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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Stoops, Meyer Meet in Florida
December 11, 2008 | Football
MIAMI LAKES, Fla. | OrangeBowl.org -- FedEx BCS National Championship head coaches Bob Stoops of Oklahoma and Urban Meyer of Florida convened for a press conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon (December 10). Below are quotes from the event provided by the Orange Bowl.
BCS No. 1 and Big 12 champion Oklahoma (12-1) will play BCS No. 2 and SEC champion Florida (12-1) in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla., on January 8, 2009. The game marks OU's seventh BCS bowl and fourth national title game in nine seasons.
The Sooners earned an automatic berth in the BCS with a 62-21 win against Missouri in the Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City Saturday night. The victory marked OU's third consecutive conference title, sixth Big 12 crown in nine seasons and 42nd conference championship in the program's history.
Opening remarks:
"It's an honor and it's exciting to be here. It's always a fantastic experience. It's an exciting challenge. We understand what an excellent football team they have. Everyone couldn't be more excited."
On his time as Defensive Coordinator at Florida:
"They're great memories and relationships. There's lots of great friendships. I learned a lot in handling situations. It makes a big difference in my career."
Opening remarks:
"This is going to be a great matchup. Coach Stoops has the Oklahoma Sooners playing at a high level."
On Offensive Coordinator Dan Mullen leaving for Head Coach position for Miss. St:
"The news is fresh off the plane. My main priority is making sure the team is ready to play on Jan. 8."
On concern of whether Mullen coaches in the game:
"The coordinator calls a lot of the plays... It would be different if it were a one-man show."
On Meyer's preference whether Mullen should stay for BCS:
"I have not had a chance to evaluate that yet. His resume's pretty strong and I wish him all the best."
On large fan base in South Florida:
"I hope it's a home field... Over the course of the season, in the back of our minds, this was a target to get to Miami. It was certainly a target and we can't wait to get here. At the end of the day, when the foot hits the ball, it really has no bearing."
On his team's bid to the BCS National Championship:
"I want them to enjoy the moment. The difference between this and the Southeastern Championship is that this is a four-week build-up. The objective is to come down here and try to win the game. I trust this team."
On difference between 2006 team and current squad:
"They are more similar than different. That was a much older team. This is much younger. This year, we had minimal issues compared to what I'm used to. There are a lot of similarities between the two teams."
On defending his team's bid to BCS National Championship:
"I don't have a case. We're beyond that."
On Sam Bradford launching four yards to win (a major game):
"Throwing a ball is impressive, but a guy that leads his team is a true quarterback. He's a tremendous leader."
On Tebow's prospects of winning Heisman:
"He is a team-first guy. If he could have either or, he's going to take the chance to have 12 wins and hold the crystal ball [BCS National Championship Trophy]."
On facing the best offense in the country:
"It's a lot of pressure on an offense when you face a team that scores a lot. This year, we've improved. When you force a team to punt the ball, it's not as much of a concern. Not one time this fall have we felt like we were over-matched. Last year was different."
On the one loss in the season:
"Any time something bad happens, it makes us refocus. Everybody forgets to mention we lost to a very good team."
BCS No. 1 and Big 12 champion Oklahoma (12-1) will play BCS No. 2 and SEC champion Florida (12-1) in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla., on January 8, 2009. The game marks OU's seventh BCS bowl and fourth national title game in nine seasons.
The Sooners earned an automatic berth in the BCS with a 62-21 win against Missouri in the Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City Saturday night. The victory marked OU's third consecutive conference title, sixth Big 12 crown in nine seasons and 42nd conference championship in the program's history.
 |
Head Coach Bob Stoops |
Opening remarks:
"It's an honor and it's exciting to be here. It's always a fantastic experience. It's an exciting challenge. We understand what an excellent football team they have. Everyone couldn't be more excited."
On his time as Defensive Coordinator at Florida:
"They're great memories and relationships. There's lots of great friendships. I learned a lot in handling situations. It makes a big difference in my career."
"I had great feelings and memories there. But I also felt great about Oklahoma. I love the path I was on there. We were building something there that was very specific and I wanted to continue it.
On having a "stacked" offense:
"They've been successful. Those guys have been great for us. They've been successful and good."
On his experiences in Ohio:
"In Ohio, there's great football. There's great coaches at the high school level."
On speaking to Urban:
"We talk a lot... I hopefully got him there [job as Florida Gators Head Coach]."
On his team handling hype:
"There's so many things that happen after the year. Some players will graduate and go on to other parts of their lives. You have to stay in the moment and the challenge of playing Florida and what's coming next."
On QB Sam Bradford's focus:
"He wants to win. Being with his teammates is all that matters. That's first and foremost. He's that kind of leader. He doesn't speak about it. With us, it's all there."
On whether he was surprised by the team's offensive dominance:
"Yes. You don't ever anticipate that much production. We knew we would be improved from a year ago. I didn't ever anticipate as much as we've had. It's been helped by some of the turnovers, not to take anything away from the offense."
On impact of his team's one loss:
"It makes you refocus. Our guys picked up each week more and more. When your back is against the wall, you have to work at it."
 |
Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer |
Opening remarks:
"This is going to be a great matchup. Coach Stoops has the Oklahoma Sooners playing at a high level."
On Offensive Coordinator Dan Mullen leaving for Head Coach position for Miss. St:
"The news is fresh off the plane. My main priority is making sure the team is ready to play on Jan. 8."
On concern of whether Mullen coaches in the game:
"The coordinator calls a lot of the plays... It would be different if it were a one-man show."
On Meyer's preference whether Mullen should stay for BCS:
"I have not had a chance to evaluate that yet. His resume's pretty strong and I wish him all the best."
On large fan base in South Florida:
"I hope it's a home field... Over the course of the season, in the back of our minds, this was a target to get to Miami. It was certainly a target and we can't wait to get here. At the end of the day, when the foot hits the ball, it really has no bearing."
On his team's bid to the BCS National Championship:
"I want them to enjoy the moment. The difference between this and the Southeastern Championship is that this is a four-week build-up. The objective is to come down here and try to win the game. I trust this team."
On difference between 2006 team and current squad:
"They are more similar than different. That was a much older team. This is much younger. This year, we had minimal issues compared to what I'm used to. There are a lot of similarities between the two teams."
On defending his team's bid to BCS National Championship:
"I don't have a case. We're beyond that."
On Sam Bradford launching four yards to win (a major game):
"Throwing a ball is impressive, but a guy that leads his team is a true quarterback. He's a tremendous leader."
On Tebow's prospects of winning Heisman:
"He is a team-first guy. If he could have either or, he's going to take the chance to have 12 wins and hold the crystal ball [BCS National Championship Trophy]."
On facing the best offense in the country:
"It's a lot of pressure on an offense when you face a team that scores a lot. This year, we've improved. When you force a team to punt the ball, it's not as much of a concern. Not one time this fall have we felt like we were over-matched. Last year was different."
On the one loss in the season:
"Any time something bad happens, it makes us refocus. Everybody forgets to mention we lost to a very good team."
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