Oklahoma State University Athletics
Mike Gundy Recaps Season Opening Victory and Previews Tulsa Game in Media Availability
September 06, 2021 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy met with the media at his weekly media luncheon Monday, recapping a 23-16 victory in the season opener against Missouri State and looking ahead to Saturday's matchup vs. Tulsa. Here's some of what he had to say:
Opening Statement:
"Obviously another week for us; game week. Glad to be able to get the win on Saturday. Got the guys again last night and had a little practice. It's a day off for everyone except for us and you guys. We're getting ready to play Tulsa, just kind of staying the course. It's game week for us."
On timetable for Spencer Sanders' return:
"Well, I'd rather not talk about any injuries at this time. We're hoping that he'll be back. He'll be fine. I really can't say because you never know how those things will turn out, so I just prefer not to guess one way or the other."
On the offensive line's performance against Missouri State:
"We protected well, probably the best protection we've had in a long, long time. We didn't run block as well as I would've liked and it was typical, 'We were one guy away.' You hear that all the time, 'We were just one guy away from this.' Several times, we were one block away from being a lot better in the running game. It's something we're going to work on this week and get cleaned up."
On the health of the team compared to the beginning of last season:
"We've got some guys beat up. I don't feel like it's to that point, and we have a little more depth now. Do I like it? No, I don't like it. We're in a situation where I don't know when we're going to get them back and that's kind of got me a little puzzled and a little concerned. It is what it is and I hate it for the kids, but we're going to go out and play."
On the Cowboy backs:
"They played pretty good to be honest with you. For guys that haven't played at all, I was pleased with the way they played. Now, the competition is going to get better every week. Guys are going to get more physical, so the challenge will be greater for them; but for players that hadn't played much in a competitive situation, I thought they played pretty well."
Opening Statement:
"Obviously another week for us; game week. Glad to be able to get the win on Saturday. Got the guys again last night and had a little practice. It's a day off for everyone except for us and you guys. We're getting ready to play Tulsa, just kind of staying the course. It's game week for us."
On timetable for Spencer Sanders' return:
"Well, I'd rather not talk about any injuries at this time. We're hoping that he'll be back. He'll be fine. I really can't say because you never know how those things will turn out, so I just prefer not to guess one way or the other."
On the offensive line's performance against Missouri State:
"We protected well, probably the best protection we've had in a long, long time. We didn't run block as well as I would've liked and it was typical, 'We were one guy away.' You hear that all the time, 'We were just one guy away from this.' Several times, we were one block away from being a lot better in the running game. It's something we're going to work on this week and get cleaned up."
On the health of the team compared to the beginning of last season:
"We've got some guys beat up. I don't feel like it's to that point, and we have a little more depth now. Do I like it? No, I don't like it. We're in a situation where I don't know when we're going to get them back and that's kind of got me a little puzzled and a little concerned. It is what it is and I hate it for the kids, but we're going to go out and play."
On the Cowboy backs:
"They played pretty good to be honest with you. For guys that haven't played at all, I was pleased with the way they played. Now, the competition is going to get better every week. Guys are going to get more physical, so the challenge will be greater for them; but for players that hadn't played much in a competitive situation, I thought they played pretty well."
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