|
|
Sooners just glad Orange Bowl is next
Associated Press
NORMAN, Okla. -- It wasn't just joy on display in the hugs
and high-fives shared by Oklahoma's players and coaches after the
Big 12 championship game. There was relief, too.
The 27-24 victory over Kansas State on Saturday night ended a
perfect regular season, Oklahoma's first since 1987. After roaring
to No. 1 with a stunning October blitz of Texas, Kansas State and
Nebraska, they held onto the rating by holding up during some
difficult late-season games.
"It's been one of those years," quarterbacks coach Chuck Long
said on the field at Arrowhead Stadium. "Once you're No. 1, it's
hard to hold No. 1, and you're fighting real hard to hold it
because you're getting everybody's best shot.
"It hasn't been pretty. But the last three or four weeks have
really been tough, gritty wins for this football team, great
character wins, and that's what you want."
Now the Sooners (12-0) get what they really want -- some time to
relax, at least for a little while, before preparations begin for
their Jan. 3 meeting with Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
The matchup was made official Sunday afternoon when Bowl
Championship Series pairings were announced.
"They can enjoy it for two or three weeks, and catch their
breath, let their air out and sit back and reflect on the season,
because it is special," coach Bob Stoops said Sunday.
"You think of the great history we have here and the tradition,
and we've never been 12-0. That's special. They need to realize
that and enjoy it."
Oklahoma proved itself to be for real during its October
stretch. The Sooners beat No. 11 Texas, No. 2 Kansas State and
top-ranked Nebraska to complete a remarkable move from No. 19 in
the preseason rankings.
Then the work really began. After rolling over lowly Baylor, the
Sooners needed to rally in the fourth quarter to win at Texas A&M.
Then they had a tight fit against Texas Tech before closing out the
regular season with a 12-7 scare against Oklahoma State.
"It's really hard to be No. 1," safety Roy Williams said. "We
have a big target on our chest. People want to get after us."
Perhaps no one can use the rest more than Josh Heupel, who has
been the focus of intense media scrutiny since moving into Heisman
Trophy contention.
Heupel has a busy week -- he is scheduled to be in Orlando, Fla.,
on Thursday for a banquet where the winner of the Davey O'Brien
Award will be announced, then will head to New York City for the
Heisman presentation.
A few days away from the practice field can't hurt his tender
left elbow, either. He said he has played much of the year with a
ruptured bursa sac, and insists it hasn't affected his ability to
throw.
"The arm thing was made out to be much bigger than it really
is," he said. "The bursa sac problem is not a big thing."
Stoops was asked if he thought there had been something wrong
with Heupel.
"If there is, he's not going to tell us, and all I've got to go
by is what Josh says," Stoops said. "He's as tough as they come.
You're not going to get me to argue with him."
|
|
|
|
|
