Mike Gundy Meets With Media To Break Down UCF Loss, Preview Houston

Head coach Mike Gundy met with the media Monday in Stillwater to preview the Cowboys’ upcoming game at Houston. Here are some of his comments:

 Head Coach Mike Gundy

 On adjustments after Saturday’s game:

“We didn’t play good, they played good. We got caught in a bit of a perfect storm, as soon as they got ahead it started pouring, we couldn’t function offensively. They were still running the ball, their quarterback did some good things and then we got into an all-out, sellout defense and offense and it snowballed on us. But, it’s not like that we’re still not a good football team, we just have to rally and understand the mistakes we made. But also, learn from that and then move forward, and that’s what I told (the players).” 

 On minimizing big plays on defense:

“Big plays have been a problem for us. In the last month, we stabilized it pretty good against some good football teams. Good football teams are going to make plays, you’re not just going to go into the game and stop them. We just have to minimize it the best we can.”

On the importance of scoring first and playing from ahead:

“We were rolling pretty good on the first two drives before we had that fumble and a doink interception, we actually started the game pretty good. I was pleased with the first 10 plays. It’s easier to play from ahead, we know that. Does it guarantee it one way or the other? No, but it helps just because then you know that you’re in control of what’s going on, and maybe you have the chalk last. You get a chance to kind of make decisions because things are working. We don’t do this because we have quite a bit of maturity on the staff, they’ve been with us a long time, but sometimes coaches get into a panic mode early in the game when they don’t need to. They need to stick to the plan. That’s what can happen if you rely too much on scoring first.”

 On the team’s attitude:

“The guys are good. I was thrilled with the way the team stayed together. They did a really good job of rallying together. At halftime (of the UCF game), they were awesome and we get out and drove right down the field. We stall out at the nine, we get a turnover, we throw an interception. What if we get two touchdowns right there? At least it’d change the complexion of the game. The team, they were really good, they were great.”

 On the advantages of playing in an area like Houston:

“People see who you are. It’s marketing, right? When people see your logo places, it’s beneficial, it can help. There were several prospects that were in the Orlando area that wanted to come to the game. We can’t give them tickets or anything, but they had contacted us… The point being – because we were going there and playing there, there was interest in watching us play.”