OU Holds Fourth Practice, Visits San Diego Zoo

SAN DIEGO -- Just three days until show time. The Sooners marked their fourth day in San Diego with practice and a trip to the world-famous zoo. Oklahoma plays Oregon in the 2005 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 5 p.m. PST.

The Sooners enjoyed a quiet evening on Sunday for Christmas but had position meetings early Monday and then rolled out for practice at 9:30 a.m.

The fourth session at the practice facility at San Diego State University lasted for a little over two hours. Head coach Bob Stoops met with the noticeably larger media corps after he huddled with his team.

"The guys were enthusiastic," said Stoops. "They hustled around and practiced well. We're in good shape and the guys understand the plan. It just gets down to making plays and handling the different wrinkles."

Photos - Sooners Work Out for Fourth Day at SDSU

Stoops was asked about his impressions of San Diego and the Holiday Bowl. "I love it," said Stoops. "From the hotel to all the different events, the people couldn't be any better."

Bowl staff have had their work cut out for them. In addition to hosting the teams from OU and Oregon this week, the group hosted the inaugural Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 22 at Qualcomm Stadium. Navy, a local favorite due to the proximity of bases along the coast, beat Colorado State, 51-30.

Coach Stoops was also asked his thoughts on the return of Josh Heupel to the staff. Heupel was officially announced as OU's quarterbacks coach at the team press conference on Dec. 22. "He's been with us so much -- five of the seven years we've been (at OU) -- it's almost as if he never left. It's worked out great."

Stoops answered further questions about the impact of staff changes on the team. "One year, we lost our offensive coordinator and won the National Championship the next," offered Stoops. "Your maturity as a team and your experience probably have more to do with winning or losing than just your coordinator. Sometimes I believe change is healthy and good as long as what you're asking the players to do fits them well."

After lunch at the practice facility, the team departed for the San Diego Zoo.

Photos - Team Visits San Diego Zoo

Chris Chester, J.D. Runnels, Chris Messner, Donta Hickson, Chris Bush, Calvin Thibodeaux and Carl Pendleton got up close and personal with a sea lion brought out for a photo-op. Runnels interviewed the sea lion for air on local TV back home. Thibodeaux, however, kept his distance and moved even further away when the staff brought out a boa constrictor.

Watch Practice No. 4 Clips
Coach Stoops Meets with Media
Former Sooner & Current San Diego Charger Wes Sims
Sooners Visit San Diego Zoo

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The team then returned to the hotel for an evening devoid of meetings. A player hospitality room is located in the hotel. Players enjoy arcades, snacks and TVs tuned to bowl games during their down time.

Oklahoma and Oregon will join members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aboard USS NIMITZ at Naval Air Station North Island for lunch on Tuesday. The Sooners are then scheduled to practice at 2:45 p.m.

An interesting sight I thought I'd share from Saturday at SeaWorld: Coach Stoops and a group of Oklahoma players were waiting at the front of the park for the team buses to pull up and take us back to the hotel. Before our buses arrived, Oregon's team buses began unloading for their outing to the San Diego landmark. Bowl officials usually stagger the team's visits to the various attractions.

Coach Stoops shook hands with many of the Oregon players and coaches as they streamed towards the entrance. Although the teams don't meet in any official capacity until Tuesday's trip to the Naval Station, Stoops showed the Ducks -- and our players watching -- a gracious respect for the opponent.

We're all looking forward to the tour of the aircraft carrier tomorrow. Bowl officials tell us it's been the highlight of the Holiday Bowl activities for players for a long time.

- Jason

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SoonerSports.com director Jason Matheson will post daily reports from San Diego as the team prepares for the 2005 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. Follow the Sooners with exclusive reports, interviews, photo galleries, audio and video features here at SoonerSports.com

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OU Holds Fourth Practice, Visits San Diego Zoo

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