Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Defense Speaks Ahead of Matchup with Notre Dame
December 28, 2021 | Cowboy Football
Practice Photos
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl hosted its second set of virtual media availabilities with the Cowboy defense opening the press conference on Tuesday morning. Oklahoma State defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements took the role of defensive coordinator for the press conference before select members of the defense followed.
The Cowboys continued practicing at Saguaro High School as they close in on Saturday's top-10 matchup with No. 5 Notre Dame. Some members of the team participated in an FCA Breakfast in the morning, while the Cowboys have a team dinner and trip to a local go-kart track tonight. Tomorrow's availability will consist of offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn and players on the offensive side of the ball.
Here is some of what the Cowboy defense had to say on Tuesday:
Defensive Line Coach Joe Bob Clements
Opening Statement:
"Thank you for having me here this morning. First of all, our players are really enjoying themselves. The Fiesta Bowl is a first-class organization. This is a first-class bowl game. The guys are working hard and enjoying themselves a little bit. We got to go to a Suns game last night, an unfortunate loss, but an exciting game to watch. We're working hard and progressing and getting ready to play this game."
On how the team is feeling heading into the game:
"We got here on Sunday and had a lighter practice. The guys are enthusiastic and have worked hard. We had a little bit of a heavier practice yesterday and we will begin to taper down moving forward before the game. The guys have been enthusiastic. The practice facilities have been nice. They're working hard and are excited about playing this game."
On what he will miss about this team:
"I think it's the overall leadership and character of these players. It's such a mature group to work with. Their work ethic has been second to none the entirety of the season. Their maturity and calmness of which they play in the game, there is never any panic, they just look forward to the next play, digest the call and play their hearts out each and every game. The maturity and cohesiveness is what I'll miss the most."
On who will call the defense :
"Coach Gundy will have to address who's calling and how we're actually going to do that. I can tell you to this point it's been a collective effort as far as the game planning. At the end of the day, whoever's mouth the call comes out of, it's just a byproduct of what the staff has put in as far as getting ready for the game."
On scheming against multiple quarterbacks:
"We've had the fortunate benefit of having a month to prepare. It might have been more of a headache if we had only had a week. You see some uniqueness with some of the quarterbacks they play, but you also see some similarities. It's a very deep position for them. They have a guy who starts for them, who's playing in his second New Year's Six game with two different programs, that doesn't just happen by accident. He has a tremendous amount of ability. He can run it and also throw the ball and make some things happen for them."
Safety Kolby Harvell-Peel
On defensive play calling:
"On game day it's a little more secondary. In the lead up so far, practice has been a little different without Coach Knowles because he's such a vocal guy. We've had to rally around each other and have faith in our coaches. As far as play calling goes, they've created a system for us. The same plays we've been running all year are the same plays we're going to run. As players, you go out and execute the calls the best way you can."
On who has taken the vocal role:
"To this point it has been whatever position group you're in, that person takes control of his group. It hasn't been someone who has stepped up and led vocally. Joe Bob eluted to it, we have a lot of leaders on this team. I'm pretty loud at practice. Malcolm (Rodriguez) comes in and his energy is always great at practice. We have a group that really enjoys being around each other and it's made going out and practicing easier and more fun. We'll be ready to go on Saturday."
On the tight end being Notre Dame's go-to guy:
"(Michael Mayer) is really good in the pass game and he's also really good in the run game. He's a great blocker. They bring an edge to an offense. When a team runs a lot of spread stuff you can kind of hone in on a pass and try to make sure you cover well in the back end. When you add the element of a tight end who can catch a pass too, it makes you versatile. You have to always know where he's at and account for him on the field."
Linebacker Devin Harper
On what this game means for OSU:
"It's a great opportunity for everybody. It's a great opportunity to show our skills and what we have at OSU as a whole. We're also playing a team a lot of people don't get to play because they have such a long wait list to play these guys because they are a prestigious team and have such a long wait list and are isolated to playing certain people."
On what this season means after waiting his time:
"It's rewarding. I waited my time and enjoyed the process. I've met a lot of great people and coaches, I can't complain at all. Like you said, it was meant to be. I don't go against how it went and how it happened, I've enjoyed it a lot."
On Koy McFarland:
"He's a great coach. A young guy who has been around the game for a while. He brings a lot of enthusiasm, which a lot of times you need. With a room like ours, we have a lot of leaders and young people and he sets the tempo and standard for a linebacker at OSU with being the coach this year. He has a lot of people behind him on this team and you see how good of a person he is with so many people standing behind him and giving him motivation and telling him he's doing it right, which is good. He deserves it man, I won't lie."
