Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Preview Matchup with Central Michigan
August 25, 2022 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboys met with the media Thursday in Stillwater to preview the season opening football game against Central Michigan. Here's some of what they had to say:
Coach Mike Gundy
On facing Central Michigan in the season opener:
"I see a tough football team. They've had a few transfers. Just watching last year, they're highly competitive; very physical up front. … They are exactly what, from a distance, I see with that conference. They're physical up front. They're tough. Their back is physical. He's part of what they are. Head coach is a good offensive guy. He's a good play caller. From the outside looking in, they believe in toughness."
On what OSU position groups he's most excited to watch:
"(Linebacker) will be an interesting position. Those guys haven't played. You have the same with a couple of safeties and the running back position. Those will be the positions that I'm sure you guys will watch, like myself, to see how mature we are at those positions at this stage in the game."
On the team's health entering the season:
"We're better off than we were. At this time last year, it was really scary. We're further ahead now from a health standpoint than where we were at this time last year. … We always have to worry about health at Oklahoma State on the offensive line, so we need to stay healthy at that position. Running back is always a concern because they take hits, but, overall, the health of our team now is certainly better than it was this time last year."
On defensive line depth:
"We were really deep last year. We're deep this year. If we're really deep or not, I don't know. We'll see. There'll be a few guys that we're trying to get some reps out of, and we'll see how they play. Maybe I'm saying here in three to four games that we're really deep again, but I definitely am very comfortable with where we're at."
On Tyler Lacy:
"Tyler is very athletic for his size. He's at 285 (pounds) now. There are times we'll put him on the edge and let him rush and then place some guy inside, which is going to help him. His attitude's been really good. His practice habits, his mind's clear, he's not caught up in a bunch of stuff that doesn't have a factor in the game, which can happen sometimes to seniors. We've all seen that. His mind is in a good place right now. His work habits are in a good place right now. So, moving him around and playing some different positions is going to help our team and it's going to help his future."
On expectations for the young linebackers:
"Defensively, everybody in the room knows we have gap responsibilities, and we're supposed to have one in every gap to prevent you from rushing the football. They're trying to block you out of the gap so they can rush the football. We need them, the large majority of the time, to be where they're supposed to be. If they'll do that, from a simplistic standpoint, and play hard and be physical, they'll be alright, and then they should be better the next week. Then hopefully, a little bit better the next week, because if they're not, then we're not coaching them right. So, we don't improve by position and by individuals each week, then we got an issue with the coaching. Hopefully, they'll continue to get better as they mature."
On reaching 150 career wins:
"We've been very fortunate here to have a lot of success, and – knock-on wood – I feel better now than I have in years and years here. I'm thinking way down the line. I mean, I thought at one time at 65 I'd check in, but I don't see that happening now. The next one doesn't really do jack for me, honestly. I could tell you it did, you know, but I'm worried about way down the line and trying to work with the commissioner and work with Dr. Shrum, and Chad Weiberg, and Reid Sigmon and our board of regents. We're all tugging in one direction now to try to build this to where at some point, somebody's going to take it over and it's going to be hell of a job. That's my goal right now, not necessarily the one more win. But I'd like to win on Thursday."
Offensive Coordinator Kasey Dunn
On how to manage intensity leading up to game week:
"It's a fine line. You don't want to get anybody hurt so raising the bar this close to gameday is a little touchy. If we raise it and we get a hamstring (injury) here or there, then they don't have time to recover and get back. So, I don't know how much we raise it. I think it's about sharpening up the mental mistakes down to a minimum and we'll go from there."
On how the offense looks compared to last year after losing Jaylen Warren:
"Spencer has done a great job, so he's taken over as the guy and undoubtedly our leader, and he knows it. He goes out there and breaks the huddle, brings everyone up and after practice he's always the guy that collects everyone and you can see it the way he operates on the field. He's a guy that's just got everyone moving and gelling and playing fast, and that's what we want to do. Losing Jaylen, his intensity has carried over to this season, and then now his success in the NFL. Guys see what it takes to play in that level. We had an NFL-level running back here that didn't get drafted, how about that? Life is good. Our guys have fed off of his success at that level, and all the things we're hearing from his camp is all great things."
On Central Michigan's defense:
"The defensive front four is good, they're nationally ranked in a lot of categories and that's not lost on us either. We get it, we want to try and slow those guys down, and we feel like if we can do that, we got a chance. If they get started, getting their motors revved up, man it's going to be a long day for Spencer. So, we need to try and minimize those guys, the front four."
