Oct. 5, 2008

After a 49-17 loss to Oklahoma to open up Big 12 play, Art Briles and the Baylor football team host Iowa State, Saturday, Oct. 11 at Floyd Casey Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CDT.

Here are Briles' thoughts about the Oklahoma game and the upcoming contest against Iowa State.

On the Oklahoma passing efficiency
"I think it is a combination of two or three factors without a doubt. They do such a good enough job of running the ball that when they play-action pass, there are opportunities for guys to have open routes. I definitely think that helps. I think offensively they play with a pretty good amount of confidence."

On the impact of the Oklahoma quick tempo
"I don't feel like it was that big of an issue. I thought our guys did a good enough job on that. I think we were prepared well on both sides of the ball with the tempo part of the game. I do think that there was a little bit of an open date lay over early on in the game. Fifteen days is a pretty long time to not be in live action, but that certainly is not an excuse. We should have anticipated a little bit better on the speed aspect of the game early on from a coaching standpoint."

On Baylor's offensive execution
"Just in general football terms, I think I certainly could have done a better job of anticipating them defensively which would allow for a better opportunity for execution. The thing that is critical in every game is when opportunities arise; you have to be ready to take advantage of them. We let a couple of good opportunities slip by on both sides of the ball."

On Oklahoma limiting David Akers productivity
"They did a good job. We had four or five plays designed for him in which he was the primary receiver, but it wasn't there. They did a good job of covering him."

On Vincent Rhodes' quick recovery from arthroscopic surgery
"We are proud of his determination and his ability to put the team before himself. That is really hard to come back that quickly after getting a scope. We are really proud him (and the way he played)."

On the offensive line
"We have a lot of confidence in our guys up front. We have to continue to improve and they have to continually be the guys to set the tone for us from a team standpoint. We had some guys that really battled hard up front, and that is what you are proud of. When you watch the tape, those are the things that you like to see. The guys are playing hard every second and playing hard to win."

On preparing for Iowa State
"We are in conference play, so they all carry the same amount of weight. Our guys and we as a staff are hungry for a conference win, just like we were yesterday. We have to keep fighting and keep improving. We need to make sure that whatever we do is right and gives us an opportunity to win, and that is how we are going to practice this week."