TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Trip To Miami Is Special For Stoops

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 8, 2009

MIAMI - Oklahoma has enjoyed a great amount of success playing in bowls games in South Florida.

That success has continued as recently as the 2000 season, when the Sooners beat FSU 13-2 to earn their first title in the Bob Stoops era.

Though normally stoic and even-keeled, Stoops has allowed himself to reflect on what playing a bowl game in South Florida means.

"Yeah, it's exciting when you look at the history of the Big 12 from the Big 8 and the Big 6 and the champion in our conference coming down here for so many years for the Orange Bowl and being a part of so many different championships," Stoops said. "It's pretty special. And again in 2000, being able to do it. And we've showed our players those old clips, too, of those years and of our history here, and it's pretty special."
FIELD POSITION KEY
Field position is always a factor in football games and it is an area Florida coach Urban Meyer has emphasized throughout the season.

With the Sooners missing RB DeMarco Murray, who routinely placed Oklahoma in favorable position, the battle for field position becomes a little tougher.

"We are without DeMarco Murray, a guy that has had a lot of big plays for us, but again, we hope we'll be able to execute, block people, Juaquin Iglesias, Mossis Madu, those guys have been good returners for us. But it's a factor," OU coach Bob Stoops said.

Stopping Brandon James, who broke UF's career punt return yardage record earlier this season, will also come into play. The Sooners' special-teams play has left a lot to be desired this season and Stoops admits they could have emphasized it more.

"Yeah, hopefully we could not have worked it more than we have. Guys have worked it and practiced it, and I feel like we do have a better sense of where we need to be and how we need to do it. So hopefully that's the way it shows up."

NFL THOUGHTS

As the coach of one of the most storied programs in college football, Sooners coach Bob Stoops consistently has to deal with the prospect of losing some of his underclassmen to the NFL draft.

Stoops' mantra has always been to be honest with his players, even if it means telling them it's time for them to leave Norman.

"My whole philosophy, and I believe more and more of our kids are getting it, you need to get your value," he said. "Again, in that league, what they all say is that it's not for long.

"That's what the NFL stands for, and you look at the average career is 31/2 years. You need to maximize those 31/2 years."

Karl Hyppolite

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT