Tulsa World: Stoops today: He has a goal for this week's game against big underdog

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Stoops today: He has a goal for this week's game against big underdog

By Guerin Emig, World Sports Writer
Published: 8/25/2008 11:23 AM
Last Modified: 8/25/2008 12:18 PM

NORMAN -- There isn’t much focus on Oklahoma’s season-opening opponent. Chattanooga won two games in the NCAA Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA, last year. The few bothering with a point spread list the Mocs as a 7-touchdown underdog.

Still, OU coach Bob Stoops has a pretty good idea what he wants out of Saturday’s 6 p.m. opener.

“I want to see good football,” he said during his weekly Big 12 coaches teleconference Monday morning. “I want to see guys play hard. I want to see us be physical. I want to see us take care of the football, play smart, be a solid team. I just like to see good clean football. That’s what you’re always anxious for.”

Audio: Listen to Stoops' 10-minute interview in the season's first Big 12 football coaches teleconference

Chattanooga hails from the same conference as Appalachian State, who went into Michigan Stadium and shocked the Wolverines one year ago. And while that upset wasn’t addressed specifically on the teleconference, Stoops was asked if any what-if thoughts had crept into his mind.

“I’m not much of a what-if guy,” he responded. “I’ve seen enough of our team to know what to expect for the most part. Just anxious to see us compete. Get out there and let’s see us execute, play the way we’re capable of.

“You’re always a little uneasy early (as far as) what’s your personality. Until you get out there in those

live and meaningful situations... You’ve got to develop that personality of some character, of some toughness in those situations. And it has to be seen during game day. As much as anything, that’s what I want to see.”

Stoops touted the overall health of his team heading into the opener -- linebacker Austin Box and reserve safety Quinton Carter are the only players counted out with knee injuries -- and said Auston English, the Big 12’s preseason defensive player of the year, has rebounded impressively from his appendectomy last month.

By Guerin Emig, World Sports Writer

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THE REF, Broken Arrow (8/26/2008 5:14:42 PM)

We need shut out

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