Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Cowboys Arrive, Hold First Practice in San Antonio
December 23, 2016 | Cowboy Football
Team Arrival Photo Gallery  |  Practice Photo Gallery |  QuotesÂ
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Oklahoma State football team arrived in San Antonio Friday morning, holding its first practice of the week for its upcoming Alamo Bowl battle against Colorado.
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After getting off the bus from the airport, the team was greeted in the Marriott Rivercenter lobby by live mariachi music. Head coach Mike Gundy, and San Antonio products Jordan Sterns and Ramon Richards had a brief media session in the lobby while the rest of the squad headed upstairs to get settled in.
"I like our attitude," head coach Mike Gundy said. "You know what's interesting, both teams played in the conference championship game, and I'm sure they wanted to win just as much as we did. And you go through a week or so after you lose what would be a conference championship game, to get the guys back up and going. Our first couple practices, as I shared with local media back home, were pretty average, but since that point the leadership and the chemistry of the team has taken over and they've been tremendous."
"It feels good to be back home," Richards said. "I ran into a lot of friends when I was downtown last night, and it feels good to be back in San Antonio. I got back two days ago. The city is exciting, and there's people who might even see me in my Oklahoma State gear, and they're excited to go to the Alamo Bowl. This city is a big sports city, they love the Spurs, they love whatever sports are played here, so they're excited for the Alamo Bowl."
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Later in the afternoon, the Cowboys loaded up and headed to Alamo Heights High School to get familiar with their new practice digs for the week. The team held a two-hour practice on the school's football field in helmets in shoulder pads.
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Former Cowboy linebacker and San Antonio native Ryan Simmons made a visit to practice to watch the team prepare.
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"I'm really excited," Simmons said. "I haven't seen the team since April at my pro day. I've been telling the guys that I was going to come up for a game, but I never had the chance to. Now that they're here, I don't have to drive eight hours to see them play. I'm glad that they're in another bowl game that is close to home too."
"I like their resiliency," Simmons said about this season's Oklahoma State team. "There are a lot of young guys that contributed this year, and guys from last year that are playing better. Everybody is steadily growing, and you can see it. I'm proud of them."
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Oklahoma State football team arrived in San Antonio Friday morning, holding its first practice of the week for its upcoming Alamo Bowl battle against Colorado.
Â
Air Cowboy One has touched down in San Antonio! #okstate #AlamoBowl pic.twitter.com/IYbEosvNKv
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 23, 2016
After getting off the bus from the airport, the team was greeted in the Marriott Rivercenter lobby by live mariachi music. Head coach Mike Gundy, and San Antonio products Jordan Sterns and Ramon Richards had a brief media session in the lobby while the rest of the squad headed upstairs to get settled in.
"I like our attitude," head coach Mike Gundy said. "You know what's interesting, both teams played in the conference championship game, and I'm sure they wanted to win just as much as we did. And you go through a week or so after you lose what would be a conference championship game, to get the guys back up and going. Our first couple practices, as I shared with local media back home, were pretty average, but since that point the leadership and the chemistry of the team has taken over and they've been tremendous."
"It feels good to be back home," Richards said. "I ran into a lot of friends when I was downtown last night, and it feels good to be back in San Antonio. I got back two days ago. The city is exciting, and there's people who might even see me in my Oklahoma State gear, and they're excited to go to the Alamo Bowl. This city is a big sports city, they love the Spurs, they love whatever sports are played here, so they're excited for the Alamo Bowl."
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The @valeroalamobowl knows how to throw a welcome party! #okstate #AlamoBowl pic.twitter.com/uPrqwIh4rO
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 23, 2016
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Lots of people in San Antonio want to talk to @CoachGundy. #okstate #AlamoBowl pic.twitter.com/zVdmZa9zy6
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 23, 2016
Later in the afternoon, the Cowboys loaded up and headed to Alamo Heights High School to get familiar with their new practice digs for the week. The team held a two-hour practice on the school's football field in helmets in shoulder pads.
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Sneak peek at this week's practice location. #okstate pic.twitter.com/pCobE1iL5v
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 23, 2016
Former Cowboy linebacker and San Antonio native Ryan Simmons made a visit to practice to watch the team prepare.
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See what former Cowboy Ryan Simmons had to say about this year's squad! #okstate pic.twitter.com/sTu6WJ8iDM
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 23, 2016
"I'm really excited," Simmons said. "I haven't seen the team since April at my pro day. I've been telling the guys that I was going to come up for a game, but I never had the chance to. Now that they're here, I don't have to drive eight hours to see them play. I'm glad that they're in another bowl game that is close to home too."
"I like their resiliency," Simmons said about this season's Oklahoma State team. "There are a lot of young guys that contributed this year, and guys from last year that are playing better. Everybody is steadily growing, and you can see it. I'm proud of them."
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