Oklahoma Gearing Up For SBC Cotton Bowl

Dec. 28, 2001

DALLAS - The 10th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners continued preparing for the 66th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic with a two-hour practice in pads and shorts under warm, sunny skies at SMU's Ford Stadium Friday. The Sooners will face the SEC's Arkansas Razorbacks on Jan. 1.

Friday's practice was the shortest since OU arrived in Dallas on Dec. 26, and the first time the Sooners have not worked out in full pads.

"We wanted to lighten it up a little today for the players," said Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops. "It was a really good day for us. The last two days we've been in full pads and had very physical practices, so we shortened our workout a bit today."

Coach Stoops is pleased with his squad's work the past three days.

"We're anxious to play," Coach Stoops said. "Our preparation has been good, our meetings have gone well and our demeanor's good. I think the players are in good shape, considering we haven't played since the end of November.

"We've practiced a lot, but you try to pace yourself to get ready for the bowl," Coach Stoops said about his team's work during the month-long layoff leading up to the SBC Cotton Bowl. "We want to build the excitement and the intensity for the game. We scrimmaged quite a bit the first day because I want them to get the feeling of going 'game day' speed."

The Sooners feature one of the best defenses in the country, highlighted by the play of two All-Americans, linebacker Rocky Calmus, the 2001 Butkus Award winner, and safety Roy Williams, 2001 Thorpe and Nagurski Award winner. Coach Stoops certainly appreciates their talents.

"It's pretty special to have both of them on the field at the same time," Coach Stoops said about having both Calmus and Williams on his team. "It's the first time the Butkus and the Thorpe winners have been on the same team. It's a compliment to the players and the coaches around them."

Friday night the Sooners will participate in the annual "Beef Bowl" at Lawry's Restaurant.

Kickoff for the 66th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic between the Sooners and the Razorbacks will be at 10:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2002. The game will be televised nationally on FOX. OU will be the visiting team in this year's Classic.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Gearing Up For SBC Cotton Bowl

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