Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
Cowboy Football Bowl Report: Dec. 24
December 24, 2016 | Cowboy Football
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Oklahoma State football team donned full pads at Saturday's practice for the first time since arriving in San Antonio for this week's Alamo Bowl matchup against Colorado.
The mood at Saturday's practice was festive, as the Cowboys practiced for around two hours at Alamo Heights High School to the tune of various Christmas classics blasting from the loudspeakers. The team enjoyed a second consecutive day of good weather, despite a short drizzle midway through practice, with temperatures ranging in the 70's throughout the session.
After practice, the Cowboys met with a handful of underserved children from around the San Antonio community.
Gundy, linebacker Jordan Burton and wide receiver Chris Lacy met with members of the San Antonio media prior to the practice session as well. See what they had to say below:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the team's first night in San Antonio:
"We had a great night last night. We had a little get together at the hotel with some Oakley sunglasses, so that was a lot of fun. The players were able to experience the River Walk in San Antonio, so we're looking forward to a good work out today then they'll have quite a bit of free time once we finish up around three o'clock."
On his assessment of the team's first practice:
"We had a good practice, it's always a concern when they're home for two and a half days to get them re-focused. We have a fairly mature team and we have enough guys that have played in bowl games that understand the importance of us being here for this hour and 45 minutes. So, I was pleased as were the assistant coaches."
On players being away from family during the holiday:
"They have each other. They spend more time with each other and the team than they do with their families. So that really fills in. Most of them won't have family here, the local guys will be able to get away and be with their families which is awesome. We sent them home for two days prior to arriving here, for that reason. To have their Christmas and be with their families. They have each other so that's really what they'll use as family while they're here in San Antonio."
What was number one on his Christmas list this year:
"To get them all here on time, and to keep them all healthy until we get to the game."
Jordan Burton, Senior, Linebacker
On his assessment of the first practice:
"I think it went well. Pretty much similar to the practices we've been having in Stillwater. Pretty productive, got a lot of good things done."
On preparing for a game during the holidays:
"In the game that we play, at this level we kind of learn to block things like that out. Just get the job done how we see fit. We're like brothers, it's like a family anyways. We probably spend way more time with each other than we do with our actual families. We're with each other nine or ten months out of the year."
On the best Christmas gift he ever received:
"Lite Bright when I was little. I might be showing my age a little."
Chris Lacy, Junior, Wide Receiver
On his assessment of the first practice"
"Guys out here, fired up. We're ready for the game. Just getting the game plan together and just getting ready."
On Colorado:
"Their defensive backs are really good, so us receivers are going to have to really be on our game to be able to make plays against them. Their defense is really good."
On if it's hard to practice on Christmas Eve:
"I actually forgot it was Christmas Eve, someone said it was Christmas Eve earlier and I didn't even know. So its not really that bad. These are my brothers, besides my family I wouldn't want to be with anybody else. It's great being around all these guys."
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Oklahoma State football team donned full pads at Saturday's practice for the first time since arriving in San Antonio for this week's Alamo Bowl matchup against Colorado.
The mood at Saturday's practice was festive, as the Cowboys practiced for around two hours at Alamo Heights High School to the tune of various Christmas classics blasting from the loudspeakers. The team enjoyed a second consecutive day of good weather, despite a short drizzle midway through practice, with temperatures ranging in the 70's throughout the session.
Day ???? in San Antonio! #okstate #AlamoBowl pic.twitter.com/ZsY2iAjN2f
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 24, 2016
LBs getting in some contact work today. #okstate #AlamoBowl pic.twitter.com/DBFC7YDTPu
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 24, 2016
After practice, the Cowboys met with a handful of underserved children from around the San Antonio community.
Thank you to @CowboyFB for spending time with youth from Boysville today at practice #GoPokes #okstate #alamobowl
— Valero Alamo Bowl (@valeroalamobowl) December 24, 2016
Gundy, linebacker Jordan Burton and wide receiver Chris Lacy met with members of the San Antonio media prior to the practice session as well. See what they had to say below:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the team's first night in San Antonio:
"We had a great night last night. We had a little get together at the hotel with some Oakley sunglasses, so that was a lot of fun. The players were able to experience the River Walk in San Antonio, so we're looking forward to a good work out today then they'll have quite a bit of free time once we finish up around three o'clock."
On his assessment of the team's first practice:
"We had a good practice, it's always a concern when they're home for two and a half days to get them re-focused. We have a fairly mature team and we have enough guys that have played in bowl games that understand the importance of us being here for this hour and 45 minutes. So, I was pleased as were the assistant coaches."
On players being away from family during the holiday:
"They have each other. They spend more time with each other and the team than they do with their families. So that really fills in. Most of them won't have family here, the local guys will be able to get away and be with their families which is awesome. We sent them home for two days prior to arriving here, for that reason. To have their Christmas and be with their families. They have each other so that's really what they'll use as family while they're here in San Antonio."
What was number one on his Christmas list this year:
"To get them all here on time, and to keep them all healthy until we get to the game."
Jordan Burton, Senior, Linebacker
On his assessment of the first practice:
"I think it went well. Pretty much similar to the practices we've been having in Stillwater. Pretty productive, got a lot of good things done."
On preparing for a game during the holidays:
"In the game that we play, at this level we kind of learn to block things like that out. Just get the job done how we see fit. We're like brothers, it's like a family anyways. We probably spend way more time with each other than we do with our actual families. We're with each other nine or ten months out of the year."
On the best Christmas gift he ever received:
"Lite Bright when I was little. I might be showing my age a little."
Chris Lacy, Junior, Wide Receiver
On his assessment of the first practice"
"Guys out here, fired up. We're ready for the game. Just getting the game plan together and just getting ready."
On Colorado:
"Their defensive backs are really good, so us receivers are going to have to really be on our game to be able to make plays against them. Their defense is really good."
On if it's hard to practice on Christmas Eve:
"I actually forgot it was Christmas Eve, someone said it was Christmas Eve earlier and I didn't even know. So its not really that bad. These are my brothers, besides my family I wouldn't want to be with anybody else. It's great being around all these guys."
Players Mentioned
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WR
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