Tulsa World: Up close: Gerald McCoy

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Up close: Gerald McCoy

OU defensive tackle Gerald McCoy sacks Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing earlier this season in Norman. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World file

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 11/27/2008 2:30 AM
Last Modified: 11/27/2008 3:37 AM

NORMAN — The Oklahoma Sooners are back on the road, playing inside a Boone Pickens Stadium that has been hard on them since Bob Stoops became coach, never mind Stoops' 3-1 record in Stillwater.

It seems a good time to catch up with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Not necessarily because he is the most forceful member of a defense charged with stopping an Oklahoma State offense ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring, rushing and total yardage.

Rather, because McCoy has become the emotional ringleader of his third-ranked team.

"I've seen improvement in his confidence leading, his emotional side," OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables observed earlier this week. "He's got a good personality, don't get me wrong. But as far as being an emotional leader and saying the right things, and really stepping up...

"Obviously he's played terrifically and explosively and has even improved from where he was a year ago. But that stands out to me the most."

How long did you enjoy last Saturday's win over Texas Tech?

Till the next day. Then I had to let it go. We came out and showed America what we can do this past Saturday. But that win means nothing if we don't come out and do it again.

Can you guys refuel after such an emotional night?

Don't need refueling. That fuel never went away. It's been like that since two-a-days. We've just gotta keep coming out with fire. It doesn't matter who or where we play, if we come out and play our game and dominate. That's just our mindset. Dominate whoever we play no matter where it's at or who it is.

You made the '06 trip to Stillwater as a redshirt. What do you remember about that game?

The fans. They're crazy over there. But those are true fans. I want to thank our fans for this past game. They really played a big part of us winning that game. OSU fans are going to be just like that with us coming in there. Bedlam, a rivalry game, bragging rights...Those fans are going to be wild, wild, wild, wild, wild. We have to tune them out and bring our own intensity.

Any worries about making the mistake Texas Tech made against you and coming out too fired up?

Coach always tells us, 'If you're going to be fired up, you've got to keep it up. Don't let that fire drop, even if we get a lead. Because a team can come back at any point.' If somebody wants to be fired up like that, let 'em be fired up. Everybody gets ready for a game in their own way. But we've to make sure if we come out with fire, the fire doesn't leave until the game is over.

You think with all this talk about you, Texas and the BCS that OSU wants to prove a point?

Regardless if that was the case, OSU is gonna want to come out and prove a point, that they are a good team. Which we've seen. They're legit. That's just how OSU plays, especially when they play us at home. They're gonna come out on fire, and I truly believe they're gonna stay that way the whole game regardless of whether they get down or up. We've got to match their intensity and go above and beyond it.

MCCOY FACTS

Position: Defensive tackle

Class: Soph.

Height: 6-4

Weight: 295

Hometown: Oklahoma City

Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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LARRYtheWRIGHTman, WASHBURN (11/27/2008 11:05:31 AM)

Boomer Sooner time The boys are ready so Boomer Sooners have to be at the top of their game.
Cowboys have some awesome athletes. Looks like GAME OF THE WEEK to me
Larry

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