On what he thinks is the biggest change with Spencer since he started with him:
"The first thing you would say is maturity, but all quarterbacks get more mature as they go through, and he's certainly been here long enough. Right now, he's comfortable. It's kind of a word you don't want to use often, because you want guys to be uncomfortable in order to raise the bar all the time to higher levels. He's comfortable, so he's playing smooth and he's playing fast. He knows when the formation isn't right to run a certain play. He'll get receivers in positions, and he'll make sure the offensive line is set the right way. All those field things matter because the whole thing of 'coach on the field.' He's really has become that for us."
Defensive Coordinator Derek Mason
On preparing for Central Michigan:
"This is going to be a ball game where we're going to get in the first quarter and see exactly who they are. It's one of those deals where you can guess and imagine all you want to, but they've got good running backs, they've got good tight ends and they've had some good transfer wide receivers come in."
On the depth at defensive line:
"You know, we just want fresh horses in the game. I mean like for us, we talked about it. It's goons, goblins and gremlins. That's what we talk about ourselves. Nobody really cares who is the first guy. Everybody wants to be a guy. So with that, everybody is expected to play their role, do their job and that D-line rotation is going to come in big for us. We need it."
On the versatility of Tyler Lacy:
"Lacy's gotten a little bigger, a little stronger, a little faster. He can play outside. He can play inside. … I mean there's so much flexibility. I mean the game is always going to dictate what the rotation is going to be. Is it a power game? Is it a speed game? We're going to get our best players on the field."
On the linebacker position:
"I mean we're all new. We're all learning at the same time. Here's the thing. I think it is by committee. I think everybody has stepped into their roles and like there's guys that are playing extremely well, there's guys that are getting better as we go through the process."
Quarterback Spencer Sanders
On his comfort level going into the first game:
"Obviously, it's probably just very comfortable. You know, it's really not about my comfort level though, it's about the guys around me. I want to make them feel as comfortable as possible, because the more comfortable I can help them feel, the best they play. The more you're comfortable the better you play, the more loose you play."
On his improvement from his first year to now:
"Decision making and operating the offense. I'd definitely say it's improved quite a bit. A lot of that is due to Coach Rattay and a little bit is just taking the time to have one-on-one meetings with Rattay by myself."
On the receiver group:
"I think they look great. I think honestly, we look great all around. It's not just the receiver core, I think we're going to all come together and put this thing as one."
Safety Jason Taylor II
On being a leader:
"Yeah I had to kind of get adjusted to that. Pretty much right after the bowl game, all the older guys left and really I felt like I was just a young guy like all of them, but I was really the only guy to have a lot of experience on the field. So naturally I became a leader."
On Thomas Harper:
"He has the same mind set. He has that dog in him. He's a student of the game so we're looking for him to have a big season. We're counting on him to do well as well. He's a win first guy. A man who thinks he can win regardless and you know they say, 'A man who thinks he can win, is already a winner.'"
On Jabbar Muhammad:
"Jabbar is Jabbar. Real technical. He's going to be there when you need him. … He was just like me I feel like. He got some playing time last year. He got in some games. He has a little experience. So me, along with Korie [Black], and Jabbar, and Thomas [Harper] are really the guys who are now leaders of our positions."
Defensive End Trace Ford
On looking forward to playing a game:
"I'm craving it pretty bad. I'm just ready to play. Every day I think about it. Every day I think about, 'just one day closer to game time.' I just want to run out the tunnel and play."
On the depth of the defensive line:
"Yeah, dudes definitely shouldn't be tired this season, that's a fact with the dudes we have on edge right now. We're pretty stacked. There's plenty of rotation going on, lots of experience, so we should be ready to go."
On being back from injury:
"It just feels good. It's a blessing. I'm just happy to be able to play again and my career is not over yet, so it's a great feeling just to be out there and make a few plays."
Offensive Lineman Jake Springfield
On what he's seen from Caleb Etienne:
"He's doing some really good stuff. He's been working his whole butt off this whole camp. We all have just to get better every day, and I'm excited to see what he does and what we all do this season."
On what the competition has been like on the offensive line this season:
"The competition has been good. We've been pushing everyone to get better every day. It's nice we finally have more depth now. It's nice to have all those new faces in, helping the new guys learn the plays and the competition has been very nice. I feel like it's helping us elevate our game."
On what it's been like to go up against the defensive line in practice:
"It's been really nice. It's really good to go against guys like Brock (Martin), Trace (Ford), Collin (Oliver) that really bring their A-game every day at practice. It's helped me through this fall camp getting reps against them. It's helped all of us. I can see from my spring ball to now I knew what I needed to work on, and I was able to accomplish it this fall camp."
On how the offensive line transfers are fitting in:
"They're doing really good. They came in and learned it really quick. We've been helping them out. It's really nice to see them and work with them, they're really good guys and I'm excited to have them here and help us this season."
