Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Gundy, Cowboys Discuss 2023 Finale in Houston
December 14, 2023 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Head coach Mike Gundy and several players met with the media Thursday in Stillwater to discuss Oklahoma State's matchup with Texas A&M in the TaxAct Texas Bowl. Here are some of their comments:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the team's postseason practices thus far:
"Their attitudes have been great, practices have been good. We'll be two days on, one day off, two days on, two days off, two days on and one day off. Then, we'll head to Houston. I'm sure they appreciate (the days off), they haven't said much about it. But their enthusiasm and all that has been really good, and they've practiced really well."
On younger players getting extra experience:
"We have a lot of young players, specifically in the secondary, that have done a lot of work, valuable experience. We're getting in a lot of work right now, we're treating this as a spring practice and putting in a game plan. So, a lot of those young guys are getting really quality work."
On Ollie Gordon II's abundance of national awards:
"It's been really good. He's very deserving and I'm proud for our organization and Ollie, and obviously the offense, and the guys that helped him get to that point. Not very many guys are Doak Walker (Award) winners, one a year. (It's) a pretty cool deal. I was proud of him."
On the offensive line heading into next season:
"We'll have a lot of continuity with that group. There's a lot of snaps, a lot of experience, and that can be a huge impact. I haven't really looked at the numbers, but the large majority of our team is coming back."
Running Back Ollie Gordon II
On winning the Doak Walker Award:
"It was a really great moment, especially for the team and the program. It's the first one for Oklahoma State, I feel like it meant a lot for the team. My line got me there. Without them, I wouldn't even be in the conversation. I really appreciate them. They're the reason that we got there that night and the reason we won it."
On benefits of the extended preparation time:
"We have more time than we usually do to prepare for a game. Right now, our schedule is more like our spring schedule, so I feel like it's helping us rejuvenate our bodies and get back to what we were toward the beginning of the season. Everybody can be healthy, everybody can go out firing on all cylinders. Looking at it from that perspective, it's really good."
On running back coach John Wozniak:
"He means a lot. Ever since I stepped on campus, he's always taught me something. It's never a dull moment with coach Woz. He's a great coach, great guy, just a great person in general. He's a guy you want to be around. I really appreciate coach Woz for bringing me up to this point where I'm at now."
Quarterback Alan Bowman
On the 2023 season:
"This is the most fun I've had playing football in my entire life. Obviously, it kind of had ups and downs. We've had some tough losses and some huge wins, but this is the most fun I've ever had. I love this place and this team."
On what he sees from A&M:
"They were the No. 1 defense in the SEC, top-five defense in the country this year… They have a lot of really, really good players, a lot of good talent, a good scheme. So, I think they're going to be really good. They're going to be hard to beat."
On importance of the bowl game:
"I think it kind of capitalizes on the season. I think 10 wins sounds really nice. Beat our rival in OU, played in the Big 12 championship game and then kind of one or two games you go either way, we're talking College Football Playoff… The bowl game is huge. You want to go out as champions, you want to cap the season off with a win."
Linebacker Collin Oliver
On the team's mindset entering the bowl game:
"How you attack the week is how your team views the bowl game. If you just prepare like it's another game, going out there with guys having fun, it's going to be a real good thing for you and your team… It's going to be a good crowd, good stadium. The atmosphere is built up well, it's really going to be a good time."
On spending the extra time with the team:
"It's been real cool so far. Guys have been practicing real well and everybody's on board with what the plan is and we're going to go out there and execute it. So, it's been real fun."
Linebacker Nickolas Martin
On returning to the field after the long break:
"It's going to be crazy intensity. It's going to be like three weeks at that point (since we last played a game), so everybody's going to be ready to get after it. Ready to finish the season strong, everybody's looking forward to it."
