Stoops and Leach On Game in Lubbock

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Texas Tech's Mike Leach joined the rest of the Big 12 head coaches Monday in the weekly teleconference.

The following is a transcript supplied by the Big 12 Conference.

The Sooners travel to Lubbock to play Tech on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. Fox Sports Net has the regional broadcast. Check Sooner Gameday Central for complete broadcast options, information for fans attending the game in Lubbock and team comparisons.

Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops
"It was good to win another game within our division and to continue to show improvement as we have all year. On offense, Adrian Peterson was really great again with right at 150 yards rushing. It was a solid win against Texas A&M.

"The off week before Texas A&M helped us to get ready for Texas Tech, too. We know we have a big one Saturday and are looking forward to going down to Texas Tech.

"We were aware of how well (Texas A&M QB) Reggie McNeal could run the ball, and there was a point in the game where we had to make some big plays. We healed A&M to a field goal after a fumble and then were able to drive the ball down the field for a touchdown. Then we held the ball at the end of the game.

"Losing centers and everyone else at times this year has been tough on our consistency, and we could have been at a real disadvantage if we lost anyone else Saturday.

"The wind has been tough at many times this year, and we have tried to use the wind at our advantage at times. The key is getting off to a good start - especially on the road - and it figures into your overall strategy. There are a lot of circumstances that have to be right for you to use the wind."

Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach
"It was a close lose at Oklahoma State and a disappointing performance. I didn't find anything particularly confusing by OSU, and they just played harder than we did. OSU used the off week to prepare well and simply played better than we did. The ability to play with an incredible level of intensity each week is something that is hard. We didn't play in any of the three phases of the game.

"Oklahoma State is similar to teams of the past - big and physical - and you could see individual development throughout the year. This was the game where they seemed to play together well. It was not one guy who caused us to lose the game. The problem was that all 70 people on the travel squad and the whole coaching staff didn't have a very good day. There is not a magic potion that caused us to lose that game; we were flat.

"The first thing we have to do before playing Oklahoma is to assess the situation. As coaches, we have to let our team know that we missed an opportunity to win a conference game. We need our team leaders to step up and have a good week of preparation.

"(RB) Taurean Henderson, outside of last Saturday, has meant quite a bit to this team. He has led the Big 12 in all-purpose yards for most of the year and has made a lot of big plays for us down through the years. There is quite a bit of difference in the Oklahoma offense as they run out of tight sets and have placed emphasis on the run game."

Baylor Coach Guy Morriss
"We didn't play very well against Missouri. It was kind of like two different games. We finished fairly strong and moved the ball on offense, but as I told our kids, it was too little and too late. We have been looking back at recent trends, and we have a chance to have the most (overall) wins since Baylor became part of the Big 12 (1996 season). (Defensive coordinator) Bill Bradley came into our program with instant credibility, and he can communicate with anybody. Heck, he can talk to fencepost and make someone feel good. He has been a great fit for this program. We have to be aware of and concerned with bouncing back from a loss. we know they are rolling. We are trying to get our program fixed. It would mean a lot to us to win these last two. It will be Senior Day, and we never have won two conference games in a Big 12 season, so that's some motivation. We want our young kids to help the seniors go out on a good note. Shawn Bell will be our starting quarterback against Oklahoma State. He was really loose and relaxed and hung in there in the pocket and helped us respond. That was a good lift for us. (LB) Colin Allred, (DBs) Willie Andrews and Maurice Lane have stepped forward and been senior leaders for us."

Colorado Coach Gary Barnett
"Just before the game there were about three tornadoes in the area, and we allowed 14 points directly as the result of turnovers at Iowa State. It was probably the worst performance of the year by our offensive line. We moved the ball some, and Mason Crosby hit another 57-yard field goal in very windy conditions. Iowa State's defense met my expectations, and I said going in they had three very outstanding defensive people up front. I don't know whether we overcoached our line, but we need to make some adjustments. We're playing everybody we have in the offensive line, and we are short on numbers in that area. Iowa State definitely has the best defensive team they've had since I've been there. That defense keeps them in the games, and their kicking game was good as well. Before Mason Crosby came to Colorado, we knew we needed a placekicker, and he had lived in Colorado Springs for a while. He had a connection with Colorado, and we knew the first time we saw him kicking off the ground he was the real deal. We have given scholarships to kickers at Northwestern and Colorado in past years. We know we have been playing some longer games, but you would have to ask the fans if they enjoy the longer games and don't want to leave the stadium early if the games go long."

