Notes on Mike Gundy’s Kansas Press Conference

Mike Gundy addressed the media on Saturday after Oklahoma State’s 58-17 thumping of Kansas in BPS. He talked about the seniors, the season and what’s next for the Pokes.

• Opened saying he was proud of the seniors. Improved in all three phases. Got lackadaisical at the end of the first half.

• Offensively “able to do things” against the drop-eight defense. Getting a little better at it each week.

• “You had a chance to watch basically the Biletnikoff winner … in my opinion a guy who could very will win the Davey O’Brien (Award).” Said Rudolph’s 45 TDs breaking Barry’s school record is “a big accomplishment.”

• Noted the 4K-1K-1K-1K achievement. “Pretty special with all those guys. Played about as good as we could play.”

• Get a little rest and get ready to go play in a bowl. Coaches will be out as early as Saturday night recruiting.

• “I told the seniors that as much as they’ve accomplished on the field, these are high class, high character guys. You can walk outside this stadium and ask what OSU’s record was in 2006 and 2008 and 2004, and I doubt more than one or two could tell you. It’ll be the same thing with this class. One thing that will stick with them forever … these are high class, high character guys.

“That’s who they are. They have developed this culture, and the young players need to watch and learn from them. As a coaching staff we couldn’t be any more proud of what those guys have accomplished and what they stand for. The fans, the administration and everyone involved should feel the same way because they’re first class guys. You look back and you think that you got to spend a lot of time with guys who do things right. As you can tell, I’m very proud of them. I wouldn’t trade them for anybody. I’m looking forward to spending another month with them and then playing in a bowl game.”

• Every senior group is hard. Gets emotional as he gets older. “You never know when it’s going to end. It’s tough to see them go.”

• Never really called a timeout to recognize the seniors. Was worried it would come off as disrespectful to KU. But “we owe that to (our players).”

• Half of KU’s staff used to work at OSU. Felt bad about Oil Baron going deep to Tyrell Alexander.

• Practice wasn’t different even though they didn’t have a Big 12 title to play for. “They’re well trained. They have them coached up for that. That’s what we expect them to do.”

• Was worried about not getting a last Rudolph to Washington TD. Hard to get the ball to Washington with new defenses teams are playing. Mason has to do a good job of understanding (where the ball is supposed to go).

• Said Rudolph has worn him out. Texting him after hours. Wanting to go over game scripts and watch film.

• Thought Kansas was holding Washington the whole day. “I don’t mind them holding him, just throw a flag.”

• “I don’t get up here and say things just to make people feel good.” All you can ask is for them to give all they got. That’s what they do.

• Stoner has always played really well, just not enough footballs to go around. He’s always in the right place. Always reliable. Between (lists a ton of numbers), “We don’t really have enough footballs to go around … he’s a good one.”

• On poor crowd: “They missed a heck of a show. That’s their choice. I’m good with that.” Said if you want to have an impact on an organization, come and show up and yell loud. Understands why people weren’t there, but “there’s only so many times you get to see guys like that play. They’re pretty special. I’m not down on the, but you missed a heck of a show.”

• Defense gets overlooked … but “they’re class guys, they’re the same.” Can’t get better people. Personalities make them special. Said Ramon and Whitener are totally different personalities, “but both of them love OSU. Both of them represent their families the right way.”

• Noted 1,000 APR again. “Means all of ’em did the right thing.”

• Others who don’t have the God-given ability, “They’ve been here, and they’ve paid the price.” Said OSU can’t win without them because of scout team stuff. “Can’t do it without ’em. It’s a thrill for us as coaches to get them in the game.”