Completed Event: Football versus Illinois State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 3
Final
Football
35
vs Illinois State
3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Stoops, Sooners Preview Big 12 Title Game
November 30, 2010 | Football
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View video from the press conference by clicking the links to the right. Quotes are available below.
The No. 9 Sooners (10-2, 6-2) collide with the No. 13 Cornhuskers (10-2, 6-2) in the final Big 12 title game Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and the game will be televised on ABC.
For complete coverage throughout the week, details on attending the game and broadcast options for following the Sooners from around the world, visit Sooner Gameday Central.
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Head Coach Bob Stoops |
Opening comments:
"Getting back here and reviewing last week's game with Oklahoma State. First off, I'd like to say that I was very proud of our players to rise up and play the way they did when they had to. They had to go to Stillwater, a game that they had to have and meet those challenges and make plays when they had opportunities to make them and win the football game. It was a well played game and I was really pleased with all parts of our game and the way we played.
"I guess we'll start offensively. DeMarco Murray had just another huge day in all that he did. Running the ball, tough yards, making some people miss him, getting extra yards, catching the ball, he was just outstanding. Landry Jones, I'm so proud of the fact that he had a few rough spots and overcame them with a huge fourth quarter. Throwing for over 200 yards and two TDs in the fourth quarter when you have to. He threw the ball right on the money and played well.
"Cameron Kenney had a huge day. He's had some moments through the year and really stepped up. He had some big third-down catches on top of the two touchdowns that he had. Ryan Broyles was sensational, another touchdown and some other nice plays. James Hanna had a huge day at tight end. He caught a lot of balls and not just a big touchdown, he was a big factor early in the game. Eric Mensik and Ben Habern were really solid. Trey Millard was one of our players of the game. He had not only a touchdown at the fullback position, but also had 18 knockdowns, which may be a record for us. When a fullback knocks different people down 18 times he's really doing well.
"Defensively, we did an excellent job of forcing three turnovers and a bunch of three-and-outs. Even after the third quarter, they come down on their opening possession and score and then we had a couple three-and-outs back-to-back. We were playing that way, getting turnovers and getting three-and-outs. It complements the offense, whose third-down efficiency was really good. That's what results in 107 plays offensively when you're playing together like that. Some guys defensively that really did well: Jeremy Beal, who once again was excellent. Ronnell Lewis had a big game, one of the players of the game also. Travis Lewis. Quinton Carter and Austin Box with the interceptions, they were really solid, those guys played well.
"Jimmy Stevens I thought was one of the most special players of the game. All of the points in the fourth quarter and all of the field goals. We had three field goals in the fourth quarter that were huge. He really did well, so that was a big part of our game. So again, we're just proud of the guys to play like that. We knew we had to have it to pursue a Big 12 Championship and now that we're in that position once again our guys love it. That's what we've done eight times in the past 11 years. Those are what our expectations are and they've met them and now they need to win.
"We're playing an excellent team in Nebraska. Bo Pelini and their staff have done a great job in just a few years. They're playing great defense. Offensively, they're controlling the ball, they're leading the league in rush offense, they have a really good play-action pass and off of it are making big plays. They've done that through the year. Defensively, they've been consistent over the past couple of years. They're really tough to move the ball on. Physical presence up front and their secondary really squeezes you the way they cover you. They really make you work for everything that you get and they really have a solid kicking game too, their field goal kicker is excellent and one of the better guys in the country.
"(Pelini) has a really solid football team, one that we had a heck of a game with a year ago. We've played them the last couple of years and then a year ago in Lincoln we had a heck of a game with them, physical, tough-played games. So I think this'll be another physical, tough fought game here this week going down to Arlington to play.
"It's exciting to be in this venue, going to the stadium and being in this environment. The players are really looking forward to it. I would say we're going down with a great feeling and attitude the way we've played over the last three weeks. We have a lot of momentum, a lot of confidence and we have a good routine and how we're working through the week. Our players are really excited about it.
"I guess I have to say something, of course, the tradition and history of this rivalry is second to none. You look at the number of years it expands and the times we've met over the years in the Big 8 Conference and the Big 12 Conference where we've met when there have been championship implications on this game. Both for conference and sometimes there's been National Championship implications. One of the most special rivalries in all of football. It's really fitting that the last time we're in the conference together to have, I like to say, one more go at it. It's really kind of exciting for everybody."
