UNIVERSITY OF TULSA FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 25, 2021

Cullen Wick

Press Conference

Tulsa - 41, Arkansas State - 34

Q. To get a win, you know, how important was that for you guys to have some confidence going into conference play?

CULLEN WICK: It's always big to get some momentum going into conference. So, I mean, it was huge getting that win. I mean, it feels great to be back in that win column.

Q. You guys have played some really physical games and now you have, like, another one coming up just on Friday. I mean, where -- how has this wear-and-tear kind of created for you guys? Like, this has really been a physical few weeks.

CULLEN WICK: I wouldn't say -- I mean, I think we're a tough team. In general, we're used to wear-and-tear. So, I mean, I think we're going to be just fine.

I mean, football is always going to be a game where things are going to wear on you. But, I mean, I just like to focus on getting my body back each week. And I know everyone else is the same way. So we're going to be fine.

Q. Along those same lines, though, how good does it feel to have -- I mean, you got guys behind you that can come in and --

CULLEN WICK: Oh, yes, sir. We got -- we got a nice depth, really, everywhere on the team. So, I mean, it's nice to have confidence in the guys. Even if somebody goes down, it's the next man up. No fall off there. So, I mean, it's nice having that depth.

Q. It was, you know, probably more adversity tonight than needed to be. You know, you guys outgained them by 300 and it was the two returns that kept the thing really close. To find yourself in a 60-minute game when, you know, down in, down out, you're probably playing well enough to, you know, kind of put some distance between it. Just maybe speak to -- it's been like this for I don't know how long where every single game seems to come down to the wire for you guys and you have to play the full 60 minutes. It's like this team has kind of developed a muscle that way, I suppose. You know what I mean? Like, you guys are ready for the fight for 60 minutes, you know, every week.

CULLEN WICK: Yes, sir. I mean, that's -- there's always going to be some adversity. And it -- the winners will end up on top.

So, I mean, as long as we can find ways to win in the fourth quarter, that's going to be big. Especially with us, because we do like to come down to the wire. So, I mean, there's always some adversity each game. We just got to come out on top.

Q. How was that postgame locker room tonight?

CULLEN WICK: Oh, it was great. It was great to see everybody celebrating and happy in there.

Q. How do you think you guys held upfront, you know, after Jackson had to leave? And then, you know, how tough is that next week having to go without him for the first half?

CULLEN WICK: I mean, Jackson is a great player. And it's gonna be tough. But like I was talking about, the depth, we have good depth on the D-line. So, I mean, it's next man up and -- I mean, I'm sure they're excited for the opportunities. So, I mean, we're going to be fine. Yes, sir.