OSUFan
12-22-2008, 04:05 PM
2008 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
No. 13/14 Oklahoma State vs. No. 15/13 Oregon
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 :: 7 p.m. CT :: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego)
TV : ESPN (Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer and Erin Andrews)
Radio : Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
National Radio : ESPN Radio (Joe Tessitore Rod Gilmore and Dave Ryan)
Internet : okstate.com
Bowl Season
The Oklahoma State Cowboys will make the 19th bowl appearance in their history on Dec. 30 when they head to San Diego to face the Oregon Ducks in the 31st annual Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. The game will begin at 7 p.m. central time (5 p.m. Pacific) at Qualcomm Stadium and will be televised nationally by ESPN.
The Cowboys Quickly
Oklahoma State will arrive in San Diego with a 9-3 record, including a 5-3 mark in the brutal south division of the Big 12 Conference. OSU has not lost to a team ranked below No. 3 in the Associated Press poll this season. OSU is 1-3 vs. the AP top five in 2008. The Cowboys have reached nine wins for just the eighth time in school history and for the first time since the 2003 Cotton Bowl team went 9-4. Under fourth-year head coach Mike Gundy, OSU’s last four Big 12 records have been 1-7, 3-5, 4-4 and finally 5-3 in 2008. OSU has five conference wins for just the ninth time ever.
Searching for 10
Oklahoma State will be gunning for the fourth 10-win season in its history when the Cowboys battle the Ducks. The first 10-win season came in 1984. Cowboy head coach Mike Gundy quarterbacked OSU’s other two 10-wins seasons in 1987 and 1988. The 1988 season culminated with a Holiday Bowl win.
Off the Field
Oklahoma State reached several attendance land marks in 2008. The Cowboys drew their largest crowd ever with 52,463 fans on hand for the 55-24 win over Troy. For the first time ever, OSU drew more than 50,000 fans in three straight home games. And Oklahoma State set a new single-season attendance record with an average of 48,261 per home game.
Tube Talk
The bowl game will mark Oklahoma State’s ninth television appearance of the season. To date, OSU has made an appearance on FSN, Fox College Sports, ESPN2 and five appearances on ABC (the final five games of the regular season). The Cowboys will be appearing on ESPN for the first time since its Independence Bowl win over Alabama on Dec. 28, 2006. OSU has appeared on ESPN2 three times since that bowl win. Calling the game for ESPN will be Terry Gannon and David Norrie.
From Oklahoma to the Murph
Qualcomm Stadium, home of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, was formerly known as Jack Murphy Stadium, or “The Murph” to locals. Jack Murphy is a native Oklahoman. A former columnist for the San Diego Union, the Tulsa native is credited for using the power of the pen to steer San Diego city leaders toward the construction of a stadium in Mission Valley. The stadium was originally called San Diego Stadium when it opened in 1967. It was re-named Jack Murphy Stadium in 1981 before the name was changed to Qualcomm Stadium in 1997. A statue of Murphy and his dog is located at the entrance of the San Diego Trolley stop at Qualcomm Stadium. OSU alum Ted Leitner is also a San Diego media personality. He has worn many hats in San Diego, including television sports director, radio talk show host and play-by-play voice of the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Padres and San Diego State Aztecs.
The Bowl Numbers
Oklahoma State is 12-6 all-time in bowl games. That .667 winning percentage is the third best among FBS schools with more than 15 bowl appearances. It is the top bowl record in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowboys are appearing in a bowl game for a third straight season for just the third time. Oklahoma State first made three straight postseason appearances in 1983 (Bluebonnet), 1984 (Gator) and 1985 (Gator), and made it three in a row again in 2002 (Houston), 2003 (Cotton) and 2004 (Alamo). The latest trifecta is a combination of the Independence (2006), Insight (2007) and Holiday (2008) bowls.
Making History
The Cowboys are already guaranteed to make a little history. Oklahoma State will be appearing in a bowl game for the sixth time in seven seasons. OSU had never accomplished that feat. A second piece of history would be made with a victory. Oklahoma State has never won a bowl game in three straight seasons, but a victory over the Ducks would complete the task.
