Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Practice, Take A Trip To The San Diego Zoo
December 27, 2008 | Cowboy Football
SAN DIEGO — Oklahoma State continued preparation for its 2008 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl showdown against Oregon Friday morning before spending the afternoon touring the world renowned San Diego Zoo.
The Cowboys went through a two-hour practice on the turf field at the University of San Diego in the morning, this time with sunny skies and no rain.
In a game showcasing two of college football's top offenses, OSU linebacker Andre Sexton said fundamentals would be the key for the Cowboy defense Tuesday against the Ducks.
“It's gonna come down to us tackling,” Sexton said. “I've seen (Oregon) break a lot of tackles, and they do a very good job of that. And their wide receivers block very well outside on the perimeter. We've got to get off blocks and make tackles. It comes down to pretty much the basics in every game.”
The 9-3 Cowboys can tie the school record for wins in a season with a Holiday Bowl victory, and Sexton said while he and his teammates certainly want to enjoy their stay in San Diego, getting win No. 10 is their primary focus.
“Being cemented in OSU history as being one of the winningest programs in a season is really important to all of us,” Sexton said. “Coach (Mike) Gundy preaches all year that on the road games it's all about business, and we save the pleasure for the bowl game. But we talked about the first day we got here that the only way you have fun is if you win, so everybody is staying focused.
“You have your fun, but as it gets closer to game time everybody starts focusing in on getting prepared to get that win.”
Following their morning workout, the Cowboys got to experience an afternoon of fun at the San Diego Zoo.
Sexton, along with teammates Matt Fodge, Brady Bond, Orie Lemon and Patrick Lavine, got the unique opportunity to “meet” one the zoo's sea lions, Cabo. The players each took turns petting Cabo and posing for pictures, and each player got a kiss on the cheek from the animal.
“It was a little scary at first, but once I calmed down a little it was fun,” Sexton said. “Cabo was really cool. I might take Cabo out on a date later.”
Added Bond, “It was a little bit odd between (Cabo's) whiskers and his breath. You could smell his breath, and it wasn't a pleasant smell.”
The Cowboy players and staff were able to spend several hours at the zoo touring the exhibits and taking pictures of their favorite animals.
“I like the most ferocious animals — the lions, the cheetahs, all the killers,” Sexton said. “I want to stay as far away as possible and enjoy them.”
“It's one of the greatest zoos in the world so I'm just trying to do as much as I can while I'm here and learn,” Bond said. “This is my first time at this (San Diego) zoo, and there's a lot of interesting animals to see out here.”
The Cowboys went through a two-hour practice on the turf field at the University of San Diego in the morning, this time with sunny skies and no rain.
In a game showcasing two of college football's top offenses, OSU linebacker Andre Sexton said fundamentals would be the key for the Cowboy defense Tuesday against the Ducks.
“It's gonna come down to us tackling,” Sexton said. “I've seen (Oregon) break a lot of tackles, and they do a very good job of that. And their wide receivers block very well outside on the perimeter. We've got to get off blocks and make tackles. It comes down to pretty much the basics in every game.”
The 9-3 Cowboys can tie the school record for wins in a season with a Holiday Bowl victory, and Sexton said while he and his teammates certainly want to enjoy their stay in San Diego, getting win No. 10 is their primary focus.
“Being cemented in OSU history as being one of the winningest programs in a season is really important to all of us,” Sexton said. “Coach (Mike) Gundy preaches all year that on the road games it's all about business, and we save the pleasure for the bowl game. But we talked about the first day we got here that the only way you have fun is if you win, so everybody is staying focused.
“You have your fun, but as it gets closer to game time everybody starts focusing in on getting prepared to get that win.”
Following their morning workout, the Cowboys got to experience an afternoon of fun at the San Diego Zoo.
Sexton, along with teammates Matt Fodge, Brady Bond, Orie Lemon and Patrick Lavine, got the unique opportunity to “meet” one the zoo's sea lions, Cabo. The players each took turns petting Cabo and posing for pictures, and each player got a kiss on the cheek from the animal.
“It was a little scary at first, but once I calmed down a little it was fun,” Sexton said. “Cabo was really cool. I might take Cabo out on a date later.”
Added Bond, “It was a little bit odd between (Cabo's) whiskers and his breath. You could smell his breath, and it wasn't a pleasant smell.”
The Cowboy players and staff were able to spend several hours at the zoo touring the exhibits and taking pictures of their favorite animals.
“I like the most ferocious animals — the lions, the cheetahs, all the killers,” Sexton said. “I want to stay as far away as possible and enjoy them.”
“It's one of the greatest zoos in the world so I'm just trying to do as much as I can while I'm here and learn,” Bond said. “This is my first time at this (San Diego) zoo, and there's a lot of interesting animals to see out here.”
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