And on the defensive side, Frank Bonner II talked to DC Jim Knowles...
Knowles, OSU’s defensive coordinator, is no longer living in the spotlight of coaching in the Big 12 Conference for the first time. He got his first taste of that last season, and he now is focusing on trying to improve from his experience.
“I knew what to expect, but it’s different,” Knowles said at the football assistant coaches’ golf outing. “It’s different when you live it. I mean, play by play, game by game, it’s different. I like not being the new guy. I have a better feel for the conference and what to expect.”
Knowles, who previously coached at Duke, had a tough introduction to Big 12 offenses last year. The Cowboys took a step back by posting a 7-6 record after going 10-3 the three previous years, and the defense had its struggles.
Oklahoma State ranked in the bottom two of the conference in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, pass interceptions, first-down defense and turnover margin. It also didn’t help that OSU ranked ninth in penalty yards per game.
Coach Mike Gundy took much of the blame for the team’s mistakes during Big 12 Media Days by acknowledging he let some things slide in practice. He also expressed his belief in Knowles having a better grasp of the defense in Year 2.
“I knew what to expect, but it’s different,” Knowles said at the football assistant coaches’ golf outing. “It’s different when you live it. I mean, play by play, game by game, it’s different. I like not being the new guy. I have a better feel for the conference and what to expect.”
Knowles, who previously coached at Duke, had a tough introduction to Big 12 offenses last year. The Cowboys took a step back by posting a 7-6 record after going 10-3 the three previous years, and the defense had its struggles.
Oklahoma State ranked in the bottom two of the conference in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, pass interceptions, first-down defense and turnover margin. It also didn’t help that OSU ranked ninth in penalty yards per game.
Coach Mike Gundy took much of the blame for the team’s mistakes during Big 12 Media Days by acknowledging he let some things slide in practice. He also expressed his belief in Knowles having a better grasp of the defense in Year 2.