OU football notebook: Welcome to the Cotton Bowl
BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Saturday, October 13, 2012
10/13/12 at 3:25 AM
Wide receiver Justin Brown will get his first introduction to the Oklahoma-Texas football game on Saturday morning.
The Penn State transfer has been given plenty of hints of what to expect this weekend.
"They told me it's going to be a hostile environment," Brown said. "There's going to be a lot of people, a lot of noise and just to prepare for it. Prepare like it was any other big game.
"Everybody's been telling me about coming down here and about the OU-Texas rivalry. This week in class, my classmates have been asking if I'm ready for this week. I'm excited."
The biggest college rivalry game that Brown's played in is Penn State-Ohio State. He made two trips to Ohio Stadium during his Penn State career.
Brown played in the Cotton Bowl last season when the Nittany Lions faced Houston in the TicketCity Bowl.
"Yeah, there wasn't that many people there when we played," Brown said. "I think this will be a full house."
Brown will have a former teammate across the field from him on Saturday. Kicker Anthony Fera, who made his debut last week, transferred to Texas from Penn State.
Must win: The loser of Saturday's game will face an uphill battle with a 1-2 record in the Big 12 Conference. The winner will keep its championship hopes alive.
"It's very important ... it's a huge step for the rest of the season," OU cornerback Demontre Hurst said. "We don't want to go down 1-2 in the conference and still want to compete for a Big 12 championship and get into the BCS game.
"It's a huge game for us and a big rivalry. It's a lot of pressure on both teams. It's going to be a battle out there. May the best team win. Hopefully we get out there and take care of our business and get a W."
No fly zone: The Sooners have only allowed one touchdown pass this season, which is tied with Boise State for the best in the nation.
Hurst said OU takes pride in the statistic.
"We just are going out there and playing hard and just embracing what Coach Mike (Stoops') scheme has to bring to us," Hurst said. "We just are out there competing.
"Like I said last year, we had some rough games. We really preached that every single game. We don't want to have that type of game. We are going to play hard, compete and try to keep guys out of the end zone."
Texas quarterback David Ash has thrown 11 touchdown passes this season.
Establishing the run: West Virginia gained 192 yards rushing in a 48-45 victory over Texas last weekend.
"Those guys blocked 'em up pretty good," OU offensive line coach James Patton said of West Virginia. "Oklahoma State and West Virginia have some pretty good guys up front. They did a nice job with their scheme and their backs ran hard."
Despite the success those schools had, Patton said the Sooners will have their work cut out for them.
"Texas is fast and athletic. They're going to do a lot of blitzes and twist games and movements. That creates some tackles for losses," Patton said. "It'll be a challenge. Our guys have got to be ready for it."
No. 13 Oklahoma Vs. No. 15 Texas
11 a.m. Saturday
Cotton Bowl, Dallas
TV: KTUL-8
Radio: KMOD fm97.5, KTBZ am1430
Weather: High near 83. with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, gusting up to 25.
Records: OU 3-1, 1-1 Big 12; Texas 3-1, 1-1 Big 12
Last meeting: OU had three defensive touchdowns in a 55-17 blowout win.
Series: Texas leads 59-42-5
