Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Gundy, Cowboys Preview Non-conference Finale with South Alabama
September 11, 2023 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Mike Gundy and several players met with the media Monday in Stillwater to look back at the Cowboys' road win in Tempe and preview the non-conference finale against South Alabama. Here are some of their comments:
Head coach Mike Gundy
On quarterback play against Arizona State:
"They all played pretty good, they graded out at almost 88% mentally, as a group. I didn't put all those stats together, but we just got to stay the course. Those are good grades, last week they graded close to 90%, which is a really high grade for a quarterback."
On players possibly gravitating towards one quarterback more than the others:
"I watched them in practice, I watch them in the game, I watch them in the hotel and I watch them in the meals. I just had a discussion with someone else about it, I don't see (the team) partial to anybody. I think they like them all… I watch their interactions among each other and I watch their relationship with their coaches and all those guys, and they're goofing around, showing each other their phones and they're laughing and all that. I try to keep a pretty good barometer on that, and I think they're fine."
On the run game's surge in the second half vs. ASU:
"We're making a few changes and blocking better, which helps a lot, and (the running backs) are fresh. We don't have a guy running in the fourth quarter that's already got 15 carries – in 100-degree weather… So, part of where we're at is if the team will continue to buy into being unselfish... that's a plus also."
On the improvement of the offensive line:
"We made some adjustments and our physicality was better, and we were a little better. We're a little better now than we were last year, but we still need to continue to get better. We need to be around that 4.0 to 4.5 per carry so we it allows us to be balanced on offense."
On the week three opponent, South Alabama:
"This is the most physical team we've played. This is the best team we've played up to this point. They're physical, they've done a nice job. They're a very aggressive defense. They want to hit you in the mouth. Their linebackers are aggressive. They have undersized defensive lineman, in somebody's opinion. They've got some 6'1, 6'2, 300-pound guys that are explosive and powerful. They play hard, they run to the ball, they tackle. This is the most physical team we've played."
Running Back Jaden Nixon
On the differences in running backs:
"I feel like Ollie (Gordon II) has a power side to him as well. He's also agile and elusive as well. Just like Elijah (Collins), he brings a little bit more speed, and, you know, he also brings power as you've seen him just running through tackles. Same with Ollie as well. I feel like I bring a speed and elusive side to it. I can get a little agile now and then. We all have our different uniqueness but at the same time they all work together and counterbalance each other."
On staying fresh with multiple running backs:
"I feel like we are. You've got one guy, he goes through his plays, he's tired. You get a new guy who's fresh in. Versus the defense is like 'dang, we got to stay in for a couple more plays'... Continually bringing in guys who are fresh and everything versus guys that have been out there. If I'm out there for an extended amount of plays and I'm just getting tired, it's going to be hard for me just to run the ball and keep going. With guys being fresh and everything and defenses staying on the field, even if they do rotate, we just get them with a quick turbo it's going to be hard for them to keep up like that."
Fullback Braden Cassity
On transitioning from Cowboy Back to fullback:
"It's going great. Definitely different. I feel like some of our run game has improved from that (change), and everyone in the room has been killing it. We got guys all over different spots. It is what it is, it's going good. So, 2-0, you can't ask for more than that."
On continuing to improve the run game:
"Just get back to the fundamentals and just do what we've been practicing to do for months. It's nothing too serious. We just have to dive into the film, reps and practice all that kind of stuff."
Cornerback D.J. McKinney
On preparing for each week:
"I'm just watching film every day. Making sure I practice like a pro. Making sure I just take everything in and then just leave it all on the field."
On seeing the benefits of redshirting:
"I learned really early as soon as I got here that it's a lot of stuff that goes into the process of being on the field. I just took that into my mindset. You know, make sure when I was not playing make sure I gave a good look to our offense on the scout team and everything. So, when my time was ready to come I was prepared."
Linebacker Xavier Benson
On the momentum change against Arizona State:
"I feel like the Arizona State game showed how much we can play off of each other. None of us are doing it by ourselves because we know it's us against them, our home field or when we go away. It's more just how much more we respond and how much adversity and challenges that we can overcome. I feel like we can overcome all of them because we have everybody in the right situations and right positions."
On being emotional after the ASU win:
"I'm never satisfied really. I want it to be perfect. I'm a perfectionist, I can't help it. It's not disappointment, it's just me being me. My heart is in it… Even if it's really good I still want it to be perfect. That's just how I'm wired. I'm always happy about a win but I'm always wondering about is there anything else we could've done better."
