Notes on Mike Gundy’s Post-Bedlam Press Conference

Oklahoma State got beat 62-52 on Saturday in Stillwater, and Mike Gundy talked to the media for a solid 20 minutes after the show. He wasn’t mad, and he wasn’t upset but he talked about how much he loves competition and how badly he feels about losing these games.

He discussed Justice Hill’s performance, what was going through his mind at the end of the game and whether he ever thought OSU would go scoreless in the third quarter. Let’s jump in.

• “That was a heck of a college football game. I wish we would have made a couple plays there at the end. We had our shot there in the last two minutes. I told the team I was proud of their effort. I’ve been in a lot of weird games at Oklahoma State, but I don’t know if I’ve been in one like that.”

• “We didn’t play as well on defense as we would have hoped to.”

• “Going into the game we felt like we had to try and control 6. He made a lot of plays, he’s a really good player. He makes some plays and throws when he breaks contain that are pretty unusual.”

• Wants Rudolph’s interception at the end of the third back.

• Better on special teams and penalties.

• “Just came up a little short. They made a couple plays there at the end.”

• Told the team college football is about getting over what just happened and moving on to the next one.

• “As much as losses like this hurt, they hurt because you put yourself in a position to where games matter, they’re important.”

• “Come back tomorrow and go back to work. That’s what we do. Win or lose, that’s what we have to do and keep rolling. I told them afterwards how proud I was of them.”

• Team practices fantastic, gives the coaches everything they have.

• “From a coaching standpoint, I couldn’t be any more proud of what our players have given us and bring to the table. Did we come up a couple plays short today? Sure, we did. Do the losses sting? Sure, they do. Some people look at me and say, ‘You don’t act like it bothers you very much.’

“One thing I’ve learned is that everybody in that room wanted to win. The competitive nature of what we do, it’s difficult when you have games like that — a lot of emotions involved, and it’s the same way with me. There’s not anybody in this stadium that wants to compete and win more than me. But I’ve done this long enough to know that when we get what we’re asking from our players that we as a staff have respect for them for what they gave us. We just came up a little bit short.”

• The fourth down play to Tyron was “a good play, it worked.” They just overthrew it. It was something they hadn’t seen out of that set.

• Considered letting Ammendola kick the 55-yarder. Thought percentages were better trying to pick up the 4th and 8 than trying to kick the FG.

• Confidence level was high on the second-to-last drive right after the Whitener pick. Never a time when he feels like they can’t score or get a stop. “The ball doesn’t bounce your way sometimes, and it didn’t today.”

• Got a break on the targeting.

• Wanted one more first down before rolling Ammendola out there for a game-tying FG. “Sometimes life doesn’t work out the way you want it.”

• Asked if he felt snakebit with Mayfield being at OU at the same time as OSU has one of its best teams ever. “Am I glad he’s a senior? Sure.”

• “I have a lot of respect for guys that play the game. Six does some stuff at times to frustrate people. But you have to give him credit because the guy can play. It is what it is. I have respect for guys that can play. Would I like to tee it up again against them? Sure I would. But he’s a really good player.”

• Didn’t think OSU would score 52 and not win. Same as scoring 10 at Texas and winning.

• Left too many people open early in the game. “Later, got after ’em and made some plays.”

• You can call holding on receivers every play (re: Washington’s hold on the Justice TD).

• On the fumble/non-fumble: “I thought he was changing hands with the ball, but maybe I was wrong.”

• On the Mason pick: “That’s not what we would have wanted to happen.” It was a RPO. “Now I wish he would have handed it off.” Same thing happened to Baker at the end of the game.”

• “Justice is a special kid.” Thought he ran really hard. “A lot of action, that’s for sure.”

• Guaranteed that team will practice well next week. Not going to be in the best mood. “None of us will.” Part of culture is coming to work with a smile on your face. Being angry only creates more issues. “I think they understand that.”

• “Somebody told me (Iowa State) was top 20 now.”

• Not concerned about bouncing back. “They’re too good of kids.”

• Frustrated on last play — giving up the long rushing TD.

• “There’s nobody in this stadium that’s more competitive than me. You want to go outside and wrestle. You want to play jacks. You want to shoot hoops. You want to play ping pong. I’m going to play until it’s over and somebody pulls me out of there. Do the losses hurt? Sure they do. Personally for me, I’m good. Here’s what’s important to us as a staff — we get young men doing what they’re supposed to do. And they did. If they wouldn’t, I’d tell you.” Said they’re practicing awesome.

• “(The losses) hurt more from a coach (than as a player) because I’ve got 130 guys in there. I like the guys to do what they’re supposed to do and get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. You have to give credit to Lincoln and those guys. I have no problem giving them credit. They finished at the end.”

• Had in the back of his mind that the defenses play a lot better after halftime of a wild first half. Kind of happened on Saturday. “There was some pretty good defense in the third quarter.”

• On Tyron: “He’s an example of what I try to explain to you guys. He’s worked his tail off. It’s not easy when you’re really talented to come in and sit behind somebody. He came in, stepped up and made plays. He’s been awesome. Never said a word. He’s been awesome. He got his shot today, and when you get your shot you have to make a play.”

• Washington had a “sore” ankle.

• Will be shocked if Washington isn’t a national award winner. Didn’t have anything to do with OSU losing the game.

• You’re not going to erase the game. Remembers plays from games OSU lost more so than when they won. “Being a very competitive athlete or coach, those things never go away.”

• “Was this a big game? Sure, it was a big game. It’s a big game because we won games to get here to make it a big game.”

• Not going to hang his head and pout because it’s a bad example for his players.

• “I’m OK with the way they played until we gave up the long touchdown run. I’m not happy with that. I would liked to have stopped them and forced them to punt. Other than that, there’s no way I can be disappointed with what the boys gave us. Just can’t do it.”