Oklahoma State Charters Arrive in Houston and Pokes Put in a Light Practice
STILLWATER – For the first time ever, at least that anyone can remember the Oklahoma State football bowl travel party split up into two planes and flew to destination Houston for the week long trip to the Tax Act Texas Bowl.
There were two United Airlines 737-800 charters that took off from Stillwater Municipal Airport an hour apart and both arrived safely at George Bush International Airport outside Houston filled with players, coaches, support staff, and families.
Pokes Report will be joining up with the Oklahoma State travel party late Friday in time for Saturday practice and the Rodeo Bowl event, annually voted one of the best events at all the bowl games. We will have reports all week leading up to the Tax Act Texas Bowl on Dec. 27.
After arriving on Thursday, the team checked into the Hilton Americas-Houston their home for the week and had lunch. Then it was right to meetings and an hour and 40 minute practice at the University of Houston.
Head coach Mike Gundy told the media locally on Wednesday after discussing his recruits that signed that he was happy with the practices in Stillwater. Gundy has always adopted a philosophy of being ready for the game the day you leave and polish at the bowl site.
“They’ve done well and we’ve stayed mainly healthy,” Gundy said of the work at home. “We’ve had some physical practices. We went against each other quite a bit. We did inside drill against each other to try to keep the physicality going. The team we are playing against is very talented and very physical.”
The practice was over about 5:30 and then the team had the evening off. With meeting rooms, meal areas, and hospitality areas the team takes up two full floors of space at the hotel. Also, this is a dry run for the folks with the Texas Bowl as they will be hosting the CFP National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 8 at NRG Stadium.
Oklahoma State is looking for win No. 10 on the season, a magic number for any college football team. Quarterback Alan Bowman is fired up for it.
“Anytime you can win 10 games then that is a special season and considering the way this season starter (2-2) then this would be an honor to quarterback these guys and together earn that achievement.”
It won’t be easy. No matter how many Aggies are in the transfer portal. Texas A&M is a physical and this season accomplished defensive football team.
“The last two games we’ve played the number one defense in the Big 12 and now with Texas A&M we’re playing the number one defense in the SEC,” Gundy added. “Physicality is going to be a big part of this, portal or no portal, who is in or who is out either way. We don’t have an idea on a lot of schemes so we practiced hard against each other and put a package together for Texas A&M that gives us a variety of ways to go based on what we see from Texas A&M in the game.”
Another practice on Friday and following that the team has the option of attending the Houston Rockets NBA game with the Dallas Mavericks at the nearby Toyota Center.