Postgame Quotes

Sept. 29, 2001

Final Stats

Oklahoma 38, Kansas State 37
Sept. 29, 2001 - Norman, Okla.

OKLAHOMA HEAD COACH BOB STOOPS

"We're very fortunate to have this win. I'm really proud of our team because they made the plays that got us victory."

On Kansas State:
"Kansas State is very tough team and they showed it today. We weren't playing the Little Sisters of the Poor. We knew we weren't going to be spoiled every week by having easy games. Without these close games with good teams, it wouldn't be much fun anyway."

On KSU's offense:
"We understand their ability to pass the ball and it killed us. They executed several big-time plays in their passing offense and it was obvious to me that we didn't prepare for that part of their game. Their veer option caught us off guard as well."

On junior Nate Hybl's performane:
"Nate, at times, looked awesome. I was particularly impressed with his precision and poise down the stretch. He led the offense that punched out enough yards to get that decisive field goal."

On true freshmen Vince Carter and Tommie Harris:
"Vince Carter was excellent at center as we had no problems with the exchange whatsoever. Tommie Harris is just a tremendous player who's only getting better. What's even more exciting about these two is the fact that they're only true freshmen and are doing these types of things already."

OKLAHOMA LINEBACKER ROCKY CALMUS

"I'm just exhausted. I usually don't cramp up but I was feeling it today. It was a long game for everyone and it was definitely a good win for us."

On the strategy at the end of the game
"They're always dangerous on special teams. Will Peoples made a great play the previous time we punted, but we didn't want to have to kick to them if we didn't have to."

On Kansas State
"We had two weeks to prepare and we worked hard on K-State. They switched some things up and tried some new things. We underestimated Ell Roberson's arm a little bit. We just gave up a lot of big plays and had too many mental mistakes on defense."

"You have to give Kansas State and their coaching staff a lot of credit. They kept us off balance and played great football today."

On not being awarded a safety in the first half: "I think I got him in the end zone. Maybe he reached across, I don't know. I thought I got him."

OKLAHOMA TIGHT END TRENT SMITH

"Coach (Jonathan) Hayes has a lot wisdom from playing in the NFL for so long. He always says, 'it's not how you start, it's how you finish.' I wasn't able to get anything going early on but I kept on working. As Coach Mangino says, 'I kept chopping wood' and things opened up for me."

On outjumping defensive backs to make catches:
"Nate (Hybl) and I talked about it a little. He said he couldn't even see me on some of those plays. He just threw them up and we sort of played basketball on them. I used my height and we ended up making plays. They have great players so I figured I'd take whatever I could get. It was nice to make those catches on the last drive."

On Kansas State:
"Most teams would fold after being down by two touchdowns at Oklahoma. But K-State didn't go away, they kept fighting and my hat's off to them."

"They've had success against us on special teams, with blocking kicks and getting returns for touchdowns. I think we dominated the special teams area today and it was just a great team effort."

OKLAHOMA WIDE RECEIVER ANTWONE SAVAGE

"I've been working real hard on beating my man. I got the chance a couple times and made plays."

On returning kicks:
"I'm always anxious to get my hands on the ball. I want to make things happen when I'm back there and maybe even score."

On being called out-of-bounds on what would have been a touchdown: "I don't think I ever went out of bounds. The corner bumped me but I thought I was still in. Whatever it was, it wasn't intentional."

KANSAS STATE COACH BILL SNYDER

On the outcome:
"You're never happy if you lose. We made a lot of mistakes and had a substantial number of penalties. We gave up a touchdown on a turnover and a touchdown on a fake punt. Those were major factors in the ball game."

On his team:
"I think they have a chance of being a very, very good football team. We just have to do something about correcting some mistakes and we have to get better. As I said all along, I think we're going to be a better and better football team once we get six or seven ball games into the season."

On special teams play:
"We struggled on kickoff returns and on kickoffs. I think we were on the losing end of the battle."

On OU's Nate Hybl:
"Every time he went down he got right back up again, so he has got some of the earmarks of his predecessor. He's a poised young guy and he shows that he has got some toughness. I thought he played well."

On OU's Antwone Savage:
"I think Oklahoma has a number of players who can fit into that role. I think when you have a lot of fine receivers you don't know who it's going to be (in Savage's role). One week it will be one guy and the next week it will be someone else."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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