On bouncing back from the Big 12 Championship:
"We definitely want to continue to get better. You don't just want to change up completely what you're doing, never want to allow one game to affect your whole defense, the whole team. I think everybody is really just locked in, making sure that we don't allow this game to affect us, just like bouncing back from that UCF game in the season. We came back and really just got back on track, and I think that's just what we got to do and I think that's what we are doing."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the team's postseason practices thus far:
"Their attitudes have been great, practices have been good. We'll be two days on, one day off, two days on, two days off, two days on and one day off. Then, we'll head to Houston. I'm sure they appreciate (the days off), they haven't said much about it. But their enthusiasm and all that has been really good, and they've practiced really well."
On younger players getting extra experience:
"We have a lot of young players, specifically in the secondary, that have done a lot of work, valuable experience. We're getting in a lot of work right now, we're treating this as a spring practice and putting in a game plan. So, a lot of those young guys are getting really quality work."
On Ollie Gordon II's abundance of national awards:
"It's been really good. He's very deserving and I'm proud for our organization and Ollie, and obviously the offense, and the guys that helped him get to that point. Not very many guys are Doak Walker (Award) winners, one a year. (It's) a pretty cool deal. I was proud of him."
On the offensive line heading into next season:
"We'll have a lot of continuity with that group. There's a lot of snaps, a lot of experience, and that can be a huge impact. I haven't really looked at the numbers, but the large majority of our team is coming back."
Running Back Ollie Gordon II
On winning the Doak Walker Award:
"It was a really great moment, especially for the team and the program. It's the first one for Oklahoma State, I feel like it meant a lot for the team. My line got me there. Without them, I wouldn't even be in the conversation. I really appreciate them. They're the reason that we got there that night and the reason we won it."
On benefits of the extended preparation time:
"We have more time than we usually do to prepare for a game. Right now, our schedule is more like our spring schedule, so I feel like it's helping us rejuvenate our bodies and get back to what we were toward the beginning of the season. Everybody can be healthy, everybody can go out firing on all cylinders. Looking at it from that perspective, it's really good."
On running back coach John Wozniak:
"He means a lot. Ever since I stepped on campus, he's always taught me something. It's never a dull moment with coach Woz. He's a great coach, great guy, just a great person in general. He's a guy you want to be around. I really appreciate coach Woz for bringing me up to this point where I'm at now."
Quarterback Alan Bowman
On the 2023 season:
"This is the most fun I've had playing football in my entire life. Obviously, it kind of had ups and downs. We've had some tough losses and some huge wins, but this is the most fun I've ever had. I love this place and this team."
On what he sees from A&M:
"They were the No. 1 defense in the SEC, top-five defense in the country this year… They have a lot of really, really good players, a lot of good talent, a good scheme. So, I think they're going to be really good. They're going to be hard to beat."
On importance of the bowl game:
"I think it kind of capitalizes on the season. I think 10 wins sounds really nice. Beat our rival in OU, played in the Big 12 championship game and then kind of one or two games you go either way, we're talking College Football Playoff… The bowl game is huge. You want to go out as champions, you want to cap the season off with a win."
Linebacker Collin Oliver
On the team's mindset entering the bowl game:
"How you attack the week is how your team views the bowl game. If you just prepare like it's another game, going out there with guys having fun, it's going to be a real good thing for you and your team… It's going to be a good crowd, good stadium. The atmosphere is built up well, it's really going to be a good time."
On spending the extra time with the team:
"It's been real cool so far. Guys have been practicing real well and everybody's on board with what the plan is and we're going to go out there and execute it. So, it's been real fun."
Linebacker Nickolas Martin
On returning to the field after the long break:
"It's going to be crazy intensity. It's going to be like three weeks at that point (since we last played a game), so everybody's going to be ready to get after it. Ready to finish the season strong, everybody's looking forward to it."
On bouncing back from the Big 12 Championship:
"We definitely want to continue to get better. You don't just want to change up completely what you're doing, never want to allow one game to affect your whole defense, the whole team. I think everybody is really just locked in, making sure that we don't allow this game to affect us, just like bouncing back from that UCF game in the season. We came back and really just got back on track, and I think that's just what we got to do and I think that's what we are doing."
Players Mentioned
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RB
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