Football Press Conference: Baylor Game

Head Coach Bob Stoops

On Baylor
"Baylor is a team that I'm sure would like to have a better record, but a year ago we kind of went back and forth with them in the first half. It is a team that is still very capable with a new coaching staff. Coach Morriss had a lot of success at Kentucky. We don't take anything for granted. We're going to work hard this week. I like the momentum that our team has right now. They're excited to go to practice and get on the field to compete. That's what we're going to keep doing. Hopefully, this week we have a chance to lock up the South division and give us an opportunity to play in the Big 12 Championship game. We have more than that. We are undefeated at this point, which everyone recognizes. That is what we're preparing for. We're trying to build momentum and continue to build continuity in our team to get in a position to win a championship. That's what we're after and that's what our players focus is on. We're going to keep pushing to do that."

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On what sets Oklahoma apart from other teams
"I think it's a lot of everything. There's a great deal of talent when you look at all of our players that are up for national awards. But, there's more to it than that. The guys right now have a great sense of urgency to them -- they're not taking anything for granted. They like competing and being on the field with one another. They do a good job of preparing and not just talking about it. They're focusing in on their assignments and what needs to happen."

On if the team feels its goals are becoming closer
"They sense their goals are closer and within two or three games of being within reach. Everything has its time, and they're good about not looking ahead. All that we can do anything about is the game we play here this week. We're going to get ready to play well."

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QB Jason White

On areas offense needs to improve on:
"There are a lot of areas we need to improve in. There are certain run games that we're working on and still need to improve on. There's also still a lot of the passing game we need to work on. Personally, there's a lot I can improve on. Every team gives you something different. That's the thing about going in every Saturday. You're game plan changes every week, so every Saturday you're going to be working on something new. It's rare you're going to run the same plays two weeks in a row. I need to be more accurate. I don't think I've been as accurate in two games this year. That's something I can work on in practice and throughout the week. We really worked hard on it last week. We stayed after practiced and worked on certain routes with the receivers that I was having trouble with. I'm still learning. I learn something new from Coach Long everyday after watching film with him. There's a lot of room for improvement."

On knowing in preseason if the team was going to be as good as it is:
"Everybody on the offensive side of the ball saw the potential in our offense. We always know how good our defense is, just because they're always good. The offense having to go against them everyday in two-a-days and having some success really opened our eyes. I think a lot of us saw the potential we could have if we improved every week. I think there's still a lot of room for improvement on certain things, but the season isn't over. As long as we keep improving, I think we have a chance to be pretty good."

On knowing a win will secure a chance to play in the Big 12 Championship:
"One thing we always talk about every week is our goals and what need to do to achieve them. I don't think it will set in until we actually achieve it, but we realize they're right our in front of us. We just have to go out and get them."

On the offensive line:
"They've improved every week in everything with pass protection and run blocking. It's neat to watch them on film. The attitude they have now as opposed to last year is totally different from last year. I think that's one of the biggest things they've improved on."

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DE Calvin Thibodeaux

On playing time
"I'm just practicing, trying to get better every week. When I get the opportunity, I try to take advantage of it."

On Baylor
"We are going to take it like any other game. We're going to come in prepared. They can run the ball - do some other things, but we're going to prepare for Baylor like we would for anyone else."

On the Texas A&M game
"I think I played alright. I was just happy to get in there and contribute. One time they ran a draw play and I didn't get in, but I felt I played alright."

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WR Mark Clayton

On staying focused
We have an opportunity to achieve our goals. We need to come in and focus and work hard like we have all season and be prepared to come out this Saturday and play well like we have all year.

On keeping it simple
Our coach has told us that the best teams keep it as simples as possible. Jason just goes out there -- reads the coverage, checks the line, run or pass, throw the ball to the receiver, receiver catches the ball, the line blocks, and the running back run's hard. It's all about execution.

About individual honors
I have done my best to help my team succeed. That's what I came into this season wanting to do -- wanting to win championships. The way we've played this year we have put ourselves in a position to win a championship. What you do individually never compares with what you a do as a team. I remember talking to Roy (Williams) and Rocky (Calmus) when they won their defensive awards. What they did was amazing, but they loved winning the National Championship more then anything.

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C Vince Carter

On the offensive line
Guys are really taking it personally every game. We're getting in the film room a lot more and are really focused during practice.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Football Press Conference: Baylor Game

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