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez
On stepping up as a leader without Coach Knowles:
"Just doing my job. At the end of the day, you just have to do your job. Being a leader out there and keeping the energy high out there is always a big plus for us because we feed off of energy. We have a lot of leaders that have lots of energy and I think we will be just fine."
On what OSU means to him:
"It's been awesome. I've been thankful and blessed to be here for all my five years. I'm glad OSU took a shot on a small town kid like me. It's something I'll always come back to in Stillwater and come visit. It's a great program and I'm glad we were able to be in the top 10 at the end of the season, and hopefully we can get a big win this Saturday."
On the Notre Dame offense:
"They have a lot of explosive guys. Obviously, their back declared for the draft, so he won't be there, but they still have pretty explosive backs. The tight end is the most targeted on the team, so it's one of those things you have to know where he's at. They're a very well rounded team and they work as a unit. I can't wait to play them."
Defensive End Collin Oliver
On his personal success and the success of the team:
"It's been crazy. Especially just now being here and having all the success that our team has had. Being a part of this team is really the more crazy part than what I've done, honestly. This has probably been the most fun team I've ever been on."
On if he expected the amount of success he's had this season:
"For myself, no, but for the team, I definitely did. I feel like the comradery we have was crazy, especially in the spring leading up to summer. We did a great job of combining our differences and becoming a team. We did a good job of talking to each other throughout workouts and the hard days and the easy days. We grew as a team and I expected this. For myself, I'm confident in myself, but I didn't expect this much success."
On his relationship with Brock Martin:
"It's cool. I love Brock. That's my brother. He's like my big brother that I never had. I have two sisters and never had a brother. I feel like Brock is that brother I needed to support me and help me grow in college. He's taught me a whole lot and I wouldn't be here without him. I'm excited for him to teach me more and I'm proud of him too.
Defensive End Brock Martin
On when he knew Collin Oliver would be special:
"I want to say it was during the offseason this summer. He came in, worked his tail off, he never complained about anything and did everything he was asked to. That kind of went on to fall camp where he was very coachable. He listened to the seniors and took a lot of coaching points from guys who have been here and the coaches. I knew early, probably in the summer, because in the spring it's hard to tell. The threes are getting more reps than anything and the older guys don't get a lot, so the level of competition is a little different in the spring."
On the defense after the departure of Jim Knowles:
"Everything has gone smoothly. We haven't missed a step really. Coach (Joe Bob) Clements has kind of stepped into the play calling role and lets the position coaches coach their players. Assignment wise, coach Clements doesn't really get out of his place. He's a defensive line coach, that's what he does and what he knows. He knows all of the other positions too, but he is going to leave it to the guys who have that specific job. He doesn't overreach his responsibilities and try to do something he doesn't need to."
On getting to play Notre Dame:
"It's a big opportunity. Like Devin (Harper) said earlier, there is a long wait to play these guys and we get to play them in the postseason. Unfortunately, one of their best players opted out, the running back. It would've been nice to play a team like Notre Dame at full strength. We always want to play our opponents at full strength and I think that kid will be a first-round draft pick, so it would've been nice to play someone like that. They're a big name, a household name, with their own TV deal, so it's a huge opportunity for us. We've done a good job of putting ourselves in the spotlight this year and coach Gundy has done a good job of doing that during his tenure. I think we're all looking forward to Saturday."
On the Notre Dame offensive tackles:
"They're some big guys. Notre Dame is known for being "O-Line U". They have put out a lot of talent and they obviously recruit some good talent along their offensive line. I wouldn't say that their tackles are a weak point in their offense. There are some games if you go back that they gave up a lot of pressures and the quarterback was under duress, but they're good players. They're big bodies, so we got to watch the film to know what they like to do and how they set, stuff like that. I wouldn't say they are bad players or weak links. I think they are good players, they're just young."
Cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse
On the role cornerbacks coach Tim Duffie has had in bowl practices:
"He's stayed the same. He expects a lot of us and it has been the same all year. He's raised the standard for sure. I feel like he's more locked in and more focused because he knows we don't have coach Knowles, so we're expecting him to lead us in a big way."
On Tim Duffie's coaching style:
"He focuses on details a lot and I feel like that has really helped me elevate my game. The details are important and if you miss those then you are not going to get the big picture. Coach Duffie always tell us to focus and make the small things the big things so we will have success. I feel like he's really helped me in that way. He's a great coach and he develops his players by the small details and that's what is key."
On what he will miss about this team:
"The chemistry, for sure. I'm going to miss how close we are and how much we bond together outside of football and on the field. This year I have built a lot of relationships with guys that I usually don't talk to, so I'm going to miss that for sure."
