Oklahoma State University Athletics
What Coach Gundy and the Cowboys had to say about the season opener
August 21, 2025 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and four players met with media at Boone Pickens Stadium Thursday to preview the Cowboys' season opener against UT Martin. Some of their comments:
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"Everything is going great for us. Guys are competing and I'm very pleased with coaching. We've made great strides coming together as a team. What I shared with the team a couple of days ago, was that I fully expect them to play really well together, even though they haven't been together very long. So, I'm excited about that. I don't have any roster updates for you. I'll just tell you all that right now, we're going to play a lot of guys. When I scan through the roster, my guess is we'll play 27 guys (Thursday) that have never played for Oklahoma State. So, there's not really a roster or a depth chart for you as we speak, but we do have a lot of players that are doing very well. We're excited about playing a game. We need to play a game. We've practiced against each other enough; the guys are ready to play a game. So, I'm excited about a week from now, watching these guys get out there and play and trying to learn a little bit more about our football team."
On quarterbacks Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny:
"Both of them are competitive. Both of them are learning. Both of them are grinders. They're athletic... Their attitudes have been good (as is) their ability to relate with their coaches."
On the buy-in from the team:
"I'm surprised at how well they're coming together. That's been a concern of mine since January. It was a concern of mine in June, and it was a concern of mine three weeks ago. They seem to be doing well, but we'll know, it depends. When they get in a tough situation in the game, when they rally behind each other and play together as a team like we have here for 20 years, we'll know that they've made that stride."
On playing UT Martin and what would constitute a good game for Oklahoma State:
"They're going to be well coached, and they're going to play good football. They have a coach that's been there a long time. You don't stay in one place as long as he has without being successful and knowing what you're doing. They're very well-skilled in that area, but I have a picture in my mind of the way that I want us to play in all three phases. The day after the game will be interesting for us. We'll be able to evaluate (potentially 27 players) that have never played here, and we'll get a better feel for them in a game situation. But in any early-season matchup for me as a head coach, minimize your penalties, good job with turnovers, and be sound in special teams."
On UT Martin's head coach Jason Simpson:
"I don't know Coach (Simpson). I know that he's been very successful for a long period of time. He's got an athletic family. His sons have done really well and his daughter has done really well. I learned about him in the summer. I'm sure when we're visiting before the game, we'll have a lot in common to talk about. Guys that have been there that long, they are going to be pretty squared away early in the season. They're going to be well-coached and they're going to be prepared."
On how his excitement level:
"I'm ready to play right now. There's never enough practices for a coach, or for me anyway, but it's been really fun the last month because it's only been football. It hasn't been any other side stuff or all the other junk, it's just been pure football, which has been very enjoyable."
On the defense:
"I think we're athletic. I think our guys, up to this point, have played hard. I don't know enough about the scheme right now to predict one thing or another, because I'm learning it, and I wouldn't pretend to know enough about a concept to discuss it in much more depth. I'll be surprised if they don't play hard. I'll be surprised if they don't run through the ball. I'll be surprised if they don't play fast."
On the physicality of camp this year:
"We were very physical in camp, but we actually backed off a little bit earlier than normal because I felt like we were in a position that we should be. Every year it's different, based on who you are and who your players are and what their maturity is. I was able to get a pretty good feel for our football team over the first two weeks; the first 12 practices or so. We do have a considerable number of players that will be playing for us that are veteran players, just not veterans here at Oklahoma State. My history is when I see that, I see a guy that I'm pretty sure is going to be able to compete at a physical level, then I have to be a little bit more careful about how we do it in preseason. Because whether you like it or not, in my opinion, you have to think about where you're going to be in October. It's not for right now, it's preparing for avoiding fatigue in October and November, which is what happens if you frontload, in our opinion."
Offensive Lineman Kasen Carpenter
On the excitement of the first game:
"I cannot wait. We're seven days away. We've been counting down through fall camp and now that fall camp is over, we're more in school mode, but we're still working for it. We're ready for next Thursday."
On his adjustment to Stillwater:
"Obviously, I wanted to come here to win and compete for a job and be able to play here and not just play here, but also compete for a Big 12 Championship. The main goal right now is to win games. … The job obviously hasn't even started yet. We haven't started the season, but I'm ready to get out there and compete towards winning games."
On how the offensive line has come together:
"It's been good, our defense is really good this year. They've been competing really well and they've been stressing us, and stressing us more and more has brought us together even better. The first few days it wasn't clicking as much as you would want it to, but as camp went on every day, we got better and kept meshing. Communication has been getting better and we're just working through everything right now."
Safety David Kabongo
On how beneficial it was to have Landyn Cleveland by his side last year:
"I think it was great. Me and Landyn were best friends throughout recruitment and he kind of influenced my decision to come here, because he had committed before me. It was great to play alongside him, us both as freshmen, both from Texas, both from the DFW area, I think that was a great thing for us."
