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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Stoops Pleased with Practice No. 2
December 27, 2006 | Football
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Oklahoma wrapped up practice number two at Pinnacle High School for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl under overcast conditions Wednesday.
After shaking the rust off in full pads Tuesday, the Sooners practiced in helmets and shoulder pads, working through a number of team drills. OU head coach Bob Stoops was complimentary toward his players' efforts.
“It was really good,” Stoops said. “(I was) really pleased with it. Full pads and very physical yesterday. Today was just more like a Monday coming off of a game. I really liked the way they worked and we're sharp.”
OU spent the majority of practice working on offensive and defensive schemes it would utilize against Boise State on New Year's Day.
Oklahoma's head coach had two former coaches as special guests. His brother, Mike, the Univeristy of Arizona head coach, and Mark Hill, UA assistant strength coach, were guests at practice. Though no longer on the same staff, Stoops said he still pays attention to his brother's work.
“I follow very closely, of course,” Stoops said. “When you have not just one, but two brothers (at Arizona), I'm constantly watching and paying attention to how they're doing and felt like they've made strong and significant progress. I know he wants more, but they're on their way towards it.”
The Sooners broke for individual free time after practice and won't meet again as a team until meetings Thursday morning. Though there is much to do during bowl week, Stoops believes his players still know where to focus their energy.
“It's really pretty simple,” Stoops commented. “In a way, our guys all like to practice and it's almost funny to say that because they might disagree with me. They come; they've got good attitudes. They know the most important part of the trip is the game. Coming to our meetings and coming to the field ready to work they're good about that.”
With the second practice in the books, Stoops was pleased with the week thus far.
“This has just been sensational,” Stoops said. “How everybody with the Fiesta Bowl has treated us, our accommodations, to the town everything.”
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HOMECOMING FOR CLAPP & KNALL
For two Oklahoma players, going to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl means going home. Fullback Matt Clapp and punter Mike Knall are just minutes from their homes in the Valley of the Sun.
Clapp, a redshirt freshman from Phoenix, and Knall a sophomore from Scottsdale, are proud to wear Crimson and Cream, especially when playing in front of friends and family.
"It's great to play in Norman," said Clapp, "but most of my family is here and it's going to be real nice to play in front of them. My whole family is excited."
Clapp has had to come up with 25 tickets. Knall, whose father Phil, is a lifetime member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee is distributing 15.
The elder Knall told his son that the Fiesta Bowl was a good possibility several weeks ago.
"He told me after we beat (Texas) Tech that if we could win out and get a little help that the Fiesta Bowl was a good possibility. I had high hopes."
Both Clapp and Knall were able to drive a few minutes to join their teammates at the hotel.
"It was nice to have the holiday here and then drive to the hotel," Knall said.
Clapp said he plays to spend a lot of time with family, but hasn't lost sight of his role on the team.
"I want to hang around with the guys and show them around to some of the spot," he said. "I want to be with the team. The team and the game are the main things we are here for."
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WEDNESDAY BOWL NOTES
Oklahoma completed its second Tostitos Fiesta Bowl practice Wednesday at Pinnacle High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. It was a two-hour workout in uppers only. Here is a rundown of the team's day...
A continental breakfast was served at 9:30 a.m., ahead of position meetings that began at 10 a.m.
At 9 a.m., OU head coach Bob Stoops met with the FOX television broadcast team that has been assigned to the game. Those in attendance included play-by-play announcers Thom Brenneman, color commentator Charles Davis, producer Mike Burks and director Rich Russo. That same group attended the entire practice later in the day and was joined by the game's other color commentator, Barry Alvarez.
The team departed the Fairmont Princess Resort with a police escort at 11 a.m. Practice started at 11:40 a.m. The first 15 minutes were open to news media.
Again the team worked considerably on all facets of the game. Garrett Hartley had a second straight solid day of kicking field goals.
The defense spent most of the practice on the practice field adjacent to the main game field at Pinnacle High School. The offense did extensive work on its passing game.
After practice concluded, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale joined the Sooner players and coaches for autographs and photos. LB Zach Latimer and WR Malcolm Kelly joined Stoops in addressing the group.
QB Paul Thompson and RB Adrian Peterson talked spent time with the FOX group after the practice.
Former Sooner defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, the brother of OU's head coach, attended the practice. Mike is now the head coach at Arizona. Mark Hill, assistant strength coach at UA, also was at the workout. He previously served in a similar position at Oklahoma.
On Thursday, Oklahoma players have two functions to attend. Some of the players will attend the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast. QB Paul Thompson, RB Adrian Peterson, OT Chris Messner and WR Malcolm Kelly will join coaches Kevin Wilson and Kevin Sumlin at the offensive media conference at the media hotel. The defensive media conference will be held the following day.
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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.
After shaking the rust off in full pads Tuesday, the Sooners practiced in helmets and shoulder pads, working through a number of team drills. OU head coach Bob Stoops was complimentary toward his players' efforts.
