Live from San Diego, Monday report
Published: 12/29/2008 7:48 PM
Last Modified: 12/29/2008 7:48 PM
SAN DIEGO – The anticipation is starting to build here for Tuesday night's Holiday Bowl. One day after the streets, restaurants and bars in the Gaslamp Quarter were packed predominantly with people wearing San Diego Chargers apparel for their big game with the Denver Broncos (which the Bolts won 52-21), the colors of both Oklahoma State and Oregon started showing up more frequently. It is hard to miss the OSU bright orange and Oregon's green and gold.
On the day before the game, both OSU coach Mike Gundy and Oregon coach Mike Bellotti took part in a press conference. There was nothing new revealed to us media folk who have covered these teams. Both coaches have a healthy respect for the opponent, particularly the offenses for each team. Both agree the defenses are underappreciated and could be a bigger factor than many presume.
Bellotti particularly is concerned about OSU standout receiver Dez Bryant, who the Oregon coach said is the one definite difference maker in this game. Gundy did not express any particular concerns. But the OSU coach probably wonders how his defense will perform against Oregon's high-potent attack after struggling to get stops late in the year against the likes of Texas Tech and Oklahoma.
The Holiday Bowl traditionally has been noted for its high scoring games. It would be a major upset if the color schemes of each school were the only thing that stood out brightly Tuesday night.
---Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
