Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy Previews No. 12 Texas
September 16, 2019 | Cowboy Football
WATCH: Coach Gundy Meets with Media
Â
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy met with members of the media Monday at Boone Pickens Stadium to preview the Cowboys' conference opener against No. 12 Texas this Saturday in Austin. A look at some of his comments:
Â
On Kevin Henry:
"He is doing just fine. He feels better now. He practiced most of last week and should practice full this week. It's nice to get him back. We went a couple of weeks where we were somewhat limited depth-wise on defense but we feel better about our situation now."
Â
On Texas:
"Their defense is big, fast, strong and can run. Offensively, the quarterback is considerably better than he has been, in my opinion. They've got big and tall receivers and they want to throw the ball down the field. From just what they've done this year, they've changed in my opinion. They are throwing the ball more than they've ever been. Traditionally, when they came in the league a few years ago with Coach Herman, they were rushing the ball and more of a power team. I don't see that now, I see more of a team that is throwing the ball down the field."
Â
On Texas throwing the ball more and Sam Ehlinger playing better:
"Both of those things are correct. I don't know what they are doing or what his reads are, I just know that he is much more productive than he was in the past. You hear people talk about his throwing and I don't see any issues with his throwing. I think he throws pretty good. I see him as a better throwing quarterback. He is in game number 20 now or something like that, so from my history at that position, he is three or four games into the part where the game slows down for him. You can tell he is a pretty good college quarterback."
Â
On if the team got better because they faced adversity against Tulsa:
"When you get pushed or get behind and have to rally being on the road when you are hot and fatigued, then if you battle back it should make you a little bit better team. I can't see any reason that it shouldn't. I don't know that anybody ever really knows for sure. I would have to lean that way versus the other."
Â
On keeping the players level-headed going into Austin:
"It is the same for us each week. We get that question for big games, regular games, conference games and non-conference games. Our approach has to be the same. With 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23-year-olds, we are trying to keep them focused on the task at hand. There are other distractions going on more so than ever in society today. We try to get better every day and try to get better every week."
Â
On Chuba Hubbard's and Tylan Wallace's roles:
"The supporting cast is huge for a young quarterback, we all know that. If you go out with an immature, young offensive line, you get beat around a little bit. If you don't have skills to go to on the perimeter, it makes it even more difficult. It helps that we've got guys who can support Spencer Sanders. He just needs to stay in his world, play his game and distribute the ball based on what our coaches think is best."
Â
On improvements in the offensive line:
"They were in the middle of those two games with Oregon State and McNeese. They need to stay in their world and continue to get a little better each week. Their effort is good, I like their intensity and their willingness to chase the ball. Having Hubbard helps, he's rolling pretty good."
Â
On Tyler Lacy's performance vs Tulsa:
"He's done much better. He was our defensive player of the game. He made a good transition in the offseason; he's working harder and getting better. He's got a long ways to go, but he's got a good frame and his intensity is where it needs to be."
Â
On Mason Rudolph becoming a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers:
"I just got to see his statistics. I didn't see any clips, but I did talk to him and I know that he was excited. From what I understand, he played pretty well in the circumstances. Now it's his job with Ben Roethlisberger's elbow being injured. I just know he's excited and I would expect that he's going to be very prepared to play as well as he can."
Â
On figuring out who to throw to on offense:
"Defense determines where we go with the ball. We can't make that choice. This has been going on for us for ten years. We don't have any idea what we're going to get. If they want to play two-on-one over the top, then go to the other guy. If they don't, then you take the single. If it's a zone, we determine where they drop in the zones and that is where we go with the ball. We don't really play as much of a role in that than the defense."
Â
On sustained success against Texas:
"We live in a society today where people want instant gratification and success in all areas. Some may not be as important to others, but it's good to win and we work extremely hard just like other college football programs. You want your players to enjoy some success and I think that helps the overall feel of the organization."
Â
On climbing the Big 12 ladder:
"I think the one thing that has been consistent with my comment is that in order to win the Big 12, you have to knock off whoever has been winning the Big 12. Over the history, in most times, Oklahoma has been there and early on, Texas was there. They faded for a few years but they're playing much better and are now in a position to compete for that title. Our goal each year is to win the Big 12 Conference. If you win the Big 12 Conference, you have a chance to get to the next round. So we want to try to take care of that first."
Â
Â
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy met with members of the media Monday at Boone Pickens Stadium to preview the Cowboys' conference opener against No. 12 Texas this Saturday in Austin. A look at some of his comments:
Â
On Kevin Henry:
"He is doing just fine. He feels better now. He practiced most of last week and should practice full this week. It's nice to get him back. We went a couple of weeks where we were somewhat limited depth-wise on defense but we feel better about our situation now."
