Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Practice, Meet The Media
December 27, 2010 | Cowboy Football
Photo GalleryDec. 27, 2010
SAN ANTONIO - The Oklahoma State football team held its final full-speed practice at Alamo Heights High School today as it put the finishing touches on its preparations for the 2010 Alamo Bowl matchup with Arizona. The Cowboys dressed in shorts for their workout, which was held under sunny skies and comfortable conditions.
Following the practice session, six of Oklahoma State's offensive standouts visited with members of the media to preview the Alamo Bowl game. Those selected Cowboys returned to the hotel, where they rejoined their team and are set to participate in the Alamo Bowl Pep Rally and Team Fiesta later tonight.
OSU will conduct its final walk-through of the season at the Alamo Dome tomorrow before battling the Wildcats on Wednesday.
Some of the highlights from the media session:
RB Kendall Hunter
On the dynamic of the OSU locker room
"I didn't really see the big picture as a freshman. I was just going along and playing my role. Now that I'm a senior, I see that it's all in the work you do. However much you put in is how much you're going to get out. The tone that the seniors sets every year motivates the younger guys."
On some of the emotions that he experienced on OSU's Senior Day
"It's just been a good experience for me, coming to Oklahoma State. Coming out on senior day knowing it was the last time I was going to run out on this field got me really emotional."
WR Justin Blackmon
On when it clicked that he was the best player on the field most of the time
"I don't think it has really clicked in for me yet. I just go out there and when I line up, I'm confident in myself and confident in the team and in Brandon Weeden and Kendall Hunter and the other guys to do their thing. I just go out there and play. When the ball is in the air, I want to go get it."
On how much fun he is having at Oklahoma State
"I'm having a lot of fun. Not only accomplishing the things that I've accomplished, but just winning as a team makes everything fun. I think it would still be fun if I wasn't doing what I'm doing as long as we are winning."
On who he compares himself to
"I try to play like Terrell Owens - a big, physical receiver. Every time he's got the ball in his hands, it normally takes more than one person to bring him down. I try to play just like that. I'm a big, physical guy and I try to make plays."
QB Brandon Weeden
On the pleasure he has taken in this season
"It has been a blast. I think a lot of people doubted me because of my age and I used that as motivation to get me going and stay with it and keep working hard. I've had a lot of fun this year and being a little big older has helped me to achieve some of the things that I have."
On the winner's mentality that has developed in the program the last few years
"It feels like a totally different program than the one I walked into a few years ago. There wasn't the same kind of confidence in our locker room as there is now. There wasn't the kind of leadership that you needed to have a successful football program. The seniors two years ago kind of started it and last year's group had all of the good athletes and kept things going. I think we've done a good job this year with the guys we have in place. We accepted that role and kept the ball rolling. We've got great leaders on this team - the type that make things click - and there are no distractions. There are no "I" guys. It's all about team and that's the difference between now and four years ago. Guys are having fun and are confident that they are going to make plays on Saturdays."
On his favorite moment of the season
"Beating Texas at Texas. That was a big moment for our program. No matter what their situation was this year, that is not an easy place to play and the quality of athletes that they have. Also, we have so many guys on this team from Texas, so it was a sweet win for those guys, which makes it a sweet win for us all. That was a lot of fun."
On what he would tell others about Oklahoma State
"If you want to win football games and have fun doing it, this is a good place. We have a great coaching staff here that will take care of you and put you in position to be a better person when you leave and go out in the real world. College football is a great starter for guys who go out in to the business world. Things like time management, being self-motivated and things like that. It's a great program and I've enjoyed every minute of it. I've learned a lot while I've been here. Not only as a football player, but also as a person and I feel like I'm a better person for coming to Oklahoma State."
On how the success of this year's team rolls over into the coming off-season workouts
"Really, it starts with winning this bowl game. We won't do anything for a while after this, but win or lose, this bowl game will leave a good or bad taste in our mouth. Guys will come back excited and prepared and ready to go leading into the spring. The nicest thing about this group is that everyone likes coming to the field every day and it hasn't always been like that. In the past, some guys have dreaded coming in and they just go through the motions at practice. These guys are different though. Everybody has bought in and it's been a lot of fun to be a part of."
OL Levy Adcock
On his time at Oklahoma State
"The first day I came in, we had an offensive line meeting and I remember walking in and seeing all these huge guys and I was thinking `oh man, this is going to be a tough journey.' The first off-season run we had in the summer that I got here, I thought I was going to die and I knew it was going to be rough. As time went on, I kept getting better and soon enough, I was second team. I don't know how, but I was. I messed up every play and I didn't really know the plays. This past spring, I worked really hard to get a starting spot and in team camp, I finally stepped up and took sole responsibility for everything I did and I ended up having a pretty good season."
On his favorite moment of his career so far
"Going out onto the field at Texas A&M last year, both before the game to see all of the people and after the game, to leave that field as the winning team even though we didn't have some of our key players that day."
