Stoops, Sooners on BCS Title Game

NORMAN, Okla. -- Head coach Bob Stoops and select players met with the media Monday to preview the BCS National Championship Game matchup with Florida on January 8, 2009.

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.

Quotes from Coach Stoops, in addition to senior center Jon Cooper, senior defensive back Lendy Holmes, sophomore defensive end Jeremy Beal, junior running back Chris Brown, senior offensive tackle Phil Loadholt, senior safety Nic Harris, sophomore defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and sophomore defensive back Dominique Franks are available below, courtesy OU Athletics Media Relations.

Head Coach Bob Stoops

Opening Statement:
"We are excited about the opportunity to play a great Florida team. Urban Meyer and his staff have done a great job there and they are a very talented team when you look at them with their speed and skill. Really in all parts, you look at them offensively they like to spread it around to all the positions and they can run it with big time players. And of course their quarterback Tim Tebow is one of the best in the country.

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"Defensively, it's the same thing. They have a lot of skill and speed on defense. Up front, in the front seven you really see it. They are solid in everything that they do scheme wise and in special teams they a very detailed and well thought out in their schemes in all that they do. It is a big challenge and an exciting one at that and looking forward to the challenge.

On being prepared for the BCS:
"You don't get very many opportunities and you need to take advantage of it. We have a good group of seniors and it will be their last opportunity. We have had good practices, I know yesterday was a very intense, spirited practice going against each other and we are looking forward to the same thing today.

On Florida:
"Offensively, what they do is almost similar to the wishbone and Tim Tebow as the quarterback the motion guys in and they are running the zone and zone read and optioning it. You have got to account for it and it is almost like defending the wishbone. They are going to run the veer, and the quarterback is going to pull the ball and he is going to have it with a blocker in front of him and a guy to pitch to. So, you have all those principles and they do it well. You really have to be disciplined when you defend it.

On Oklahoma defense:
"We have been called a lot of things but slow is not one of them. We have matched well with people with speed and hopefully we will be able to do it this game. They do have excellent skill positions but you look at what they do, the bread and butter of what they do is the run game.

On Oklahoma's resiliency after Texas game:
"They have been really fun team to coach. You really feel they are listening to you and then you also feel them taking ownership of their attitude and the team's character. The way they have conducted themselves, whether it is at practice or preparing for games or going to the games, they have taking a lot of ownership themselves of how they are playing."

On Urban Meyer:
"Our relationship really began when Urban was considering taking the Florida job and he called me and wanted an unbiased opinion, just about the job. And he called me and we started to talk over a couple of days just about what my experience was there and what the possibilities were. We have had some good conversations and since then, at different times, we have kept up with each other with a phone call here or there, or we run into each other at different time at coaching conventions, or in New York. But he does a great job."

On Sam Bradford winning the Heisman:
"Whenever you find your one of your guys in that situation it is really special. So we are all really excited for Sam and the whole team, too, is excited for him because it is a reflection on them as well. I thought that Sam was incredible, as always, on how he handled the entire trip and how he handled himself when he won it. He remained humble and realized the people that have helped him and supported him. The players and the quality of the guys that were in the competition with him are great players as well. But I thought that he did a great job"

On Sam Bradford being AP Player of the Year:
"It's great. I guess Coach Heupel was one of those along with Jason White. Anyway that is really exciting. Again, he is a special guy, just how he handles everything. He has experience beyond his years and always poised and humble in how he is receiving these awards."

On Junior running back Chris Brown:
"You look at who is at the top of the league in rushing and there he is. He is subtle; you go back and watch replays or TV clips and the plays he makes, (you realize) he is a great player, he makes people miss him. We are about to run a draw in the Big 12 Championship game and they have got a blitz coming right into him. We are thinking about checking out of the play and Coach Wilson said let it run and he gets the ball and the guy doesn't even touch him. They are blitzing right at him and side steps and nobody even sees him, he is so subtle. He is a great player getting extra yards and making people miss him. Taking care of the football, he does everything that you want and does it humbly. He doesn't worry about whether he is getting attention or not."

Senior OL Jon Cooper

On when Sam Bradford received the Heisman:
"It was great. We all watched it together as a team and we were all excited for him. We had the show on and we didn't know what was going to happen, but we were really excited for him and he definitely deserves it."

On the difference in this year's team in comparison to the previous four years:
"It is a completely different team. There are new guys that haven't been there and guys that haven't played in those BCS games, or the past couple bowl games we have lost, that are going to contribute this year."

On first impressions of Florida and the challenge they present:
"They are a great defense with a lot of team speed who play hard and go to the whistle. It is going to be a great challenge. They are a great football team. They won the National Championship a couple years ago and they are back in it this year. Obviously they are a great football team."

