Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy Previews Texas Tech at Media Luncheon
October 03, 2022 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy met with the media at his weekly luncheon after OSU improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play after a 36-25 win over No. 16 Baylor in Waco. Gundy discussed the victory and the 7th-ranked Cowboys' preparation for thier upcoming game against Texas Tech. Here is some of what he had to say:
Opening Statement:
"Back at it. We had a good workout last night and, obviously, the guys are off today. Lot of work and preparation and film study ahead. Looking forward to a good week of preparation and getting ready for Texas Tech."
On the improvement of a young OSU secondary in preparation for Texas Tech's air raid offense:
"They're getting a little better each week. We're a long ways away from being finished product for sure. I'm pleased with the progress we're making defensively. We have young linebackers and a lot of young secondary. We play pretty well. We gave up a couple big plays last game, but overall, they're coming along. This will be a different challenge this week. This team is throwing it 60-ish times a game. It's a different look for our defense. Last week we played a group that was more power running, misdirection passing, play-action passing. These guys [Texas Tech] are going to play fast, they're going to spread out, they're going to throw it 60 times and try to get the ball out to the flat. Your question is valid and it's a little bit different approach this week."
On the importance of depth on defense, especially on the defensive line, against a high-speed offense like that of Texas Tech:
"That's always going to important. Good news is we really don't have anybody playing more than 42, maybe 43 snaps per game, which is really good. We'd like to keep it that way. We're getting into a game here where there very well could be 100 plays on both sides of the ball from the standpoint of we play fast and they play fast. That depth could be important."
On preparing to face a first-year head coach:
"Offensively and defensively, we've got several games, just like they have us on. In most cases coaches are going to prepare based off what they've seen and try to avoid chasing ghosts. Sometimes I get a feel for head coaches based on experience and what you're talking about. Like we've talked about the last couple of weeks, guys that want to roll the dice on fourth down and guys that want to play field position, just a little bit different personality.
On the consistency of Oklahoma State's 3rd Down defense over the past three seasons:
"I think, you know Robert (Allen) mentioned our depth on the defensive line, I think that helps. Our pass rush has been good, not great, needs to improve, but when you keep guys fresh you have a better chance of pressuring quarterbacks. The way that the game is played now I think that is just as important as anything you can do. So, if you can somehow be disruptive in a normal operation of the quarterback on each play, you got a better chance of being a good third down team."
On the offensive line's performance against Baylor:
"We were good, not great, but certainly better than we were in the championship game. That's one thing I mentioned after the game and we talked about as an offensive staff after that game was that was our fault, my fault and the offensive staff's fault that we weren't better prepared for that. We had a plan, but we didn't give enough credit to how good they were up front. We tried not to let that happen again and we were better in this game against a good front. In my opinion they are very difficult to handle in between the tackles. I was pleased with our improvement there."
On the punt team downing opponents near their own goal line:
"We were pretty good at it last year and all those guys are back who are running down there and covering, with the exception of (Braylin) Presley, but he's built for that. Tom (Hutton) is a year older and more mature and has a better feel for it. We've been fortunate with his experience and the guys that we have covering they have gotten good at it"
On Texas Tech's pass rush:
"They're doing a good job rushing the passer. I watched two games on them this morning and I don't know if I was ready to see that. They pressured Kansas State and Texas both. Now, they made some plays on them, especially Kansas State's quarterbacks who can run around and make a bunch of plays and can avoid it. They do a good job of pressuring, so we will see a different defense this week like we did on offense last week. They're going to come after us, they're going to blitz, stunt, twist, drop, rush three, rush four, bring safeties and do a lot of different things to try and pressure us. We have to get ready for lots of pressure and lots of blitzing, versus last week that is not what we saw at all."
Opening Statement:
"Back at it. We had a good workout last night and, obviously, the guys are off today. Lot of work and preparation and film study ahead. Looking forward to a good week of preparation and getting ready for Texas Tech."
On the improvement of a young OSU secondary in preparation for Texas Tech's air raid offense:
"They're getting a little better each week. We're a long ways away from being finished product for sure. I'm pleased with the progress we're making defensively. We have young linebackers and a lot of young secondary. We play pretty well. We gave up a couple big plays last game, but overall, they're coming along. This will be a different challenge this week. This team is throwing it 60-ish times a game. It's a different look for our defense. Last week we played a group that was more power running, misdirection passing, play-action passing. These guys [Texas Tech] are going to play fast, they're going to spread out, they're going to throw it 60 times and try to get the ball out to the flat. Your question is valid and it's a little bit different approach this week."
On the importance of depth on defense, especially on the defensive line, against a high-speed offense like that of Texas Tech:
"That's always going to important. Good news is we really don't have anybody playing more than 42, maybe 43 snaps per game, which is really good. We'd like to keep it that way. We're getting into a game here where there very well could be 100 plays on both sides of the ball from the standpoint of we play fast and they play fast. That depth could be important."
On preparing to face a first-year head coach:
"Offensively and defensively, we've got several games, just like they have us on. In most cases coaches are going to prepare based off what they've seen and try to avoid chasing ghosts. Sometimes I get a feel for head coaches based on experience and what you're talking about. Like we've talked about the last couple of weeks, guys that want to roll the dice on fourth down and guys that want to play field position, just a little bit different personality.
On the consistency of Oklahoma State's 3rd Down defense over the past three seasons:
"I think, you know Robert (Allen) mentioned our depth on the defensive line, I think that helps. Our pass rush has been good, not great, needs to improve, but when you keep guys fresh you have a better chance of pressuring quarterbacks. The way that the game is played now I think that is just as important as anything you can do. So, if you can somehow be disruptive in a normal operation of the quarterback on each play, you got a better chance of being a good third down team."
On the offensive line's performance against Baylor:
"We were good, not great, but certainly better than we were in the championship game. That's one thing I mentioned after the game and we talked about as an offensive staff after that game was that was our fault, my fault and the offensive staff's fault that we weren't better prepared for that. We had a plan, but we didn't give enough credit to how good they were up front. We tried not to let that happen again and we were better in this game against a good front. In my opinion they are very difficult to handle in between the tackles. I was pleased with our improvement there."
On the punt team downing opponents near their own goal line:
"We were pretty good at it last year and all those guys are back who are running down there and covering, with the exception of (Braylin) Presley, but he's built for that. Tom (Hutton) is a year older and more mature and has a better feel for it. We've been fortunate with his experience and the guys that we have covering they have gotten good at it"
On Texas Tech's pass rush:
"They're doing a good job rushing the passer. I watched two games on them this morning and I don't know if I was ready to see that. They pressured Kansas State and Texas both. Now, they made some plays on them, especially Kansas State's quarterbacks who can run around and make a bunch of plays and can avoid it. They do a good job of pressuring, so we will see a different defense this week like we did on offense last week. They're going to come after us, they're going to blitz, stunt, twist, drop, rush three, rush four, bring safeties and do a lot of different things to try and pressure us. We have to get ready for lots of pressure and lots of blitzing, versus last week that is not what we saw at all."
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