On defensive coordinator Todd Grantham:
"Coach Grantham has this attack mindset. … We have this saying in the defensive room called 'No Mas,' which basically means we're trying to make the opponent quit. We're going to attack the opponent for every play. It doesn't matter how they're feeling or how we're feeling, we're going to get after them. I love that mindset about Grantham, as far as that goes, and his experience being a defensive coordinator."
On how he's using his experience from last season to help him this season:
"Having that little bit of experience that I had last year, it helped me see the field more and adjust to the speed more. Getting used to the speed of the game and getting adjusted was a great thing for me because it only helped me elevate my game this spring. Obviously, I had to learn a new scheme, but it taught me how to get lined up fast and play to my strengths, and just slow everything down in my brain."
Running Back Sesi Vailahi
On working with both Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny:
"It's been cool. I've been here with Zane since my freshman year, and [Hauss Hejny], just to see their games develop and just work with them every day. I think that's also been awesome, just to see where they've come along."
On transfer running back Kalib Hicks:
"Hicks, he's a dangerous running back. I think he weighs about 220. He can lay a shoulder. He can make a guy miss, and also his pass protection is very good. It'll be a nice show to watch this year."
On childhood competition with his cousin, UT Martin running back Siona Vailahi:
"Competition-wise, we were always like, 'How much did you rush?' or, 'How many catches did you have?' like 'I did better, you did better.' So, I think it'll just be fun to see each other at the collegiate level."
On bragging rights against his cousin:
"It feels good to be on the winning side. I don't know how it feels to be on the losing side, I just hope I stay on the winning side."
On the depth of the running back room coming into the first game:
"I think we really had a good fall camp. I can really see that we're all really downhill running backs. We make the first guy miss. We all developed a really good pass protection. We got close with our O-line, getting to know the whole playbook and scheme. We all came together as one."
Outside Linebacker Taje McCoy
On the team's readiness following fall camp:
"I think pretty much the whole team is bought in. They realize what we want and what our goal is, so I'm just looking forward to us putting it all together. It was a tough camp, installing every day, so it'll be a good thing to see it all come together."
On returning to Oklahoma:
"It's been a blessing. I get to see my mom and family often now. It's easier for them to come to the games. It's only an hour away from Oklahoma City, so it's a blessing."
On UT Martin's offensive scheme:
"They're kind of versatile in their approach to the game. They're going to try to give you different looks and things, so I'm just excited to play and get a feel for it during the game."
On whom he models his game after:
"I like to play like myself, but I like to watch film on guys with similar body types like Collin Oliver, Haason Reddick, Von Miller, guys like that who like to use their speed and bend around the corner."
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"Everything is going great for us. Guys are competing and I'm very pleased with coaching. We've made great strides coming together as a team. What I shared with the team a couple of days ago, was that I fully expect them to play really well together, even though they haven't been together very long. So, I'm excited about that. I don't have any roster updates for you. I'll just tell you all that right now, we're going to play a lot of guys. When I scan through the roster, my guess is we'll play 27 guys (Thursday) that have never played for Oklahoma State. So, there's not really a roster or a depth chart for you as we speak, but we do have a lot of players that are doing very well. We're excited about playing a game. We need to play a game. We've practiced against each other enough; the guys are ready to play a game. So, I'm excited about a week from now, watching these guys get out there and play and trying to learn a little bit more about our football team."
On quarterbacks Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny:
"Both of them are competitive. Both of them are learning. Both of them are grinders. They're athletic... Their attitudes have been good (as is) their ability to relate with their coaches."
On the buy-in from the team:
"I'm surprised at how well they're coming together. That's been a concern of mine since January. It was a concern of mine in June, and it was a concern of mine three weeks ago. They seem to be doing well, but we'll know, it depends. When they get in a tough situation in the game, when they rally behind each other and play together as a team like we have here for 20 years, we'll know that they've made that stride."
On playing UT Martin and what would constitute a good game for Oklahoma State:
"They're going to be well coached, and they're going to play good football. They have a coach that's been there a long time. You don't stay in one place as long as he has without being successful and knowing what you're doing. They're very well-skilled in that area, but I have a picture in my mind of the way that I want us to play in all three phases. The day after the game will be interesting for us. We'll be able to evaluate (potentially 27 players) that have never played here, and we'll get a better feel for them in a game situation. But in any early-season matchup for me as a head coach, minimize your penalties, good job with turnovers, and be sound in special teams."
On UT Martin's head coach Jason Simpson:
"I don't know Coach (Simpson). I know that he's been very successful for a long period of time. He's got an athletic family. His sons have done really well and his daughter has done really well. I learned about him in the summer. I'm sure when we're visiting before the game, we'll have a lot in common to talk about. Guys that have been there that long, they are going to be pretty squared away early in the season. They're going to be well-coached and they're going to be prepared."
On how his excitement level:
"I'm ready to play right now. There's never enough practices for a coach, or for me anyway, but it's been really fun the last month because it's only been football. It hasn't been any other side stuff or all the other junk, it's just been pure football, which has been very enjoyable."