A Holiday Tradition
Oklahoma State has one previous appearance in the Holiday Bowl. It came exactly 20 years prior to the 2008 Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30, 1988. In that game, the Cowboys were 62-14 winners over WAC champion Wyoming. Oklahoma State used a 45-point second half and 698 yards of total offense to take the suspense out of the contest. In a bowl game filled with offensive tradition, OSU’s total offense mark remains the best in the game’s history, its 45 points in a half is still a Holiday Bowl record, and the point total is second all-time.
Stop Me If You've Heard This
The last time Oklahoma State visited the Holiday Bowl the Cowboys had in tow a first-team All-America receiver in Hart Lee Dykes, a first-team All-America running back in Barry Sanders and one of the nation’s most efficient quarterbacks in Mike Gundy. It was a Cowboy team looking for its 10th victory of the season. In 2008, OSU will arrive in San Diego with a first-team All-America receiver in Dez Bryant, a first-team All-America running back in Kendall Hunter, and one of the nation’s most efficient quarterbacks in Zac Robinson. The 2008 Cowboys are also looking for their 10th victory. Incidentally, OSU’s last 10-win team was that 1988 Holiday Bowl squad.
Speaking of Gundy
In the 2008 Holiday Bowl, Mike Gundy will make some history of his own. He will become the first former Holiday Bowl player to serve as head coach in the game. Gundy, and Barry Sanders, are members of the Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame.
All-Americans All Over
The selection of running back Kendall Hunter and receiver Dez Bryant to first-team All-America squads is significant for Oklahoma State. Prior to 2008, the Cowboys’ last first-team All-America selection was receiver Rashaun Woods (2002 and 2003). The last Cowboy running back to earn All-America accolades was Gerald Hudson in 1990. Hunter and Bryant are the first OSU sophomores named All-American as a position player since running back Thurman Thomas in 1985. OSU has not had two first-team All-Americans since receiver Hart Lee Dykes and running back Barry Sanders in 1988.
The Matchup
The Oklahoma State Cowboys and Oregon Ducks will be meeting for the first time ever when they battle in Mission Valley. It will also be the first time the Cowboys have faced a member of the Pac-10 Conference in a bowl game and the first time OSU has faced an opponent from the state of Oregon.
West Coast Bias
As has always been the case, apparently, it’s good for Cowboys to travel west. Dating back to 1984, Oklahoma State is 8-1 in games played “out west”, which in this instance means Arizona, California, Hawaii and Tokyo (which is so far west it’s the far east, but still west of Stillwater as the proverbial crow flies).
Facing the Pac Men
Oklahoma State is 7-9 all-time against the Pac-10 Conference. The Cowboys will be trying to win three straight against the league after knocking off UCLA in the 2004 season opener in Pasadena, and Washington State in the 2008 season opener in Seattle. Following the Holiday Bowl, Oklahoma State’s next scheduled battle with the Pac-10 is the 2010 season opener against Washington State in Stillwater.
The Cowboys Against The Pac-10
Arizona: 3-3
Arizona State: 1-2
UCLA: 1-1
Washington: 1-1
Wash. State: 1-2
Another Ranked Opponent
Another game means another ranked opponent for Oklahoma State. The 16th-ranked Oregon Ducks are the fifth member of the AP top 20 that Oklahoma State will face this season. OSU is 1-3 against AP poll members this season with all three losses (and the lone win) coming against teams ranked in the top three of the AP. In fact, OSU has not lost a game to an unranked opponent in more than 14 months (October of 2007 at Texas A&M, 24-23). Oklahoma State has not defeated a ranked opponent in a bowl game since the 1988 Holiday Bowl win over No. 15 Wyoming.
OSU and the Polls
Oklahoma State enters the bowl game ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press poll. Oklahoma State has now spent 11 straight weeks in the Associated Press poll. It is OSU’s longest stint in the top 25 since the 1987 and 1988 seasons when the Cowboys were ranked for 19 straight weeks. Entering the 2008 season, Oklahoma State had not been ranked since November of 2004.
