Stoops and Players on Nebraska Game

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma coaches and players met with the media on Tuesday at the weekly football press conference at the Kerr-McGee Stadium Club inside Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.

Oklahoma travels to Lincoln to play the Huskers at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Sooners have a 41-37-3 lead in the overall series including a 30-3 victory against Nebraska last season.

The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be televised by ABC Sports. Please consult Get in the O-Zone

On quarterback Rhett Bomar against Baylor:
“He really had a great night throwing the football. When you watched where he threw the football, his accuracy and his decisions, it was great.

"I loved the last pass in overtime when the blitz was coming right in his face. They were about to hit him, but he throws it real cool and throws a great pass to Juaquin Iglesias, who ran a nice route in man coverage and scored a touchdown.”

On the defense's performance against Baylor:
“For the most part of the night, the defense did an excellent job. When you look at coverage, forcing turnovers and eliminating the run game up until the obvious breakdown at the end of the game, they did a good job.”

On the kicking game:
“I'm really proud of Garrett Hartley, since the week before he had struggled a little bit. I've said that I didn't feel that was him. All along, he's been a really solid and excellent kicker, and he really showed that in some pressure situations the other night.

"I'm also proud of Cody Freeby. His average was over 40 yards, and he had a couple downed inside the five yard line.”

On what Oklahoma needs to improve on before facing Nebraska:
“It's a big game with Nebraska this week. We need to be sharper, and we need to continue to develop in the areas we have made improvements in. I really feel that the team is gaining and has more confidence and excitement in what they're doing.”

On Nebraska's strengths:
“I thought (Cory) Ross a year ago, and this year, is one of the better running backs in the league. Zac Taylor, the quarterback, is doing a great job. There are several receivers who are also doing well.

"Defensively, they are very sound and are big on tackles for loss and making sacks up front. Overall, they are a very solid football team, and we recognize that.”

On running back Adrian Peterson's status:
“He's improved. He took more snaps yesterday than he has any other Monday. We're more encouraged than we have been at any other time. We'll still need to see what happens later on in the week. There's just a difference in practice and making those cuts on gameday.”

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FRESHMAN DB REGGIE SMITH
On kick-off returns:
"Every time I get out there I think I'm going to break for it but that one guy always trips me up, but hopefully I'll be able to get it sometime this week or next week."

On choosing OU over USC and Nebraska:
"A lot of stuff went into it and I just went with my gut feeling. Even if I went to USC or Nebraska, I'd second guess my decision. I'm happy where I'm at right now and I'm just going to ride it out."

On how successful the team is going to be in the coming years:
"I think we will be. I saw it in the last game with the receivers. All three of them were out there playing and made big plays during crunch time.

"Then you have to look at the defense. Nic (Harris) and I are back there together sometimes. There are a whole lot of freshmen playing and I think we are going to be real good in the future."

On making mistakes:
"Yeah, personally I made a mistake but life goes on. You just have to let it go and get back in there and try to make it up next week or next play. Mistakes are going to happen but we're just focusing on the next game."

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SOPHOMORE K GARRETT HARTLEY
On kicking on the road:
"I think it actually gives me more incentive to do good. You have all the fans and everyone just screaming at you."

On the overtime field goal kick:
"I definitely like that feeling. You can say it's all in your mind, but you have to have a great snap from Jacob Rice and everything has to work like clockwork."

On the team's confidence:
"We are definitely on a role right now and the morale of the team is up. We're feeling good about ourselves, we have two wins in a row and I think it is really important. We are going to go out there on Saturday and play like we know how."

On the game in Lincoln:
"As far as the team goes, we are looking forward to it. By winning out in Lincoln, it could help us out, but we try not to think about that going on the road. We just know what we have to do."

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SOPHOMORE DB ALLEN PATRICK
On playing running back:
"I play wherever they want me to play. I go in there and do what I can do. AD (Adrian Peterson) is going to come back and he'll do what he knows how to do. It doesn't matter to me. I'll play wherever. I felt like I was getting my sway back a little bit and doing a good job for the team."

On playing special teams:
"I'm proud of that. I go out there and go 100% every time. I always try to do my best."

On being roommates with Adrian Peterson:
"He keeps telling me to calm down and asks me if I'm nervous. I told him I wasn't nervous and he said yeah you are.' I admitted to it but he just told me to go out and slow down, relax, run down hill and whenever I see the hole, hit it hard."

On switching to running back:
"I wasn't expecting to get any snaps this year to tell you the truth. I was just trying to make the transition. I have to go watch film and learn where the gaps are, learn the (opposing team's) offensive line, which keys to read. It's a big part in learning the schemes."

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SENIOR DT DUSTY DVORACEK
On what he remembers from the Nebraska game in 2001:
"I remember it was cold. I remember it was awesome, an awesome stadium. There was a lot on the line and it was a great game. It was a battle the whole game; they got that throwback pass at the end and ours didn't work because we fell. It hurt to lose.

"The Nebraska fans have to be the best fans I've ever played against. That's what sticks out in my mind more than anything. I remember we lost, but when we were leaving the field, the whole entire crowd gave us a standing ovation. All of the fans were telling us how great we are, how we'll get them next week, and they'll see us in the Big 12 Championship."

On the history of Oklahoma football:
"I didn't know much about Oklahoma football before I got here. I knew about OU-Texas because I'm from Dallas, but I didn't know OU had won all these championships. The only reason I knew Barry Switzer was because he was a Cowboys coach, I didn't know he was a great Oklahoma coach. I didn't know all that much when I got here, but as soon as you get here, it's not hard to figure things out."

On the OU-Nebraska rivalry:
"A lot of people say this (OU vs. Nebraska) is a bigger game than the OU-Texas game, historically. It's an awesome game with two of the greatest programs ever. They are going to be a really good team and come to play hard, and it's the same with us. More than anything, it's going to be really good football and it's going to be fun."

On Oklahoma's last win in Lincoln in 1987:
"When was the last time Texas beat us? 1999? I don't think that stuff matters. When the last time we won there doesn't matter, all the statistics and that stuff doesn't matter. What's going to matter is how we prepare this week and if we come to play on Saturday. Historical facts, all the past, this great rivalry, none of that matters.

"The 2005 Sooners are playing the 2005 Huskers and it will all be settled Saturday."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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