Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Defense Preparing For Familiar Face
October 26, 2020 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – It has been a common sight for former assistants to be coaching on opposing sidelines of Mike Gundy throughout his 16 years at Oklahoma State.
Former Cowboy offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will be calling plays against Gundy when the Texas offense takes the field Saturday. During the six years Yurcich was the offensive coordinator for Oklahoma State, the Cowboys averaged 38.0 points and 478.3 yards per game.
"I'm excited for Mike's career," Gundy said. "He has earned everything he has gotten up to this point. He has worked extremely hard, has a lot of confidence and is a smart football coach. He was extremely loyal during the time he was here and he had a chance to move on to better himself and eventually become a head coach one day. I'm not looking forward to facing him because I know what kind of offensive coach he is, but it is what it is."
The Cowboy defense has held its opponents to 12 points per game so far this season, which is fourth best among teams that have played more than three games. With a Longhorn offense averaging 45 points per game followed by another tough test at Kansas State, Gundy said he will learn more about the defensive unit in the coming weeks.
"We play two or three more games, then we have an open date," Gundy said. "During that time, we will have seen a variety of offenses with really good quarterback play. We got our first dose of it last Saturday with a two and three tight end offense, which is unusual for this league, with a potential NFL quarterback in Purdy. We are going to have the same challenge this week and as we move forward we will find out exactly where these guys are."
Teams have had limited success moving the ball through the air against the Cowboys this season averaging only 176 passing yards per game. The ability for the playmakers in the Cowboy secondary to play multiple positions has allowed defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to get set in the best matchups for his defense.
"Those are all guys who we have brought in here to fit what we think the style of play needs to be defensively in this league to give us the best chance to win," Gundy said. "We move those guys around and we have the flexibility with our coverages with what Jim is doing that we can adjust guys based on the team's we play each week."
Oklahoma State has experienced recent success against the Longhorns winning seven of the last 10 matchups. Gundy said the Cowboys must remain focused in practice and be themselves, but realized this game does mean a little more.
"I think our players enjoy that game. It's just a game, but because of location and the history of their organization, it becomes a little bit bigger to the people in the state of Oklahoma."
Former Cowboy offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will be calling plays against Gundy when the Texas offense takes the field Saturday. During the six years Yurcich was the offensive coordinator for Oklahoma State, the Cowboys averaged 38.0 points and 478.3 yards per game.
"I'm excited for Mike's career," Gundy said. "He has earned everything he has gotten up to this point. He has worked extremely hard, has a lot of confidence and is a smart football coach. He was extremely loyal during the time he was here and he had a chance to move on to better himself and eventually become a head coach one day. I'm not looking forward to facing him because I know what kind of offensive coach he is, but it is what it is."
The Cowboy defense has held its opponents to 12 points per game so far this season, which is fourth best among teams that have played more than three games. With a Longhorn offense averaging 45 points per game followed by another tough test at Kansas State, Gundy said he will learn more about the defensive unit in the coming weeks.
"We play two or three more games, then we have an open date," Gundy said. "During that time, we will have seen a variety of offenses with really good quarterback play. We got our first dose of it last Saturday with a two and three tight end offense, which is unusual for this league, with a potential NFL quarterback in Purdy. We are going to have the same challenge this week and as we move forward we will find out exactly where these guys are."
Teams have had limited success moving the ball through the air against the Cowboys this season averaging only 176 passing yards per game. The ability for the playmakers in the Cowboy secondary to play multiple positions has allowed defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to get set in the best matchups for his defense.
"Those are all guys who we have brought in here to fit what we think the style of play needs to be defensively in this league to give us the best chance to win," Gundy said. "We move those guys around and we have the flexibility with our coverages with what Jim is doing that we can adjust guys based on the team's we play each week."
Oklahoma State has experienced recent success against the Longhorns winning seven of the last 10 matchups. Gundy said the Cowboys must remain focused in practice and be themselves, but realized this game does mean a little more.
"I think our players enjoy that game. It's just a game, but because of location and the history of their organization, it becomes a little bit bigger to the people in the state of Oklahoma."
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