On Jonathan Nelson and DeMarco Murray:
"Jonathan Nelson practiced yesterday and felt fine so we anticipate that being just fine. DeMarco has improved over the past couple of days so we'll see, it's a little early in the week. I'm not hiding anything, once I know one way or the other how he's feeling. But the positive is that he's been feeling a little bit better each day. For me to say anything else puts pressure on him or expecting him to play, I want him to be comfortable and feel good about it. In the end, we'll just see how the week goes. Once I know for sure I'll get out a statement even if I'm not having any conferences and make people aware of whether he will or not (play)."
On James Hanna:
"He and Trent (Ratterree) together at tight end have really complemented each other. They continue to do a lot for us. Capture and return or block somebody for us to help us run the football. They're really good weapons, pass protecting and then sticking them out in the routes. Sometimes you're not sneaking them out to the routes, they're split out and they're good runners and have good hands. James does a really good job for us."
On the All-Big 12 selections:
"I'm really happy for the guys that made it. I'm always surprised by some that don't make it. Not to take anything away from the other players in the league, a lot of good players. It's always a difficult thing. I find it odd though that the voting is done before our Oklahoma State game, one of the more important games of the year. All of the votes are in before that game, it doesn't really seem to be right, but that's how it goes. I guess every coach has three or four guys that he thinks, 'Gosh, how did he not get recognized?' That's the unfortunate part of individual awards."
On his relationship with Bo and Carl Pelini:
"Our families are very intertwined and close, like I've said before with Bo. Carl lived for I don't know how many months with my wife and I at Kansas State in Manhattan. My wife considers him like a brother. She might be halfway rooting for him. I'm kidding."
On having a conference championship:
"I'm sure Bo probably feels the same way I do. If you're not in the top one, two or three in the National Championship picture, for instance there have been many other years that we've been looking at the National Championship game after this. So that team that you're going to see won't be playing. They're sitting at home relaxing while you have this huge game in front of you. You don't like it and you think why in the world are we doing this? In these kind of years, it's exciting as heck. It's what you want, you really look forward to it and it's a special environment to play in. The players are excited, the fans are. These kind of years you really love it so it's a kind of catch 22 depending on the year you're having."
On Landry Jones:
"He's got a huge arm. He's got a quick release. What I love here in this last half of the season is he's really feels his way in the pocket really well. He's been really stepping up and buying himself more time in a good way. He's smart in what he's doing. In the end, he's had a big year. Who would've expected him to lead the league in all of the categories that he is? He's in the top one or two in about everything and touchdown passes as well. He's had a big year I couldn't be more pleased."
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Senior Safety Quinton Carter |
On being selected as an AFCA All-American:
"Really, I don't know where to start. Just looking back down OU's history and looking among all those guys and the names and the prestige all those guys had, in these past couple years, other players I've played with, some great players, just to be among those names is a great honor.
"When I found out, I just started thinking about where it all started off. I just flashed back to the first year I ever started playing football, kind of got a little emotional knowing how far I've come as a person. It's an individual award, but just being around my teammates and them playing hard every snap, and them demanding excellence and the coaches demanding excellence, I think that plays a huge part in that."
On preparing for Nebraska in light of their injuries:
"They're still a good football team. On tape, they have so many weapons to hit you with. They're a physical team, with downhill run game and still have the play-action pass. They still have big-play receivers even though a couple of guys are hurt. They're still a good team. And of course on the defensive side of the ball, they're a great team. So it's going to take a whole lot of preparation on both sides of the ball."
On how not knowing the starting Nebraska quarterback changes preparation:
"I don't think it changes at all. We still prepare the same way. Their offense won't change at all, I don't think, just because their quarterback was hurt. They still have been winning games with different quarterbacks."
On seeing OU improve from last year as a senior:
"It's really exciting. We've had some ups-and-downs, a whole lot of ups-and-downs, some close games. Just hitting our stride late in the season, that's what you want, being able to play for a championship as a senior. It means a lot all those others years that I'm here, but just to kind of end out with a bang is a really big deal."
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