Jan. 1, 2008

Mobile, Alabama - The Tulsa football team went through a two hour practice on Tuesday afternoon at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in preparation for Sunday's GMAC Bowl opponent Bowling Green.

Head Coach Todd Graham was pleased with his team's workout.

"We had a great practice today. Our kids are upbeat. It took so long to get to this week, that I think it has now registered with our kids that we've got a game. We had a great spirit at practice today. We don't practice very long, but it's pretty hard and fast," said Graham.

"Our kids responded very well and had a good practice. That's the key. You look at bowl games it's your preparation and teams that are prepared you can tell after the opening kickoff," added Graham. "We're working really hard to keep a lot of structure in what we're doing this week to be prepared."

In the evening, both Tulsa and Bowling Green reconvened at Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the Team Welcome Party, as both teams enjoyed an array of food.

Tulsa returned to team headquarters hotel and had the rest of the night free until its 12 midnight bed-check.

BOWL NOTES:

ESPN SWITCHAROO . . .

The original ESPN television crew for the GMAC Bowl with Tulsa and Bowling Green was the team ESPN studio hosts for College Football -- Rece Davis, Lou Holtz and Mark May . . . that crew was taken off of the game last Thursday and replaced by play-play play Bob Wischusen, analyst Andre Ware and sideline commentator Joe Schad . . . Ware was the analyst for Tulsa's last game in the C-USA Championship.

JAMARCUS RUSSELL PLAYED HERE . . .

The number-one pick in last year's NFL Draft, LSU quarterback and Oakland Raiders draft choice Jamarcus Russell, played prep football at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, as his high school, Williams High School, is just outside the north end zone of the stadium.

THE GAME ROOM . . .

When not in team meetings or practice, Golden Hurricane players can be found at the TU Player Hospitality Rom at the Riverview Hotel . . . in addition to a huge TV video screen, snacks and drinks, there is a ping-pong table, pool table, various other games - Ms. Pac Man, Out Run, Storm Blade, NBA Jam and two NEO-GEO Multi Video Systems . . . NBA Jam appears to be the favorite among the Tulsa team.

Wives of collegiate players are permitted to travel as part of the official travel party during bowl games . . . two Tulsa player wives, Krista Smith (wife of quarterback Paul Smith) and Kerrie Wike (wife of backup offensive lineman Travis Wike), traveled with their husbands on this bowl game trip.