A lot of credit to Oklahoma State. They started fast on all three sides of it and they played really confident and fast. I’m proud of our team for the second half we had and the ability to start that third quarter with some emotion and energy, which frankly was missing in the first and second quarter. There in the third and fourth there really wasn’t a point in time to where there was someone kind of hiding out or someone kind of looking for a break or any of that. I thought there was fight all the way. I was way proud of that. There’s a lot to be learned from there, but there’s a lot to be learned from the first half. It’s disappointing the way that we started, and I think there was a time, we had a staff meeting this morning, and part of the talk was I feel a really strong confidence and we’re going to find out whether it’s grounded or not. Is this confidence grounded in reality or grounded in the work put in and all of it, because last time I felt this was a couple of weeks ago, and we had a similar result. For us as a staff and me particularly, kind of working through some of that and reading the signs of kind of where the youth of the team is and how they are reading this game means this, all the outside things that we really have to kind of limit is really going to be a key the rest of the season. And it’s a big lesson for me.
(Oklahoma State’s speed) Particularly special teams, we were outplayed in that area. It’s disappointing to see. You look from our side of it all the improvement that has to take place there to get us to where we’re a viable outfit. A lot of good learning that has to go on. It would be good with the time we have to get the emotions of the players and staff out of it so we can address the reality of it. I thought Oklahoma State is a fast team and a good team, and we are too. Our ability to take the lessons learned and apply them and not weaponize them is really going to be key.
(Going for it twice on fourth down in second half in own territory) The numbers were saying that, and I think the feeling was that it also becomes that you’re racing against the clock. That’s when those real aggressive fourths come into play is when the clock is an issue and possessions are dwindling.
(Why the pitch from the end zone) I think that was what Oklahoma State was doing versus that wing set. They were playing with two basically defensive ends. So, that was somewhat of a new set that they’ve been playing versus us. So, that really kind of showed itself on that particular play. So, credit goes to them. I want to say we’ve got two tight ends at the point of attack, and you wish all of that would have been better. That play, in particular, had been a positive play just a week earlier. So, I think we were looking at it from that lens. But, I go back to that special teams (play) prior to that. We’ve got to handle that better. I think the hidden yardage in this is not really good for the Baylor Bears. Of all the three sides of it, that’s the one area that we must have improvement.
(Second straight year where you’ve had to come back from an emotional, hard-fought win over Iowa State to play an Oklahoma State team with a different style. How hard is that to adjust to that) I think for the coaches, probably not. For the players, probably so. Because I think after the win, it’s kind of like, ‘We’ve got this. Here we are. We made this.’ It would be so much easier if they told you that, if they just offered that to you, so you could talk it through and set it straight. I think so much of it with the youth of all of it is really kind of attacking it. We have to get it at that level and really address what they’re thinking and they’re feeling. Because you get to these Saturdays, after games, it’s too late. And I feel like the week prior we were able to do that, myself and some of the staff, and really kind of get to what we’re thinking or what the team is really thinking. And I feel like I probably could have done a better job of that this week. I think with some of the youth, everything is a thing. If we think we’re making a right turn, they may think we’re making a left, even though all the words and everything are saying right. So, I just think it’s very vital that we all get on the same page in terms of what it takes to win a Big 12 game.
(What are you seeing from the secondary through five games) I think there’s a lot of improvement that can be had just with our corner play with vertical, kind of go balls. And some of it is when we’re bailing in a third, which is probably easier to do. Some of it is man when we’re in press and there’s someone winning or losing the line of scrimmage, so it’s a little harder to do. And then some of it is when we’re in Cover 2, and we’re getting a reroute in 1, and we have to exit angle and kind of take away a whole shot between the corner and the safety. So, I think all of that is there. And I think some of the fight when you’re trying to improve that is that one thing affects the other thing. It’s almost like quick sand, you feel. Wherever you step, you’re going to get sunk in. So, that may be where we’re at a little bit. I think our ability to, ‘Hey, dude, you’ve got all the tools, you’ve got all the ability.’ One thing doesn’t affect the other thing. Let’s take the emotion out, let’s focus on what we can do better. I think that’s the message.
