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Game Thread (2004) Bowl Game: MasterCard Alamo Bowl - Oklahoma State - 12/29/04 (W, 8-4/4-4)

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Few tickets left for Alamo Bowl

Tim Griffin Express-News
Web Posted: 12/21/2004 11:15 AM CST
URL: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA122104.FBC-AlamoBowl.2ba24375.html

Only about 500 tickets remain for next week's MasterCard Alamo Bowl, leaving game organizers expecting a sellout for the Dec. 29 game at the Alamodome.

As workers painted the field at the Alamodome and continued final preparations Monday, the game between Ohio State and Oklahoma State appears headed for the fourth sellout in the bowl's 11-year history.

"This makes for a good Christmas," Alamo Bowl chief executive officer Derrick Fox said. "We've had sellouts before, but suffice it to say, we've never been at this level for a game without a school from Texas."

The remaining tickets are priced at $23.50 apiece and are available at the Alamodome's Southeast box office from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m., Monday through Friday, or through Ticketmaster.

Previous sellouts came in 1995 (Texas A&M-Michigan), 1999 (A&M-Penn State) and 2001 (Texas Tech-Iowa). Record attendance for the game was set in 1999, when 65,380 fans watched the game between the Aggies and Nittany Lions.

As for those games, temporary seats have been added in the unfinished luxury suite areas on the south side of the facility, making another crowd of upwards of 65,000 expected.

"People from both schools told us they were excited about coming here, and that is indeed the case," Fox said. "The announcement of Ohio State was early, and we got a great response locally as soon as it happened. And then Oklahoma State came in and bought their allotment and 4,000 more tickets after that."

Both teams are scheduled to arrive Wednesday. Oklahoma State will work out later that day at the Alamodome, while the Buckeyes will wait until the following day to begin local work at Trinity University.
 
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Candid Comments from Coach Tressel

Buckeyes set for bowl after slow Big Ten start, off-field dramas

Tim Griffin - San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted: 12/22/2004 12:00 AM CST
URL: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA122204.1C.FBCohiostate.32791d5e.html

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State's path to the MasterCard Alamo Bowl has been littered with enough potholes to rip apart the resolve of most teams.

The Buckeyes' circuitous route to San Antonio has included NCAA investigations, player suspensions and heavy criticism after selling the naming rights to the team's rivalry with Michigan.

Opposing fans and players mocked the Buckeyes' tradition after Ohio State started 0-3 in the Big Ten. It was only the second time since 1943 the Buckeyes started conference play with three losses.

But those problems looked minor after former Buckeyes running back Maurice Clarett alleged NCAA violations in an ESPN the Magazine article last month.

As Ohio State arrives in San Antonio today, it can't seem to shake controversy. Starting quarterback Troy Smith on Monday was suspended for a violation of team and NCAA rules and standards.

It's made some Ohio State fans almost hesitant to turn on the television for worries about what might turn up next.

But it's also made the action on the field a relief for coach Jim Tressel and his team — even after a season that saw them bracket a pair of three-game winning streaks around the three losses to start Big Ten play.

“It's been kind of a rocky road for us,” Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter said. “It's been up and down for us all season, but the thing is we've been able to rise above everything that's happened all year.”

After a 33-7 loss at Iowa on Oct. 16 — Tressel's worst defeat at Ohio State — fans at Kinnick Stadium serenaded the Buckeyes with chants of “Motor City Bowl” as they left the field. Quarterback Justin Zwick was injured, and the Buckeyes' bowl hopes looked bleak at 3-3.

But Smith engineered a late run that saw the Buckeyes win four of their final five games, capped by an upset of Michigan in the regular-season finale.

“Our team stayed together,” freshman wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. said. “This season has been a test to see how tough we are and how much heart this team had. We stuck together and did what we could to persevere.”

That unity will be tested against Oklahoma State. Zwick will return to the lineup for the first time since his injury after Smith was left home.

“It was a huge surprise for us,” Tressel said about Smith's suspension. “I'm sure it will impact all of our players a little differently, but like any other time, we'll confront it and move on.”

Issues ‘wearing'

Ohio State's strong finish deflected much of the attention from Clarett's charges — at least before Smith's suspension. Clarett, a hero of Ohio State's 2002 national championship team as a freshman, alleged in the magazine that Tressel provided him improper benefits.

Among his charges were that the coach helped him obtain a loaner car, he and other players received improper assistance in their classes, and they were paid for bogus summer jobs.

The Buckeyes' spin control was proactive as Tressel and athletic director Andy Geiger denied the charges soon after the story was released.

