No. 1 ranked Tigers look forward to rematch with Oklahoma
by Kathleen Sprouse, posted Nov. 29, 2007
The No. 1 ranked MU Tigers will take on the ninth ranked Oklahoma Sooners for the Big 12 title this Saturday in San Antonio. The Tigers were excited that they defeated the Kansas Jayhawks at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24; however, they knew the win meant a bigger game was ahead — the Big 12 championship game against Oklahoma.
“We’re excited about that [win against KU], but we got into the locker room and were like, ‘we have another game to play, we have to get focused again,’” said Tony Temple, MU running back. “And people were talking about Oklahoma already. And that’s a great thing because it shows our team has maturity and we just need to keep that up.”
The Sooners handed MU its only loss on Oct. 13 in Norman, Okla. With more than 85,000 fans present at that game, the environment proved to be tough for the Tigers. MU was leading in the fourth quarter with a 24-23 score, but the team lost its lead when Pig Brown, MU’s now-injured strong safety, dropped the ball on a potential interception in MU’s end zone.
A lot of people and players felt Temple and his ability to run the ball would have dramatically helped MU in the game’s fourth quarter. But Temple was injured and unable to travel with the team. He watched the game alone in his home, and he left messages and texted his teammates with good luck and encouragement throughout the game, even though he knew they wouldn’t see the messages until later.
“It was just heart breaking, seeing my guys out there working hard, grinding and I couldn't be out there with them,” Temple said. “This is my team. These are my friends, my family. It was just a hard thing to do.”
The Tigers are excited to have Temple back and he is ready to take on the Sooners. Not only is Temple a great running back, he helps the team get pumped on the field. Chase Daniel, MU’s quarterback, said Temple runs faster when he’s angry.
“I try and make myself get upset even by something like getting tackled, and it’s worked so far,” Temple said. “[It] is disrespectful when someone tackles you.”
Kurtis Gregory, MU offensive lineman, is excited Temple will be playing in this Oklahoma game. When Temple was injured, the team missed his presence in the huddle. Both Daniel and Gregory said Temple gets this look in his eye and the team knows he’s ready.
“It’s kinda scary,” Gregory said. “His eyes just turn a whole different look. It’s a whole different Tony.”
The Sooners made a comeback in the Oct. 13 game and were victorious over the Tigers with a 41-31 win. It was the Tiger’s sixth game of the season, and now, after playing 12 games and having six straight wins, the Tigers are ready for the Sooners. This will be a tough game for MU, and many Tigers, such as Temple, know they have to play well and win or they are going home. If MU loses, Oklahoma will get the Big 12 title and be placed in a more competitive bowl game than the Tigers.
Daniel is ready to take on the Sooners. He isn’t going into the game for revenge; instead, he just wants a win for his team. Daniel said Oklahoma has a strong program with great Division I athletes, but he feels MU is on the rise and is excited to play.
“[We] just [need to] execute; no turnovers,” Daniel said. “That is the main thing, no turnovers. We can’t have 14 penalties for 141 yards like we did last week. That will kill us; we can’t do that against a great team like Oklahoma.”
Daniel has said all season if the Tigers execute while playing as hard as they can without leaving anything on the field or regretting anything, they can win.
“You keep winning, the stakes keep getting higher so that’s how we want it,” Daniel said.
Daniel is staying focused and following the team’s motto this year, “Win today.” He is not getting distracted by the potential Heisman award.
“It means a lot, but it means a lot more that I was able to lead my team to a Big 12 championship and hopefully win the title,” Daniel said.
The Big 12 championship game will be played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, which is where the only game Daniel lost in high school was played. However, Daniel is confident in his team and is excited to rematch with the Sooners for the second time this season.
The Tigers will take on the Sooners at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.