“It was really good,” Stoops said. “(I was) really pleased with it. Full pads and very physical yesterday. Today was just more like a Monday coming off of a game. I really liked the way they worked and we're sharp.”
OU spent the majority of practice working on offensive and defensive schemes it would utilize against Boise State on New Year's Day.
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“A really good, disciplined football team,” Stoops said of the Broncos. “Very talented. I would have to say that a team that wins all of its games is very sure of itself, very confident in how it plays. They play fast that way. They're a very good team, structurally, both sides of the ball, very good at what they do. You've got to be at your best to beat them.”
The Sooners were joined by special guests from the local Boys and Girls Club of America. The group met the team at the conclusion of practice. Linebacker Zach Latimer, receiver Malcolm Kelly and Coach Stoops each had a special message for the group.
Oklahoma's head coach had two former coaches as special guests. His brother, Mike, the Univeristy of Arizona head coach, and Mark Hill, UA assistant strength coach, were guests at practice. Though no longer on the same staff, Stoops said he still pays attention to his brother's work.
“I follow very closely, of course,” Stoops said. “When you have not just one, but two brothers (at Arizona), I'm constantly watching and paying attention to how they're doing and felt like they've made strong and significant progress. I know he wants more, but they're on their way towards it.”
The Sooners broke for individual free time after practice and won't meet again as a team until meetings Thursday morning. Though there is much to do during bowl week, Stoops believes his players still know where to focus their energy.
“It's really pretty simple,” Stoops commented. “In a way, our guys all like to practice and it's almost funny to say that because they might disagree with me. They come; they've got good attitudes. They know the most important part of the trip is the game. Coming to our meetings and coming to the field ready to work they're good about that.”
With the second practice in the books, Stoops was pleased with the week thus far.
“This has just been sensational,” Stoops said. “How everybody with the Fiesta Bowl has treated us, our accommodations, to the town everything.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HOMECOMING FOR CLAPP & KNALL
For two Oklahoma players, going to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl means going home. Fullback Matt Clapp and punter Mike Knall are just minutes from their homes in the Valley of the Sun.
Clapp, a redshirt freshman from Phoenix, and Knall a sophomore from Scottsdale, are proud to wear Crimson and Cream, especially when playing in front of friends and family.
"It's great to play in Norman," said Clapp, "but most of my family is here and it's going to be real nice to play in front of them. My whole family is excited."
Clapp has had to come up with 25 tickets. Knall, whose father Phil, is a lifetime member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee is distributing 15.
The elder Knall told his son that the Fiesta Bowl was a good possibility several weeks ago.
"He told me after we beat (Texas) Tech that if we could win out and get a little help that the Fiesta Bowl was a good possibility. I had high hopes."
Both Clapp and Knall were able to drive a few minutes to join their teammates at the hotel.
"It was nice to have the holiday here and then drive to the hotel," Knall said.
Clapp said he plays to spend a lot of time with family, but hasn't lost sight of his role on the team.
"I want to hang around with the guys and show them around to some of the spot," he said. "I want to be with the team. The team and the game are the main things we are here for."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
WEDNESDAY BOWL NOTES
Oklahoma completed its second Tostitos Fiesta Bowl practice Wednesday at Pinnacle High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. It was a two-hour workout in uppers only. Here is a rundown of the team's day...
A continental breakfast was served at 9:30 a.m., ahead of position meetings that began at 10 a.m.
At 9 a.m., OU head coach Bob Stoops met with the FOX television broadcast team that has been assigned to the game. Those in attendance included play-by-play announcers Thom Brenneman, color commentator Charles Davis, producer Mike Burks and director Rich Russo. That same group attended the entire practice later in the day and was joined by the game's other color commentator, Barry Alvarez.
The team departed the Fairmont Princess Resort with a police escort at 11 a.m. Practice started at 11:40 a.m. The first 15 minutes were open to news media.
Again the team worked considerably on all facets of the game. Garrett Hartley had a second straight solid day of kicking field goals.
The defense spent most of the practice on the practice field adjacent to the main game field at Pinnacle High School. The offense did extensive work on its passing game.
After practice concluded, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale joined the Sooner players and coaches for autographs and photos. LB Zach Latimer and WR Malcolm Kelly joined Stoops in addressing the group.
QB Paul Thompson and RB Adrian Peterson talked spent time with the FOX group after the practice.
Former Sooner defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, the brother of OU's head coach, attended the practice. Mike is now the head coach at Arizona. Mark Hill, assistant strength coach at UA, also was at the workout. He previously served in a similar position at Oklahoma.
On Thursday, Oklahoma players have two functions to attend. Some of the players will attend the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast. QB Paul Thompson, RB Adrian Peterson, OT Chris Messner and WR Malcolm Kelly will join coaches Kevin Wilson and Kevin Sumlin at the offensive media conference at the media hotel. The defensive media conference will be held the following day.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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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