Post-Dual Quotes: OSU vs. Oklahoma

Head Coach John Smith

On the win over Oklahoma:
"I thought we had a good match. They were going deep into their reserves in some of the weights....but I liked what I saw from the standpoint of points scored and critical times to separate the match. I thought we had that at 125 and pretty critical ones at 149. Those are the things I'm looking for. It's a tough match, we're going back and forth, it's hard to score and then you will yourself to score and separate the score. I think the two particular matches I enjoyed watching were 125 and 149. It's good to see Joseph (Smith) back in the lineup. It's good seeing him get some back points, build a lead and continue to build it. Chandler Rogers had a tough match. Scored two again and I kind of liked that second take down in the second period. Those are the things you need to really advance. Scoring points and that shot rate. I wanted to see that shot rate go up as we go forward from here. More shots, more attempts, continuing to score. I think people like Kyle Crutchmer, in a 4-2 match, that was a match last year that took him out for the season; the same guy. I'm happy to see him finish with a good win tonight because I felt like (Matt) Reed was going to be a tough match. He was going to have to wrestle well."

On Joe Smith's match:
"It was good. I thought he was a little slow in getting back into it, letting (his opponent) know that he can wrestle hard. When you have the injury he's had, you're a little bit timid because he's healed it up and it gets hurt again, he heals it up and it gets hurt again. It was good to see him break out of it and let it fly. His knee is in pretty good shape and we'll continue to protect it, but I'm pleased with him and it was a good tech fall for him."

On looking ahead to Penn State:
"I think (looking ahead to Penn State) put a little bit more pressure on our team…If something would have happened and we would have lost a dual meet, I'm not sure we would have been in the championship. A lot of the teams we've wrestled up to this point have been solid teams, but this one that is coming in next week is quite different. There isn't any question we'll have to have our best outing to win…We'll see where it ends up. I'm excited about it, and I'm excited that we got back to it. There's a lot of talent on Penn State's team and if we show anything less than our best performance, it will be a tough day for us."

Nolan Boyd – Senior, 184 pounds

On finishing the regular season undefeated:
"All we focused on this week was our training. Coach didn't even give us a minute to think about these duals. Made us think about our legs and our arms and how at body felt this week."

On Penn State:
"I think that is something we want. We want those guys. And right when we are starting to peak and figure out our style. I think it will be awesome."

On trying not to overlook opponents and finally competing against Penn State:
"Yeah, it's the weeks that make you better, knowing you have those God-given opportunities coming up that are just awesome. Just working the whole week with that in the back of your mind and also focusing on your practices."

On if beating OU set up for Penn State next week:
"Yeah, I like it. It's always good coming off a win knowing you laid it all out there."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Nolan Boyd

Kyle Crutchmer

Chandler Rogers

Joe Smith

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