Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Meet With Media On Saturday
August 13, 2022 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team held a two-hour practice inside the Sherman E. Smith Training Center on Saturday morning with just under three weeks until the season opener against Central Michigan on Sept. 1. Head coach Mike Gundy met with the media before practice began, while some of the Cowboys spoke following the conclusion of practice. Here is some of what they had to say:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"We're at practice maybe eight or nine, not for sure where we're at, but we're doing very well. The only issue we've had injury-wise was with one of the Green twins and their wrist. We'll know about it later as we move along. Other than that, we're doing really well from that standpoint. A little fatigue starts to set in the last three or four practices. It'll be that way over the next three or four, until we get to whenever school starts and they get on a schedule that's not as demanding, physically, as this one, where they're here 12 hours a day. Coaching is going well. I'm very pleased with the defensive side with Coach Mason. Obviously, offensively, we're in the same role that we have been. So, guys are competing and improving. We've got a long way to go, but I like where we're at, at this point."
On managing fatigue:
"They train all summer, but the heat wears on them. Now they're carrying pads, the physical contact, getting up at six in the morning, staying here until 7:30 at night. It's just the long wear and tear. We do as much as we can to prepare them for that, but it's not the same. So, they're just going through a normal protocol, for lack of a better term, of what would be preparation for the season."
On being viewed as underrated:
"We're in a little bit of a hidden area here. You know, we're tucked away in north central Oklahoma and we're in a town with a population of about 50,000 people, so we can stay hidden a little bit, which I think is good for us. As we know, none of that matters. The only thing that matters is our preparation and the teams we put on the field and the way our guys play. Preseason polls, rankings so on so forth, that's all fun for the fans through media, for Vegas, obviously, but none of that really matters. I just enjoy what I do. And I'm fortunate to be here for a long time."
On simulating in-game experience during practice:
"We play loud music, because it's loud in games, right? Distract them mentally. Make sure they're focused, and then play 11 on 11. The 50 snaps or so a day we get in 11 on 11 is like playing real football. That's the only way you can simulate it. So, we go through practicing individual periods, where we teach fundamentals and techniques. Then we go to our seven on or inside drills where we take a smaller group and simulate a game. Then, we throw it all together with 11 on 11, and we play a game. That's the only way to simulate it. I'm pretty sure of that."
On the linebackers:
"We're going to start to pick up the pace, contact-wise, a little bit over the next five or six practices, then we'll start to back off before the first game. I don't see any of those four or five guys that are rotating through there shying away from contact. But the next four to six practices will be important for them because they're tired now, they're fatigued, they're beat up a little bit. So, we'll see if they can push through it. Ultimately, that's what we have to do in the game."
Cornerback Korie Black
On how the secondary is coming together in fall camp:
"It's been positive growth. We're all working together, communicating well, working hard every day and putting days on top of days. We're getting better."
On how playing special teams readied him for a starting role on defense:
"It gave me experience for sure, just being in the game. That experience and the little bit that I got on defense also helped a lot."
On Jabbar Muhammad and himself playing significant snaps in the Fiesta Bowl:
"It was a growing moment for the both of us. It gave both of us experience, which I think will help a whole lot going into this season."
Wide Receiver Jaden Bray
On Brennan Presley:
"Obviously, y'all saw (Brennan Presley) last year. He's been going crazy since he got here. The sky is the limit for him. I remember one time last year he was on the outside for a game against Boise State. He can really play anywhere he wants, he's a great player. It's heart over height. You don't see height with him because he plays much bigger than he is."
On the expectations for the offense:
"I feel like we're all going to do really well. We have high expectations. We're really trying to get back to that Big 12 Championship and get another one of those banners up. I feel like we're all ready and very excited for this season to start."
On what he's focused on in the offseason:
"Mainly just becoming a perfect route runner. We've been learning a lot of combat catches to make those big plays, but just working on my route running and using my size for an advantage."
Running Back Dominic Richardson
On maintain focus during training camp:
"It's the fourth quarter now. We're in the middle of camp, legs are tired. Mentally, we're all over the place. So, we certainly need to stay focused. That's the main thing, for sure. When we get out there, just train our minds and we need to finish. The first game is not far away at all, so we have to maintain our speed and stay focused."
On embracing a larger role in the offense:
"I just need to be ready. When I'm not in, make sure I'm by coach on the sideline ready to go, coaching up the younger guys and being full speed at all times, even when I'm tired and mentally exhausted. I need to make sure I get my plays down and my pads go down. Just prove to the coaches I'm ready to be the every-down back."
On the other running backs:
"They're doing great. I heard coach saying 'great job,' fired up, jumping up and down whenever they have a good block, a good run or a touchdown. We're just excited about it."
Safety Thomas Harper
On taking advantage of his opportunity:
"It was really hard coming in and thinking that I was going to step into a bigger role earlier and having some setbacks. I think once you learn to be patient and wait your turn, it'll take you far. Just keep your head on straight. Obviously, you get down or upset about not being where you want to be at a certain time, or maybe the time just isn't right. Just wait your turn and learn from whoever's in front of you. I think that's the biggest thing. Understanding that your time is going to come and when it does, take advantage of the opportunity."
On being in a position to make an impact like his brother, Devin:
"I'm confident in my skillset and I think the sky's the limit for me and this team. I definitely think that I'm in the position to do what he did, if not better."
