
August 20, 2019 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team held practice Tuesday to mark its first workout since classes began this week. Coach Mike Gundy and several other Cowboys talked with media after practice to discuss the team's progress as it prepares for its season opener at Oregon State next week. Some of their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
On the quarterbacks:
"Both of them are doing really well. If we were to play this week, we'd play both guys. We don't have to make that decision until next week. This discussion is taking place, but we aren't sure yet. We are still evaluating and trying to do what's best."
On Calvin Bundage's status:
"He is released and can start practicing. I don't know (if he will start in the first game). I expect him to go out there and get some action if all goes as planned."
On the team's health:
"We are pretty healthy. We've been fortunate this time."
On the offense and the defense:
"I think both sides have had success, and both sides have gotten considerably better the last week. We are getting close to go play a game and see where we are at. Some of the guys have never played and we will see how they react. That's the exciting part about what we do."
On Oregon State:
"Oregon State scored a lot of points last year. They've had success on offense. They want to run the football. Their quarterback has been around for a long time so he is experienced and it gives them a little bit of leeway at that position. They've become more athletic. They've got a couple of guys who moved in and transferred in. It will be a dog fight. We will have our hands full but we are looking forward to playing them."
On Kevin Henry:
"Kevin is doing good. He played in the bowl game the majority of the time. He got a lot of good experience. When (Calvin) Bundage couldn't play, it was a concern for us because he didn't have a lot of experience in key moments. He got in there, got to play and got a taste of it. He is a guy we trust."
Safety Malcolm Rodriguez
On young guys getting more confidence:
"I could tell (they're gaining confidence). You just have to get that game experience in, because you're a little bit jittery coming out there for the first time. I know I was. Then, after a couple games, you start to get some momentum."
On playing special teams as a true freshman:
"It helped a lot. It's just a different game speed. Coming from high school to college, the speed level is just different, so just to be able to be out there and get a feel for the game speed helped."
On dealing with the coaching staff's high standards along with academics:
"You just have to do everything the right way. (Gundy) is always talking about that. Do things the right way, and it will go your way. So, definitely going to class and being in attendance and getting your school work out of the way allows you to be able to focus on football."
Cornerback A.J. Green
On helping in the run game:
"I like getting in there. It's fun. I kind of go into Aaron Donald mode a little bit when I go in there. It's all fun messing with the big guys up there."
On his pass break up against West Virginia last year:
"That was fun, especially because it was at home in front of the fans and all of the support and everything with the game on the line. I just had fun and made a play on the ball."
Wide Receiver Dillon Stoner
On how it's going after working with two different quarterbacks:
"Good. I don't think there's much difference between the two quarterbacks as far as how they throw it. They are both great quarterbacks, no matter who is going to start."
On the offensive line's improvement:
"The offensive line has come a long way. Coach Dickey is an awesome guy and a great coach. I know all the guys respect him a bunch. Assignments-wise, they just seem sound. Very few mistakes on the line from what I've noticed. Obviously, I'm out running around, but they seem to be doing great and I love our o-line."
Defensive End Tyler Lacy
On getting the chance to play:
"It's exciting, just to be out there with the brothers. Last year, I sat out and had to watch them play and now I get to join them this year."
On where his success will come from:
"The most success I can have is by using my reach. My long arms help with my reach and having the quick twitch to get around blocks and shed blocks."
Offensive Lineman Johnny Wilson
On mentality heading into the season:
"I just want to do special things. I think this whole team wants to do special things this year. With it being my last year, I want to go out with a bang. Coach Dickey is helping everyone get in that mentality of, 'You're not just doing it for yourself, but you're doing it for these older guys before you.' Hopefully, we can make the alumni proud and do something crazy this year."
On offensive line coach Charlie Dickey:
"He and I have a really close bond ever since he got in. He had a lot of questions for me and I had a lot of questions for him and just going back and forth like that. I think we will build a strong bond between us. I trust him more than I trust anyone else. He takes us out there and we do individual stuff and he works on technique and going after that hard mentality, that old school mentality about life. I think he's doing great here. Everyone loves him so far, respects him and trusts him, so I think we are going to do good things as an offensive line."
