OU Quotes Following Monday Practice

NORMAN, Okla. -- Head Coach Bob Stoops, defensive end Dan Cody and placekicker Garrett Hartley spoke to the media in the Everest Indoor Facility following Monday evening's practice. The Sooners (11-0, 8-0 Big 12) will break after Wednesday's practice for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Oklahoma next plays December 4 in the Big 12 Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. OU awaits the winner of the Big 12 North. Iowa State will clinch a berth with a victory over Missouri or if Colorado loses to Nebraska. The Buffaloes will win the North with an Cyclone loss and a victory against the Cornhuskers.

BCS Standings | BCS Top 3 | Big 12 Championship Central

Head Coach Bob Stoops
On doing anything different for this Big 12 title game...
"I don't know. Maybe a little bit. We're just trying to make sure we're focusing and preparing well. A year ago this time, I felt like we went into that game focused and prepared. I'm not sitting here saying we weren't. We'll go against each other some as well as work on both (Iowa State and Colorado). There are some similarities -- some formations that are similar. You look at the two that might be there and work along those lines."

Feelings on BCS...
"I don't know if anyone feels comfortable. You just have to keep fighting."

On watching the Auburn-Alabama game...
"We heard some scores back and forth on the bus ride back from Waco. People have those travel TV's. I didn't watch it."

On injuries...
"We're pretty strong. Marcus (Walker) practice today and Lance (Mitchell) should practice tomorrow. We're sticking to our routine. Practices may not be as long but we're still getting work done."

Defensive End Dan Cody
On motivation vs. last year...
"I don't know if you can say there's more motivation than last year. I mean, guys wanted it last year -- there's no question about that. I think the difference is that we played so well for so long last year. You never get tired of winning but you might lose that edge. I think we have that edge right now because week in and week out we've had to earn it. I don't think there will be any difference when we go up to Kansas City."

Are you playing the best you've played in college?
"Yes, I think so. Coach Schmidt and the training staff -- we've all collaborated really well. They've bent over backwards to help me and I, in return, have tried to do everything they've asked of me. Everyone wants the best out of one another. That makes it a lot easier when everyone will do anything to help you. It makes that journey a lot easier."

Is it time to reflect on your career?
"It's funny you say that. Just yesterday I was talking to my folks about it. You just have to go out there and grind every day. That's the only thing you can do. Your ability and everything that's given to you -- you just have to maximize it. That's what they do here. The coaches on the field and the strength coaches, everybody helps you maximize your potential -- as long as you are willing to work hard. That's the biggest thing. There are a lot of great players out there that don't see the writing on the wall. What's on that wall is that you have to work as hard as you can. I hate saying it because it is a cliche but it's true."

On people thinking he might be a free safety coming out of high school...
"Yeah (laughs). You know, playing high school -- in our district at Ada -- we didn't have a lot of guys with speed. If I got out here -- I think there would be quite a few of them running by me. Yeah, that didn't work out."

On looking back at all the success Oklahoma's had while he's been here...
"You play football here for memories. You're so busy and everything's so intense around here that you don't realize it at the time. It's not that you don't get to enjoy it but if you try to step back and not keep your nose to the dirt, that's when you lose focus. That's just part of it. I want to be able to walk out of here and not hang my head."

Placekicker Garrett Hartley
On going in to kick at Baylor...
"Coach let me know after the miss on the field goal that it was time to warm up."

On being a total athlete...
"Throughout the whole season and in the offseason this summer, that was a goal of mine. To be able to do everything that the team does: running, lifting, everything. I wanted to let them know that I was doing everything I could."

On throwing and running fakes...
"I played soccer my whole life. So being quick and everything. Hopefully just because I'm a kicker doesn't mean that I can't be athletic. Mark (Bradley) has an awesome arm -- he's an awesome athlete. Yes, if I get a chance to run something, I'm going to do my best."

On practicing as the starter today...
"Going out there, I knew I was going to kick first. It was a good feeling to have to get to go out there and make my kicks, then see what the guy behind me does."

On working out...
"I came in weighing 172 pounds and now I'm up to 185. My upper body's gotten a little bigger and I've also been doing a lot of lower body weights. I've been running a mile to three miles on the treadmill and then two miles on the stairmaster to strengthen my legs."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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