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl hosted its second set of virtual media availabilities with the Cowboy defense opening the press conference on Tuesday morning. Oklahoma State defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements took the role of defensive coordinator for the press conference before select members of the defense followed.
The Cowboys continued practicing at Saguaro High School as they close in on Saturday's top-10 matchup with No. 5 Notre Dame. Some members of the team participated in an FCA Breakfast in the morning, while the Cowboys have a team dinner and trip to a local go-kart track tonight. Tomorrow's availability will consist of offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn and players on the offensive side of the ball.
Here is some of what the Cowboy defense had to say on Tuesday:
Defensive Line Coach Joe Bob Clements
Opening Statement:
"Thank you for having me here this morning. First of all, our players are really enjoying themselves. The Fiesta Bowl is a first-class organization. This is a first-class bowl game. The guys are working hard and enjoying themselves a little bit. We got to go to a Suns game last night, an unfortunate loss, but an exciting game to watch. We're working hard and progressing and getting ready to play this game."
On how the team is feeling heading into the game:
"We got here on Sunday and had a lighter practice. The guys are enthusiastic and have worked hard. We had a little bit of a heavier practice yesterday and we will begin to taper down moving forward before the game. The guys have been enthusiastic. The practice facilities have been nice. They're working hard and are excited about playing this game."
On what he will miss about this team:
"I think it's the overall leadership and character of these players. It's such a mature group to work with. Their work ethic has been second to none the entirety of the season. Their maturity and calmness of which they play in the game, there is never any panic, they just look forward to the next play, digest the call and play their hearts out each and every game. The maturity and cohesiveness is what I'll miss the most."
On who will call the defense :
"Coach Gundy will have to address who's calling and how we're actually going to do that. I can tell you to this point it's been a collective effort as far as the game planning. At the end of the day, whoever's mouth the call comes out of, it's just a byproduct of what the staff has put in as far as getting ready for the game."
On scheming against multiple quarterbacks:
"We've had the fortunate benefit of having a month to prepare. It might have been more of a headache if we had only had a week. You see some uniqueness with some of the quarterbacks they play, but you also see some similarities. It's a very deep position for them. They have a guy who starts for them, who's playing in his second New Year's Six game with two different programs, that doesn't just happen by accident. He has a tremendous amount of ability. He can run it and also throw the ball and make some things happen for them."
Safety Kolby Harvell-Peel
On defensive play calling:
"On game day it's a little more secondary. In the lead up so far, practice has been a little different without Coach Knowles because he's such a vocal guy. We've had to rally around each other and have faith in our coaches. As far as play calling goes, they've created a system for us. The same plays we've been running all year are the same plays we're going to run. As players, you go out and execute the calls the best way you can."
On who has taken the vocal role:
"To this point it has been whatever position group you're in, that person takes control of his group. It hasn't been someone who has stepped up and led vocally. Joe Bob eluted to it, we have a lot of leaders on this team. I'm pretty loud at practice. Malcolm (Rodriguez) comes in and his energy is always great at practice. We have a group that really enjoys being around each other and it's made going out and practicing easier and more fun. We'll be ready to go on Saturday."
On the tight end being Notre Dame's go-to guy:
"(Michael Mayer) is really good in the pass game and he's also really good in the run game. He's a great blocker. They bring an edge to an offense. When a team runs a lot of spread stuff you can kind of hone in on a pass and try to make sure you cover well in the back end. When you add the element of a tight end who can catch a pass too, it makes you versatile. You have to always know where he's at and account for him on the field."
Linebacker Devin Harper
On what this game means for OSU:
"It's a great opportunity for everybody. It's a great opportunity to show our skills and what we have at OSU as a whole. We're also playing a team a lot of people don't get to play because they have such a long wait list to play these guys because they are a prestigious team and have such a long wait list and are isolated to playing certain people."
On what this season means after waiting his time:
"It's rewarding. I waited my time and enjoyed the process. I've met a lot of great people and coaches, I can't complain at all. Like you said, it was meant to be. I don't go against how it went and how it happened, I've enjoyed it a lot."
On Koy McFarland:
"He's a great coach. A young guy who has been around the game for a while. He brings a lot of enthusiasm, which a lot of times you need. With a room like ours, we have a lot of leaders and young people and he sets the tempo and standard for a linebacker at OSU with being the coach this year. He has a lot of people behind him on this team and you see how good of a person he is with so many people standing behind him and giving him motivation and telling him he's doing it right, which is good. He deserves it man, I won't lie."