No. 13/14 Oklahoma State vs. No. 15/13 Oregon
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 :: 7 p.m. CT :: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego)
TV : ESPN (Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer and Erin Andrews)
Radio : Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen)
National Radio : ESPN Radio (Joe Tessitore Rod Gilmore and Dave Ryan)
Internet : okstate.com
Bowl Season
The Oklahoma State Cowboys will make the 19th bowl appearance in their history on Dec. 30 when they head to San Diego to face the Oregon Ducks in the 31st annual Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. The game will begin at 7 p.m. central time (5 p.m. Pacific) at Qualcomm Stadium and will be televised nationally by ESPN.
The Cowboys Quickly
Oklahoma State will arrive in San Diego with a 9-3 record, including a 5-3 mark in the brutal south division of the Big 12 Conference. OSU has not lost to a team ranked below No. 3 in the Associated Press poll this season. OSU is 1-3 vs. the AP top five in 2008. The Cowboys have reached nine wins for just the eighth time in school history and for the first time since the 2003 Cotton Bowl team went 9-4. Under fourth-year head coach Mike Gundy, OSU’s last four Big 12 records have been 1-7, 3-5, 4-4 and finally 5-3 in 2008. OSU has five conference wins for just the ninth time ever.
Searching for 10
Oklahoma State will be gunning for the fourth 10-win season in its history when the Cowboys battle the Ducks. The first 10-win season came in 1984. Cowboy head coach Mike Gundy quarterbacked OSU’s other two 10-wins seasons in 1987 and 1988. The 1988 season culminated with a Holiday Bowl win.
Off the Field
Oklahoma State reached several attendance land marks in 2008. The Cowboys drew their largest crowd ever with 52,463 fans on hand for the 55-24 win over Troy. For the first time ever, OSU drew more than 50,000 fans in three straight home games. And Oklahoma State set a new single-season attendance record with an average of 48,261 per home game.
Tube Talk
The bowl game will mark Oklahoma State’s ninth television appearance of the season. To date, OSU has made an appearance on FSN, Fox College Sports, ESPN2 and five appearances on ABC (the final five games of the regular season). The Cowboys will be appearing on ESPN for the first time since its Independence Bowl win over Alabama on Dec. 28, 2006. OSU has appeared on ESPN2 three times since that bowl win. Calling the game for ESPN will be Terry Gannon and David Norrie.
From Oklahoma to the Murph
Qualcomm Stadium, home of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, was formerly known as Jack Murphy Stadium, or “The Murph” to locals. Jack Murphy is a native Oklahoman. A former columnist for the San Diego Union, the Tulsa native is credited for using the power of the pen to steer San Diego city leaders toward the construction of a stadium in Mission Valley. The stadium was originally called San Diego Stadium when it opened in 1967. It was re-named Jack Murphy Stadium in 1981 before the name was changed to Qualcomm Stadium in 1997. A statue of Murphy and his dog is located at the entrance of the San Diego Trolley stop at Qualcomm Stadium. OSU alum Ted Leitner is also a San Diego media personality. He has worn many hats in San Diego, including television sports director, radio talk show host and play-by-play voice of the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Padres and San Diego State Aztecs.
The Bowl Numbers
Oklahoma State is 12-6 all-time in bowl games. That .667 winning percentage is the third best among FBS schools with more than 15 bowl appearances. It is the top bowl record in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowboys are appearing in a bowl game for a third straight season for just the third time. Oklahoma State first made three straight postseason appearances in 1983 (Bluebonnet), 1984 (Gator) and 1985 (Gator), and made it three in a row again in 2002 (Houston), 2003 (Cotton) and 2004 (Alamo). The latest trifecta is a combination of the Independence (2006), Insight (2007) and Holiday (2008) bowls.
Making History
The Cowboys are already guaranteed to make a little history. Oklahoma State will be appearing in a bowl game for the sixth time in seven seasons. OSU had never accomplished that feat. A second piece of history would be made with a victory. Oklahoma State has never won a bowl game in three straight seasons, but a victory over the Ducks would complete the task.
