OU-KSU Postgame Quotes

Head Coach Bob Stoops

Opening statement…
“First I would like to compliment Coach Snyder for having us come play in this incredible environment. I know things got out of hand and that changed the environment, but coming in I always appreciate the fans and the student body, the way they go crazy, and the stadium because I was here when it was not this. I was here from the first game with Coach Snyder for seven years and I marvel at what he has been able to build. It's not just him but all of the coaches with him and administration. It is such a great place to play and they have done such a great job building this program and the facilities. But, I am very proud of our team and how they responded. They had a great week of work. They came out Monday just really fired up and energetic and it carried through the week. We executed really well. Give them the credit, the players. The execution was maybe as good as we have had. I thought offensively, run-pass, the tempo was better. We did a better job having a quicker tempo and not allowing the defense to get such a bead on us. Again, the execution was really solid and we took care of the football. Defensively, it was the same thing. We tackled really well. Our assignment responsibility was really good and our coverage did a great job. So anyway, it was a really good solid day. I'm proud of the team with the way they handled it all.”

On the game plan of using four and five defensive linemen…
“Well it is what we do. Personnel wise we thought it was the right way to play with them. I thought all of those guys did an excellent job. We got in our four-front some and in particular in long yardage, but I thought the guys, more than anything, tackling and execution was what we were capable of and they did a good job of it.”

On not having lost consecutive games since 1999…
“Fortunately, we have good players and good coaches. Overall, we have not lost a lot. So when that happens, we have been able to respond and come back to play well. I can't say there is any one thing. There are just guys responding in practice, improving, and being ready to play when they came here.

On Baker Mayfield's play…
“Baker was strong. And you know what, it is not always just the one guy. There was better route running and better timing with getting the ball out. But Baker threw the ball really well and scrambled for some big plays. He had an excellent day.”

On the intensity of the game…
“Well again, you attribute everything to the idea that just because you make plays, you are ready to play. That does not happen all of the time – just because you are ready to play does not mean the execution is what it needs to be. Or, the other team, give them credit, out-executes you. And then it is hard because it may not look like you have a ton of energy because you are not doing real well. The other team may just make some plays. I said that last week. We made the plays early this week and that probably changed a little bit of their mentality. So, every week is different.”

Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard

On mentally bouncing back from Texas …
“You just got to catch the guys that are hanging their head about it, and tell them we have to move on we have a long season ahead of us. We are not even halfway through the season. You have to keep pushing forward you can't look back. Even though we didn't play the way that we wanted to (at Texas) we know what we are capable of. We have to go in and make some changes and that is what we did. The guy's intensity coming out, it was amazing.”

On advocating for fast food on the trip from now on …
“Oh yea! Coach Stoops said fast food on Fridays from here on out. Everyone was hootin and hollarin about that in the locker room.”

On were there many guys hanging their heads going into this week…
“Not really, but you have the younger guys who have a different mentality.”

Defensive End Matt Dimon

On being surprised on K-State throwing the ball…
“I honestly was. I am not a game planner but if you saw the game last week I would have run the ball. That is what we thought they were going to do but they came out slinging it, they had the wind. I didn't get a run block until the eighth or ninth play. It was surprising but I'll take what they give us. ”

On how much Oklahoma needed a start like that in the game…

“I feel like in any situation you want to start the game, especially now coming off of last week and the loss. I thought that everybody did this week of practice, everybody was on point. I feel like we communicated real well out there and I felt like we were really a team defense.”

On Kahlil Haughton…
“He was nervous, he's a little freshman, I'm proud of him. Next man up I think we can all play. I feel really comfortable two deep, three deep getting the job done. I thing Haughton did a really good job.”