Written by Ernie Casanova
DALLAS, TX— The countdown begins now, as the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is almost upon us and will take place in just a couple of days. Today, the USC offensive players and Ohio State defensive players participated in breakout interviews and answered a couple of questions to the media. USC went up first, and QB Sam Darnold was present attracting much of the attention, as he prepares for what could be his last collegiate game.
“Obviously, I haven't been thinking about it a ton. I've been really focused on Ohio State. So I think after the bowl game, honestly, I'll be able to give a better answer. But I think just looking at all the factors, I can't really pinpoint anything specifically,” Darnold responded when asked about what might factor into his decision to declare for the 2018 NFL draft.
“But, yeah, to be the number one pick would be so special just to look back. I talk to Coach Clay [Helton] all the time. Three years ago I was in my living room. Coach Clay was recruiting me. Life is kind of moving really fast right now. So I've made some big decisions, and coming to USC was one of them. And it was a really great decision. So I think whatever decision I make by January 15th is going to be a great decision, too,” Darnold stated.
The other players interviewed for USC were WR Deontay Burnett, TE Tyler Petite, LT Toa Lobendahn and sensational RB Ronald Jones II. Jones echoed a positive message for the team, who along with Ohio State was left out of the playoff although each university won their conference title.
“We're going to treat it as a playoff game. They are too. Make a statement. Just let us in next time. But, yeah, it's definitely a big game. A lot of guys sit out games like this, but this is a New Year's Six bowl,” said Jones.
Tomorrow, USC is scheduled to conduct a brief afternoon walk-through at Coppell High School. Thursday’s walk-through is closed to the public and media. Both teams practiced for about two hours today.
“It was a really good; a good red zone practice for us now two days out, 48 hours away from game day,” said head coach Clay Helton. “The kids are excited. It was a little bit emotional for us because it’s really our last practice with our seniors. Looking forward to having one last game (with them).
DE Nick Bosa was the most notable answering questions for the Buckeye defense. Other players present were LB Jerome Baker, DE Sam Hubbard, DE Tyquan Lewis, LB Chris Worley and DE Jalyn Holmes along with defensive coordinator Greg Schiano.
What stood out for the Buckeyes today wasn’t the breakout interviews. It was a special visit to the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas that other players attended while those mentioned above stood at the media hotel. Head Coach Urban Meyer was also in attendance at the medical center and gave a few words of encouragement to all of the guests.
“True heroes are the families and young people who have dealt with some adversity and have learned at a very young age with these families to fight through adversity,” Coach Meyer said. “Understand you’re not alone. We’re all in this together.”
To make things even sweeter, Meyer presented Ohio State’s honorary game day captain Payton Downs, who at age 9 was diagnosed with Bow Hunter's syndrome, an official, autographed jersey that sported an 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic patch.
Along with Coach Meyer, quarterback J.T. Barrett and defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle recorded a session in Seacrest Studios that will broadcast throughout the hospital via the Children’s Health Red Balloon Network. Downs and two other special guests were given the opportunity to ask questions and chat about football and life goals, while receiving advice from Coach Meyer, Barrett, and Sprinkle.
“Don’t limit yourself on the dreams that you want to pursue in life,” said Barrett. “Don’t let anybody say that you can’t do something.”
All other players spent time with the children at the end of the afternoon participating in activities, getting their faces painted, and signing all of their newly gifted gear. All of the children were given t-shirts, posters, pennants and teddy bears, provided by the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Tomorrow will consist of the final practices for each team and a news conference with each of the head coaches. A final posing with the Field Scovell trophy will also take place, as we are all one step closer to what might be the game of the year.
“Obviously, I haven't been thinking about it a ton. I've been really focused on Ohio State. So I think after the bowl game, honestly, I'll be able to give a better answer. But I think just looking at all the factors, I can't really pinpoint anything specifically,” Darnold responded when asked about what might factor into his decision to declare for the 2018 NFL draft.
“But, yeah, to be the number one pick would be so special just to look back. I talk to Coach Clay [Helton] all the time. Three years ago I was in my living room. Coach Clay was recruiting me. Life is kind of moving really fast right now. So I've made some big decisions, and coming to USC was one of them. And it was a really great decision. So I think whatever decision I make by January 15th is going to be a great decision, too,” Darnold stated.
The other players interviewed for USC were WR Deontay Burnett, TE Tyler Petite, LT Toa Lobendahn and sensational RB Ronald Jones II. Jones echoed a positive message for the team, who along with Ohio State was left out of the playoff although each university won their conference title.
“We're going to treat it as a playoff game. They are too. Make a statement. Just let us in next time. But, yeah, it's definitely a big game. A lot of guys sit out games like this, but this is a New Year's Six bowl,” said Jones.
Tomorrow, USC is scheduled to conduct a brief afternoon walk-through at Coppell High School. Thursday’s walk-through is closed to the public and media. Both teams practiced for about two hours today.
“It was a really good; a good red zone practice for us now two days out, 48 hours away from game day,” said head coach Clay Helton. “The kids are excited. It was a little bit emotional for us because it’s really our last practice with our seniors. Looking forward to having one last game (with them).
DE Nick Bosa was the most notable answering questions for the Buckeye defense. Other players present were LB Jerome Baker, DE Sam Hubbard, DE Tyquan Lewis, LB Chris Worley and DE Jalyn Holmes along with defensive coordinator Greg Schiano.
What stood out for the Buckeyes today wasn’t the breakout interviews. It was a special visit to the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas that other players attended while those mentioned above stood at the media hotel. Head Coach Urban Meyer was also in attendance at the medical center and gave a few words of encouragement to all of the guests.
“True heroes are the families and young people who have dealt with some adversity and have learned at a very young age with these families to fight through adversity,” Coach Meyer said. “Understand you’re not alone. We’re all in this together.”
To make things even sweeter, Meyer presented Ohio State’s honorary game day captain Payton Downs, who at age 9 was diagnosed with Bow Hunter's syndrome, an official, autographed jersey that sported an 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic patch.
Along with Coach Meyer, quarterback J.T. Barrett and defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle recorded a session in Seacrest Studios that will broadcast throughout the hospital via the Children’s Health Red Balloon Network. Downs and two other special guests were given the opportunity to ask questions and chat about football and life goals, while receiving advice from Coach Meyer, Barrett, and Sprinkle.
“Don’t limit yourself on the dreams that you want to pursue in life,” said Barrett. “Don’t let anybody say that you can’t do something.”
All other players spent time with the children at the end of the afternoon participating in activities, getting their faces painted, and signing all of their newly gifted gear. All of the children were given t-shirts, posters, pennants and teddy bears, provided by the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Tomorrow will consist of the final practices for each team and a news conference with each of the head coaches. A final posing with the Field Scovell trophy will also take place, as we are all one step closer to what might be the game of the year.