Oklahoma State Cowboys are Ready for the Road

Despite this being the first road game for OSU this season, the Cowboys aren't making any major changes for as they head to "The Swamp."

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:58 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma State Cowboys are Ready for the Road

Originally Published: Oct 4, 2010 2:42 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- Coming off on a last-second, emotional win heading into the matchup with Louisiana-Lafayette has many saying the Oklahoma State Cowboys are heading for a trap game.

OSU coaches aren’t concerned with emotions carrying too far over from the win, and let the players enjoy the victory in the aftermath of the game-winning field goal.

“I worry more about that night and the next day than I do with [celebrating immediately after the game],” said Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy. “[Players] need to be able to celebrate with the students and the fans, they need to be able to be enjoy the success that they’ve had, and for four or five hours people can tell them how good they are and the next day we can correct that.”

For the second consecutive week, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are facing a short week, which admittedly disrupts their preparations for the game. Gundy says his players are aware of the preparation that goes into any game, and they will prepare like any other week.

“Hopefully the other players that have traveled and played on the road can help them through [their first road game], but it’s not going to change at this point,” Gundy said. As a coaching staff we have to do a good job of getting them prepared and find a way to make them understand that once we get out there and kick it off it’s the same.”

Despite the inexperience of the team, the Oklahoma State squad does have mature players that have played in pressure situations. Vocal leadership is something the team lacks from those experienced players and the duty falls on the younger players to observe, rather than listen.

“[The older players] just have to lead by example. If you relied on Ugo [Chinasa] and Kendall [Hunter] to vocally lead, you wouldn’t hear anybody ever say a word because those two don’t talk,” Gundy said. “They have to show the younger players how to do it instead of telling them. They need to lead by example and the younger guys need to follow.”

“The Swamp,” as Cajun Field is commonly called, doesn’t compare in capacity to the stadiums the Cowboys will be playing in for conference play. Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco holds 19,000 more fans than Cajun Field.

Despite the size difference, the coaches know the confines will be just as unfriendly as any they will face this season.

“From a noise level they’re going to be excited and they’re going to try to make it as hostile of an environment as possible” Gundy said. “It will be a challenge for our players to compete in that environment; they’ll have to learn how to do it, might as well learn now.”