Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Arrive in Dallas; Begin Game Preparation
December 30, 2003 | Cowboy Football
IRVING, TX -- The No. 21 Oklahoma State Cowboys began preparations for the 68th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic with a two-hour practice in pads and shorts Friday evening at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. OSU will face No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels on Jan. 2.
For OSU head coach Les Miles, it was a pleasant return to a familiar place, as he coached tight ends for the Dallas Cowboys from 1998-2000.
“It absolutely brings back memories being here,” Miles said about practicing at Texas Stadium. “I walked on this field and felt very much at home. I really enjoyed my time with the Dallas Cowboys. It was great preparation for becoming a head coach and seeing football at its highest level. This is where I wanted us to practice.”
Miles has led OSU to a 21-15 mark in his three years as the head man in Stillwater and to his second straight bowl berth.
“I think we are further ahead than when we got there and it has the potential to be much better,” Miles said about where his program is after three years. “If we can continue to contend for the title, then that's where we would like to be.”
This was the Cowboys' first practice since Dec. 22, as the squad was off for three days for Christmas. Miles was happy with what he saw for the first workout since Monday.
“We ran them and did some fundamental things. We got their feet on the ground and hopefully we knocked some of the cobwebs off of them,” Miles said about practice. “They looked pretty good. They looked sharp. There weren't a lot of missed assignments out there. I look forward to a little more physical practice tomorrow when they're in full pads.”
Miles understands how important playing in the SBC Cotton Bowl is to recruiting.
“I don't think we could have picked a better destination, minus a BCS destination, than this one,” Miles said. “This is the center of our recruiting area. To be able to practice at Texas Stadium has been a great treat, and this is just our first day. A great minority of our team is from Texas, with quite a few from the North Texas/Dallas area and they will come ready to play. They will have friends and family sitting in the seats rooting them on. They will enjoy the day.”
Junior offensive lineman Adam Gourley was the only Cowboy who did not arrive in Dallas on Friday. Gourley had an excused absence due to a family matter and is expected to arrive on Saturday. Oklahoma State will dress 97 players in the Classic.
For OSU head coach Les Miles, it was a pleasant return to a familiar place, as he coached tight ends for the Dallas Cowboys from 1998-2000.
“It absolutely brings back memories being here,” Miles said about practicing at Texas Stadium. “I walked on this field and felt very much at home. I really enjoyed my time with the Dallas Cowboys. It was great preparation for becoming a head coach and seeing football at its highest level. This is where I wanted us to practice.”
Miles has led OSU to a 21-15 mark in his three years as the head man in Stillwater and to his second straight bowl berth.
“I think we are further ahead than when we got there and it has the potential to be much better,” Miles said about where his program is after three years. “If we can continue to contend for the title, then that's where we would like to be.”
This was the Cowboys' first practice since Dec. 22, as the squad was off for three days for Christmas. Miles was happy with what he saw for the first workout since Monday.
“We ran them and did some fundamental things. We got their feet on the ground and hopefully we knocked some of the cobwebs off of them,” Miles said about practice. “They looked pretty good. They looked sharp. There weren't a lot of missed assignments out there. I look forward to a little more physical practice tomorrow when they're in full pads.”
Miles understands how important playing in the SBC Cotton Bowl is to recruiting.
“I don't think we could have picked a better destination, minus a BCS destination, than this one,” Miles said. “This is the center of our recruiting area. To be able to practice at Texas Stadium has been a great treat, and this is just our first day. A great minority of our team is from Texas, with quite a few from the North Texas/Dallas area and they will come ready to play. They will have friends and family sitting in the seats rooting them on. They will enjoy the day.”
Junior offensive lineman Adam Gourley was the only Cowboy who did not arrive in Dallas on Friday. Gourley had an excused absence due to a family matter and is expected to arrive on Saturday. Oklahoma State will dress 97 players in the Classic.
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