STILLWATER, Okla. - For the first time this preseason, the Oklahoma State football team practiced in uncomfortable conditions, as the Cowboys battled the heat for a two-hour session on the grass practice fields adjacent to Gallagher-Iba Arena Monday morning. After practice, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Bill Young talked about his position group:
On what he wants the personality of the defensive line to be:
"We need to be a lot more aggressive and attacking and chasing the ball better than what we did today."
On the interior of the defensive line:
"We're getting much better. Calvin Barnett is so much improved from last year and so much more confident in knowing his defenses and those kinds of things. We've got to pick up the tempo at the nose guard position and work a little harder."
On replacing departed senior defensive ends Jamie Blatnick and Richetti Jones:
"It's very difficult. What you've got to do is replace them by committee. We have a great leader in Cooper Bassett. Nigel Nicholas is playing well and Ryan Robinson is so improved that it's hard to describe. Tyler Johnson is coming. He's got to pick his assignments up a little bit better, but he's doing a good job. Victor Irokansi is really, really showing up."
On what has made Irokansi stand out:
"He's just so quick off the football. The strength coaches say nobody outworked him during the summer program and that's carried right over to the field."
On what he is trying to accomplish with the defensive line this week:
"We're trying to install our defense and get our two-deep solidified."
