No. 12 Oklahoma (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) will face No. 14 Arizona (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) in the Alamo Bowl at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 28 in San Antonio.
Here’s what OU head coach Brent Venables and Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch said ahead the matchup:
Venables on playing in the Alamo Bowl
“On behalf of our program, our players, our coaches, Sooner nation, couldn’t be more thrilled to have an opportunity to come back to the Valero Alamo Bowl. Y’all do everything first class. It’s a great venue, (it’s) gonna be an awesome night on the 28th. The college football world is going to be in for a treat, two really good football teams that are playing their best football as the season is winding down.
“… It’s going to be a great opportunity for our fans and our players’ families to be able to get there, very convenient for them. And for me, two short years ago, this is where I got a chance to watch our players as I became the head coach, watch coach (Bob) Stoops go out one last time against the University of Oregon, and so it’ll be a treat for me as well to be able to go back to San Antonio again.
“I’d also like to say thank you to the (College Football Playoff) committee for creating such a highly thought of matchup. It’s two top 15 teams going at it, other than the (New Year’s Six) matchups this will be the highest ranked matchup of the bowl season. We couldn’t be more more thrilled, and (I’m) just proud of our players and all of their work.”
Venables on facing Arizona
“I’d like to congratulate coach Fisch, his staff, his football team for an amazing turnaround. Just two short years ago, they won just one game. The turnaround has been quite remarkable, (they’re) doing it the right way. They’ve recruited very well, they’ve developed incredibly well. … (Their) offense is going to get a lot of the headlines, but I agree with coach Fisch (on) how well they’re playing on defense, (and) just as a football team winning their last six games. Just a fantastic job building their program the right way.”
Venables on OU’s growth from last season
“Since we played Florida State in our bowl game last year we lost 42 scholarship players. We have 63 new players this year, both freshmen and 17 transfers. It’s been a lot of fun building it (and) watching this team come together. The chemistry, the cohesion, the work, the leadership, the maturation of the team. It’s been a lot of fun to be a part of.
“Our coaches and players have worked tirelessly to give ourselves a chance. We lost two games where we came up short by eight points, and (we) bounced back. (I’ve) seen our team be in some valleys along the way, really love how we responded every step of the way. (We’re) building a foundation as we transform into the SEC, (with this) being our last year in the Big 12.
“Again, couldn’t have been more proud of the growth and the maturation that has taken place this year led by a bunch of guys that have been highly invested in this program. Several seniors, including Dillon Gabriel (and) Drake Stoops, Jalil Farooq on the offensive side and then Danny Stutsman, Isaiah Coe, Jordan Kelley, Woodi Washington, Billy Bowman, amongst others on our defense.”
Venables on hiring Seth Littrell, Joe Jon Finley
“My filter for making that decision always goes back (to) what’s best for our players, and then what’s best for our staff. As I visited with several coaches across the country and looked at our team and what we’ve recruited and the staff that we have right now on offense prior to making that decision, everything continued to bring me back to Seth and Joe Jon as co-coordinators.
“… (They’re) tremendous leaders and excellent in what they do as football coaches, some of the best in college football. … I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds to continue the offensive success that we’ve had and continue to evolve and develop our offensive side of the ball into one of the most explosive units in all of college football.”
Venables on Drake Stoops and Dillon Gabriel
“They’re both playing their best football right now. Dillon has broken several college football records this season. … Their chemistry, the respect that they have for one another and how they’ve led our team, they’re great leaders, they bring out the best in everybody and they can reproduce who they are. They’ve done exactly that and helped transform our locker room.”
Fisch on facing Oklahoma
“We play at about two in the morning every week, so I’m able to watch a lot of college football and I’ve been able to see Oklahoma throughout the season at different times. Our quarterback, Jayden (de Laura), is from Hawaii, obviously Dillon Gabriel is from Hawaii, so we always talk about that group and keep an eye on that, the different quarterbacks, the scoring that’s been going on.
“Obviously (we) know the defensive prowess that coach Venables has had everywhere he’s ever been. (We’re) very aware of how good of a defense they are and what they’re gonna be and how they’re gonna cause all sorts of troubles for us.
“We recognize that it’s gonna be quite a football game. I’m excited about both teams, the way the teams score, and also the way the teams defend. So it’s gonna be a fun game, a great game, and I hope that all of San Antonio comes out to watch it.”