J.D. Runnels Online Journal: Week 14

NORMAN, Okla. J.D. Runnels records the 14th installment of his online player journal to take Sooner fans behind the scenes.

The Sooners returned to practice this week after the holiday. We caught up with J.D. after Monday's practice as he and the rest of the Sooners finished one of their tougher days on the field all thanks to the revenge of Thanksgiving break as they prepare for the Big 12 Championship.

J.D. Runnels

Journal Entry No. 14 (Nov. 30, 2004)

Coach Schmidt got after us today. He definitely got every bit of poultry out of us.

Over the break, I had a great time. I ate a lot, I got some time off and I got a bunch of sleep.

I watched Carl Albert beat East Central last Saturday. I gave them some victory words before the game which they pulled out by a touchdown. The team watched the highlight video from my junior year as motivation, which was kind of special to me. Just going back and seeing those guys play remembering and reminiscing those are good times.

2004 Video Feature on Runnels | Sooner Player Journals

It's good to get back to this point being undefeated at the end of the regular season. Last year, we realized that it isn't something to rest your laurels on. We have something to prove this year.

There is one goal this week. Win this game.

This year, we have to win to move on to the next goal. I think that was the problem last season we didn't have to win the conference to play in the Sugar Bowl. This year, we're not focusing on anything but this game. Everything we've worked on all year is culminating into one goal, and that's winning the Big 12 Championship.

Colorado plays a pretty sound defense. They may give up a lot of yards statistically but they don't give up a lot of points. Their defense plays really tough. The Buffaloes have struggled this year, but they are on a three-game win streak.

From the films I've seen, Colorado isn't a team that likes to give up the big play. They will give you five or ten yards, but they won't let you go deep. They also capitalize on turnovers. Just look at their game with Nebraska last week.

On offense, one of the goals we have this weekend is to manage ball control. As long as we don't shoot ourselves in the foot, we'll be fine.

Last year, Kansas State was the hammer and we were the nail. Don't expect that Saturday.

#38 J.D. Runnels

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