On what he is looking most forward to about going down to Miami:
"I am looking forward to the game. It is a business trip. I can't wait to get on the field and play. It has been too long already."

On the loss of Demarco Murray:
"We will miss Demarco because he is a great player. He is just a great football player and you always will miss someone like that who has contributed all year. But, we are lucky enough to have depth in that position and you guys saw in the Big 12 championship how Mossis (Madu) stepped up. DeMarco didn't even play at all in that game and we still had a good amount of rushing yards."

On the play of Mossis Madu:
"I think he is capable of more (than his play in the Big 12 Championship game). We see it from him every day and that was kind of his first chance, wait until he gets into a rhythm. I think he will be even better."

On the consistent play of Chris Brown:
"He has been consistent since he was a freshman. He seems like he gets four yards every carry or more. He busts some big ones too. He is so hard to take down. He just has great balance for a back."

On the play of the offensive line throughout the year:
"We have been up and down kind of like every position except for Sam. We were running the ball well and running and throwing at the beginning. Then we kind of got away from the running game. Then we came back to it and have been very successful ever since."

Senior DB Lendy Holmes

On Florida:
"They have already won a national championship. They are a great team with a great offense and defense. Everybody on their team has great talent and speed."

On Florida quarterback Tim Tebow:
"It is not a great sight to see a quarterback get loose like that. We have to come out early and stop the run game, stop Tebow from running. We have to try and make him throw the ball, which he can do. But his comfort zone is running the ball."

On the focus of this year's team:
"I feel like we are more focused. We had a lot of goals that we had set and we have now accomplished everything except for one, losing to Texas. But other than that we are still going through our goals and this last goal is the National Championship game."

On the play of Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson on the corners:
"I feel like they have done a great job playing the corner spots for their first time starting. Dom (Franks) has come in as a sophomore All-American and Brian Jackson got honorable-mention. I think they have held up their part and have done a great job of holding on."

On getting the opportunity to play in this year's bowl game:
"It feels great to be in this game. Last year it wasn't so great. I let the team down and wasn't there for the team. Now I can say that I am here for the team and I will be in Miami with the team."

On the rumors of being academically ineligible this year:
"It was just rumors. I wasn't paying any attention to those. People are going to talk regardless and just because something happened last year doesn't mean it is going to happen this year. I said last year that it would never happen again."

Sophomore DE Jeremy Beal

On the speed and misdirection of the Florida offense:
"There is going to be a lot of pressure on the defensive ends, but it is really about the whole defense stepping up and playing great defense."

On the team approach this year compared to previous years:
"I think we are more focused because we see what we have in front of us and the great opportunity we have so we are more focused to go get that."

On the challenge that faces this defense:
"The challenge is that we are playing a great offense in Florida. We are playing Florida in the National Championship and that is a challenge in itself. We have to step up to that challenge."

On the media perception that Florida should win this game:
"I try not to listen to it, but they can think whatever they want. It just matters what we think and what we believe in. It gives us motivation. People can say we can't play defense and that gives us a little motivation, but we know that we can. I think if we go out and play like we are supposed to we will have a great chance to win."

On the business approach the team is taking:
"It is a business trip. We're not going down there to have fun. We are going down there to try and win a Championship."

On Florida quarterback Tim Tebow:
"He is a great athlete. He can throw the ball and he can run. Any quarterback that can run and throw the ball as well as he does it presents a problem."

Junior RB Chris Brown

On Mossis Madu:
"I am happy for Mossis. I am sad about how the situation happened, but I am happy for him. He is a great athlete and I think he can produce just as well any of us."

On DeMarco Murray being out:
"I know it's disappointing for him and the team. We know we have to fill in a big hole that he left. I think that we are still capable of doing it and we just have to move on."

On what will be missed from DeMarco Murray:
"Kickoff returns, big plays at any time. A number of things that he does we will miss. But like I said, we have guys that can fill in and do a great job also."

On filling in for Murray in the receiving game:
"In situations like this you have to because DeMarco is that guy that can catch the ball. Somebody has to fill in whether it be me or Mossis receiving the ball out of the backfield. If my number is called to do that, then I feel like I am capable of doing that."

On the Florida defense:
"They are a great unit. The linebacker core, the safeties, the cornerbacks make big plays in space. There is a lot you can say about those guys."

On the athleticism of the Florida defense:
"I would say they are up there with Texas. They have athletes just like Texas. Fast guys and guys who can get after it. We have our hands full.

Senior OL Phil Loadholt

On returning to action after the Big 12 Championship game:
"We had a great run and after defeating Missouri it was time get our bodies back together. But as far getting going again, I think we still have that same chemistry. "

On importance of scrimmaging again:
"It is really important just to keep that edge on us. To have that competitive edge against each other will be great for us in making sure we are ready for the bowl game."

