TU Mixes Business and Pleasure in Fort Worth
12/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 21, 2006
Fort Worth, Texas - The Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team made the most out of its first full day in Fort Worth, Texas, mixing in both business and pleasure as they prepare for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on Saturday, December 23 at 7 p.m.
With coaches and players wives and children whisked away for family outings, the team got down to business early in the afternoon with its first practice on TCU's campus.
"It went great," said head coach Steve Kragthorpe when asked about the team's first practice in Fort Worth, "I thought we had a great day out there. It's good to get back on the field and get going again in our new environment, so to speak. We got a lot of things we needed to get accomplished, accomplished. Now we just got to put the finishing touches on tomorrow and get ready to play Saturday night."
Following practice some members of both teams were taken to local hospitals to visit with some children and veterans.
As the evening progressed, the team was treated to dinner at Reata's, followed by a trip to the theater to see "Rocky Balboa."
"We couldn't be more pleased with the setup that we have," said Kragthorpe of the overall environment surrounding the bowl, "The hotel, the meeting rooms, the events at night, the functions that they have had for us and will have for us and then, obviously, our practice situation."
Despite the hoopla surrounding the game, Tulsa's focus is still on their opponent for Saturday's game, Utah.
"I like the schedule the way it sets up," said Kragthorpe, "There is a good balance between having fun and getting to go to activities. But, obviously, our most important thought process right now is putting ourselves in peak condition to compete on Saturday night against Utah."
When TU squares off against the Utes, it will find itself matched against an opponent with big play potential.
"Well, a couple of things," said Kragthorpe when asked what concerned him about Utah, "I think number one, they are very explosive on the offensive side of the ball. They've shown the capabilities of making an extreme amount of big plays. So for us, we're going to have to do a great job of minimizing the big plays they can make.
"Then on defense, they are very good at pressuring the passer. They run a lot of man coverage. We have to find a way to beat man coverage and keep our man on his feet long enough to deliver the ball."
