OSU Players Responding To Nardo's 3-3-5 Defense

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are 11 days into fall camp, which means the Pokes are right in the middle of installing a new defense.

New defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo came to Stillwater during the offseason after serving in the same position at Gannon University. Gannon is a private Division II school in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Nardo runs a 3-3-5 defensive system, often called a "spread defense" with five defensive backs.

Head Coach Mike Gundy had praise for how the new defense uses the team's personnel, while the players have praise for the new coach teaching them the system.

"It's just a new energy on the team. It's been amazing to build the relationship with Coach Nardo and the guys around him. We're all confident about him," said OSU defensive tackle Collin Clay.

Linebacker Xavier Benson said Nardo is good at the situational aspects of teaching.

"He'll figure out a way to teach it to you if it doesn't click in that way. It's not like he only has a few ways to teach certain things," Benson said.