J.D. Runnels Online Journal: Week Two

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma fullback J.D. Runnels records his second installment of his player journal to take Sooner fans behind the scenes as OU prepares for its 2004 football season and its return to the national championship. This week J.D. talks about the first week of classes and the team's preparation for its season opener versus Bowling Green. He also answers your questions about his life, OU football and what it is like to be a Sooner.

There is also a link at the bottom of the page so you can submit questions for J.D. to reply to in his next entry.

J.D. Runnels
Journal Entry No. 2 (Aug. 31, 2004)
First, I would like to thank everybody for checking in on SoonerSports.com and making sure your Sooners are doing well. We appreciate each and every letter, every thought, every prayer and everything we get from you because you are our backbone. Thanks for reading my column. I appreciate it very much and I will get to as many questions and comments as I can.

First week was pretty fun. It's always good to get back on campus and see some new faces and some old faces of people you haven't seen in a while. Class is always kind of awkward for the first couple days but once you get it down your into the swing of things and its school and football again.

This week we're playing Bowling Green. They're a pretty good team. They won 11 games last year, won their bowl and played tough against Ohio State. We are really going to have to play hard and each and every one of us has to focus on this game.

Now, I will answer some of my favorite questions from the past week.

J.D., coming into the 2003 season it looked as if you guys could not be beat until the last two games. How has that affected the mind set of the 2004 team to ensure that the same break down will not occur?
Rodney from Midwest City, Okla.

Everything we did this summer and last winter emphasized one word finish. The word really means so many things after last year. We have to take every game week to week. We can't look ahead past anybody. It means that if we think we're invincible, then we're not. It means we are not finished until we're finished.

I was curious how Mike Gaddis is doing? I was at the OU-Texas game when he injured his knee on a play he was going to score. How has he affected your football life?
John from Dallas, Texas

Well, Mike Gaddis is doing very well. He has his own insurance company in Nichols Hills. I still talk to him frequently. The game in Texas was a tragedy. It seemed like he was on his way to the Heisman. He affected me at a young age and it's not all that we're related, it's that we're so close and he helped me so much with football when I was younger that I just nicknamed him “Uncle Mike”. Even to this day, if I need some advice, I'll just give him a ring because it seems like he always has the answers. He's been in my position and done what I've done, so he's a guy I feel I can look up to.

I had heard that you sat out some this spring due to injury. How are you doing now and how are things progressing for the team as you get close to the Bowling Green game?
Jason from Nashville, Tenn.

I didn't really sit out because of an injury. I just nicked my shoulder a joint bruise or something like that. I rehabbed that the next week. After the spring game, I was ready and back in action. Now, everything's going good. The team is doing well and anxious to hit somebody besides the crimson and cream. They're anxious to get out in front of the fans and get ready to play.

Hi J.D.! This is your old teacher from Carl Albert, Coach Martin. I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of all that you have accomplished and how hard you have worked to be where you are today. I brag on you all the time and always look forward to seeing you play.

My question for you, what goals have you set for yourself this year? Have you kept up with any of the "gang" from C.A.? I just wanted to wish you all the best for the upcoming season, J.D. I am excited for you and all that you will experience in the coming year.
Becky Martin from Harrah, Okla.

Bascially, my goals stay the same year to year. It's either to repay Coach Stoops for giving me a scholarship by doing what he asks me to do or doing whatever the offensive and special teams coaches ask for me to do. It's not to ask for the ball. It's not to be greedy or anything but play my part and help this team finish. Yes, I still keep up with the gang from C.A. I went back recently to watch the scrimmage between them and Midwest City, Shawnee and Choctaw. I still keep up with all my friends. I hang out with the gang every chance I get and I still think about you Ms. Martin.

What is a bigger rush catching a TD pass or giving a great block for the half back?
Jordan from Tulsa, Okla.

I would have to say the better rush is probably hitting somebody. There's no better rush than putting a great block on someone. But, scoring a touchdown in a quiet Texas endzone isn't too bad either. That will give you quite a rush, too.

On the new NCAA football game they give you a really good ranking. Have you played the game yet and do you think they gave you your props? Personally, I've scored many a touchdowns with you near the goal line.
Chris from Los Angeles

First off, I appreciate you giving me the ball. I haven't played the game yet, but I've seen it played and I think they hooked me up a little bit. I saw that my speed rating was kind of slow, but I'm not that fast so I guess they gave me an honest rating. Who knows? It's just a game.

Last year it seemed that when the ball was thrown your way good things happened, including several scores. Do you see the ball coming more your way this year?
Karl from Saugus, Calif.

Well, I see it but I don't know how everyone else sees it. A lot of people ask me that but I've had the same answer for a long time. It's really fun being out there with Mark Clayton, Kejuan Jones and Jason White. It's really fun throwing blocks for those guys. You really know that you've made a difference with somebody when instead of scoring a touchdown they praise you for a block.

If possible, describe that feeling of coming out of the locker room opening day to the roar of 80,000 fanatics that have been waiting for months to see the Sooners.
Kenneth from Boyd, Texas

There's no word, no phrase, no anything it's a moment. It's one of the best feelings in the world and with the new renovations to our stadium, our crowd is so loud. There's no other feeling like it. When you come out to play it seems like there's 11 people on the field and 80,000 that are just waiting to sub in.

When are you going to let Trey and I challenge that 8 handicap?
Rick DiCarlo from Norman, Okla.

Ah shoot, Ricky D! (laughing) Bye week. Me. You. Trey. Golf course.

That's all for now. I'm looking forward to your support on Saturday and your questions for next week's journal.

Jammal Brown

- #38 J.D. Runnels