Oklahoma State practice: junior safety Tre Flowers (Judson High School), junior defensive tackle Vincent Taylor (Madison High School) and senior wide receiver Austin Hays (Reagan High School).
Junior Safety Tre Flowers:
Describe the feeling when you found out you’d be coming home to play in San Antonio?
“It was good. The first thing was getting everybody their tickets. My final number was 18, I’m grateful for that. I send everyone else to my mom now.”
What does it mean to play in San Antonio?
“It’s great, my friends are all home from their bowl games, and they’re all home for Christmas break. My families here, and it’s a great feeling knowing they’re gonna see me play finally. I cant wait.”
Is there more pressure playing at home?
“No, it’s business as usual. Its harder to play in front of people you don’t know. I know my families going to be proud no matter what.”
On Jordan Sterns’ impact on the team:
“He’s left a tremendous impact. How he goes to work every day. I think he’s what they call the “Cowboy way” you want people like Sterns, you want to surround yourself with people like that all the time. He’s a great person to be around.”
On Colorado:
“They’re really physical, they run the ball pretty well and they got a deep ball. Their quarterback’s real physical. It’s all about stopping the run, and making plays.”
Junior Defensive Tackle Vincent Taylor:
On coming home to San Antonio:
“It was great, last year I went home to the sugar bowl, now I’m coming to my second home. To be out here is a pleasure, to be out here with my teammates, we’re excited. I’m looking forward to all my family coming.”
On having four teammates from San Antonio:
“It just goes to show you how Oklahoma State is recruiting, they recruit big in San Antonio and other Texas areas. So having these guys that you’re close with on the team, now to come back home to play with them is awesome.”
Game plan for Colorado:
“Really just go out there and cherish the moment, have fun. Execute the plays and win your one-on-one battles and do what the coaches ask you to do.”
Senior Wide Receiver Austin Hays
Reaction to finding out you were heading to the Valero Alamo Bowl:
“It was awesome. Really could not believe it, I mean before the season started I couldn’t draw a storybook ending like this. Just the amount of people, my whole family is here, all my friends are here and after five years of being at Oklahoma State and being at good bowl games, just being able to come back to San Antonio, the people are always so nice and the hospitality has been great so far. I’m just so happy to be here. Its special.”
Is there more pressure to perform in front of family and friends?
“I think it’s the other way. I think it kind of takes pressure off, makes you feel like you’re at home. This is where we used to play our YMCA football games at Alamo Heights, being around the area and all the nice people and friends and family – I think it takes pressure off.”
How do you rate your season so far?
“Good. My past three years I haven’t been healthy the whole time, so for me to stay healthy the whole year and contribute when I can has been a great ride. I think because I’ve stayed healthy, I view it as a success.”
Keys to victory?
“Don’t turn the ball over. Play four quarters. We’re so happy to be here. Colorado is a great team, we have so much to play for. Top 10 team in the country. For the guys coming back next year, it’d be a great way to start the year.”
