JimBob
12-30-2008, 08:27 AM
Daily Log
By MATT DOYLE, World sports writer
Published: 12/30/2008 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 12/30/2008 3:45 AM
What they're writing
Before Oregon vs. Oklahoma State was announced as a dreamy Holiday Bowl matchup, anything you knew of Mike Gundy — assuming you knew anything of him — could be encapsulated in one timeless sound bite:
"I'm a man! I'm 40!"
A year ago last September, when the Oklahoma State coach shrieked those words during a postgame tirade for the ages, he leaped from unknown to unhinged in the minds of college football fans.
You've seen the video, and the funny spinoff spoofs. You've heard the allusions on ESPN's SportsCenter, whenever an Oklahoma State highlight gets played.
Never mind that Gundy has Oklahoma State on the verge of one of its best seasons ever. Or that he's 41.
"He's a cartoon character," says former Oklahoma State coach Pat Jones, a Fox college football analyst and sports-talk host. "A caricature."
As with most cartoons, and caricatures, there's truth and exaggeration.
See, Gundy might actually be a pretty good football coach. He's got Oklahoma State in its third bowl in four seasons, and somehow got a $400,000 bonus for doing it, which is a pretty darn good accomplishment on its own, if you think about it. A win Tuesday would mean the school's fourth 10-win season — and the first since Gundy was the quarterback, 20 years ago.
— By George Schroeder, Eugene Register-Guard
OSU senior moment
Brandon Pettigrew, tight end: Pettigrew's importance to OSU's offensive success has not gone unnoticed even if he does not have huge statistics. Noted as a strong blocker, Pettigrew has the most catches (106) ever by an OSU tight end. One stands out more than others — a 54-yard catch and run for the winning touchdown in 2007 against Texas Tech.
"It was a huge, incredible game," he said. "That touchdown was something new for me. It was probably my signature play. I never thought something like that would happen to me."
Matchup to watch
Oklahoma State has been lethal in kick returns this season. Perrish Cox has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and ranks third nationally with a 30.1-yard return average. Dez Bryant has returned two punts for touchdowns and also ranks third nationally with a 17.9-yard return average. Oregon coach Mike Bellotti is concerned about this aspect. The Ducks have struggled at times with kick coverage, allowing 20 yards per kickoff return and 10.4 yards on punts.
Quoteworthy
"It doesn't hurt our preparation that they are OSU and they wear orange and black. That gets the Ducks' dander up a little bit."
— Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, whose in-state rival's school colors (Oregon State) also are orange and black.
Looking back
Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2004
Ohio State 33, Oklahoma State 7
The last time the Cowboys lost a bowl game was an absolute nightmare.
Playing without suspended starting quarterback Troy Smith, Ohio State rolled up 403 yards offense behind backup Justin Zwick. The Buckeyes held OSU to 286 yards offense and built a 33-0 lead. Shawn Willis' 4-yard touchdown run midway through the final quarter prevented a shutout.
The loss was not the game's main storyline. OSU coach Les Miles was being courted by LSU to replace Nick Saban as Tigers coach. Five days after the Alamo Bowl loss, Miles was hired by LSU, and OSU promoted offensive coordinator Mike Gundy to head coach.
Day in review
OSU coach Mike Gundy and Oregon coach Mike Bellotti participated in a press conference at the Omni Hotel in the morning. Each team conducted a final walk through practice at their respective San Diego-area practice facilities, which were closed to the media.
Looking ahead
Game night. The 31st Holiday Bowl kicks off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Qualcomm Stadium. It is the first-ever meeting between the Cowboys and Ducks.
By MATT DOYLE, World sports writer
Published: 12/30/2008 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 12/30/2008 3:45 AM
What they're writing
Before Oregon vs. Oklahoma State was announced as a dreamy Holiday Bowl matchup, anything you knew of Mike Gundy — assuming you knew anything of him — could be encapsulated in one timeless sound bite:
"I'm a man! I'm 40!"
A year ago last September, when the Oklahoma State coach shrieked those words during a postgame tirade for the ages, he leaped from unknown to unhinged in the minds of college football fans.
You've seen the video, and the funny spinoff spoofs. You've heard the allusions on ESPN's SportsCenter, whenever an Oklahoma State highlight gets played.
Never mind that Gundy has Oklahoma State on the verge of one of its best seasons ever. Or that he's 41.
"He's a cartoon character," says former Oklahoma State coach Pat Jones, a Fox college football analyst and sports-talk host. "A caricature."
As with most cartoons, and caricatures, there's truth and exaggeration.
See, Gundy might actually be a pretty good football coach. He's got Oklahoma State in its third bowl in four seasons, and somehow got a $400,000 bonus for doing it, which is a pretty darn good accomplishment on its own, if you think about it. A win Tuesday would mean the school's fourth 10-win season — and the first since Gundy was the quarterback, 20 years ago.
— By George Schroeder, Eugene Register-Guard
OSU senior moment
Brandon Pettigrew, tight end: Pettigrew's importance to OSU's offensive success has not gone unnoticed even if he does not have huge statistics. Noted as a strong blocker, Pettigrew has the most catches (106) ever by an OSU tight end. One stands out more than others — a 54-yard catch and run for the winning touchdown in 2007 against Texas Tech.
"It was a huge, incredible game," he said. "That touchdown was something new for me. It was probably my signature play. I never thought something like that would happen to me."
Matchup to watch
Oklahoma State has been lethal in kick returns this season. Perrish Cox has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and ranks third nationally with a 30.1-yard return average. Dez Bryant has returned two punts for touchdowns and also ranks third nationally with a 17.9-yard return average. Oregon coach Mike Bellotti is concerned about this aspect. The Ducks have struggled at times with kick coverage, allowing 20 yards per kickoff return and 10.4 yards on punts.
Quoteworthy
"It doesn't hurt our preparation that they are OSU and they wear orange and black. That gets the Ducks' dander up a little bit."
— Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, whose in-state rival's school colors (Oregon State) also are orange and black.
Looking back
Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, 2004
Ohio State 33, Oklahoma State 7
The last time the Cowboys lost a bowl game was an absolute nightmare.
Playing without suspended starting quarterback Troy Smith, Ohio State rolled up 403 yards offense behind backup Justin Zwick. The Buckeyes held OSU to 286 yards offense and built a 33-0 lead. Shawn Willis' 4-yard touchdown run midway through the final quarter prevented a shutout.
The loss was not the game's main storyline. OSU coach Les Miles was being courted by LSU to replace Nick Saban as Tigers coach. Five days after the Alamo Bowl loss, Miles was hired by LSU, and OSU promoted offensive coordinator Mike Gundy to head coach.
Day in review
OSU coach Mike Gundy and Oregon coach Mike Bellotti participated in a press conference at the Omni Hotel in the morning. Each team conducted a final walk through practice at their respective San Diego-area practice facilities, which were closed to the media.
Looking ahead
Game night. The 31st Holiday Bowl kicks off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Qualcomm Stadium. It is the first-ever meeting between the Cowboys and Ducks.