Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy Meets With Media to Preview Baylor and Start of Big 12 Play
September 26, 2022 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy met with members of the media at his weekly media luncheon. Following the Cowboys' bye week, Gundy discussed what he's seen so far from Baylor as OSU begins conference play in Waco on Saturday. Here is some of what he had to say:
Opening Statement:
"We practiced up through Thursday as I told you guys. Gave them Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday off then practiced last night. Obviously, a day off today and we're back at it tomorrow. We need a great week of practice. We're playing a good football team on the road. I can tell our guys are excited about the challenge this week. Coaches have got to put together good plans and finish them up here in the next day or so to get some good reps in. Then we get down there to Waco. We've got a 2:30 p.m. kick. That's college football when it's supposed to be played. Should have a great environment. Looking forward to the game."
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On how preparation for Baylor differed with two weeks to strategize:
"We worked the young guys last week, which I shared with you. We continued to improve on our base in all three phases then started on Baylor on Thursday. Obviously, we'll be fully on Baylor tomorrow."
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On the team's response at practice on Sunday after the bye week:
"I thought it was really good. They lifted yesterday and then came back to practice well. This group is pretty focused and committed to each other. I feel good about the chemistry amongst the guys and the leadership we have. That plays a role in the question you just asked."
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On the identity of the team:
"I think they're focused. I think it's important to them. I think they care about each other. We'll know a lot more about ourselves as a team in a month. We're getting ready to get into the meat of it and we'll get a pretty good feel. We'll have some conference road games, some home games against good teams, so we'll know a lot more about us in a month."
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On the difference between this year and last year's Baylor team:
"There's a lot of similarities, their concepts are the same. Not a lot of personnel changes other than the safety who was a really good player that's not there anymore and a couple skill kids on offense, but they look essentially the same scheme wise. The quarterback is back now and obviously has got more experience than when we saw him, but same group."
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On the challenge of facing a slow-paced offense while trying to run an up-tempo offense:
"It's just two different philosophies, I guess you could say a defensive head coach and an offensive head coach. You know, they'll run the clock down and play with some tight ends and fullbacks and they're going to run the mid-zone play, they're going to run boots and naked off of it and try to get the ball out in the flat and they're going to max protect and throw it down the field. We spread out more and play at a much faster tempo. Some of the things are similar but for the most part the philosophies and how we get there are different."
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On how Baylor use's quarterback Blake Shapen:
"Their concept offensively from the outside looking in is the same as it was in the championship game. He might complete 14 passes in a game and it may only be for 75 yards, but three or four of them might be converting third downs. I don't really see a lot of difference and it looks like they've programmed him in that direction until they play action, max protect and try to throw it over your head."
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On Baylor's defensive tackle Siaki Ika:
"He's an issue. He should be playing on Sundays right now. We definitely have to know where he is at on the field because when he come off the ball and goes straight back in our direction, whoever is in front of him is going that direction. We have to be smart with how we handle him. He's a good player."
On Trace Ford:
"Trace has been great. I am thrilled for him. He was very hesitant a year ago and somewhat hesitant six months ago and then even a small amount hesitant even a month ago. He's gotten better every day in practice and you guys can see in it games, he is starting to look like himself. His attitude has been fantastic; his work ethic has been fantastic. As I mentioned from the last game we asked him to block a punt and put him there because we felt like he's perfect for that role and he took it upon himself to practice hard and was able to do it in the game. We benefit in a big way from those types of leaders and the personality that he brings to the defense. Those are things that you can't replace and things you can't fast forward, which is his experience."
On the parity of the Big 12:
I think the parity in this league is maybe more than ever. I've said this for a number of years that you might have a team win this league that has two or three losses. I haven't studied the other games, I just see the scores, but there's quality in this league and the competitive nature of playing road games, which are difficult, you are seeing a lot of teams that are maybe just about the same."
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