The Top 5 Quotes from Mike Gundy’s Post-Kansas State News Conference

MANHATTAN, Kan. — After a competitive first few possessions, the Wildcats pushed through to dominate the Cowboys on Saturday.

Oklahoma State fell to Kansas State 42-20. OSU coach Mike Gundy met with reporters after the game. Here are five things he said that stood out. A full video of Gundy’s news conference is below.

1. On No Quarterback Shuffling

Mike Gundy said he didn’t think about putting Garret Rangel or Zane Flores in late during Saturday’s blowout.

That comes just a week after OSU yanked Alan Bowman at halftime against Utah when OSU was down 10-3. Bowman on Saturday completed 52% of his passes for 364 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

“I don’t think that’s what’s best at times for what we’re trying to get accomplished offensively,” said Gundy on not putting Rangel or Flores in the game.

2. Gundy ‘OK’ with Gameplans

Gundy throughout this season has not shied away from discussing his dislike for the Cowboys’ plans of attack against their opponents.

Although he didn’t give a glowing review of the gameplans Saturday, he didn’t bash them either.

“I was OK with the plans today without looking at the tape,” Gundy said. “Most of the time you see that through the first quarter and a half, the first half. You can kind of get a feel for, ‘OK, how is the game plan compared to them?’ I felt OK from that standpoint.”

3. On Going Away from Gordon

Ollie Gordon on Saturday had perhaps his most explosive quarter of football this season, running for 72 yards in the first quarter alone.

The issue was he finished the day with 76 yards. After toting the rock nine times in the opening 15 minutes, Gordon carries just six more times for the remainder of the game for four measly yards. Gundy said the drop off in going to Gordon had to do with the looks K-State was giving the Cowboys. (ESPN made note that Gordon was dealing with a knee issue. Gordon said after the game that if OSU had another game tomorrow, he’d play.)

“Well, we do a lot of RPOs, and (K-State safety Garrett Harstad), you see him running down the line of scrimmage,” Gundy said. “We don’t have a blocker for him. That’s why some of the other stuff was working. When you’re a heavy RPO team like we are, you have a choice, you can just run it in there to him or you can throw those routes we were throwing, try to make some of those plays.”

4. Bowman Running on Back-to-Back Plays

Bowman is not a player known for his running ability.

Yet, on a drive in the second quarter, Bowman had back-to-back designed runs that netted four yards. That came during a drive in which OSU started on the K-State 33 after a Korie Black interception. OSU went three-and-out and kicked a field goal.

“When you run the quarterback then you equalize numbers,” Gundy said. “We’ve had some quarterback run stuff. We really haven’t gone to much of it. But on those run plays, you do have equal numbers. So, we’ve had some stuff for that. If we wanted to run the ball without the one disadvantage in the running game.”

5. Punching in Earlier, Staying Later

What’s going to get the Cowboys out of this 0-2 rut they’ve found themselves in to start Big 12 play? Gundy says work.

The Cowboys have a long way to go in terms of reaching their goals, but the only way they are possible is if the Cowboys keep pushing forward.

“I told the team that I would come in earlier than normal tomorrow, and I’ll stay later, and I’ll do that every day, all the way up until we play again on Saturday because that’s what I believe in,” Gundy said. “That’s the way I was raised. In times where things don’t go like you want them to, you push harder, and you maximize yourself. You continue to believe in who you are, and I really think the team will do a good job with that.”