Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Talk Central Michigan, Preparation for Arizona State
September 06, 2022 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State football team defeated Central Michigan, 58-44, in its season opener in Boone Pickens Stadium on Thursday night. Select Cowboys met with the media following practice on Tuesday to discuss the first game of the season and preparations for Arizona State on Saturday. Here is some of what they had to say:
Defensive Tackle Brendon Evers
On Central Michigan and making improvements:
"Everybody understands that we need to finish better. In the second half, they didn't give Central Michigan a lot of credit. They're a team who, in my opinion, is probably going to win their conference and compete in a bowl game this year. They're very talented. That running back over there is really good. The quarterback was a lot better than we gave him credit for. But I think, just like last year, people in the media probably gave us a worse route about how we came out last year. This team is resilient. Coach Gundy's trying to let us waiver in what's made us great here, so I've got no worries. Today's practice was a good indication of that."
On Arizona State:
"This opponent we have coming up is very similar, you know. Very talented quarterback who can make the throws and can run around. The running back's a good, physical guy. The offensive line is well coached. It's just like last week. We can't take this opponent lightly from the jump."
On Coach Mason and studying film:
"He understands that we have some things to work on. We came in the film room, and everybody was attentive, early, and ready to learn and see the mistakes we made. It seems to be a lot of those mistakes were fixed today, and we'll build on it tomorrow."
On remaining calm to start the season:
"Y'all can see there's not a worried look on this team. We just have to understand that we didn't play to our full standard for a full 60 minutes, which will be better this week."
Safety Sean Michael Flanagan
On stepping into a bigger role:
"I feel ready to give that (effort). I've been here for five years, so I've gotten to watch great leaders… gotten to watch all those guys and learn how to be a decent leader. I'm ready to take on that role."
On Arizona State:
"I see their high power. They run a lot of pro-style stuff. I mean, they're good. Central Michigan was a good team. We just got to up our communication, get our checks and get aligned. We'll be alright."
On the importance of tackling against Arizona State:
"(Their) quarterback is a great athlete. We'll have to make sure to get him down. Their running backs are great. We'll have to make sure that tackling is a premium."
John Paul Richardson
On his offseason:
"We just worked hard with Coach (Rob) Glass. We all just put our heads down and grinded. I wasn't really too worried about myself, I was just worried about trying to get better as a team so whenever my name is called, I'm ready to make that play."
On what he's gained from last year:
"I've definitely gained a lot and I think experience is important at this level. Being able to get that last year was big just from a comfort standpoint and just knowing what I'm doing now and getting the feel. Being out there with my team is a good feeling and hopefully we can keep winning games. We're just taking this one day at a time."
On the game against Central Michigan:
"It felt great to go against someone who's not wearing orange. Being out there with your guys for the first game of the year and having a crowd like that at Boone Pickens, there's nothing better than that. It was a great feeling, great atmosphere, and I'm happy we got the win."
Wide Receiver Bryson Green
On why he came to OSU:
"It's a great atmosphere for gamedays at Boone Pickens, great people, and just a great connection overall. My senior year, I loved it, and when I took a visit here, I just fell in love with it."
On the four-wide formation:
"It's a receiver's dream with you have a great offensive line that can block for you and a great quarterback that can get the ball to you. I've never met a wide receiver who doesn't like having four wide receivers on the field at all times."
On the offensive line:
"You can't operate without them. They gave us a great opportunity in the last game to just throw the ball and things like that. I'm just blessed, and I thanked them after the game, gave them a big hug during and after the game."
On the advantages of having great wide receivers:
"When you have so many weapons like John Paul Richardson and Brennan Presley, it's hard to guard all of them. Then when you have an offensive line that can block, life is good, and I can't complain."
Defensive Tackle Brendon Evers
On Central Michigan and making improvements:
"Everybody understands that we need to finish better. In the second half, they didn't give Central Michigan a lot of credit. They're a team who, in my opinion, is probably going to win their conference and compete in a bowl game this year. They're very talented. That running back over there is really good. The quarterback was a lot better than we gave him credit for. But I think, just like last year, people in the media probably gave us a worse route about how we came out last year. This team is resilient. Coach Gundy's trying to let us waiver in what's made us great here, so I've got no worries. Today's practice was a good indication of that."
On Arizona State:
"This opponent we have coming up is very similar, you know. Very talented quarterback who can make the throws and can run around. The running back's a good, physical guy. The offensive line is well coached. It's just like last week. We can't take this opponent lightly from the jump."
On Coach Mason and studying film:
"He understands that we have some things to work on. We came in the film room, and everybody was attentive, early, and ready to learn and see the mistakes we made. It seems to be a lot of those mistakes were fixed today, and we'll build on it tomorrow."
On remaining calm to start the season:
"Y'all can see there's not a worried look on this team. We just have to understand that we didn't play to our full standard for a full 60 minutes, which will be better this week."
Safety Sean Michael Flanagan
On stepping into a bigger role:
"I feel ready to give that (effort). I've been here for five years, so I've gotten to watch great leaders… gotten to watch all those guys and learn how to be a decent leader. I'm ready to take on that role."
On Arizona State:
"I see their high power. They run a lot of pro-style stuff. I mean, they're good. Central Michigan was a good team. We just got to up our communication, get our checks and get aligned. We'll be alright."
On the importance of tackling against Arizona State:
"(Their) quarterback is a great athlete. We'll have to make sure to get him down. Their running backs are great. We'll have to make sure that tackling is a premium."
John Paul Richardson
On his offseason:
"We just worked hard with Coach (Rob) Glass. We all just put our heads down and grinded. I wasn't really too worried about myself, I was just worried about trying to get better as a team so whenever my name is called, I'm ready to make that play."
On what he's gained from last year:
"I've definitely gained a lot and I think experience is important at this level. Being able to get that last year was big just from a comfort standpoint and just knowing what I'm doing now and getting the feel. Being out there with my team is a good feeling and hopefully we can keep winning games. We're just taking this one day at a time."
On the game against Central Michigan:
"It felt great to go against someone who's not wearing orange. Being out there with your guys for the first game of the year and having a crowd like that at Boone Pickens, there's nothing better than that. It was a great feeling, great atmosphere, and I'm happy we got the win."
Wide Receiver Bryson Green
On why he came to OSU:
"It's a great atmosphere for gamedays at Boone Pickens, great people, and just a great connection overall. My senior year, I loved it, and when I took a visit here, I just fell in love with it."
On the four-wide formation:
"It's a receiver's dream with you have a great offensive line that can block for you and a great quarterback that can get the ball to you. I've never met a wide receiver who doesn't like having four wide receivers on the field at all times."
On the offensive line:
"You can't operate without them. They gave us a great opportunity in the last game to just throw the ball and things like that. I'm just blessed, and I thanked them after the game, gave them a big hug during and after the game."
On the advantages of having great wide receivers:
"When you have so many weapons like John Paul Richardson and Brennan Presley, it's hard to guard all of them. Then when you have an offensive line that can block, life is good, and I can't complain."
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Cowboy Football
S
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy FootballTuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
