Oklahoma State University Athletics
Attitude in Focus as Cowboys Move Forward
November 04, 2020 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - After winning its first four games and climbing to No. 6 in the polls, the Oklahoma State football team experienced its first defeat last week against Texas, but it's clear the team has taken the approach of moving forward to the next game, rather than dwelling on the last.
All-America receiver Tylan Wallace had 11 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns against the Longhorns and was named Big-12 Co-Offensive Player of the week, even in defeat. He said individual accolades aren't what drive him, rather, he focused on the overall development of the team.
"The day after, everyone had a pretty good attitude," Wallace said. "It's one of the most important things at this point of the season to keep that positive motivation. We still have a lot of football left to play and we can't take those games off; it doesn't work like that. We have to keep going and make sure that everyone has a positive attitude."
Sophomore quarterback Spencer Sanders threw for 400 yards and four touchdowns against Texas, but was part of an offense that turned the ball over four times. Self-described as a perfectionist, he accepted blame for the loss, but senior offensive lineman Josh Sills shared a different perspective.
"With people like Spencer you just have to be supportive of them. You have to reiterate to him that it's not a one-person game," Sills said. "You win as a team, you lose as a team. Every single person on all three aspects of the ball could have improved their game."
Sills cautioned against the team dwelling on the loss and used an example from the 2018 season when he played for a West Virginia team that was ranked in the top 10 in the nation, but came to Stillwater and lost to an unheralded Oklahoma State team. He said the Mountaineers left Boone Pickens Stadium dejected and took too long to recover.
"Everybody hung their heads and couldn't get over it; we went on to lose the next three games after that," Sills said. "If you dwell on the loss, then that's what can happen. You have to put it behind you and forget about it. We have a brand new week, a brand new opportunity to go 1-0 and that's the biggest goal all the leaders of this team have made a point of this week."
OSU's chance to bounce back comes this Saturday when the Cowboys travel to Manhattan, Kan., to tangle with a dangerous Kansas State team that has already proven itself capable of beating a ranked opponent.
"The first drive to me will be a statement drive." Sills concludes. "The biggest message is that we prove, not only to ourselves but everyone else, that we're a lot better than what we played last week."
All-America receiver Tylan Wallace had 11 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns against the Longhorns and was named Big-12 Co-Offensive Player of the week, even in defeat. He said individual accolades aren't what drive him, rather, he focused on the overall development of the team.
"The day after, everyone had a pretty good attitude," Wallace said. "It's one of the most important things at this point of the season to keep that positive motivation. We still have a lot of football left to play and we can't take those games off; it doesn't work like that. We have to keep going and make sure that everyone has a positive attitude."
Sophomore quarterback Spencer Sanders threw for 400 yards and four touchdowns against Texas, but was part of an offense that turned the ball over four times. Self-described as a perfectionist, he accepted blame for the loss, but senior offensive lineman Josh Sills shared a different perspective.
"With people like Spencer you just have to be supportive of them. You have to reiterate to him that it's not a one-person game," Sills said. "You win as a team, you lose as a team. Every single person on all three aspects of the ball could have improved their game."
Sills cautioned against the team dwelling on the loss and used an example from the 2018 season when he played for a West Virginia team that was ranked in the top 10 in the nation, but came to Stillwater and lost to an unheralded Oklahoma State team. He said the Mountaineers left Boone Pickens Stadium dejected and took too long to recover.
"Everybody hung their heads and couldn't get over it; we went on to lose the next three games after that," Sills said. "If you dwell on the loss, then that's what can happen. You have to put it behind you and forget about it. We have a brand new week, a brand new opportunity to go 1-0 and that's the biggest goal all the leaders of this team have made a point of this week."
OSU's chance to bounce back comes this Saturday when the Cowboys travel to Manhattan, Kan., to tangle with a dangerous Kansas State team that has already proven itself capable of beating a ranked opponent.
"The first drive to me will be a statement drive." Sills concludes. "The biggest message is that we prove, not only to ourselves but everyone else, that we're a lot better than what we played last week."
Players Mentioned
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