(12/28) Player receives award, Injury update, and much more,

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Sooners visit USS Nimitz, Moses receives Award: Oklahoma enjoyed a luncheon and tour of the USS Nimitz before holding the final practice of the 2005 season on Tuesday in San Diego. The Sooners held special teams and position meetings in the morning at the Sheraton before heading to the Naval Air Station North Island at 11 a.m. The ride from the hotel included a drive over the Coronado Bridge high above San Diego Bay. As the buses descended into the naval base, the huge carriers anchored in the bay became visible. Players stepped off the buses and the Pride of Oklahoma and the Oregon marching band faced off and blared each school's fight song. The players stopped and gazed upwards as the command tower of the USS Nimitz loomed more than 18 stories above them. After boarding the carrier, players for both teams sat down for lunch and remarks from Holiday Bowl officials, Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti and Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops. Coach Bellotti got the biggest laugh during his time at the podium when he shared that the ship's commanding officer, Capt. Ted Branch, suggested the teams head out to sea and play the game on the flight deck. "You could get three football fields up there lengthwise," said Bellotti. "Width-wise, we've got a little bit of a problem -- if you get knocked out of bounds, you don't come back." A surprised Bubba Moses was awarded the Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp Trophy in a secret ballot by the OU players and coaches. The Trophy is presented to the player, coach or representative of the Holiday Bowl teams who best demonstrates unselfish commitment, motivation and teamwork that resulted in little acclaim for them but helped contribute to the team’s overall success. (SoonerSports.com)

Injury updates: Defensive end Larry Birdine, who missed the regular season with a torn biceps, has gone through practices without major problems. The junior is expected to be a pass rusher on third downs against Oregon. The news isn't as good for receiver Travis Wilson of Carrollton. Wilson had surgery to repair a foot injury after the Texas Tech game, and it was thought that he could return for the bowl. However, the senior hasn't been able to go full speed in workouts, and his status is questionable. (Dallas Morning News)

Game Day parking: Qualcomm Stadium Manager Erik Stover has been encouraging fans attending tomorrow's Holiday Bowl to take the trolley instead of parking in the stadium lot. Parking at the sold-out stadium could be difficult, with tailgate parties and space needed for fireworks fallout. "Parking is going to be extremely limited," Stover said. "We've got a lot of people who aren't used to coming here, and if the parking lot is closed, they're going to get confused and not really know where to go. The trolley is going to be the best way in and out of here." Parking Information can be found on San Diego's Municipal website. (SignonSanDiego.com)

Holiday Bowl Media Day: The Holiday Bowl will conduct its official media day on Wednesday. Head coach Bob Stoops will have remarks and take questions from the press corps at the San Diego Convention Center beginning at 10:30 a.m. The entire team decked in OU jerseys will then attend the SAIC Kickoff Luncheon. A crowd of fans and dignitaries will join them for an afternoon slated to include pep talks from both head coaches and special guests, highlight videos from the season and music provided by the schools' marching bands. (SoonerSports.com)

Talk about Sooners centers on offense, but defense is key: The Oklahoman

Sooners take tour aboard U.S.S. Nimitz: The Oklahoman

Dean Blevins spends the day with the Sooners in San Diego: The Oklahoman

Oregon QB shows more maturity than brother: The Oklahoman

Holiday Bowl notebook: The Oklahoman

Things are different this year for Oregon: Norman Transcript

Dvoracek grateful to write happier ending: Dallas Morning News

Oregon defensive tackle playing to his strength: San Diego Union-Tribune

Sooners practice is not for kids ... or columnists: The Oregonian

Tour of warship is serious fun for Ducks: The Oregonian

Ngata faces decision: Salem Statesman-Journal