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Sooners just glad Orange Bowl is next
Associated Press

NORMAN, Okla. -- It wasn't just joy on display in the hugs and high-fives shared by Oklahoma's players and coaches after the Big 12 championship game. There was relief, too.

The 27-24 victory over Kansas State on Saturday night ended a perfect regular season, Oklahoma's first since 1987. After roaring to No. 1 with a stunning October blitz of Texas, Kansas State and Nebraska, they held onto the rating by holding up during some difficult late-season games.

"It's been one of those years," quarterbacks coach Chuck Long said on the field at Arrowhead Stadium. "Once you're No. 1, it's hard to hold No. 1, and you're fighting real hard to hold it because you're getting everybody's best shot.

"It hasn't been pretty. But the last three or four weeks have really been tough, gritty wins for this football team, great character wins, and that's what you want."

Now the Sooners (12-0) get what they really want -- some time to relax, at least for a little while, before preparations begin for their Jan. 3 meeting with Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

The matchup was made official Sunday afternoon when Bowl Championship Series pairings were announced.

"They can enjoy it for two or three weeks, and catch their breath, let their air out and sit back and reflect on the season, because it is special," coach Bob Stoops said Sunday.

"You think of the great history we have here and the tradition, and we've never been 12-0. That's special. They need to realize that and enjoy it."

Oklahoma proved itself to be for real during its October stretch. The Sooners beat No. 11 Texas, No. 2 Kansas State and top-ranked Nebraska to complete a remarkable move from No. 19 in the preseason rankings.

Then the work really began. After rolling over lowly Baylor, the Sooners needed to rally in the fourth quarter to win at Texas A&M. Then they had a tight fit against Texas Tech before closing out the regular season with a 12-7 scare against Oklahoma State.

"It's really hard to be No. 1," safety Roy Williams said. "We have a big target on our chest. People want to get after us."

Perhaps no one can use the rest more than Josh Heupel, who has been the focus of intense media scrutiny since moving into Heisman Trophy contention.

Heupel has a busy week -- he is scheduled to be in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday for a banquet where the winner of the Davey O'Brien Award will be announced, then will head to New York City for the Heisman presentation.

A few days away from the practice field can't hurt his tender left elbow, either. He said he has played much of the year with a ruptured bursa sac, and insists it hasn't affected his ability to throw.

"The arm thing was made out to be much bigger than it really is," he said. "The bursa sac problem is not a big thing."

Stoops was asked if he thought there had been something wrong with Heupel.

"If there is, he's not going to tell us, and all I've got to go by is what Josh says," Stoops said. "He's as tough as they come. You're not going to get me to argue with him."




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