OSU falls to 0-6 in the Big 12 after a 42-21 homecoming loss to Arizona State

The Oklahoma State Cowboys fell to 3-6 this season and 0-6 in the Big 12 after suffering a 42-21 home loss to Arizona State on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Cowboys are the only team in the Big 12 without a conference win. This is also the first time Oklahoma State has lost 6 straight games under Mike Gundy.

After the game, head coach Mike Gundy met with the media to discuss what happened against the Sun Devils.

Mike GundyOklahoma State head coach…

Opening speech:

“In defense we gave them one chance after another and couldn’t leave the field. In the second half we couldn't put anything together offensively and we couldn't put anything together in the shooting game. We gave up four and one half yards per carry, and we only averaged three, which is always going to be a big factor unless there is a significant difference in turnovers. If the other teams are averaging a yard and a half rushing per carry, it's going to be a tough day.

…On possible areas of improvement for next week:

“We play next Saturday and I expect the boys to come out and work their butts off in training. You trained well last week. In my opinion we need to improve our coaching work. I have to evaluate the video tonight.” I'm not sure I agreed with our plans, but there were some things that I didn't really agree with that I probably could have done better. We need to make some plays and made some good plays. We were a little desperate to get the ball back, judging by the clock, and that didn't help us. I wish we could have played better and I could have trained better, but you have to move on to the next thing.”

… About his team’s performance:

“If you want to play the games you have to put in a lot of effort. I think they did. I think they did that until the end. Offensively, they’re still struggling. It didn't look good, but they fought. You.” I didn't give up the last time (ASU) scored, until the very end.

…about a supposed touchdown in the second quarter being taken off the board due to a late injury timeout:

“I suspect they wouldn't normally run over the ball if they knew there was an injured player. So I don't know all the details and I don't know what that rule is because I don't know that's a weird situation, but if the ball is snapped, the ball is snapped. We can't go back.

…on the question of whether he would consider switching to a three-man defense:

“We had some injuries at both points. So we don't really have enough linebackers to do three downs (linemen), and we're a little better able to do four downs as far as defensive line depth.” Then you have to play four linebackers for the most part… That is another good question because this has been discussed before. If it goes down now, you have to take all of that, throw it away and go back to something else.”