Everything Oregon State interim coach Kefense Hynson said about Sun Bowl vs. Notre Dame

Oregon State interim coach Kefense Hynson said Monday he could not think of an opponent he’d rather the Beavers play in the Sun Bowl than Notre Dame. It was an unlikely draw — Notre Dame never appeared headed to the Sun Bowl based on season-long projections.

But it was the one OSU got, and Hynson couldn’t be happier.

“Exciting. Really exciting,” Hynson said. “We knew we were in it. We were kind of just waiting to see who we were going to play. I think, and I’m not really a social media guy, but just talking to the players, that was not the matchup most people had been predicting. So when we found out it was Notre Dame, it was general excitement just because of what that program is and what it has been and what it means. It was exciting times over here.”

Here is everything else Hynson said in his short 10-minute presser.

On how Oregon State made it to the Sun Bowl

“We had some buy-in from our team. We finished the year last year, and we know how important bowl season is, last year we finished on a really high note down in Las Vegas. When you win bowl games it propels you into the offseason. I do think we finished the year the right way last year. Had a great offseason.

“Obviously, you can’t do anything in college football without really good players. That was really the starting point. We rallied behind the senior leadership, some of the veteran guys on our team. We have a really good home-field advantage. We played some big games at home. Was able to win those. Hopefully we can keep that thing going in the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl.”

On the Oregon State quarterback situation with two QBs in the transfer portal, including D.J. Uiagalelei

“Ben Gulbranson will be up. He was the Las Vegas Bowl MVP last year. Won a bunch of games for us last year. We feel like we’re in confident hands. Excited for him to get an opportunity to go play. He’ll be the starter.”

On if Legi Suiaunoa will coach the Oregon State defensive line in the bowl game and if this is a ‘skeleton crew’ of a coaching staff

“Coach Legi will not be coaching in the bowl game. I would not say skeleton crew. That sounds kind of negative, you know? We got a good group of guys who are itching for the opportunity to coach. We got a young group of coaches that I think are really good, and they’re going to get a great opportunity to work with guys first-hand. As a young coach, that’s really all you can ask for. I’m excited for those guys.”

On what it mean to learn Oregon State was facing Notre Dame

“Obviously, Notre Dame is an awesome program. Very prestigious. We were just excited because this is another opportunity to see how good we are. This is another test. You got a really, really good team. They’re well-coached. Got good players. We were excited from that standpoint.

“And then finishing the year the way we finished it, we’re excited to get back on the grass and try to finish the year with a W. Anybody would want that in our situation. We’re just excited we get to compete against a really good team at a really good venue and play with the guys who we love and the guys we competed with all year one more time.”

On if he’s ever been to El Paso and what he has heard about the Sun Bowl

“I have been to El Paso. When I was at Boise State in 2004 we played at UTEP. Didn’t spend a lot of time in the city playing a game there, but was there. We did win the game. But that was my only experience with El Paso. Got friends in the coaching industry who have said nothing but great things about the bowl game, the experience, the people, the hospitality. I’m excited to experience it for myself.”

On who will coordinate the Oregon State defense

“Coach Perkins. Anthony Perkins is going to coordinate the defense. He’s a got a ton of experience. Was obviously our corners coach this season. I’m excited for him getting a chance to call the game and run the defense. In all these situations there are some positives. There are some opportunities that come up, and this is one of them.”

On who the Oregon State backup quarterback is

“We’ll let the practice reps determine that. We got some guys… But we’ll figure that out once we start practicing.”

On what stands out about Notre Dame

“I don’t know who’s playing or not but I know that the defense the have is really, really good. their offense is efficient and really good. They got a pro-style system on offense. Defensively, I think they’re very active up front. Got a good secondary. Their second level of defense is physical. They fly around. They look well-coached. You don’t see a lot of busts and guys in the wrong gaps. Just a really sound, tough, efficient, physical football team. We see ourselves the same way, so we appreciate the matchup.”

On if Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould is out vs. Notre Dame

“Yeah, no, Anthony won’t play.”

On if Oregon State offensive lineman Joshua Gray is out vs. Notre Dame

“Josh, it’s probably more injury, health with him. We got to get an update with the training room. We’re not going to ask him to do anything that might jeopardize his future from a physical standpoint. So we still got some time before the game. But the medical piece will dictate that.”

On if any other Oregon State players are out

“Um, not that I know of.”

On how important the Sun Bowl is for recruiting purposes

“Anytime you can play on national television, you get a chance to expand your brand. This is no different obviously against a team like Notre Dame who’s got a national brand, anytime you get to compete on those stages, somebody is watching that you can impress. We don’t take that lightly. We understand what that means. Anytime you can get on that stage, it’s a good thing. It helps with recruiting. It helps expand the brand. Obviously we do most of our heavy lifting on the West Coast and in the state of Oregon, but we got kids from all over the country on our roster and a lot of that is because of the exposure national TV brings.”

On what the conversations have been like about Gulbranson starting at quarterback

“We didn’t have formal conversations, but I think everybody is excited for him because they all know he’s a really good player and won a lot of games. I think they’re excited for his opportunity.”