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez
On stepping up as a leader without Coach Knowles:
"Just doing my job. At the end of the day, you just have to do your job. Being a leader out there and keeping the energy high out there is always a big plus for us because we feed off of energy. We have a lot of leaders that have lots of energy and I think we will be just fine."
On what OSU means to him:
"It's been awesome. I've been thankful and blessed to be here for all my five years. I'm glad OSU took a shot on a small town kid like me. It's something I'll always come back to in Stillwater and come visit. It's a great program and I'm glad we were able to be in the top 10 at the end of the season, and hopefully we can get a big win this Saturday."
On the Notre Dame offense:
"They have a lot of explosive guys. Obviously, their back declared for the draft, so he won't be there, but they still have pretty explosive backs. The tight end is the most targeted on the team, so it's one of those things you have to know where he's at. They're a very well rounded team and they work as a unit. I can't wait to play them."
Defensive End Collin Oliver
On his personal success and the success of the team:
"It's been crazy. Especially just now being here and having all the success that our team has had. Being a part of this team is really the more crazy part than what I've done, honestly. This has probably been the most fun team I've ever been on."
On if he expected the amount of success he's had this season:
"For myself, no, but for the team, I definitely did. I feel like the comradery we have was crazy, especially in the spring leading up to summer. We did a great job of combining our differences and becoming a team. We did a good job of talking to each other throughout workouts and the hard days and the easy days. We grew as a team and I expected this. For myself, I'm confident in myself, but I didn't expect this much success."
On his relationship with Brock Martin:
"It's cool. I love Brock. That's my brother. He's like my big brother that I never had. I have two sisters and never had a brother. I feel like Brock is that brother I needed to support me and help me grow in college. He's taught me a whole lot and I wouldn't be here without him. I'm excited for him to teach me more and I'm proud of him too.
Defensive End Brock Martin
On when he knew Collin Oliver would be special:
"I want to say it was during the offseason this summer. He came in, worked his tail off, he never complained about anything and did everything he was asked to. That kind of went on to fall camp where he was very coachable. He listened to the seniors and took a lot of coaching points from guys who have been here and the coaches. I knew early, probably in the summer, because in the spring it's hard to tell. The threes are getting more reps than anything and the older guys don't get a lot, so the level of competition is a little different in the spring."
On the defense after the departure of Jim Knowles:
"Everything has gone smoothly. We haven't missed a step really. Coach (Joe Bob) Clements has kind of stepped into the play calling role and lets the position coaches coach their players. Assignment wise, coach Clements doesn't really get out of his place. He's a defensive line coach, that's what he does and what he knows. He knows all of the other positions too, but he is going to leave it to the guys who have that specific job. He doesn't overreach his responsibilities and try to do something he doesn't need to."
On getting to play Notre Dame:
"It's a big opportunity. Like Devin (Harper) said earlier, there is a long wait to play these guys and we get to play them in the postseason. Unfortunately, one of their best players opted out, the running back. It would've been nice to play a team like Notre Dame at full strength. We always want to play our opponents at full strength and I think that kid will be a first-round draft pick, so it would've been nice to play someone like that. They're a big name, a household name, with their own TV deal, so it's a huge opportunity for us. We've done a good job of putting ourselves in the spotlight this year and coach Gundy has done a good job of doing that during his tenure. I think we're all looking forward to Saturday."
On the Notre Dame offensive tackles:
"They're some big guys. Notre Dame is known for being "O-Line U". They have put out a lot of talent and they obviously recruit some good talent along their offensive line. I wouldn't say that their tackles are a weak point in their offense. There are some games if you go back that they gave up a lot of pressures and the quarterback was under duress, but they're good players. They're big bodies, so we got to watch the film to know what they like to do and how they set, stuff like that. I wouldn't say they are bad players or weak links. I think they are good players, they're just young."
Cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse
On the role cornerbacks coach Tim Duffie has had in bowl practices:
"He's stayed the same. He expects a lot of us and it has been the same all year. He's raised the standard for sure. I feel like he's more locked in and more focused because he knows we don't have coach Knowles, so we're expecting him to lead us in a big way."
On Tim Duffie's coaching style:
"He focuses on details a lot and I feel like that has really helped me elevate my game. The details are important and if you miss those then you are not going to get the big picture. Coach Duffie always tell us to focus and make the small things the big things so we will have success. I feel like he's really helped me in that way. He's a great coach and he develops his players by the small details and that's what is key."
On what he will miss about this team:
"The chemistry, for sure. I'm going to miss how close we are and how much we bond together outside of football and on the field. This year I have built a lot of relationships with guys that I usually don't talk to, so I'm going to miss that for sure."
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