Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Greg Bullard
Cowboys Meet with Media Following Practice
August 22, 2019 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team held practice Thursday to mark its third workout since classes began this week. Several 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:
Running Back LD Brown
On Oregon State:
"What stands out is that they've got guys returning. They are going to be experienced. They got a year's worth of just being around each other, so their team chemistry is probably going to be good. That'll be something to look forward to."
On personal focus during fall camp:
"I've been focused on staying healthy, growing together as a team and just bonding with my brothers. Just trying to embrace the grind every day. Just staying healthy, that's the number one thing for me.
Defensive End Brock Martin
On the defensive line:
"Three weeks ago, we weren't comfortable at all. There were a lot of guys who were new. The freshmen were getting time and those were my first game-speed reps that I was getting. So considering we started at a zero, we are doing pretty well."
On the importance of getting reps toward the end of last season:
"I would say they're beneficial toward my growth of understanding the speed of the game and the size of the guys who are out there. It's not high school anymore. Last year was my first time feeling that, so it helped out a lot."
Wide Receiver Tylan Wallace
On his confidence this year:
"It's boosted up just because of the experience. Knowing that I am in that stage of being one of the older guys and understanding everything and how everything works. I'm calm out there. I'm not as jumpy as I was last year so I'm just settling in nicely."
On how the offense looks:
"We are doing good. The quarterback situation is still the same. I've been going back and forth rotating everything. As an offense, we are putting things together, pulling it together and starting to look more together."
Kicker Matt Ammendola
On practices:
"I was hoping coach Gundy would let me do kickoffs this year, at least compete for it, but he's really stressing on me not getting hurt so I completely understand that. My kickoffs have gotten a lot better, my height on the ball, especially for field goals. My accuracy has gotten a lot better. It's all kind of nitpicking and working with my craft every single day. I feel really confident."
On Jake McClure holding for him:
"Whoever holds for me at the end of the day, I'm going to be confident in them holding my balls. I look forward to it. A lot goes into the snap and the hold. I do trust Matt Hembrough, my snapper, and Jake McClure, my holder."
Safety Jason Taylor II
On the benefits of playing in the last three games of the 2018 season:
"It was a big benefit for me. Especially having a whole redshirt year behind me. That whole year was a big benefit for me. The last three games I got to learn the system and get some game experience."
On what a daily practice is like:
"It's fun. We're always having fun, but we're always working hard. We're focusing on being a tough team and being disciplined."
Cowboy Back Jelani Woods
On the upcoming season:
"As a group, I feel like we're doing really well. Coach Gleeson is doing a good job implementing us into the offense more and I feel like we're going to come out and do pretty good this year."
On blocking:
"I feel like I'm doing better. After getting in the weight room, I've increased my strength. I feel like it's applying well."
On last year:
"It's just a motivational thing. We say it every day and that increases us to work harder every day and work on the necessary things to get better."
Safety Kolby Harvell-Peel
On his progression:
"I feel like I've come a long way from just being somebody who was thrown into the light, to now being a guy that understands the defense more and knows what Coach Knowles is trying to do more. To be compared to Malcolm Rodriguez is an honor. Everyone wants to be Malcolm Rodriguez. I'm excited for the season. I think everybody's gelling well. Having more reps at it and having more snaps at it helps it feel a little bit easier."
On reading the field:
"I would like to say that I'm pretty good, but it's all what Coach Knowles teaches us. If coach Knowles tells you that your eyes should be on this guy and that's your read, then that's what you try to do. I just try to do that the best I can."
Running Back LD Brown
On Oregon State:
"What stands out is that they've got guys returning. They are going to be experienced. They got a year's worth of just being around each other, so their team chemistry is probably going to be good. That'll be something to look forward to."
On personal focus during fall camp:
"I've been focused on staying healthy, growing together as a team and just bonding with my brothers. Just trying to embrace the grind every day. Just staying healthy, that's the number one thing for me.
Defensive End Brock Martin
On the defensive line:
"Three weeks ago, we weren't comfortable at all. There were a lot of guys who were new. The freshmen were getting time and those were my first game-speed reps that I was getting. So considering we started at a zero, we are doing pretty well."
On the importance of getting reps toward the end of last season:
"I would say they're beneficial toward my growth of understanding the speed of the game and the size of the guys who are out there. It's not high school anymore. Last year was my first time feeling that, so it helped out a lot."
Wide Receiver Tylan Wallace
On his confidence this year:
"It's boosted up just because of the experience. Knowing that I am in that stage of being one of the older guys and understanding everything and how everything works. I'm calm out there. I'm not as jumpy as I was last year so I'm just settling in nicely."
On how the offense looks:
"We are doing good. The quarterback situation is still the same. I've been going back and forth rotating everything. As an offense, we are putting things together, pulling it together and starting to look more together."
Kicker Matt Ammendola
On practices:
"I was hoping coach Gundy would let me do kickoffs this year, at least compete for it, but he's really stressing on me not getting hurt so I completely understand that. My kickoffs have gotten a lot better, my height on the ball, especially for field goals. My accuracy has gotten a lot better. It's all kind of nitpicking and working with my craft every single day. I feel really confident."
On Jake McClure holding for him:
"Whoever holds for me at the end of the day, I'm going to be confident in them holding my balls. I look forward to it. A lot goes into the snap and the hold. I do trust Matt Hembrough, my snapper, and Jake McClure, my holder."
Safety Jason Taylor II
On the benefits of playing in the last three games of the 2018 season:
"It was a big benefit for me. Especially having a whole redshirt year behind me. That whole year was a big benefit for me. The last three games I got to learn the system and get some game experience."
On what a daily practice is like:
"It's fun. We're always having fun, but we're always working hard. We're focusing on being a tough team and being disciplined."
Cowboy Back Jelani Woods
On the upcoming season:
"As a group, I feel like we're doing really well. Coach Gleeson is doing a good job implementing us into the offense more and I feel like we're going to come out and do pretty good this year."
On blocking:
"I feel like I'm doing better. After getting in the weight room, I've increased my strength. I feel like it's applying well."
On last year:
"It's just a motivational thing. We say it every day and that increases us to work harder every day and work on the necessary things to get better."
Safety Kolby Harvell-Peel
On his progression:
"I feel like I've come a long way from just being somebody who was thrown into the light, to now being a guy that understands the defense more and knows what Coach Knowles is trying to do more. To be compared to Malcolm Rodriguez is an honor. Everyone wants to be Malcolm Rodriguez. I'm excited for the season. I think everybody's gelling well. Having more reps at it and having more snaps at it helps it feel a little bit easier."
On reading the field:
"I would like to say that I'm pretty good, but it's all what Coach Knowles teaches us. If coach Knowles tells you that your eyes should be on this guy and that's your read, then that's what you try to do. I just try to do that the best I can."
Players Mentioned
K
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RB
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S
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LS
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DE
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K
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S
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WR
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CW
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