Â
On Texas:
"Their defense is big, fast, strong and can run. Offensively, the quarterback is considerably better than he has been, in my opinion. They've got big and tall receivers and they want to throw the ball down the field. From just what they've done this year, they've changed in my opinion. They are throwing the ball more than they've ever been. Traditionally, when they came in the league a few years ago with Coach Herman, they were rushing the ball and more of a power team. I don't see that now, I see more of a team that is throwing the ball down the field."
Â
On Texas throwing the ball more and Sam Ehlinger playing better:
"Both of those things are correct. I don't know what they are doing or what his reads are, I just know that he is much more productive than he was in the past. You hear people talk about his throwing and I don't see any issues with his throwing. I think he throws pretty good. I see him as a better throwing quarterback. He is in game number 20 now or something like that, so from my history at that position, he is three or four games into the part where the game slows down for him. You can tell he is a pretty good college quarterback."
Â
On if the team got better because they faced adversity against Tulsa:
"When you get pushed or get behind and have to rally being on the road when you are hot and fatigued, then if you battle back it should make you a little bit better team. I can't see any reason that it shouldn't. I don't know that anybody ever really knows for sure. I would have to lean that way versus the other."
Â
On keeping the players level-headed going into Austin:
"It is the same for us each week. We get that question for big games, regular games, conference games and non-conference games. Our approach has to be the same. With 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23-year-olds, we are trying to keep them focused on the task at hand. There are other distractions going on more so than ever in society today. We try to get better every day and try to get better every week."
Â
On Chuba Hubbard's and Tylan Wallace's roles:
"The supporting cast is huge for a young quarterback, we all know that. If you go out with an immature, young offensive line, you get beat around a little bit. If you don't have skills to go to on the perimeter, it makes it even more difficult. It helps that we've got guys who can support Spencer Sanders. He just needs to stay in his world, play his game and distribute the ball based on what our coaches think is best."
Â
On improvements in the offensive line:
"They were in the middle of those two games with Oregon State and McNeese. They need to stay in their world and continue to get a little better each week. Their effort is good, I like their intensity and their willingness to chase the ball. Having Hubbard helps, he's rolling pretty good."
Â
On Tyler Lacy's performance vs Tulsa:
"He's done much better. He was our defensive player of the game. He made a good transition in the offseason; he's working harder and getting better. He's got a long ways to go, but he's got a good frame and his intensity is where it needs to be."
Â
On Mason Rudolph becoming a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers:
"I just got to see his statistics. I didn't see any clips, but I did talk to him and I know that he was excited. From what I understand, he played pretty well in the circumstances. Now it's his job with Ben Roethlisberger's elbow being injured. I just know he's excited and I would expect that he's going to be very prepared to play as well as he can."
Â
On figuring out who to throw to on offense:
"Defense determines where we go with the ball. We can't make that choice. This has been going on for us for ten years. We don't have any idea what we're going to get. If they want to play two-on-one over the top, then go to the other guy. If they don't, then you take the single. If it's a zone, we determine where they drop in the zones and that is where we go with the ball. We don't really play as much of a role in that than the defense."
Â
On sustained success against Texas:
"We live in a society today where people want instant gratification and success in all areas. Some may not be as important to others, but it's good to win and we work extremely hard just like other college football programs. You want your players to enjoy some success and I think that helps the overall feel of the organization."
Â
On climbing the Big 12 ladder:
"I think the one thing that has been consistent with my comment is that in order to win the Big 12, you have to knock off whoever has been winning the Big 12. Over the history, in most times, Oklahoma has been there and early on, Texas was there. They faded for a few years but they're playing much better and are now in a position to compete for that title. Our goal each year is to win the Big 12 Conference. If you win the Big 12 Conference, you have a chance to get to the next round. So we want to try to take care of that first."
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Cowboy Football
RB
/ Cowboy Football
DE
/ Cowboy Football
QB
/ Cowboy Football
QB
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy FootballOklahoma State Postgame Sound (5-17-2026) - NCAA Softball Stillwater Regional Final
Monday, May 18
Stanford Postgame Sound (5-17-2026) - NCAA Softball Stillwater Regional Final
Monday, May 18
Princeton Postgame Sound (5-16-2026) - NCAA Softball Stillwater Regional
Sunday, May 17
Stanford Postgame Sound (5-16-2026) - NCAA Softball Stillwater Regional
Sunday, May 17
