Cowboys Look Back at Baylor Win, Preview Texas Tech With Media

STILLWATER - Following, Oklahoma State's practice on Tuesday afternoon, select Cowboys met with members of the media to discuss their Big 12 opener against Baylor and preview the upcoming matchup with Texas Tech. Here is some of what the Cowboys had to say:

Linebacker Mason Cobb
On if he sees OSU as the "top dog" in the Big 12:
"We're just worried about the next game. You know truly anybody is competitive at this time and everyone has good days and bad days. We're just focused on the next game and getting better as a whole."

On what stands out about Texas Tech:
"They pass a lot so we're trying to get at the quarterback and hopefully the ball will come out quick. Other teams are like 60/40 run but these guys are like 80 or 90 pass."

On if he's seen enough reps to feel comfortable:
"Oh yeah, especially in the open field but I feel like I've grown from the first game. It was something I struggled with and tried to focus on, but I feel really comfortable this time. It definitely comes from feeling the speed of the game. Baylor was a fast game, it was one of the fastest, so to feel comfortable in that game, it made me really confident."

Offensive Line Caleb Etienne
On if he feels like the offensive line improved last weekend:
"I feel like we have. We're getting there as much as we can and as we want to in an away game, but we're getting there. That's all I really have is we're getting there."

On how he has improved as a starter:
"When I first played last year it was going fast for me, I didn't know what I was doing. Now that I'm on the o-line, starting, and getting time, it's slowing down. I now know what I'm doing and I'm going out there and playing fast. I'm not just going out there and doing whatever I'm doing. I know what I need to do so I'm playing faster.

On how much better he is now compared to last year:
"I'm way better. I feel better, I lost the weight, and I feel fast on my feet, so I feel comfortable and confident. The o-line as well, we just all feel more confident."

Punter Tom Hutton
On increasing average punt yards:
"I'm just getting used to my kicking style and adjusting a little bit as I go. That was something I wanted to work on this year, get the yardage up a little bit. The return yards have increased a little bit as well, so now we have to work to get that back down."

On working to prevent longer returns:
"Just different things that we've focused on throughout the games. The coverage team has been focused on not getting the punt blocked in some games. I might have to keep my coverage instead of moving on. That's just something I've got to tweak a little bit."

On working with the punt team cutters:
"Well, they're usually busy throughout the game, because they play on offense and defense too. But when we get together in a punt unit, we've had a little bit of interaction with them. We practice so much that we know each other and each other's game really well. They know where to go and I know where to put it for them."

Wide Receiver Bryson Green
On gaining confidence from last year:
"The year of football helped a lot, tremendously. Being out there with Spencer (Sanders) more, just adding another offseason under my belt has helped a lot. Being out there is a lot more comfortable."

On Spencer Sanders:
"You see how many passing yards, how many completions he has. Our O-line is doing a great job for him, but he's balling out and we're there to support him. As long as he keeps throwing the ball like that, I'll be there to catch it."

On Jaden Nixon:
"J-Nix is from Frisco Lone Star, so I knew him before he came to Oklahoma State, and he came to a couple of our football games. Just seeing a dude like that who waited his turn, grinded through the offseason and had those explosive plays. We saw it last year in the TCU game when he had that break-off touchdown run. It was just great to see."

Defensive Tackle Brendon Evers
On Mental Health Awareness Week:
"I know for me, personally and some of my close acquaintances, with everything in the world today, I'm glad that people like us are able to get a word out there to let others know they're not going through stuff alone. Some of these guys are playing pro ball, some guys are in my position now. I've dealt with my own mental health issues wondering if I can really juggle everything in the life that a student-athlete has to go through. I'm really thankful that our school took it upon themselves to really take this week seriously."

On OSU's offensive line:
"I think our offensive line this year has taken such a step forward. Caleb (Etienne) was with us over on the scout team last year and the strides that he made from the spring to summer to the season have been tremendous, and I think it's showing. Hunter Woodard, Preston (Wilson), those two make everything run. Coach Dickey does a great job at developing these guys. I think last week was a great showing. Everybody compares our D-line room and Baylor's D-line room into who's the best in the conference. For them to hold like they did was very commendable, and it shows the work they've put in this fall."

On facing Baylor's offensive line:
"It's a week-by-week thing. We knew who we were playing, they were the last team we played in the conference. We knew exactly what we were getting, we knew what they were going to do. That's not to say they didn't give us their best shot. Their offensive line has two guys who were all-conference last year, but we got a few guys who were all-conference as well. It was a heavyweight battle, and I think we were well-prepared even going into their place and playing in a hostile environment. We were well-prepared and it shows maturity in our rooms and how we handle things."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Cowboys Look Back at Baylor Win, Preview Texas Tech With Media

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Players Mentioned

Mason Cobb

Caleb Etienne

Brendon Evers

Bryson Green

Tom Hutton

Jaden Nixon

Spencer Sanders

Hunter Woodard

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