Takeaways from Gundy meeting

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s open week provided the Cowboys an opportunity for change, but whether they will capitalize on it remains to be seen.

Coach Mike Gundy met with media inside the northern gates of Boone Pickens Stadium on Wednesday night. With his Cowboys enjoying a light practice week before ramping it back up for homecoming week against Texas, Gundy passed on an opening statement and went straight to fielding

questions for about 10 minutes. Here’s some of what he had to say.

No change in quarterback reps

As he does every week, Taylor Cornelius made his way into Gundy’s office at 9:45 Wednesday morning. The coach and the player who remains his starting quarterback went over a game plan for the Longhorns.

Despite Cornelius’ struggles against Kansas State — 17-for-35, 184 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions — and criticisms from Gundy and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich afterward, Gundy said Wednesday there have been no changes to how the Cowboys have divided reps among Cornelius and backups Dru Brown and Spencer Sanders during this week’s practices.

“If we thought we had players that would improve us drastically or even some, we would’ve already made that move,” Gundy said, referring to all positions.

Cornelius leads the Big 12

in passing yards and is third in touchdown passes, but he leads the conference in interceptions and has the second-lowest completion percentage among the league’s qualified quarterbacks. Despite an up-anddown stat line, Cornelius has remained even-keeled in practices and meetings, Gundy said.

“He’s the same,” Gundy said. “He could probably win the lottery and you wouldn’t know it. That’s just his temperament.

“I like quarterbacks that stay the same all time. Nobody wants to be successful more than him, but he’s doing a good job of handling himself the right way.”

Light practice schedule affords Cowboys freetime

Gundy used to run four practices during open weeks.

“We think that’s counterproductive now,” Gundy said.

Having practiced Tuesday and Wednesday, the Cowboys will have to worry about only school and lifting weights Thursday. Gundy noted many players don’t have classes on Fridays, giving them an open weekend with no game Saturday.

With areas to improve in all three phases, Gundy said he was pleased with this week’s practices.

“We had good practices,” he said. “They were very enthusiastic and probably more enthusiastic than they’ve been in awhile. Got a lot done.”

Cowboys seeking leadership

During OSU’s team meeting Sunday night, Gundy mentioned to players that his door was open to suggestions for improvement after the Cowboys got off to a 1-3 start to Big 12 play for the first time since his first season in 2005. He said Wednesday no players have come to him yet, but he’s been pleased with the effort his team has been putting forward. He also admitted to being “concerned” about leadership on a team that lost several prominent players from a season ago.

“We don’t have enough mature, experienced leaders like we have had," Gundy said. "That’s where some guys have to step up and shoulder that responsibility.

“That’s one thing, as a coach, that the team has to do it themselves. We really can’t generate that.”