Coach Mike Gundy
On facing Central Michigan in the season opener:
"I see a tough football team. They've had a few transfers. Just watching last year, they're highly competitive; very physical up front. … They are exactly what, from a distance, I see with that conference. They're physical up front. They're tough. Their back is physical. He's part of what they are. Head coach is a good offensive guy. He's a good play caller. From the outside looking in, they believe in toughness."
On what OSU position groups he's most excited to watch:
"(Linebacker) will be an interesting position. Those guys haven't played. You have the same with a couple of safeties and the running back position. Those will be the positions that I'm sure you guys will watch, like myself, to see how mature we are at those positions at this stage in the game."
On the team's health entering the season:
"We're better off than we were. At this time last year, it was really scary. We're further ahead now from a health standpoint than where we were at this time last year. … We always have to worry about health at Oklahoma State on the offensive line, so we need to stay healthy at that position. Running back is always a concern because they take hits, but, overall, the health of our team now is certainly better than it was this time last year."
On defensive line depth:
"We were really deep last year. We're deep this year. If we're really deep or not, I don't know. We'll see. There'll be a few guys that we're trying to get some reps out of, and we'll see how they play. Maybe I'm saying here in three to four games that we're really deep again, but I definitely am very comfortable with where we're at."
On Tyler Lacy:
"Tyler is very athletic for his size. He's at 285 (pounds) now. There are times we'll put him on the edge and let him rush and then place some guy inside, which is going to help him. His attitude's been really good. His practice habits, his mind's clear, he's not caught up in a bunch of stuff that doesn't have a factor in the game, which can happen sometimes to seniors. We've all seen that. His mind is in a good place right now. His work habits are in a good place right now. So, moving him around and playing some different positions is going to help our team and it's going to help his future."
On expectations for the young linebackers:
"Defensively, everybody in the room knows we have gap responsibilities, and we're supposed to have one in every gap to prevent you from rushing the football. They're trying to block you out of the gap so they can rush the football. We need them, the large majority of the time, to be where they're supposed to be. If they'll do that, from a simplistic standpoint, and play hard and be physical, they'll be alright, and then they should be better the next week. Then hopefully, a little bit better the next week, because if they're not, then we're not coaching them right. So, we don't improve by position and by individuals each week, then we got an issue with the coaching. Hopefully, they'll continue to get better as they mature."
On reaching 150 career wins:
"We've been very fortunate here to have a lot of success, and – knock-on wood – I feel better now than I have in years and years here. I'm thinking way down the line. I mean, I thought at one time at 65 I'd check in, but I don't see that happening now. The next one doesn't really do jack for me, honestly. I could tell you it did, you know, but I'm worried about way down the line and trying to work with the commissioner and work with Dr. Shrum, and Chad Weiberg, and Reid Sigmon and our board of regents. We're all tugging in one direction now to try to build this to where at some point, somebody's going to take it over and it's going to be hell of a job. That's my goal right now, not necessarily the one more win. But I'd like to win on Thursday."
Offensive Coordinator Kasey Dunn
On how to manage intensity leading up to game week:
"It's a fine line. You don't want to get anybody hurt so raising the bar this close to gameday is a little touchy. If we raise it and we get a hamstring (injury) here or there, then they don't have time to recover and get back. So, I don't know how much we raise it. I think it's about sharpening up the mental mistakes down to a minimum and we'll go from there."
On how the offense looks compared to last year after losing Jaylen Warren:
"Spencer has done a great job, so he's taken over as the guy and undoubtedly our leader, and he knows it. He goes out there and breaks the huddle, brings everyone up and after practice he's always the guy that collects everyone and you can see it the way he operates on the field. He's a guy that's just got everyone moving and gelling and playing fast, and that's what we want to do. Losing Jaylen, his intensity has carried over to this season, and then now his success in the NFL. Guys see what it takes to play in that level. We had an NFL-level running back here that didn't get drafted, how about that? Life is good. Our guys have fed off of his success at that level, and all the things we're hearing from his camp is all great things."
On Central Michigan's defense:
"The defensive front four is good, they're nationally ranked in a lot of categories and that's not lost on us either. We get it, we want to try and slow those guys down, and we feel like if we can do that, we got a chance. If they get started, getting their motors revved up, man it's going to be a long day for Spencer. So, we need to try and minimize those guys, the front four."
On what he thinks is the biggest change with Spencer since he started with him:
"The first thing you would say is maturity, but all quarterbacks get more mature as they go through, and he's certainly been here long enough. Right now, he's comfortable. It's kind of a word you don't want to use often, because you want guys to be uncomfortable in order to raise the bar all the time to higher levels. He's comfortable, so he's playing smooth and he's playing fast. He knows when the formation isn't right to run a certain play. He'll get receivers in positions, and he'll make sure the offensive line is set the right way. All those field things matter because the whole thing of 'coach on the field.' He's really has become that for us."
