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University of Oklahoma Athletics
OU Enjoys First Day in Arizona Sun
December 26, 2006 | Football
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The No. 7 University of Oklahoma football team completed its first practice Tuesday at Pinnacle High School in preparation for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
The Sooners practiced in full pads for two and one-half hours under the Arizona sun, working out the kinks of a holiday layoff in sunny, low 70-degree weather.
“We (coaches), we're really pleased,” OU head coach Bob Stoops said. “In full pads, we got after it in a physical way. The guys looked good.
“I love it (in Arizona). Great area; beautiful weather we're excited about being here. Pinnacle High School has a beautiful practice field and game field area. The locker room area is perfect. It's wonderful.”
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Quarterback Paul Thompson was crisp and showed an accurate touch with his passes with the coincidental backdrop of Thompson Peak in the McDowell Mountains on the eastern horizon. Running backs Adrian Peterson, Allen Patrick and Chris Brown received an equal share of today's snaps.
“(Paul's) done a fantastic job,” Stoops said. “He's been consistent for us, very poised, very calm. And he's made a lot of great plays throughout the year.
“Adrian practiced well today. He was full go' in all team and inside drills and looked good.”
Receiving extra attention in post-practice interviews was punter Mike Knall, who is a Scottsdale native and played a season for the Fighting Artichokes of Scottsdale Community College two years ago.
Afterwards, the Sooners were treated to a welcome dinner by the Fiesta Bowl Committee at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel.
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TUESDAY BOWL NOTES
Oklahoma's day started at 9 a.m., with a team breakfast, followed by 9:45 a.m., position meetings. The team's three buses, escorted by Scottsdale, Ariz., police on BMW motorcycles, departed the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort at 11 a.m. The ride to Pinnacle High School was approximately 20 minutes.
Pinnacle High School, one of the largest in the Phoenix metropolitan area, features two immaculately manicured fields. Most of Tuesday's practice occurred on the main game field.
OU practiced from 11:40 a.m., until 2:10 p.m. The team worked out in full pads and covered nearly every facet of the game. The first main team drill was the inside drill, focused on the running game. The first teams worked against each other in both inside and team drills.
Adrian Peterson took the reps at first-team running back.
After practice, the team ate lunch under a large tent just outside the practice field. The team was served steak, rice, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, shrimp skewers, dinner rolls, tossed and Caeser salad, fruit and apple pie.
During post-practice interviews, Sooner head coach Bob Stoops said Mike, his brother and the head coach at the University of Arizona, will be in town Wednesday.
Stoops also said his squad may attend the Insight.com Bowl, featuring Texas Tech and Minnesota on Dec. 27 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Tech is coached by former OU offensive coordinator Mike Leach.
Oklahoma Director of Football Operations Merv Johnson said Tuesday that several senior players are bound for post-season all-star games. LB Rufus Alexander has agreed to play in the Senior Bowl, LB Zach Latimer will be in the East/West Shrine Game, DE C.J. Ah You will play in the Hula Bowl and QB Paul Thompson, DE Calvin Thibodeaux and OL Chris Messner have agreed to play in a North-South all-star game in Houston. Johnson said DE Larry Birdine has not committed to a game yet, but hopes to finalize his plans soon.
On Wednesday, the Sooners will go through another closed practice session at Pinnacle High School. The workout is slated for 11:40 a.m., in uppers only.
During the morning, OU coaches will meet with members of the FOX TV broadcast crew that will call the game. That crew is Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Barry Alvarez and Chris Myers.
After Wednesday's practice, OU will team with local Boys and Girls Club for Youth Gridiron Day at the practice site. The team will interact with the youth and sign autographs.
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DAILY COVERAGE
OU Athletics Internet Services Director, Jason Matheson, will post daily reports, video, photo galleries and features from location in Arizona.
Associate A.D. for Communications Kenny Mossman and Assistant Media Relations Director Jared Thompson will also provide coverage of the Sooners during bowl week. SoonerVision director Dan Cavanaugh will post additional video features.
Follow the Sooners all week leading up to the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at SoonerSports.com -- information direct from the source: Daily Coverage.
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