On DeMarco Murray being out:
"It will give us an extra push. We block for all the guys that are playing. DeMarco is going to be missed in the running game but we have to keep our eyes on the other shoulder and play like we did in the Big 12 Championship game and be confident with the guys back there."

Senior DB Nic Harris

On Florida:
"They have a great offense, especially with (Tim) Tebow. They can attack you from all different angles: running the ball, passing the ball. He's a run first, pass second quarterback. At the end of the day we have to make sure we tackle in his face and make sure we get everything done and prepare the way we need to in order to get a win. They're going to be a great test. We really haven't seen a quarterback of that caliber."

On the loss to Texas:
"At the end of the day we knew that things don't always go the way that you planned, but all you can do is prepare for winning. And we prepared for winning and we persevered through it all with all the doubters, all the believers, all the critics and we're in the National Championship game."

On OU's losses in BCS games:
"You don't think about it. At the end of the day you can't dwell on the past, and that's exactly what it is, the past. Right now we have a great test ahead of us, and we're on one of the biggest stages in college football right now. We've got to pay attention to what we need to do on January 8. You can't really dwell on what's already happened. We understand the different discrepancies that we've had in the BCS bowl games. We understand where we are right now, we understand that this is a different team and we understand that at the end of the day we're going to put everything we have out on the field."

On what is on the line for OU:
"There's a lot on the line and it's bigger than any of the players. It has a lot to do with the stigma that's been placed on OU in big games. We pretty much want to silence anybody who has had anything to say by coming out and taking care of it."

On the defense's preparation:
"Sooner Nation is hungry for that eighth National Championship. I'm going to do everything in my power on the defensive side of the ball to bring it back. I said it in the beginning of the season and I'm saying it now, whatever it is that we need to do on the defensive side of the ball to get this win, that's what we're going to do."

Sophomore DT Gerald McCoy

On Florida:
"Florida is a great team. They've got a lot of ability, a lot of talent and they know the game. We've got a great task ahead of us. Florida is known for their speed, and that's because they have a lot of it on defense and offense. We're going to have to be at our best to beat a team like Florida. We give them a lot of respect, we know Florida is a great team, and we know that we do have a task ahead of us. I think we're preparing well enough and we should be good enough to finish this year."

On how OU will respond to Florida's Tim Tebow:
"Oklahoma defense always emphasizes stopping the run, so whether it's a quarterback or a running back we just have to prepare well for the run game. They have a great run game. Stopping it is going to be a task for us because they've been dominant in the run game all year, but that's what we emphasize, so I think we'll be ready."

On Florida's offense:
"They have a very unique offense, but we have our own defense. We've just got to play our reads and whatever happens, just happens. I think we'll be ready for anything they'll throw at us. They have a lot of different schemes and a lot of different formations. It's different from what we've seen this year, but we play spread offenses every week, so playing a spread offense won't be too different for us. Florida is a very fast team, but we're a fast defense. We're preparing well and we know what's in front of us."

On what's changed since last year:
"We're learning how to finish. Last year we had trouble playing on the road, and this year we haven't had that same type of trouble. We're learning how to finish, we're staying intense throughout the whole game. It's something we changed from last year to this year, and we're going to try to keep that going into this game with Florida."

On DT DeMarcus Granger missing the BCS game:
"We have great depth on our team and we have different schemes to compensate for Granger not being there. He's a great player for us, but you've got ups and downs and this is one of our downs, we just have to learn how to bounce back."

Sophomore DB Dominique Franks

On playing in Miami:
"We make sure we are prepared for every game and we are going to treat it the same for a week. There is not going to be any party type atmosphere. We are going down there for one thing and that is to win a national championship."

On the speed of the Florida offense:
"They are a little bit faster, but to me there is only one football out there on field and only one person can carry it at a time no matter how fast their whole team is. We just have to line up to the ball and make sure we tackle in open space. We just have to make sure we get to the ball just like every other game. We can't think that one person is going to be able to tackle those guys in the open field alone. We have to make sure we line up to the ball and catch the run. Percy Harvin, those guys are amazingly fast. We have to make sure we keep them bottled up and make sure they don't get in the open field. "

On Percy Harvin being comparable to Jeremy Maclin:
"I really think he is. He is a homerun threat just like Jeremy Maclin. But Jeremy Maclin is not in the backfield as much as Percy Harvin. When they put him back there, it is for one reason and he going to get the ball."

On the defense stepping up:
"The muscle of the team is going to win. When we come up and tackle we have to punish those guys and make them not want to run the ball anymore. They think that our defense is not any good in the Big 12. They said they are going to come and hit us in the mouth and we are going to be able to sustain it. So we have to come in there with the attitude that no matter what they did we have to line up and make plays."

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