“These issues have been very wearing, but it goes with the territory,” Geiger said. “You'd love to see things go perfectly, but sometimes they don't. But the thing I feel confident about is that we don't have things that are systematically out of kilter, at least that we've found.”

The continuing investigation has not affected Tressel or his program, the coach said.

“I just carry on like I always do,” Tressel said. “I'll take care of things that I can control and let other people do their own thing.”

Tressel did not use the Clarett saga as motivation.

“If it did, it was something that was done subliminally because we never talked to them about it in organized group settings,” Tressel said. “If it was something they talked about — it was something that was done away from here. And I doubt it because they were too busy watching film and getting ready. They are good kids who were focused on the task at hand.”

After the early shock, players say little has been said about Clarett's allegations and never by coaches in team settings.

“It's possible to ignore those things,” senior All-American kicker Mike Nugent said. “The only time it's ever discussed is when somebody asks us about it.

“You hear those things and figure that nothing will come out. I know these coaches wouldn't do anything to do embarrass this university or give it a bad name.”

Nugent and other Buckeyes have fond recollections of their championship season with Clarett, who helped them to a 13-0 record and the school's first consensus national title in 34 years. But they are clearly disheartened by some of his allegations.

“Obviously, he was one of my teammates and I wish the best for him,” Nugent said. “But it's disappointing how people would try to call out my coach and almost insult him like that. I respect coach Tressel and Andy Geiger almost as much as anybody in the world. I know they wouldn't hurt this program.”

Run of problems

The Ohio State athletic program faced adversity on other fronts, as well.

Basketball coach Jim O'Brien was fired in June for allegedly giving money to a recruit. O'Brien has sued for pay he says is owed him. Ohio State flirted with alumnus Bob Knight before settling on former Xavier coach Thad Matta.

And the school faced increased controversy after the naming rights to the Michigan game were sold to SBC for more than $1 million per school before it was rescinded. It became more of an issue when the New York Times reported that Ohio State showed a football profit last season of $22.8 million.

Ohio State's late charge under Smith helped deflect some of the attention. Buckeyes fans gobbled up all available Alamo Bowl seats more than two weeks before the game, and more than 25,000 Buckeyes fans are expected in San Antonio.

But that was before Smith was suspended. Beating Oklahoma State clearly would help push aside some of the bad memories of the wearisome season.

“I think we're sort of back to doing what we're supposed to do, with all the bowl activities,” Geiger said. “The controversial stuff is a way of life — it's just where it is in this day and age. We'll deal and live with it, the ESPN people will be professional and fine. We won't talk about that stuff, and they won't, either.”
 
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Whitner, Salley to Play in SA

Both teams expected in Alamo City today

San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted: 12/22/2004 12:00 AM CST
URL: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/football/stories/MYSA122204.C.FBCalamobowl.notebook.329b6488.html

Oklahoma State and Ohio State are both scheduled to arrive in San Antonio today.

The Buckeyes will receive an official welcome from fans and local alumni at 3:30 p. m. at the Hyatt Regency followed by a brief media session.

The Cowboys will arrive at 5:30 p. m. and head straight to the Alamodome for practice.

Oklahoma State spokesman Steve Buzzard said the Cowboys are "healthy and upbeat. We're really looking forward to getting there and getting into our routine."

Hoop it up: Both teams will attend Thursday's game between the Spurs and Golden State.

Boeckman backup: With Buckeyes quarterback Justin Zwick slated to start in place of the suspended Troy Smith, freshman Todd Boeckman — who hasn't played this season — will serve as Ohio State's backup QB. If Boeckman is forced to play, he will lose his redshirt status and a full season of eligibility.

Of the four active QBs listed on the team roster, Zwick, a sophomore, is the only one to have played the position in a collegiate game.

Whitner to play: Buckeyes strong safety Donte Whitner, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this season, will play. Whitner didn't play in games against Penn State and Purdue, but returned against Michigan to record four tackles and a sack. Despite missing two games, Whitner finished fourth on the team with 61 tackles.

Ohio State free safety Nate Salley, who has battled a shoulder injury this season, also will play. Salley missed two games because of the injury, but finished sixth on the team with 53 tackles. He also tied for second on the team with two interceptions.
 
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Cowboys suspend senior cornerback Darrent Williams

Alamo Bowl notebook: Cowboys suspend senior cornerback

San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted: 12/23/2004 12:00 AM CST
URL: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA122304.5C.FBCalamo.notebook.33273399.html
Oklahoma State coach Les Miles on Wednesday said that senior cornerback Darrent Williams had been suspended for violation of unspecified team rules within the past two days.

