OU Visits USS Nimitz, Conducts Final Practice

SAN DIEGO -- Oklahoma enjoyed a luncheon and tour of the USS Nimitz before holding the final practice of the 2005 season on Tuesday in San Diego.

The Sooners held special teams and position meetings in the morning at the Sheraton before heading to the Naval Air Station North Island at 11 a.m. The ride from the hotel included a drive over the Coronado Bridge high above San Diego Bay. As the buses descended into the naval base, the huge carriers anchored in the bay became visible.

Players stepped off the buses and the Pride of Oklahoma and the Oregon marching band faced off and blared each school's fight song. The players stopped and gazed upwards as the command tower of the USS Nimitz loomed more than 18 stories above them.

Photos - Sooners Tour USS Nimitz in San Diego Bay

After boarding the carrier, players for both teams sat down for lunch and remarks from Holiday Bowl officials, Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti and Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops.

Coach Bellotti got the biggest laugh during his time at the podium when he shared that the ship's commanding officer, Capt. Ted Branch, suggested the teams head out to sea and play the game on the flight deck.

"You could get three football fields up there lengthwise," said Bellotti. "Width-wise, we've got a little bit of a problem -- if you get knocked out of bounds, you don't come back."

A surprised Bubba Moses was awarded the Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp Trophy in a secret ballot by the OU players and coaches. The Trophy is presented to the player, coach or representative of the Holiday Bowl teams who best demonstrates unselfish commitment, motivation and teamwork that resulted in little acclaim for them but helped contribute to the team's overall success.

After the luncheon, the players and staff toured the huge carrier including trips to the flight deck and command tower. Three helicopters and a fighter jet were on hand as military personnel gave presentations. Senior running back Kejuan Jones and several other Sooners taped messages to U.S. troops overseas.

Freshman defensive end Brody Eldridge of La Cygne, Kan., was taking in the sights when he heard his name called. Brody's cousin Nick Shotton (also from La Cygne) appeared in a navy uniform. Turns out Shotton was stationed on the Nimitz and neither cousin knew the other would be there on the same day. "I was in line and he hollered my name," said Eldridge. "I was amazed. It's kind of neat."

The cousins spent the rest of the visit touring the deck of the carrier together.

Holiday Bowl officials had predicted that the luncheon and carrier visit would be the players' favorite activity during their time in San Diego. It's easy to see why. How many chances do you get to explore a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier?

"This is definitely a first," said junior linebacker Rufus Alexander.

Senior offensive tackle Davin Joseph agreed. "This is amazing," said Joseph as he eyed the edge of the deck. "I'd like to see one of the planes take off and land. How in the world do they do that? They have to be completely committed to operating this ship the right way because there's very little margin for error."

Joseph was also impressed with the Holiday Bowl. "They've shown us great hospitality. I'm just glad to be invited to tour this ship and enjoy all the other activities."

After concluding their visit to the Nimitz, the players boarded the buses once again for San Diego State. It marked the final practice for OU's seniors. The Sooners will conduct a walk through on Wednesday before the Holiday Bowl game on Thursday evening.

"For a lineman, we can't be more happy that we don't have to run for Smitty anymore," laughed Joseph. "Yet, it will be kind of sad. It was a lot of fun being around the guys. A lot of these seniors have to be ready to take the next step. A lot of them will have opportunites on the next level."

Many of the players talked about being eager to play the game as soon as possible.

"Practices are going well," said Rufus Alexander. "Everyone's enjoying themselves and we're glad to be out here in this bowl game. But, I'm ready for the game."

"It's going to be a great game," echoed Joseph. "The atmosphere, the sold-out game -- plus, we're up against a great team."

Watch as Sooners Tour the USS Nimitz in San Diego Bay

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The Holiday Bowl will conduct its official media day on Wednesday. Head coach Bob Stoops will have remarks and take questions from the press corps at the San Diego Convention Center beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The entire team decked in OU jerseys will then attend the SAIC Kickoff Luncheon. A crowd of fans and dignitaries will join them for an afternoon slated to include pep talks from both head coaches and special guests, highlight videos from the season and music provided by the schools' marching bands.

A big thanks to the Holiday Bowl, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps representatives and the sailors involved in hosting both teams aboard the USS Nimitz. What an awe-inspiring sight.

Kickoff for the 2005 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl is drawing near and everyone here can feel it. Check back for complete coverage of Wednesday's activities at SoonerSports.com.

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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

Daily Bowl Coverage | Sooner Holiday Bowl Central

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Interesting Notes on the USS Nimitz
Nimitz reaches over 18 stories high from the keel to the top of the mast.
The Hangar Bay extends for most of the ship's length. It is used for major repair and shelters the aircraft not needed for that day's flight schedule.
Four distilling units enable Nimitz engineers to make over 400,000 gallons of fresh water a day, for use by the propulsion plants, catapults and crew.
Nimitz' Food Services Department provides 18,000-20,000 meals a day.
Nimitz can stock at least 70 days of refrigerated and dry storage goods.
Literally tons of wash are done every day by Nimitz' laundry, dry cleaning and tailoring services personnel.
Nimitz' one barber shop trims over 1,500 heads each week.
The Post Office processes more than one million pounds of mail each year.
The ship has a fully-equipped dental facility, staffed by five dentists.
The Medical Department is manned by six doctors, including a general surgeon, who provide everything from surgery to hydro-therapy. The ship also featuresa 53-bed hospital ward, a three bed ICU, and acts as the hospital ship for the entire Nimitz battle group.
Nimitz' three chaplains conduct daily religious services in an interdenominational chapel.
Nuclear power allows the ship to store 50 percent more ammunition and almost twice as much aviation fuel as the largest conventional carrier.

More Information on the USS Nimitz

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OU Visits USS Nimitz, Conducts Final Practice

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