A Holiday Tradition
Oklahoma State has one previous appearance in the Holiday Bowl. It came exactly 20 years prior to the 2008 Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30, 1988. In that game, the Cowboys were 62-14 winners over WAC champion Wyoming. Oklahoma State used a 45-point second half and 698 yards of total offense to take the suspense out of the contest. In a bowl game filled with offensive tradition, OSU’s total offense mark remains the best in the game’s history, its 45 points in a half is still a Holiday Bowl record, and the point total is second all-time.
Stop Me If You've Heard This
The last time Oklahoma State visited the Holiday Bowl the Cowboys had in tow a first-team All-America receiver in Hart Lee Dykes, a first-team All-America running back in Barry Sanders and one of the nation’s most efficient quarterbacks in Mike Gundy. It was a Cowboy team looking for its 10th victory of the season. In 2008, OSU will arrive in San Diego with a first-team All-America receiver in Dez Bryant, a first-team All-America running back in Kendall Hunter, and one of the nation’s most efficient quarterbacks in Zac Robinson. The 2008 Cowboys are also looking for their 10th victory. Incidentally, OSU’s last 10-win team was that 1988 Holiday Bowl squad.
Speaking of Gundy
In the 2008 Holiday Bowl, Mike Gundy will make some history of his own. He will become the first former Holiday Bowl player to serve as head coach in the game. Gundy, and Barry Sanders, are members of the Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame.
All-Americans All Over
The selection of running back Kendall Hunter and receiver Dez Bryant to first-team All-America squads is significant for Oklahoma State. Prior to 2008, the Cowboys’ last first-team All-America selection was receiver Rashaun Woods (2002 and 2003). The last Cowboy running back to earn All-America accolades was Gerald Hudson in 1990. Hunter and Bryant are the first OSU sophomores named All-American as a position player since running back Thurman Thomas in 1985. OSU has not had two first-team All-Americans since receiver Hart Lee Dykes and running back Barry Sanders in 1988.
The Matchup
The Oklahoma State Cowboys and Oregon Ducks will be meeting for the first time ever when they battle in Mission Valley. It will also be the first time the Cowboys have faced a member of the Pac-10 Conference in a bowl game and the first time OSU has faced an opponent from the state of Oregon.
West Coast Bias
As has always been the case, apparently, it’s good for Cowboys to travel west. Dating back to 1984, Oklahoma State is 8-1 in games played “out west”, which in this instance means Arizona, California, Hawaii and Tokyo (which is so far west it’s the far east, but still west of Stillwater as the proverbial crow flies).
Facing the Pac Men
Oklahoma State is 7-9 all-time against the Pac-10 Conference. The Cowboys will be trying to win three straight against the league after knocking off UCLA in the 2004 season opener in Pasadena, and Washington State in the 2008 season opener in Seattle. Following the Holiday Bowl, Oklahoma State’s next scheduled battle with the Pac-10 is the 2010 season opener against Washington State in Stillwater.
The Cowboys Against The Pac-10
Arizona: 3-3
Arizona State: 1-2
UCLA: 1-1
Washington: 1-1
Wash. State: 1-2
Another Ranked Opponent
Another game means another ranked opponent for Oklahoma State. The 16th-ranked Oregon Ducks are the fifth member of the AP top 20 that Oklahoma State will face this season. OSU is 1-3 against AP poll members this season with all three losses (and the lone win) coming against teams ranked in the top three of the AP. In fact, OSU has not lost a game to an unranked opponent in more than 14 months (October of 2007 at Texas A&M, 24-23). Oklahoma State has not defeated a ranked opponent in a bowl game since the 1988 Holiday Bowl win over No. 15 Wyoming.
OSU and the Polls
Oklahoma State enters the bowl game ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press poll. Oklahoma State has now spent 11 straight weeks in the Associated Press poll. It is OSU’s longest stint in the top 25 since the 1987 and 1988 seasons when the Cowboys were ranked for 19 straight weeks. Entering the 2008 season, Oklahoma State had not been ranked since November of 2004.