Iowa State Coach Dan McCarney
"I appreciate the Big 12 honoring (DT) Brent Curvey as defensive player of the week. It was a hard and tough win over Colorado with the wind blowing all over the place. We were able to win the turnover battle 3-1. We evaluate the Kansas-Texas game, but Texas has been so dominant this year that we'll look at most of the other Kansas tapes. They (KU) have had a great season, are among the best defensive teams in the country and have not lost in Lawrence this year. We were prepared for a possible game delay due to weather Saturday, but we had no ideas we would have tornadoes in Story County abut game time. We ended up with the wind in the first and third quarters, and Colorado had to pass and punt and kick into the wind. We were able to get off to a good start. Colorado has one of the better run defenses in the country, and we weren't able to run the ball very well against them. We are 4-0 since the Missouri overtime loss, and you can play the what-if game, but we want to go out with five consecutive wins. We sure would have loved to have Stevie Hicks available for those three losses early, and we lost four fumbles going in inside the five-yard line. Also, our kicking game has improved."

Kansas Coach Mark Mangino
"It's pretty simple after reviewing the tape of the Texas game that we were outplayed in every phase of the game. The thing that's most impressive about Texas is that they are very big and fast at every position. They are able to rotate effectively at every position. Vince Young is a great quarterback, and he didn't run very much against us, but he threw the ball extremely well. As for our team, this is a very important game coming up for us against Iowa State (Nov. 26) at home and a very big game for our seniors. Iowa State has some outstanding players and a very active defense, a good running back in Stevie Hicks and a very solid quarterback in Bret Meyer. Their defense has some kids like Brent Curvey and Nick Leaders who are very active and hard-nosed. We are still in the running for a bowl bid after our last regular season game, and, again, this is a very big game for our seniors. I have been around a lot of great teams, especially the national championship team at Oklahoma in 2000, and that was about a tough a team as I have been around in coaching. We have several outstanding young men who are deserving of postseason recognition. I'm a little reluctant to start going down names now and then come back five minutes later and remember that I omitted someone. That will be forthcoming in the awards' voting."

Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder
"It was one of those two-point ball games at Nebraska and leaves you searching for those 2-3 points. That has happened more than we would have liked. I was disappointed with the loss but was proud that our youngsters didn't give in at any point after having to come back from behind; this has been the nature of our season. Missouri is playing very well at this point in time, and there has been much said about the capabilities of (QB) Brad Smith. He can get the ball to many people who can do great things with the ball. They have been very sound defensively and on special teams, too. This is a very significant times for our seniors, and there are 34 out of our 44-46 players in our two-deep. Both those should carry motivation for our team against Missouri Saturday. There are issues, mistakes and concerns that we have control over, and that's what makes these losses frustrating. Penalties have been a major issue for us, and we had over 100 yards against Nebraska. We had three turnovers against Nebraska, but it's not because the young people don't try. It's a matter of young guys not developing and getting maturity to get things done when things are happening so quickly in game situations. That comes with more maturity."

Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel
"You have to look at the close losses that Kansas State has had over the last several weeks, and they have a great football team. We know they'll be prepared to play, and we'll have to see what we can go over there and do. We want to finish the regular season on a high note. It was just a gut feeling on the 4th-and-one call in the fourth quarter against Baylor, and I would have been satisfied with a yard - much less Bred (Smith) going into the end zone. We thought we might go for it if we had a 4th-and-one or 4th-and-two. It worked and it made us look good after we scored. We haven't beaten Kansas State since 1992, and this is a great opportunity for us to go out on good footing. We are trying to be consistent on injury reporting this year, and we plan to do this week as well. Smith and his impact on the Missouri program. He's a true student-athlete and his accomplishments and numbers speak for themselves. I know he wants to finish his career on a winning note. (QB) Chase Daniel has been playing in the first half in our last 5-6 games, and he just came into fall training with a great performance. We knew we would have to play him after the talent he showed in preseason, and he has handled himself well. He had a great game against Iowa State after Brad Smith was knocked out for part of the day."

Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan
"Right now we're very proud of the win over Kansas State. It's a little premature to discuss the Colorado game because we have the bye week, but we have some time to prepare and plan to take a little time off practice before getting into full preparations. We don't know the status of (QB) Zac Taylor at this point, and we aren't ready to make a differentiation on the starting quarterback for the Colorado game. For several weeks, Harrison Beck has been our backup, and everyone was on the same page. We do our best to prepare for this contingency for Harrison Beck to come into the game. Unfortunately, that's how it goes with redshirting. There is a good future for this young man, and we had made plans for this to happen in case Zac went down; there's plenty of opportunity for Harrison Beck here. He was elated after the game and was happy to be part of a win and bowl eligibility. He's a team player all the way. (LB) Bo Ruud did a good job in a lot of defensive instances, and Kansas State came into the game with a new set. Our coaches did a good job of adjusting, and our players had good response and reaction to the tweaks that Kansas State did. We shut down the option play for the most part in the second half. Kudos to the defensive staff for making those adjustments. This week we'll have time to back some of the injured players down and get them healthy with the bye week before Colorado."

Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy
"Our game plan was to slow down the passing game to keep the football away from Texas Tech. We were able to run the ball well, and that's a great reward (SBC Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week) for (RB) Mike Hamilton. He had a great day. Sometimes people were very hard on him because he wasn't making big plays right from the start. As a coach, I have been around great running backs at Oklahoma State and I was a little tough on him for not being more physical. He has become tough, and they put 27 stitches in his bicep area at the time he was hurt against Tech, and they had to put in a of 42 stitches overall after the game. He's starting to grow up, and the team has come a long way in the last 5-6 games. We're playing eight true freshmen in sports and four other first-year players who are freshmen or sophomores. They have had to adjust to the speed at this level, and the kids have practiced and worked at a high level for the last several weeks and are seeing the results of their development. They have a long way to do and have an understanding of how hard it can be on game day. We tried to create confusion for Texas Tech's offense last week, and we hope we can do the same this week. Baylor is a well-coached team, has a very solid defense and is playing at home. We know we will have our work cut out and just hope to keep the momentum going after the win over Texas Tech."

Texas Coach Mack Brown
"I was really proud of Aaron Ross for his Big 12 honor (Special Teams Player of the Week). He was able to break the game open with a punt return (71 yards) for a touchdown, and he also intercepted a pass and ran it down to the Kansas one to set up another touchdown. The first two series we didn't have a first down on offense. Kansas is still in the running for a bowl and has an excellent team. We have to get ready for a big game with Texas A&M next week and can't do any bowl speculation at this point. I have probably been harder on (offensive coordinator) Greg Davis than any other coach in our program, but he has adapted to the personnel and has helped us have great balance. We're the only teams in the country along with USC to run and pass for 250 yards a game. We haven't changed our Thanksgiving weekend plans basically for the last 22 years. We will have several team meetings and dismiss our players to go home for the coming weekend. The defensive coaches have done a better job than we ever thought we could do with the changeover in the coaching staff from last year. What a great compliment to (Director of Athletics) DeLoss Dodds with the great job our programs have all been doing...We're competitive in all sports nationally, and it's a credit to the job that DeLoss has done."

Texas A&M Coach Dennis Franchione
"I was proud of our young men for battling back and giving themselves a chance to win. It is a difficult place to play in Norman, and we fought back hard. We're grateful for the extra week of preparation for a great Texas team, and we'll practice this week, take the weekend off and then get back after it hard Monday to prepare for the (Nov. 25) home game. We got some turnovers and things changed in the middle of the second quarter against Oklahoma. I learned that these guys continue to play hard and work hard and fight to win. We just played nine consecutive weeks without an open date. We made some good defensive stops and made some runs offensively against one of the teams best defensive teams against the run. We basically have been running these plays all year and just ran some out of different formations. Stephen McGee has a lot of spirit and ran the ball well and did add some spark after Reggie McNeal went down with an injury. We're planning on having Reggie back for the Texas game, and it will be an emotional game for several of our seniors as they walk onto Kyle Field for the last time. We hope our fans will show their appreciation to our seniors who have given a lot to this program."

- Quotes courtesy Big 12 Conference Media Relations

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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