Kansas State Quotes on Oklahoma

Kansas State Head Coach Bill Snyder
On how this year's Oklahoma team compares to last...
"I think they are every bit as good, and in many cases better than they were a year ago or at the end of the season. I think Adrian Peterson is really a tremendous dimension for their football team. It's not that their other running backs are not adept. I think there running game has been enhanced a great deal by Adrian, but also by the maturity of their offensive line. I think they have grown and it's the same people from last year and a year of experience has certainly benefited them as well. They still have the same receivers and the same quarterback, so their ability to throw the ball is enhanced even more, because they have become even more adept at the running game. I think they've gotten better."

Sooner Gameday Central: Kansas State | OU Quotes | Game Notes

On Jason White not being relied on as much...
"I think Oklahoma has it in the right perspective and I think he does to. I think he is that kind of a young guy who says, 'whatever I can do to help our football team win.' There have been times when they have had to rely on him to do it, and he's done it. That's not necessarily the case right now. They've got a lot of ammunition so to speak, so they can do a lot of different things and he doesn't have to carry the burden of it. He's very willing to distribute the ball and play his role. His role can be dominant when it has to be and very sharing when it has to be."

On Dylan Meier's durability...
"You just prepare yourself the best you can and you just go play the game. Whatever happens, happens. He's a just another football player. They're all vulnerable to a certain degree. If you play the game, there are some vulnerabilities that exist. I think he is a tough enough youngster. It's just the risk you take."

On comparing Dylan Meier's injuries to that of past quarterbacks ...
"I don't think it is my place to make that kind of comparison. The bottom line to this is that I thought Dylan took a major step Saturday just in terms of his growing up to a certain degree. It's not that he's not a grown up and mature young guy, but I think he just took another step forward in regards to his approach to the game, attitude towards it and his toughness. I saw that happen before my eyes and I appreciate that a great deal and he understands that. As far as comparing his injury issues with (Michael) Bishop, (Ell) Roberson or whoever, I don't know. You probably have to be there and feel the pain that goes along with it to really know."

On if he was surprised when Dylan said he couldn't go...
"I don't know if surprised is the right word. I appreciate his honesty. He wouldn't want to do anything to hurt the football team and he is a very honest and open young guy. I have great faith and trust in him, so he's going to tell me what he believes, and he did."

On if there has been a hangover from the Kansas game...
"I think every individual is a little bit different. I think you put yourself in position where you've had major disappointments in life and there is a process that everyone goes through and some go through the process a little faster than others. My perception of being around our football team yesterday was that they were entering into the anger stage perhaps. The time has come to take a stand. My perception of the way they responded is that it is not a football team that is made up of a group of guys that will give in. They will fight back. There is some determination there. That is the indication I was given from watching our football team and listening to our football team."

On Darren Sproles being alright in relinquishing his duties as punt returner...
"Yes he is. Not only is he okay with it, I think he is relieved. If that is the case, then I think it is worth taking him off."

On teams stopping Darren Sproles...
"I think it's a combination of things. I think the University of Kansas played extremely well against Darren and played well against the run. I think people have been able to not put themselves at risk, particularly in the secondary. Teams have put defensive players in position to where you're not going to crease them and get the 75-yard breakout runs because they've got people in place to do that. I think we have not been as effective in doing what we need to do to protect Darren and block well for him, so it's a mixed bag."

Kansas State FB Victor Mann
On trying to break the losing streak...
“Coming off two tough losses, the main thing right now is to get a win. We are doing whatever we can right now, practicing hard, putting in the time that we need, and just trying to get focused on making things right. We are trying to get to the point where we can take over a game when we get a couple of turnovers to go our way. We also need to stop turning the ball over and beating ourselves."

On the pressure of being a team captain ...
“I feel a lot of pressure because sometimes you need that leadership to step up and get some guys going and try to get some things to happen that need to happen for us to get some wins. We are coming off two tough losses, but that is over with. We are looking towards Oklahoma, and that is where our preparation is today."

On playing Oklahoma...
"We feel like we can be on the same field with any team. They put pads on just like we put pads on. We having nothing to lose playing against Oklahoma. It's just like going out against anyone, you are playing to win."

Kansas State PK Joe Rheem
On this being the most confident he has been in college...
"I'd probably say so. I can't complain because most of my field goals are going down the middle. That gives me the confidence going out there every time."

On having confidence as a kicker...
"It's a big deal because when you go out there, as long has you're hitting the ball well, you go out there and have the confidence. If you make one in a game, your confidence really starts to go up."

On playing against Texas A&M...
"It's depends on the particular day, but I feel pretty confortable from about 55 (yards) without wind. With a breeze, I could probably move back to about 60 (yards)."

Kansas State C Mike Johnson
On what has been missing this year...
"It's hard to say. Sometimes I think our timing is a little off. The speed of the offensive line is a little off. Our explosiveness isn't the same as it was last year. It could be a number of things. Things just aren't quite clicking the way they used to be. The execution just isn't quite right."

On what's missing from this year's team...
"There are a variety of things, but I think one is experience. Also, we probably don't have quite the leadership that we need."

On controlling the penalties...
"We try to control the penalties every week. It's really just a discipline thing, everyone has to be disciplined in practice. That's how penalties occur, just lack of discipline."

Kansas State QB Dylan Meier
On giving out information on his injuries...
“Injuries are going to happen. I knew that coming in. Unfortunately, the ball hasn't bounced my way physically. I know I have to play through pain, and I've been through that up to this moment. I'm trying to get my body back, and it feels good right now. All we can do is go from here."

On how he feels this week...
“My body feels ten times better than what it did last week. It was a tough week on me, both physically and mentally. I was awful confused at times, both physically and mentally. At this moment I feel ten times better and ten times more confident."

On the passing game...
"I think the adrenaline took over. In the second half we came back around, and I could see the fire in the offense. It came around and we definitely started to move the ball and we started having more confidence as an offense."

On the decision of not starting the game...
"It all unfolded so quickly and when I decided I couldn't go, that was the decision that was made. Like I said, this is a learning process, and you live and learn. Sometimes the mind can be a powerful thing. I learned that, and I'm ready to go out there and do it again."

Kansas State RB Darren Sproles
On the mood during Monday's team meetings...
"We are still mad after Saturday's loss. Everyone was still mad."

On playing Oklahoma after a loss...
"I think this is going to make everyone work harder, just because we are playing a great team."

On Oklahoma...
"They are really still the same team. They are still playing the same people. They are only missing like three people off their defense."

On the move for him not to return punts...
"Coach made that decision. It relieves me of some of the stress. It feels a little better to have that off my back."

Kansas State DE Scott Edmonds
On Oklahoma's offense compared to last year...
"It's just a different attack. Last year it was aerial, this year it's on the ground."

On playing Oklahoma at home...
"I don't know if anything is easy going against Oklahoma. Even if we neutralize Jason White and get to Adrian Peterson, they still have so many other weapons. We just have to focus on getting three-and-outs and getting turnovers."

On Jason White...
"We know Jason (White) has two bad knees and we are going to try to rattle him a little bit. We are going to try to get into his head and get some pressure on him."

- Quotes courtesy KSU Athletics Media Relations

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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