Mike Stoops Quotations

We're expecting a lot of shotgun formation and a lot of what they did last year. I guess we'll find out as the game goes on, but we're prepared for both.

(Wood) has a knack for making plays and getting open and running good routes. He has great hands.

We have to get quality running back play - that will be a big emphasis. We have to get those guys comfortable with our run game and our pass protection.

We hit virtually every need. This group gives us a lot of flexibility and diversity. These are all very talented players across the board.

She was very close to 12-to-15 of our seniors. It was a tough blow to our program, no question.

More and more we need to find ways to get them on the field. They are very athletic, and I think they can contribute.

Next week is a different caliber of team and we can't afford these little mistakes that we made tonight.

I believe there are a lot of little things that happened during games that prohibited us from winning. I think our kids realize that now. If you want to win you have to take care of your business.

I don't think we played well as a defensive line. We lost Copeland Bryan. He is our best pass rusher without question. The first play of the game he knocks the ball loose.

I don't think our young defensive linemen played very well, or as well as they can. That was the most disappointing part of our defense.

He taught us how to coach. His legacy will always be a relentless work ethic and unquestioning loyalty. And it was the greatest turnaround in college football history. That's as true a statement as anybody can make.

He has a great feel for when to pull the ball down. Some of those were designed runs, but he did a great job of scrambling on his own and that creates pressure. And when the protection breaks down, it gives them another outlet.

He has thrown the ball well. He is starting to pick up our checks at the line of scrimmage.

He got off to a bad start and never really recovered.

He made a lot of young mistakes, which is totally natural.

He makes some plays for them. He scrambles. He makes good throws and good decisions. You can see them getting better because their quarterback play is getting better.

I think it is big (to get him the ball). He has not had as many opportunities. He is a guy we desperately need. He is a big, physical guy with great speed.

It is good to have the three guys signing. They are going to be a big part of our program and will be a tremendous help in getting us to the point we want to get.

I thought we had balance in the offense, and any time you do that you give yourself a chance.

I thought we had some tough circumstances, but it is what it is. We'll take the consequences and concentrate on trying to improve.

I think we showed our true colors today. As the game wore on, we played more confidently, and played up to the end.

It is not OK to fumble. That is not acceptable in this program. It is never going to be OK when you screw up. You have to have a certain amount of accountability and responsibility in the way you take the field and the way you play. I think that is something Chris has learned. I think he will be a more accountable player.

I think they can play better. I think they had decent years, but I think they are capable of much more. I think they can be great players if they continue to improve.

Our kids gained a lot of confidence in playing Utah last year. I thought we did some decent things. We could have played a whole lot better and I'm sure Utah feels like they could have done some things better.

Sure. You would have liked (more production). Rickey has practiced well and is getting in shape. That comes from playing and not being in the system. It is difficult for junior college players to come in and make a huge impact early on.

I thought Northern Arizona played a feisty game all night. They gave us some problems doing some things.

That was something we were not good enough to overcome.

Michael Johnson has competed well. Adam Hawes is a guy we are really happy with. I think those are all quality players. We need to get them in shape and get stronger.

(Willie) is probably stronger and in better condition than he during any time that he played those last five games. I think he'll be a better player mentally and physically than he was a year ago. I'll know after today if he has more zip on the ball. He's healthy and five or eight pounds heavier than he was a year ago.

We are thin in some areas, and we will keep experimenting with some of those younger players. If they can help us win, then we are definitely going to play them.

We have a lot of experience. That's the thing, Finally, we have some experience to build off. Another thing, you want to see how much they developed through the out-of-season (strength) program. We look much bigger, stronger and faster than we did coming off the end of last year.

We had a lot of disagreements. We're both very strong, very aggressive personalities. But he was still the head coach. Our brother relationship had to sometimes stop and he became the head coach, my boss.

We've made some real improvement defensively over the course of the spring.

We are closer every time we step on the field than we were two years ago, I don't think there is any question about that. I don't think we played particularly well last year. I think we could have played a whole lot better. We missed out on a whole lot of opportunities. But we are close and I think people realize that.

We will go ones against ones all spring. I believe the competition is good for both sides. This is one time we really push our kids and make them compete against each other and make each other better.

We keep expanding each time we step on the field. We try to implement new plays, new defenses and new adjustments to each formation every day. We're just trying to get in more stuff each day.

We have made some real improvement throughout the whole course of the spring. I like the consistency level of our defense. Offensively, there are some kinks we have to work out. We have to keep getting better and more consistent, which we have shown signs of.

We'll wish kids good luck. If a kid has a big game or a big test coming up, we'll drop 'em a note. You've got a direct line to 'em.

We give up too many big plays defensively. We are inconsistent. That has been our nemesis for the last year and three games. We have a hard time with consistency.

We feel we can really take the program to the next level with Willie.

You go through processes and there are no shortcuts from year to year. Certain things have to happen. We are close.

Offensively, there are some kinks we have to work out. We have to keep getting better and more consistent.

Adam can play. If the situation presents itself, he'll do well. If he's called upon, he'll be ready.

As opposed to the last two springs I feel like being here two years we are much further ahead than any time. The first year you are getting guys lined up. I feel like we can go out there and run about 80-90 percent of our stuff we ended up with last year. We are further ahead of the game than during any of our time here.

You might have to combine about six teams.

This piece of paper could look like a Monet to me. This is as good a looking sheet as you can hope for. It does not get any better.

There were a lot of good things. I think our offensive line is much improved and we had balance in the offense.

This is the one time where we want to push our kids and make them compete against each other. I believe competition is good for both sides. We just believe this is the best way to improve.

They're doing the best they can with the personnel they've got. Stanford is a team that you can see growing with confidence.

They're all kinda bunched together. I'm hoping they can all go anywhere from the third (round) to sixth.

It's not surprising to me. He made plays in camp. Why wouldn't he make them in the game?

Dane works hard and practices hard; it's important to him. He's what you want. He's a very complete player. He understands the game. It's his attitude and work ethic that make him the player he is.

It's not fun playing with your two backup defensive ends and your fourth-string middle linebacker.

The best measuring stick is if the teams win. If a team gets a lot of yards but they don't win, I'm not sure you can consider them among the best. To me, winning is the best measuring stick.

That is on their own. They know what we expect from them. We have had 100 percent participation last summer, we expect the same.

It was good to see in the last game where B.J. finally stepped up. B.J. is a guy I think has not produced the way we thought he would. Hopefully, he has matured, and going into this third year, is starting to give us some quality depth.

I liked the way they all threw the ball. They've come a long way. We feel like we have three really good players there.

I'm happy with our performance, but turnovers and our running game was unsuccessful. And we are not a good enough team to make those mistakes.

I really like Willie's improvement. He has made tremendous strides throughout this spring. We have to keep getting better.

Being better is what we have to look at. Are we better with limiting him or going with our package with Richard?

He's still young, and he needs more reps, but there's great speed there. He's got a chance to play a lot for us this year.