Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Prepare for Top-25 Matchup in Austin
October 12, 2021 | Cowboy Football
Linebacker Devin Harper
On Bijan Robinson:
"He's a good back. They run their offense through him. We need to focus on stopping him and go from there. He knows how to make his body small and be hard to tackle. He's a good open-space back, and we'll look to stop him before he gets in open space."
On the significance of the matchup:
"We look at it like every week. We take everybody serious. Obviously, this is a big week because we're trying to be 6-0. This is the only team in front of us right now, so we have to make sure we beat them."
On having a veteran defense:
"It's good. We have a lot of people with big-time experience. We have people who have been in the crunch times and big-time moments where you have to bow up and make a stop, or force a turnover. It's a good thing to have people who know what it takes in practice and the games to win."
Offensive Lineman Josh Sills
On the upcoming road stretch:
"Me personally, I look at the next week. The more you look ahead, the more focus you lose. I take it game by game. That's something Coach Gundy, Coach Dickey, Coach Dunn and everyone preaches to us is one game at a time."
On Texas's defensive front:
"It's going to be a big challenge for us this week. Their physical, big, active and get after the quarterback. They move really well and hold up in space. It's going to be a great challenge for us up front. We're going to have to play the best we've played all year and be physical."
On advancing more as a unit with a bye week:
"You don't have to game plan for a team because you get the week off. It lets you get back to your fundamentals and have more individual time, so you get more time with Coach Dickey and hone in on your technique a little bit and helps us get a feel more for each other, how we all feel and what we all think."
Quarterback Spencer Sanders
On the Texas defense:
"They've got some cats. Like I said, they've got (DeMarvion Overshown). They've got a good backer. I feel like they've got some talent in the secondary. B.J. Foster, I think he's been around a while. I played against him. It's Texas, you know. They always get those cats. They always have the five-stars here and there all the time. It's exciting, but, like I've been telling all the guys around the facility, it's just a next game mentality. We can't look at if the opponent is bigger or smaller. It's just a next game mentality. We're taking this one game at a time. All we need is just a "W" on the slot next week. As long as we just do what we do and stay fundamental, I think we'll be great."
On looking forward to playing:
"It's just an exciting thing. So, say you're pretty sure one day you'll have children, or if you already do children, and you go tell them you'll go take them for ice cream when they're three years old, that made their day. My thing is game day. I look forward to my Saturdays every week."
On having two weeks off due to the bye week:
"My body needed those two weeks. I'll definitely take those two weeks. I really feel like we took those two weeks and got better, as an offense and as a defense. I feel like we really take advantage of the time that we have and put it in place."
Defensive Lineman Tyler Lacy
On the defense's success against the run:
"Trusting the defense. Trusting the guy beside you. I got Brendon Evers, or Jayden Jernigan or Brock [Martin] on the other side of me. Just trusting that they're going to do their job. I'll hold my edge and hold my responsibilities and put trust in Coach Knowles defense. I feel like Coach Knowles puts us in very good positions to be on the field, and it shows and pays off. I mean, you can see the stats."
On the challenfe of facing Bijan Robinson:
"I feel like this is going to be a big test for us. Especially because of his explosion and all of the jump cuts and stuff he does. So, I feel like this is going to be a good game for us and a good battle for us. Especially up front for the D-line."Â
On trying to improve as a player:
"Yeah, I've been trying to take that next step. I've been telling myself, 'let's be more disruptive in the game. Let's try to impact every play of the game and try to get my teammates involved. And try to be a leader on the team and step up into that leader role.' That's what I've been really trying to do to take the next step."
