Tulsa practices on Thursday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. |
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Tulsa's Graham Pleased with Workouts
Jan. 3, 2008
Mobile, Alabama - Tulsa had its third practice on the turf at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The Hurricane worked out for a little more than two hours in temperatures that topped out at 44-degrees.
The Hurricane began the day with its usual 9:30 breakfast, followed by offensive and defensive meetings. It was then off to the USS Alabama where the travel party was treated to lunch and a tour of the museum and battleship. Some players also took advantage of going into a Air Force simulator, and viewed the various fighter and transport plans on site.
The Hurricane returned to the hotel for 1 pm meetings, and was back on the practice field at 2:40 pm.
Head Coach Todd Graham has been pleased with the preparation and focus of his team this week.
"Practice was great. It doesn't take a lot to have to motivate these guys. I think the staff has done a great job of building this up. It hit our players that it was game week when we arrived here on Monday. It's Bowling Green and we're going for a bowl championship. The kids have really, really responded well," said Graham.
Graham again emphasized the keys to the game. "The keys for us will be no stupid penalties, execute the plan, have the focus for the full 60 minutes and lay very, very aggressive. We can't turn over the ball," added Graham. "I challenged our defense and kick coverage that we have to show up and play defense. In order to win a championship you have to do that."
Tulsa will go through its normal Thursday practice tomorrow, which is Tulsa's dress rehearsal/script day.
"This is a regular week for us. Today was a Wednesday even though it was Thursday," said Graham. "This was our last padded practice of the year. Everything now is mental preparation. This is a special group of kids and special group of seniors and I think they know what it means for us to go win."
Tulsa went to the movies on Thursday night where the players view ed either "National Treasurer" or "I am Legend".
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TULSA NOTEPAD . . .
LONG SEASON? . . . If you can remember back to August -- Thursday, August 30th to be exact . . . Tulsa played at UL-Monroe in the first game of the Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) collegiate season, aired on ESPN2 . . . this Sunday, Tulsa will play in the second-to-last game of the season with its' appearance in the GMAC Bowl.
MILLS TO BE HONORARY CAPTAIN . . . Tulsa's 2005 All-America tight end Garrett Mills will be Tulsa's honorary captain for Sunday's GMAC Bowl . . . Mills was a key figure in Tulsa's 2005 Conference USA and Liberty Bowl Championships . . . he spent this season with the Minnesota Vikings after being drafted by New England in the 2006 NFL Draft . . . Mills saw his first action last Saturday against Denver as he caught two passes for 26 yards.
