Notes and Thoughts on Mike Gundy’s Bedlam Press Conference

Mike Gundy was terrific on Saturday in OSU’s 113th Bedlam game, and he was just as good in his presser as talked about the 2-point conversion call, why they went for it and why this Bedlam was a great one.

• “That was a fun game, that was a heck of a college football game.”

• OSU made a couple of mistakes and OU didn’t. His voice sounded a little shaky (?). I might be imagining that.

• Team “came to the fight and stood tall … as a coach that’s all you can ask.”

• Went for 2 because they were “on the road, struggling stopping them.” Just didn’t make a good throw.

• They go into every game with two 2-point plays.

• Wasn’t concerned about whether Matt Ammendola could make an extra point at the end. “I would have liked for him to make the one earlier, would have made for a hell of a finish.”

• “One is fantastic.”

• Didn’t start the game very good but made adjustments at halftime defensively. “They’re good on offense, they average 9 yards a snap. They’re good. They got a good team.”

• Losing Justice takes them out of 15 or 20 percent of what they do offensively.

• Stressed ball security but thought Chuba “ran hard and made some plays.”

• Corn “played really good.”

• More drops in this game than in the last 2-3 games put together. “I can’t answer that why.” Thought the OL played the best game they’ve played all year. OU was playing “stop run and throw it.” Thought OSU protected pretty well.

• “When you’re playing them, you’re going to have to score.” Wasn’t going to leave anything on the table.

• OU played with more tempo than normal which caused a lot more plays than Gundy thought. “We had plans to play fast and roll the dice and let it roll and take a lot of chances and it worked for us most of the game.”

• Ammendola “has not been kicking good late, that’s for sure.” Will have to address that over the next week.

• “It’s the awesome part of college football. Having the guys come back and fight and make plays. We’re driving down in a perfect world before 30 fumbled to use the clock and score and see if you can get them with their backs against the wall.” Said it’s easier to call plays in a tie game than when you’re behind.

• “It’s awesome to see them compete.”

• On whether everyone seemed on board with going for 2: “I’m the only guy who matters on that. I don’t give a sh** what they think. They pay me to do that, that way y’all can criticize me.” OSU made the decision to go for it two drives before.

• Pass coverage wasn’t bad. “Issue is you can’t contain [Kyler]. He’s faster live than he is on TV.” Buys a ton of time.

• Got more pressure on OU than Gundy thought coming into the game.

• OU is good on offense, and OSU is on the road and you have to get 3 yards. Wanted to put the game in OSU’s hands. More reasoning for going for 2 and the win at the end.

• “It’s an interesting concept, some of the ways you play and then the way you play today.”

• “They’re like fifth in the country or something, aren’t they?”

• OSU not that far off based on how they played the No. 6 team in the country on the road.

• On why they play better against ranked teams: “If I knew, I’d fix it. Why they’re doing that, I don’t have an answer for you. I wish I did.”

• Considered going I-formation on the 2-point conversion. Ran it the last few weeks as a tribute to Les, so he would watch them more.

• Corn “is coming around. He’s played in 10 games now, and he’s getting better in every game. He’s competed from Day 1. He’s tough. He plays hard. I’m proud of him just like I am everyone on the team.”

• Tylan “played good today but he had 3-4 legitimate drops.” Had a great attitude. No frustration after drops.

• “Some athletes get nervous in those situations, but that’s not going to bother [Tylan].”

• “We have to give credit where credit is due. It’s basically a 200-play game, and they made one play at the end.” Hesitant to take anything away from OSU’s players. “It was a hell of a college football game.”

• Team played a lot more disciplined, more focused and fewer mental errors. “I told them in the locker room, I need everybody back tomorrow …” Get to play nother top 10 team next week.