Stoops and Players on Texas A&M 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 hosts Texas A&M on Saturday at Owen Field

The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be televised by ABC Sports. Please consult Sooner Gameday Central for complete media options, information for fans attending the game and team comparisons.

OU HEAD COACH BOB STOOPS
On having an off week:
"During this last week, I feel fortunate to have the extra work going into this game and the extra time to rehabilitate some injuries. We'll have several guys back, and even the ones that have been a little banged up, are further along.

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"We'll have Chris Chester back in the offensive line, and that will be a big plus. Before his injury, Chris had been playing as well as anybody."

"I feel like we're stronger coming into the week. We practiced Monday through Thursday last week and picked up this week on Sunday."

On facing Texas A&M:
"Texas A&M is a team that has been very explosive offensively. If you look at statistics, they have been averaging over 400 yards each game. They are third or fourth in the league in scoring offense.

"I've always felt that Reggie McNeal is one of the better players in the league. They have excellent weapons in their receiver, (Jason) Carter, and in a couple of backs. We have to be very good defensively.

"Texas A&M is one of the teams in the league that has been better at running the football. That will be a key component for us, to stop their running game. We have to be able to contain and pressure McNeal and take away their big plays. A&M likes to go after big plays on early downs, and we have to be in position to take those away."

"Offensively, we want to be able to maintain our balance in running and passing. We need to take care of the football and not get behind the chains in penalties."

"We need to improve in some of our other areas, like special teams. There's a chance, depending on Jejuan Rankins availability, that Kejuan Jones will return punts. He's a guy who has put in a lot of work over the past two weeks. Hopefully with his experience handling the football, it will give us some extra security back there. That is one area, without Jejuan, that we have lacked a little bit. If we can clear that up, I'll feel like we're in pretty good shape."

On playing Texas A&M while he has been head coach:
"There have been a lot of really big games. The best game was probably in the 2000 year. They're always a good football team and always talented. We understand that, and it will be a big game again this year."

On the team's confidence:
"They are much more confident, but they are much more experienced. They have been in the games, they've made plays and they have not made plays. They have learned from their mistakes, and just being out there makes them more confident in themselves and what they are doing."

On running back Adrian Peterson's status:
"I don't know if he's 100 percent, but his 95 percent is better than most people's 100 percent. He's closer and closer, and he looks good in practice."

On playing Chris Chester in this game:
"We'll go through this week and see how he works out. Whether he starts or not, he's going to play as much as anybody else. I'm not really that concerned about who will start because in the end, they will all play. We've been rotating them, and Coach (Kevin) Wilson has done an excellent job of that. Having Chris in there will be a big boost for us."

On the versatility of the offensive line:
"We've had to. Because of all that has transpired, we have had different guys step up and play multiple positions. The good part about that is they have a good understanding of not one but even two or three positions. A couple of the older guys, like Chris Chester, Chris Bush, and Davin (Joseph), could play any of those positions up there."

On running back Jacob Gutierrez's status:
"He's not definitely out. He has been practicing, and he practiced yesterday. In the end, what will decide it is how effective and strong he will be with that arm. He's close, but with Jacob, we'll have to gauge how strong he will be with that arm in protecting himself and doing what he needs to do."

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FRESHMAN DE ALAN DAVIS
On the team's confidence level:
"We are very confident but we have to take it one game at a time. We are working on A&M this week and next week we'll really work on Tech. But, our confidence level is high for this game."

On being three deep in his position:
"I have to go in there and make it happen. I have to prove to the coaches that I can play and every time they give me a chance I do prove it to them. I think the coaches are starting to trust me a lot more.”

On losing three defensive ends at the beginning of the season:
"I took it as a challenge because it was a big opportunity for me. With everyone down, I knew I needed to come in and step up and play a big role on this defense. There isn't room to be a baby anymore. Freshmen have to step up and play a big role to get up there with the bigger guys."

On the Texas A&M game:
"It's going to be a good game. We are going to have to keep our hands on Reggie McNeal. We can't run past him, we need to keep him in the pocket. Their (A&M) offensive tackles are really big and aggressive. We need to watch a lot of film, prepare the same way we've prepared the past couple of games and go out there and play to have fun."

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SENIOR WR TRAVIS WILSON
On his ankle:
"It's right below the ankle bone so it's a matter of the swelling going down. It's getting better and it's getting stronger, but I'm still working on explosiveness and being able to cut."

On the team's confidence:
"At the beginning of the season, we didn't get out the way we wanted to. Every win isn't going to be a blow out but I see the toughness week in and week out and that's what is most important for this team. We've tried to tell the young guys that winning doesn't come easy. The things they've seen in the past haven't come easy, it's all about competing each play.

"Once you start to win, things can loosen up a little bit and they can start to relax and get into their comfort zone and make more plays for this team. Overall, I think everyone is starting to feel a little bit better; no one is getting big-headed. We know we could be a lot better off, but we're happy to be where we are now. "

On Rhett Bomar's progress:
"Week in and week out, we see the confidence he has in running the offense, in and out of the huddle, on and off the field. He takes a pounding almost every week, but he's such a competitor and he's earning more and more people's respect. I think he's starting to become a great player."

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JUNIOR OL CHRIS MESSNER
On the run game:
"The long runs definitely help, but I like the straight ahead, where we're packing in and trying to get those type of runs. Adrian Peterson tries to score every time. He's working hard like everyone else."

On winning:
"Winning is definitely good. It gives us a boost of confidence. Winning shows what we're here to do, we're here to win and to compete against good programs. That's what the Big 12 iall about. We definitely have a swagger now and it's coming from being able to count on all of the other guys and it's a good feeling."

On the A&M game:
"They look tough up front. It's every team every week. We're going to come out on Saturday and do our best to put up some numbers and win more games. I have my job to do just like everyone else."

On the improvements:
"It's all about attitude and working week in and week out to get better. That's what we've done since early on in the season. I come in each week and try to work hard, encourage all of the other guys to work hard. It's important for us to watch a lot of film and really know our assignments."

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JUNIOR LB ZACH LATIMER
On the season turning around:
"It hasn't turned around just yet. We're 5-3 right now, still not bowl eligible and we have a lot left to get done. We just have to take it each game at a time and see where we end up,"

On the improvements:
"I think we've come a long way with just game experience, but we still have a long way to go. We had a lot of players who didn't have game experience. Practice is a lot different than games. Each game everyone is doing a little something better than before. In order to be a complete team, we have to put two halves together. As soon as we can do that, we'll be right where we need to be and it will be real special."

On the linebackers' success:
"I guess it's just preparation coming into each game and getting out there and seeing the same things we've seen all week in practice. For the most part, we have to work off of what we've seen and feed off each other. I might see Rufus (Alexander) or Clint (Ingram) make a play and I think to myself that it is now my time to make a play."

"First game of the year, we really weren't talking to each other or telling each other what was coming. At first it was really just Rufus and I just sat back and let things happen. Now I'm feeling more comfortable and can tell him (Rufus) something I see, Clint will tell me what he sees and we really communicate to each other."

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