Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy wants quicker practice pace

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy called Friday’s no-pads, early-morning workout a “good practice, not great,” praising the team’s overall mindset but stressing the pace needs to be quicker.

“Ironically, it was a lot like last season’s first day,” Gundy said. “Guys were moving around and in the right spot, but our tempo has got to be better, (our) sense of urgency in drills has to be better. But it was good to be back out there.”

The slower tempo likely can be largely attributed to true freshman quarterback Wes Lunt’s inexperience at running the Cowboys’ no-huddle, spread offense. Center Evan Espstein, who makes all of the offensive line calls, is also a new starter, and many of OSU’s playmakers on offense have slid into new roles after the departure of receivers like Justin Blackmon and Josh Cooper.

“We went from 28 to 18,” said Gundy, referencing the ages of former quarterback Brandon Weeden and Lunt. “With a guy that hasn’t had any college experience, it’s different.

“But I’ve watched the coaches, the plays, and there’s a lot of similarities in what we were last year. It just doesn’t happen as fast right now.”