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Football ***** Mark Stoops Show News & Notes - Aug. 26 *****

Jeff Drummond

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Nov 25, 2002
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Hello HOB. I'll be following along with the coach's show tonight, and I'll share all the news and notes here in this thread for you guys to discuss. Show starts at 6 ET. Stay tuned...

* Guys are tired of hitting each other, ready to hit another team.

* BVG very well-coached in the process of getting himself ready to play quarterback and lead this team. Stoops says all he's got to do is "play within himself."

* Further along with their game plan for an opener than they would typically be.

* Stoops stressed they really want to get Wilcox touches in this game. "He's got a top gear that we haven't seen in a while." Says he kinda reminds him of Boom.

* On the corner spot opposite Max Hairston... Gotta keep working it. Multiple guys will get their shot to play before it's decided.

* Punting job has been close throughout camp, but Wilson Berry seems to be the most consistent as of today. "We'll see where it goes."

* Asked about three keys to establishing their identity this season, Stoops says: 1. Physical up front, especially on the OL; 2. Gotta pitch and catch. Gotta make the routine look routine in the passing game; and 3. Limit pre-snap penalties. He adds a 4th on his own, gotta own the turnover margin. Create a bunch defensively, take care of the ball offensively.

* On Dane Key and Barion Brown... Eager to see them in their third year. Seem different in terms of focus and maturity, just like you'd expect. We don't like to use "sophomore slump" or anything like that, but he thinks it was a bit of human nature when they found all that success early on and got patted on the back and told how good they were. The expectations were huge, and we didn't do all the things we could do around them to help. They've taken their practice habits to a new level of consistency to go along with bigger, stronger bodies. Makes it very exciting for all of us.

* They did a practice during camp at 7:45 p.m. just to get a feel for what it will be like to play in this night-game opener. Also to adjust with the new lighting in the stadium. Said it's a little brighter than the old ones. Wanted return guys to get used to it.
 
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