Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy Meets With Media Prior to Bedlam Showdown
November 22, 2021 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - The seventh-ranked Oklahoma State football team has a showdown with No. 10/9 Oklahoma on Saturday night in primetime. OSU clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championship game with its 23-0 shutout of Texas Tech, which means Bedlam will decide who the Cowboys will face in Arlington. Here is some of what head coach Mike Gundy had to say during his media luncheon on Monday:
Opening Statement:
"Little bit on the [Texas] Tech game. Obviously, our defense was really good. Offensively, we managed and played synchronized football with special teams, offense and defense. We were able to get out of [Texas] Tech with a win and we're able to put ourselves in a really good position. We're back to work, like every other week. We practiced last night and the players are off today; little different this week with no school. Schedule's change based on Thanksgiving, but other than that we're moving forward with the game plan and looking forward to Oklahoma."
On challenges Caleb Williams presents to the Oklahoma State defense:
"He's a special talent. He can run around and throw the ball. He's kind of like Nolan Ryan in football: he can fire it down the field from about any release. He's very agile and elusive, faster than what he looks because he takes big strides and he's willing to just chunk it down the field to try to make plays. He's very athletic. We've faced quarterbacks that have similar qualities this year. I'm not sure they all have the same package that he has at once, but we have faced some guys that can move around well in the pocket, they can throw it and can get out and cause some problems; and that's what [Williams] has done."
On the benefit of having more film on Caleb Williams than would have been available earlier in the season:
"Any time you have video, I think it helps. I don't spend as much time in the defensive room, so I would just give their perspective when I listen to them. At times, it can be difficult to defend a player that you have seen much based on all the different areas that defensive coaches across the country break down to try to see what deficiencies certain players and quarterbacks have. We have some video. It's interesting with him. The general public and the fans that watch the game can see what his strengths are. You don't have to be involved in an integral part in coaching to know what he does, which is: he's tough to get on the ground, he can avoid and make people miss and he can take off and score. That's what he can do. He's proven that. And, he has a really strong arm. With him, it's a little different and you can kind of see what you get."
On Oklahoma's running game:
"They're averaging over five yards a carry in the run game. I would consider that successful if it was us. Obviously, I don't know what they consider successful. They still rush the ball. They have some speed at the skill positions like always. Their running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks are all fast. When you have as many fast players on the field as they have on there you can move the ball effectively."
On the success of in-state recruits:
"We're going on five or six years, maybe longer than that, having tremendous success with local in-state players that are within a two-to-three-hour drive. They grow up and recognize Oklahoma State football. The large majority of them were not recruited, or very under recruited. They come here and it's important to them. They're humble and they work hard. They're loyal to the organization and they play good for us."
On Oklahoma's pass rush:
"They have a good pass rush and are active up front. There's a perception out there with certain teams every year and if there's not overwhelming wins, people get a taste in their mouth that's maybe not as good as they want it to be. They've still played really well on defense. They're very active up front and are good pass rushers, 11, 95, and 94 and their linebackers move fast. They've played well. They're playing more man this year, I don't know the percentage, but it tells you they feel good about the rushing front. Both sides of the ball, the physical ability up front will be an important part of this game."
On the possibility of playing Oklahoma again the next week:
"We had to think about that, I did. The decision that we made is completely considering the championship game irrelevant and a bonus. We're playing this game like it wasn't even there, like years ago when we didn't have a championship. Our approach as a staff is we're playing this game like the other is nonexistent. That's a decision we and I made when I put myself in our players' shoes. I didn't ask them, but I think that's what they want. We're business as usual. We're not changing anything this week other than our schedule a little bit."
Opening Statement:
"Little bit on the [Texas] Tech game. Obviously, our defense was really good. Offensively, we managed and played synchronized football with special teams, offense and defense. We were able to get out of [Texas] Tech with a win and we're able to put ourselves in a really good position. We're back to work, like every other week. We practiced last night and the players are off today; little different this week with no school. Schedule's change based on Thanksgiving, but other than that we're moving forward with the game plan and looking forward to Oklahoma."
On challenges Caleb Williams presents to the Oklahoma State defense:
"He's a special talent. He can run around and throw the ball. He's kind of like Nolan Ryan in football: he can fire it down the field from about any release. He's very agile and elusive, faster than what he looks because he takes big strides and he's willing to just chunk it down the field to try to make plays. He's very athletic. We've faced quarterbacks that have similar qualities this year. I'm not sure they all have the same package that he has at once, but we have faced some guys that can move around well in the pocket, they can throw it and can get out and cause some problems; and that's what [Williams] has done."
On the benefit of having more film on Caleb Williams than would have been available earlier in the season:
"Any time you have video, I think it helps. I don't spend as much time in the defensive room, so I would just give their perspective when I listen to them. At times, it can be difficult to defend a player that you have seen much based on all the different areas that defensive coaches across the country break down to try to see what deficiencies certain players and quarterbacks have. We have some video. It's interesting with him. The general public and the fans that watch the game can see what his strengths are. You don't have to be involved in an integral part in coaching to know what he does, which is: he's tough to get on the ground, he can avoid and make people miss and he can take off and score. That's what he can do. He's proven that. And, he has a really strong arm. With him, it's a little different and you can kind of see what you get."
On Oklahoma's running game:
"They're averaging over five yards a carry in the run game. I would consider that successful if it was us. Obviously, I don't know what they consider successful. They still rush the ball. They have some speed at the skill positions like always. Their running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks are all fast. When you have as many fast players on the field as they have on there you can move the ball effectively."
On the success of in-state recruits:
"We're going on five or six years, maybe longer than that, having tremendous success with local in-state players that are within a two-to-three-hour drive. They grow up and recognize Oklahoma State football. The large majority of them were not recruited, or very under recruited. They come here and it's important to them. They're humble and they work hard. They're loyal to the organization and they play good for us."
On Oklahoma's pass rush:
"They have a good pass rush and are active up front. There's a perception out there with certain teams every year and if there's not overwhelming wins, people get a taste in their mouth that's maybe not as good as they want it to be. They've still played really well on defense. They're very active up front and are good pass rushers, 11, 95, and 94 and their linebackers move fast. They've played well. They're playing more man this year, I don't know the percentage, but it tells you they feel good about the rushing front. Both sides of the ball, the physical ability up front will be an important part of this game."
On the possibility of playing Oklahoma again the next week:
"We had to think about that, I did. The decision that we made is completely considering the championship game irrelevant and a bonus. We're playing this game like it wasn't even there, like years ago when we didn't have a championship. Our approach as a staff is we're playing this game like the other is nonexistent. That's a decision we and I made when I put myself in our players' shoes. I didn't ask them, but I think that's what they want. We're business as usual. We're not changing anything this week other than our schedule a little bit."
Tuesday, July 28
Monday, July 27
Tuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