Defensive Coordinator Derek Mason
On preparing for Central Michigan:
"This is going to be a ball game where we're going to get in the first quarter and see exactly who they are. It's one of those deals where you can guess and imagine all you want to, but they've got good running backs, they've got good tight ends and they've had some good transfer wide receivers come in."
On the depth at defensive line:
"You know, we just want fresh horses in the game. I mean like for us, we talked about it. It's goons, goblins and gremlins. That's what we talk about ourselves. Nobody really cares who is the first guy. Everybody wants to be a guy. So with that, everybody is expected to play their role, do their job and that D-line rotation is going to come in big for us. We need it."
On the versatility of Tyler Lacy:
"Lacy's gotten a little bigger, a little stronger, a little faster. He can play outside. He can play inside. … I mean there's so much flexibility. I mean the game is always going to dictate what the rotation is going to be. Is it a power game? Is it a speed game? We're going to get our best players on the field."
On the linebacker position:
"I mean we're all new. We're all learning at the same time. Here's the thing. I think it is by committee. I think everybody has stepped into their roles and like there's guys that are playing extremely well, there's guys that are getting better as we go through the process."
Quarterback Spencer Sanders
On his comfort level going into the first game:
"Obviously, it's probably just very comfortable. You know, it's really not about my comfort level though, it's about the guys around me. I want to make them feel as comfortable as possible, because the more comfortable I can help them feel, the best they play. The more you're comfortable the better you play, the more loose you play."
On his improvement from his first year to now:
"Decision making and operating the offense. I'd definitely say it's improved quite a bit. A lot of that is due to Coach Rattay and a little bit is just taking the time to have one-on-one meetings with Rattay by myself."
On the receiver group:
"I think they look great. I think honestly, we look great all around. It's not just the receiver core, I think we're going to all come together and put this thing as one."
Safety Jason Taylor II
On being a leader:
"Yeah I had to kind of get adjusted to that. Pretty much right after the bowl game, all the older guys left and really I felt like I was just a young guy like all of them, but I was really the only guy to have a lot of experience on the field. So naturally I became a leader."
On Thomas Harper:
"He has the same mind set. He has that dog in him. He's a student of the game so we're looking for him to have a big season. We're counting on him to do well as well. He's a win first guy. A man who thinks he can win regardless and you know they say, 'A man who thinks he can win, is already a winner.'"
On Jabbar Muhammad:
"Jabbar is Jabbar. Real technical. He's going to be there when you need him. … He was just like me I feel like. He got some playing time last year. He got in some games. He has a little experience. So me, along with Korie [Black], and Jabbar, and Thomas [Harper] are really the guys who are now leaders of our positions."
Defensive End Trace Ford
On looking forward to playing a game:
"I'm craving it pretty bad. I'm just ready to play. Every day I think about it. Every day I think about, 'just one day closer to game time.' I just want to run out the tunnel and play."
On the depth of the defensive line:
"Yeah, dudes definitely shouldn't be tired this season, that's a fact with the dudes we have on edge right now. We're pretty stacked. There's plenty of rotation going on, lots of experience, so we should be ready to go."
On being back from injury:
"It just feels good. It's a blessing. I'm just happy to be able to play again and my career is not over yet, so it's a great feeling just to be out there and make a few plays."
Offensive Lineman Jake Springfield
On what he's seen from Caleb Etienne:
"He's doing some really good stuff. He's been working his whole butt off this whole camp. We all have just to get better every day, and I'm excited to see what he does and what we all do this season."
On what the competition has been like on the offensive line this season:
"The competition has been good. We've been pushing everyone to get better every day. It's nice we finally have more depth now. It's nice to have all those new faces in, helping the new guys learn the plays and the competition has been very nice. I feel like it's helping us elevate our game."
On what it's been like to go up against the defensive line in practice:
"It's been really nice. It's really good to go against guys like Brock (Martin), Trace (Ford), Collin (Oliver) that really bring their A-game every day at practice. It's helped me through this fall camp getting reps against them. It's helped all of us. I can see from my spring ball to now I knew what I needed to work on, and I was able to accomplish it this fall camp."
On how the offensive line transfers are fitting in:
"They're doing really good. They came in and learned it really quick. We've been helping them out. It's really nice to see them and work with them, they're really good guys and I'm excited to have them here and help us this season."
Players Mentioned
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DE
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CB
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QB
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OL
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S
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RB
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