On branching out to different positions:
"That's what I've been working on a lot this past fall. I'm trying to learn everybody's position in the back end just in case somebody goes down. Being able to know what everybody has around you, it allows your job to be a lot easier because you know where everybody's at and what everybody is doing."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"We're at practice maybe eight or nine, not for sure where we're at, but we're doing very well. The only issue we've had injury-wise was with one of the Green twins and their wrist. We'll know about it later as we move along. Other than that, we're doing really well from that standpoint. A little fatigue starts to set in the last three or four practices. It'll be that way over the next three or four, until we get to whenever school starts and they get on a schedule that's not as demanding, physically, as this one, where they're here 12 hours a day. Coaching is going well. I'm very pleased with the defensive side with Coach Mason. Obviously, offensively, we're in the same role that we have been. So, guys are competing and improving. We've got a long way to go, but I like where we're at, at this point."
On managing fatigue:
"They train all summer, but the heat wears on them. Now they're carrying pads, the physical contact, getting up at six in the morning, staying here until 7:30 at night. It's just the long wear and tear. We do as much as we can to prepare them for that, but it's not the same. So, they're just going through a normal protocol, for lack of a better term, of what would be preparation for the season."
On being viewed as underrated:
"We're in a little bit of a hidden area here. You know, we're tucked away in north central Oklahoma and we're in a town with a population of about 50,000 people, so we can stay hidden a little bit, which I think is good for us. As we know, none of that matters. The only thing that matters is our preparation and the teams we put on the field and the way our guys play. Preseason polls, rankings so on so forth, that's all fun for the fans through media, for Vegas, obviously, but none of that really matters. I just enjoy what I do. And I'm fortunate to be here for a long time."
On simulating in-game experience during practice:
"We play loud music, because it's loud in games, right? Distract them mentally. Make sure they're focused, and then play 11 on 11. The 50 snaps or so a day we get in 11 on 11 is like playing real football. That's the only way you can simulate it. So, we go through practicing individual periods, where we teach fundamentals and techniques. Then we go to our seven on or inside drills where we take a smaller group and simulate a game. Then, we throw it all together with 11 on 11, and we play a game. That's the only way to simulate it. I'm pretty sure of that."
On the linebackers:
"We're going to start to pick up the pace, contact-wise, a little bit over the next five or six practices, then we'll start to back off before the first game. I don't see any of those four or five guys that are rotating through there shying away from contact. But the next four to six practices will be important for them because they're tired now, they're fatigued, they're beat up a little bit. So, we'll see if they can push through it. Ultimately, that's what we have to do in the game."
Cornerback Korie Black
On how the secondary is coming together in fall camp:
"It's been positive growth. We're all working together, communicating well, working hard every day and putting days on top of days. We're getting better."
On how playing special teams readied him for a starting role on defense:
"It gave me experience for sure, just being in the game. That experience and the little bit that I got on defense also helped a lot."
On Jabbar Muhammad and himself playing significant snaps in the Fiesta Bowl:
"It was a growing moment for the both of us. It gave both of us experience, which I think will help a whole lot going into this season."
Wide Receiver Jaden Bray
On Brennan Presley:
"Obviously, y'all saw (Brennan Presley) last year. He's been going crazy since he got here. The sky is the limit for him. I remember one time last year he was on the outside for a game against Boise State. He can really play anywhere he wants, he's a great player. It's heart over height. You don't see height with him because he plays much bigger than he is."
On the expectations for the offense:
"I feel like we're all going to do really well. We have high expectations. We're really trying to get back to that Big 12 Championship and get another one of those banners up. I feel like we're all ready and very excited for this season to start."
On what he's focused on in the offseason:
"Mainly just becoming a perfect route runner. We've been learning a lot of combat catches to make those big plays, but just working on my route running and using my size for an advantage."
Running Back Dominic Richardson
On maintain focus during training camp:
"It's the fourth quarter now. We're in the middle of camp, legs are tired. Mentally, we're all over the place. So, we certainly need to stay focused. That's the main thing, for sure. When we get out there, just train our minds and we need to finish. The first game is not far away at all, so we have to maintain our speed and stay focused."
On embracing a larger role in the offense:
"I just need to be ready. When I'm not in, make sure I'm by coach on the sideline ready to go, coaching up the younger guys and being full speed at all times, even when I'm tired and mentally exhausted. I need to make sure I get my plays down and my pads go down. Just prove to the coaches I'm ready to be the every-down back."
On the other running backs:
"They're doing great. I heard coach saying 'great job,' fired up, jumping up and down whenever they have a good block, a good run or a touchdown. We're just excited about it."
Safety Thomas Harper
On taking advantage of his opportunity:
"It was really hard coming in and thinking that I was going to step into a bigger role earlier and having some setbacks. I think once you learn to be patient and wait your turn, it'll take you far. Just keep your head on straight. Obviously, you get down or upset about not being where you want to be at a certain time, or maybe the time just isn't right. Just wait your turn and learn from whoever's in front of you. I think that's the biggest thing. Understanding that your time is going to come and when it does, take advantage of the opportunity."
On being in a position to make an impact like his brother, Devin:
"I'm confident in my skillset and I think the sky's the limit for me and this team. I definitely think that I'm in the position to do what he did, if not better."
On branching out to different positions:
"That's what I've been working on a lot this past fall. I'm trying to learn everybody's position in the back end just in case somebody goes down. Being able to know what everybody has around you, it allows your job to be a lot easier because you know where everybody's at and what everybody is doing."
Players Mentioned
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RB
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