Head coach Mike Gundy
On quarterback play against Arizona State:
"They all played pretty good, they graded out at almost 88% mentally, as a group. I didn't put all those stats together, but we just got to stay the course. Those are good grades, last week they graded close to 90%, which is a really high grade for a quarterback."
On players possibly gravitating towards one quarterback more than the others:
"I watched them in practice, I watch them in the game, I watch them in the hotel and I watch them in the meals. I just had a discussion with someone else about it, I don't see (the team) partial to anybody. I think they like them all… I watch their interactions among each other and I watch their relationship with their coaches and all those guys, and they're goofing around, showing each other their phones and they're laughing and all that. I try to keep a pretty good barometer on that, and I think they're fine."
On the run game's surge in the second half vs. ASU:
"We're making a few changes and blocking better, which helps a lot, and (the running backs) are fresh. We don't have a guy running in the fourth quarter that's already got 15 carries – in 100-degree weather… So, part of where we're at is if the team will continue to buy into being unselfish... that's a plus also."
On the improvement of the offensive line:
"We made some adjustments and our physicality was better, and we were a little better. We're a little better now than we were last year, but we still need to continue to get better. We need to be around that 4.0 to 4.5 per carry so we it allows us to be balanced on offense."
On the week three opponent, South Alabama:
"This is the most physical team we've played. This is the best team we've played up to this point. They're physical, they've done a nice job. They're a very aggressive defense. They want to hit you in the mouth. Their linebackers are aggressive. They have undersized defensive lineman, in somebody's opinion. They've got some 6'1, 6'2, 300-pound guys that are explosive and powerful. They play hard, they run to the ball, they tackle. This is the most physical team we've played."
Running Back Jaden Nixon
On the differences in running backs:
"I feel like Ollie (Gordon II) has a power side to him as well. He's also agile and elusive as well. Just like Elijah (Collins), he brings a little bit more speed, and, you know, he also brings power as you've seen him just running through tackles. Same with Ollie as well. I feel like I bring a speed and elusive side to it. I can get a little agile now and then. We all have our different uniqueness but at the same time they all work together and counterbalance each other."
On staying fresh with multiple running backs:
"I feel like we are. You've got one guy, he goes through his plays, he's tired. You get a new guy who's fresh in. Versus the defense is like 'dang, we got to stay in for a couple more plays'... Continually bringing in guys who are fresh and everything versus guys that have been out there. If I'm out there for an extended amount of plays and I'm just getting tired, it's going to be hard for me just to run the ball and keep going. With guys being fresh and everything and defenses staying on the field, even if they do rotate, we just get them with a quick turbo it's going to be hard for them to keep up like that."
Fullback Braden Cassity
On transitioning from Cowboy Back to fullback:
"It's going great. Definitely different. I feel like some of our run game has improved from that (change), and everyone in the room has been killing it. We got guys all over different spots. It is what it is, it's going good. So, 2-0, you can't ask for more than that."
On continuing to improve the run game:
"Just get back to the fundamentals and just do what we've been practicing to do for months. It's nothing too serious. We just have to dive into the film, reps and practice all that kind of stuff."
Cornerback D.J. McKinney
On preparing for each week:
"I'm just watching film every day. Making sure I practice like a pro. Making sure I just take everything in and then just leave it all on the field."
On seeing the benefits of redshirting:
"I learned really early as soon as I got here that it's a lot of stuff that goes into the process of being on the field. I just took that into my mindset. You know, make sure when I was not playing make sure I gave a good look to our offense on the scout team and everything. So, when my time was ready to come I was prepared."
Linebacker Xavier Benson
On the momentum change against Arizona State:
"I feel like the Arizona State game showed how much we can play off of each other. None of us are doing it by ourselves because we know it's us against them, our home field or when we go away. It's more just how much more we respond and how much adversity and challenges that we can overcome. I feel like we can overcome all of them because we have everybody in the right situations and right positions."
On being emotional after the ASU win:
"I'm never satisfied really. I want it to be perfect. I'm a perfectionist, I can't help it. It's not disappointment, it's just me being me. My heart is in it… Even if it's really good I still want it to be perfect. That's just how I'm wired. I'm always happy about a win but I'm always wondering about is there anything else we could've done better."
Players Mentioned
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RB
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