On the defense:
"I think we're athletic. I think our guys, up to this point, have played hard. I don't know enough about the scheme right now to predict one thing or another, because I'm learning it, and I wouldn't pretend to know enough about a concept to discuss it in much more depth. I'll be surprised if they don't play hard. I'll be surprised if they don't run through the ball. I'll be surprised if they don't play fast."
On the physicality of camp this year:
"We were very physical in camp, but we actually backed off a little bit earlier than normal because I felt like we were in a position that we should be. Every year it's different, based on who you are and who your players are and what their maturity is. I was able to get a pretty good feel for our football team over the first two weeks; the first 12 practices or so. We do have a considerable number of players that will be playing for us that are veteran players, just not veterans here at Oklahoma State. My history is when I see that, I see a guy that I'm pretty sure is going to be able to compete at a physical level, then I have to be a little bit more careful about how we do it in preseason. Because whether you like it or not, in my opinion, you have to think about where you're going to be in October. It's not for right now, it's preparing for avoiding fatigue in October and November, which is what happens if you frontload, in our opinion."
Offensive Lineman Kasen Carpenter
On the excitement of the first game:
"I cannot wait. We're seven days away. We've been counting down through fall camp and now that fall camp is over, we're more in school mode, but we're still working for it. We're ready for next Thursday."
On his adjustment to Stillwater:
"Obviously, I wanted to come here to win and compete for a job and be able to play here and not just play here, but also compete for a Big 12 Championship. The main goal right now is to win games. … The job obviously hasn't even started yet. We haven't started the season, but I'm ready to get out there and compete towards winning games."
On how the offensive line has come together:
"It's been good, our defense is really good this year. They've been competing really well and they've been stressing us, and stressing us more and more has brought us together even better. The first few days it wasn't clicking as much as you would want it to, but as camp went on every day, we got better and kept meshing. Communication has been getting better and we're just working through everything right now."
Safety David Kabongo
On how beneficial it was to have Landyn Cleveland by his side last year:
"I think it was great. Me and Landyn were best friends throughout recruitment and he kind of influenced my decision to come here, because he had committed before me. It was great to play alongside him, us both as freshmen, both from Texas, both from the DFW area, I think that was a great thing for us."
On defensive coordinator Todd Grantham:
"Coach Grantham has this attack mindset. … We have this saying in the defensive room called 'No Mas,' which basically means we're trying to make the opponent quit. We're going to attack the opponent for every play. It doesn't matter how they're feeling or how we're feeling, we're going to get after them. I love that mindset about Grantham, as far as that goes, and his experience being a defensive coordinator."
On how he's using his experience from last season to help him this season:
"Having that little bit of experience that I had last year, it helped me see the field more and adjust to the speed more. Getting used to the speed of the game and getting adjusted was a great thing for me because it only helped me elevate my game this spring. Obviously, I had to learn a new scheme, but it taught me how to get lined up fast and play to my strengths, and just slow everything down in my brain."
Running Back Sesi Vailahi
On working with both Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny:
"It's been cool. I've been here with Zane since my freshman year, and [Hauss Hejny], just to see their games develop and just work with them every day. I think that's also been awesome, just to see where they've come along."
On transfer running back Kalib Hicks:
"Hicks, he's a dangerous running back. I think he weighs about 220. He can lay a shoulder. He can make a guy miss, and also his pass protection is very good. It'll be a nice show to watch this year."
On childhood competition with his cousin, UT Martin running back Siona Vailahi:
"Competition-wise, we were always like, 'How much did you rush?' or, 'How many catches did you have?' like 'I did better, you did better.' So, I think it'll just be fun to see each other at the collegiate level."
On bragging rights against his cousin:
"It feels good to be on the winning side. I don't know how it feels to be on the losing side, I just hope I stay on the winning side."
On the depth of the running back room coming into the first game:
"I think we really had a good fall camp. I can really see that we're all really downhill running backs. We make the first guy miss. We all developed a really good pass protection. We got close with our O-line, getting to know the whole playbook and scheme. We all came together as one."
Outside Linebacker Taje McCoy
On the team's readiness following fall camp:
"I think pretty much the whole team is bought in. They realize what we want and what our goal is, so I'm just looking forward to us putting it all together. It was a tough camp, installing every day, so it'll be a good thing to see it all come together."
On returning to Oklahoma:
"It's been a blessing. I get to see my mom and family often now. It's easier for them to come to the games. It's only an hour away from Oklahoma City, so it's a blessing."
On UT Martin's offensive scheme:
"They're kind of versatile in their approach to the game. They're going to try to give you different looks and things, so I'm just excited to play and get a feel for it during the game."
On whom he models his game after:
"I like to play like myself, but I like to watch film on guys with similar body types like Collin Oliver, Haason Reddick, Von Miller, guys like that who like to use their speed and bend around the corner."
Players Mentioned
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