Coach Mike Gundy
On the quarterbacks:
"Both of them are doing really well. If we were to play this week, we'd play both guys. We don't have to make that decision until next week. This discussion is taking place, but we aren't sure yet. We are still evaluating and trying to do what's best."
On Calvin Bundage's status:
"He is released and can start practicing. I don't know (if he will start in the first game). I expect him to go out there and get some action if all goes as planned."
On the team's health:
"We are pretty healthy. We've been fortunate this time."
On the offense and the defense:
"I think both sides have had success, and both sides have gotten considerably better the last week. We are getting close to go play a game and see where we are at. Some of the guys have never played and we will see how they react. That's the exciting part about what we do."
On Oregon State:
"Oregon State scored a lot of points last year. They've had success on offense. They want to run the football. Their quarterback has been around for a long time so he is experienced and it gives them a little bit of leeway at that position. They've become more athletic. They've got a couple of guys who moved in and transferred in. It will be a dog fight. We will have our hands full but we are looking forward to playing them."
On Kevin Henry:
"Kevin is doing good. He played in the bowl game the majority of the time. He got a lot of good experience. When (Calvin) Bundage couldn't play, it was a concern for us because he didn't have a lot of experience in key moments. He got in there, got to play and got a taste of it. He is a guy we trust."
Safety Malcolm Rodriguez
On young guys getting more confidence:
"I could tell (they're gaining confidence). You just have to get that game experience in, because you're a little bit jittery coming out there for the first time. I know I was. Then, after a couple games, you start to get some momentum."
On playing special teams as a true freshman:
"It helped a lot. It's just a different game speed. Coming from high school to college, the speed level is just different, so just to be able to be out there and get a feel for the game speed helped."
On dealing with the coaching staff's high standards along with academics:
"You just have to do everything the right way. (Gundy) is always talking about that. Do things the right way, and it will go your way. So, definitely going to class and being in attendance and getting your school work out of the way allows you to be able to focus on football."
Cornerback A.J. Green
On helping in the run game:
"I like getting in there. It's fun. I kind of go into Aaron Donald mode a little bit when I go in there. It's all fun messing with the big guys up there."
On his pass break up against West Virginia last year:
"That was fun, especially because it was at home in front of the fans and all of the support and everything with the game on the line. I just had fun and made a play on the ball."
Wide Receiver Dillon Stoner
On how it's going after working with two different quarterbacks:
"Good. I don't think there's much difference between the two quarterbacks as far as how they throw it. They are both great quarterbacks, no matter who is going to start."
On the offensive line's improvement:
"The offensive line has come a long way. Coach Dickey is an awesome guy and a great coach. I know all the guys respect him a bunch. Assignments-wise, they just seem sound. Very few mistakes on the line from what I've noticed. Obviously, I'm out running around, but they seem to be doing great and I love our o-line."
Defensive End Tyler Lacy
On getting the chance to play:
"It's exciting, just to be out there with the brothers. Last year, I sat out and had to watch them play and now I get to join them this year."
On where his success will come from:
"The most success I can have is by using my reach. My long arms help with my reach and having the quick twitch to get around blocks and shed blocks."
Offensive Lineman Johnny Wilson
On mentality heading into the season:
"I just want to do special things. I think this whole team wants to do special things this year. With it being my last year, I want to go out with a bang. Coach Dickey is helping everyone get in that mentality of, 'You're not just doing it for yourself, but you're doing it for these older guys before you.' Hopefully, we can make the alumni proud and do something crazy this year."
On offensive line coach Charlie Dickey:
"He and I have a really close bond ever since he got in. He had a lot of questions for me and I had a lot of questions for him and just going back and forth like that. I think we will build a strong bond between us. I trust him more than I trust anyone else. He takes us out there and we do individual stuff and he works on technique and going after that hard mentality, that old school mentality about life. I think he's doing great here. Everyone loves him so far, respects him and trusts him, so I think we are going to do good things as an offensive line."
Players Mentioned
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