Dec. 25, 2012

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As we like to say around these parts, it’s a great day to be a Beaver! Despite weather reports to the contrary, the Beavers awoke to sunshine on Christmas morning in San Antonio Tuesday. The players’ bowl gifts were distributed following practice and before the afternoon was over the OSU coaches received a signed letter of intent from Edwin Delva, who will join the program in March.

With the cloudless, blue skies has come a stiff wind that prevented OSU’s video crew from using the SkyLifts today. But with bad comes good, Sean Mannion launched a 70-yard bomb in warm-ups and Trevor Romaine connected on a 70-yard field goal. We don’t expect to deal with any weather issues in the AlamoDome this Saturday like we’ve experienced at our last couple bowl appearances – MAACO Bowl Las Vegas and the Sun Bowl were windy and cold.

The team practiced in shorts again on Tuesday and despite the gusty conditions the Beavers remain focused and sharp from the scout team clad in burnt orange Texas jerseys to the first string.

Injured players such as Chase Eldredge and Garrett Weinreich looked good going through their rehab exercises under the supervision of the Beavers’ athletic trainers. While Tyler Anderson (knee), who will have surgery following the bowl trip, passed time among the first team offense working with his fellow fullbacks as they prepare for their assignments.

It was a small-ish media contingent with The Oregonian represented by Lindsay Schnell and Molly Blue while a couple San Antonio television stations dropped in to catch the action and the post-practice interviews with head coach Mike Riley, safety Ryan Murphy and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

Speaker: Head Coach Mike Riley

On Topic: Christmas Message to Team

“I didn’t even have a team meeting today. I don’t want to wear these guys out so everything is pretty fast. We have a 15 minute special teams meeting, we have a short (offense) and (defense) meeting then we get on a bus and come out here. I just addressed them a little bit and most of that was about scheduling.”

On Topic: Bowl Experience So Far

“The number one thing we’re trying to do is win the game. All of our other people, like our operations people and our administration, they are trying to provide a really good bowl experience along with the Alamo Bowl people, who are awesome.”

Speaker: Safety Ryan Murphy

On Topic: Christmas Party

“It was good. We had a good dinner and I actually took a picture with Santa, I haven’t done that in many years. I didn’t actually sit on his lap but I found it kind of funny that grown men would sit on Santa’s lap and actually receive presents.”

On Topic: Thoughts on San Antonio

“(It’s my) first time in San Antonio. It’s a real relaxed town as far as seeing the River Walk outside our hotel. I’ve just been in awe. I’m a guy who likes to see everything. I like to travel, but not too far, too far would be across water, so San Antonio has been (good) to us. People are excited for us to be here.”

On Topic: River Walk

“Just to see the restaurants and all that it’s just a good experience you know, especially for a person like me. I’m not used to seeing stuff like that.”

Speaker: Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks

On Topic: Team Christmas Party

“That was fun, going back to your childhood days when you used to be with Santa. At this age, you never thought you would take another photo with Santa again, but once the coaches set that up that was fun. And the kids were running around reminded of my nieces back home who I miss right now, first time being away from them at Christmas.”

On Topic: Sitting on Santa’s Lap

“Yes I actually did, I got a picture with Santa on his lap. He told me to get on his lap, he said, ‘looks like you want to get on my lap,’ so I said, ‘I might as well,’ and then we took a picture together.”