Oklahoma State Cowboys College Football Pregame Quote, 09/30/2019

We were physical up front on defense [against Kansas State]. Offensively, we blocked considerably better in the second half. Some of the young guys we had playing started to get a feel of the game. Chuba Hubbard played good. We’re onto a new group this week, obviously, a completely new style of play. They’re very fast-paced spread attack for our defense, so we have to make adjustments as we move forward. Looking forward to a good week of practice then head out and get an early start on Saturday morning.

On the evolution of defensive schemes in the Big 12:

The Big 12 has led the way offensively, it started about 10 years ago. Defenses have recovered and are finding some answers to the offenses of the Big 12. They revolutionized the drop back three-man front that we’ve played years ago. It’s no different than the defense when I was playing. They just took the two ends out, who used to be big guys, and put in small guys, because everyone is playing wide receivers. Defense coordinators are fighting back and that’s what you are seeing now.

On the usage of three-man-down defenses:

There is a misconception on three-man-down and four-man-down defense; that three-down can’t stop the run. But the three-down defenses we are seeing is based to stop the run. We’ve two guys playing inside the tackles, a nose guard and two inside backer. So you have five guys for four gaps, so it’s really to stop the run. Then your leverage players are based on run-pass; it’s a chess game out there. It’s not necessarily that three-down defenses are to stop the pass; it’s three-down to stop the inside run and then one extra player who can cheat in cover, then become an eraser and rush the quarterback a little bit.

On Hubbard being the best non-quarterback in the Heishman race:

Sure, I think it’s possible. I think it’s comparable to numbers from the past; that’s all we have to go on. I don’t really have any idea, but I’m going to say they’re going to compare Hubbard to the last running back that won the Heisman.

On if Hubbard is the type of running back that would be able to win the Heisman:

He has been up to this point. It’s like a horse race. It may be only halfway through, but people stand up and yell: ‘Stop the race. Stop the race right now and I’ll win.’ It’s the same thing if you stop the race right now, he’s in good shape, but we’ve got a long way to go. He’s got to continue to work hard and stay humble, which hasn’t been an issue up to this point.

On the 2015-16 season’s rushing game compared to this season’s:

I just wanted four yards per carry and 100 yards as a team. I love to rush the football; some of my quarterback buddies give me a hard time about it. I enjoy rushing the football and pounding teams; I really like that part of the game. So, it’s enjoyable for me to watch the progress we’ve made over the last couple of years.

On Texas Tech’s rush defense:

So much of their defensive play early in this season has been based on who they’ve played. We need about another month for all of us to decide who’s good at stopping the run or who’s good at executing certain things. Some of it could be based on teams they’ve played up to this point, but their run defense has been very good.

On defensive tackle Israel Antwine:

He gets a little better each game. He makes plays. He’s getting into playing shape. He sat out for nearly a year, 11 months to be exact, so he’s coming around a little bit. I’m sure glad he’s on our team. His development in the strength and conditioning facility with Rob Glass will really help him. I’m not sure that he got what he needed over the last year compared to what he is here now.

On the defensive line:

A little different in that we’ve had depth. Tyler Lacy has been out a little bit, but we just don’t have any experience other than Cam Murray, no one had ever played. They’re coming along. I don’t know that we’re getting the results from them that would be a surprise, like the linebacker position. They’re getting better, it’s just that there is no fast forward button for experience. Our concern now is their mental capacity in a college football season. If they can stay strong mentally and not get fatigued: that’s always the issue we always run into with immature players and players who don’t have experience. So far, they’re holding up to this point.

On targeting wide receiver Tylan Wallace:

It’s extremely difficult; it becomes a numbers game. If they want to play three over two on top of him, it’s hard to get the ball out there. Particularly, with a young quarterback trying to force the issue, it wouldn’t be smart football.