Williams, a preseason All-American candidate, had been expected to play in the MasterCard Alamo Bowl after missing all but one series of the past seven games with a broken arm.

"He violated some team rules and he's not on the trip," Miles said. "We played without him the whole back half of the season. I'd just like to focus on the guys who are here."

Travel woes: The Cowboys cancelled a workout at the Alamodome after their charter flight landed in San Antonio more than three hours later than their expected arrival of
3:45 p. m.

Miles still took his team to the Alamodome for a brief visit. Roughly 25 Texas-based players who were allowed to leave Stillwater earlier in the week were waiting for them.

The Buckeyes, meanwhile, were scheduled to arrive at their hotel at 3:30 p. m., but didn't pull in until shortly after 5 p. m. Coach Jim Tressel was just happy to have arrived at all, however.

"It was pretty snowy when we left," Tressel said. "I heard they closed the airport just after we took off. We were happy to get down here."

QB Smith is missed: Ohio State players expressed remorse that quarterback Troy Smith was not with the team. All-American kicker Mike Nugent was perhaps the most disappointed, having lost his travel companion.

"He sat next to me on every plane trip this season," Nugent said of Smith, who was suspended from the Alamo Bowl on Monday for violating an unspecified team rule. It's kind of different with him gone. He's a great kid, and I hope everything gets well for him."

Cheap entertainment: While waiting for the rest of the Cowboys to arrive, former Galena Park North Shore quarterback Robert Reid unleashed a perfect 40-yard strike into the back of unsuspecting teammate Walter Thomas. Thomas is 6-foot-5 and weighs 340 pounds.

"That's my roommate," Reid said. "He has a paint gun he's always shooting me with so I'm just getting him back."

When told of Reid's feat, Miles wasn't impressed. "You could probably hit that target," he said.

Everyone's watching: With a season that has included allegations by former players of NCAA rules violations, Ohio State players are aware that any mishap during their stay could become national news.

"It's important to stay out of trouble with the pressure on us right now," defensive back Dustin Fox said. "If we do something wrong, it's going to be all over every paper."
 
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Ho Ho Ho (brrrr)

Y'all were supposed to bring The Team, TBDBITL, the Cheerleaders and Brutus ... but you didn't have to bring THE FREAKIN' OHIO WEATHER !

First gameday forecast: partly cloudy and windy, high temp 65F .

weather_23dec2004.jpg


:wink2:
 
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yankee_in_texas said:
Y'all were supposed to bring The Team, TBDBITL, the Cheerleaders and Brutus ... but you didn't have to bring THE FREAKIN' OHIO WEATHER !

First gameday forecast: partly cloudy and windy, high temp 65F .

weather_23dec2004.jpg


:wink2:
Click to expand...
We just wanted everyone to feel right at home :biggrin:

BTW, what's the Ok-State take on the type of team they will now face from tOSU?

I ask because the team set that developed toward the end of the season was completely different from that which we saw in the opening games. So, even with Troy Smith at QB there was little in the way of informative game film for Oklahoma State to examine.
Now with Zwick under center I doubt anyone other than Tressel and crew has a clear grasp of the likely game plan come December 29th.
Maybe I'm just a glass is half full kind of guy, but there seems to be an Advantage Buckeyes to this latest twist in tOSU's '04 season.
 
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Let the Partying BEGIN !

Alamo Bowl Weather -

Tonight: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, partly cloudy early, then becoming cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tuesday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: A chance of drizzle after 1am. Widespread fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low near 52. South southeast wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of drizzle before 10am. Widespread fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

riverwalk.jpg
 
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Oklahoma State's Kellen Davis Out for Alamo Bowl

( ... from GoPokes. com)

"One major adjustment for game day will be at right tackle where Adam Gourley (6-6, 290) will get the start in place of Kellen Davis. Davis suffered a concussion in Thursday’s practice and was knocked out cold. He will sit out the Alamo Bowl."
 
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I have a lot more respect for Oklahoma State football coach Les Myles than Kansas State's Bill Snyder. Coach Myles has suspended two players now for the Alamo Bowl for "breaking team rules". Last year at the Fiesta Bowl Snyder suspended his Eli Roberson (his starting quarterback) for two whopping plays for his violation of "team rules". He was caught in a hotel room with a KSU alumni having sex after curfew. Apparently someone called the police. There was a question wether the sex was consentual or not.

http://www.nbc6.net/cfoot533/2737028/detail.html

Apparently at Kansas State team rule violations are not that big of issue if you are the "star" quarterback and without him you wouldn't be expected to win the game. Fortunately they didn't win the Fiesta Bowl with Roberson.
 
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