Hokies, Cowboys celebrate before big game
Cowboys, Hokies set to face off today
Above, the Virginia Tech band plays during a Virginia Tech pep rally for the Camping World Bowl and, right, Oklahoma State University cheerleaders cheer during a separate Oklahoma State University pep rally for the same game. Both rallies took place Wednesday at the Orlando Eye on International Drive in Orlando. The Camping World Bowl is today at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph has put up remarkable offensive numbers throughout his career and regularly is a candidate for top college football awards.
He’s one of many veteran players Cowboys coach Mike Gundy believes give his No. 19 Oklahoma State (9-3) team an edge when it faces off with No. 19 Virginia Tech (9-3) in the Camping World Bowl. Kickoff is at 5:15 p.m. and the game played at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium will air on ESPN.
Beyond Rudolph, there’s Tre
Flowers and about eight other seniors who have been starters for at least three years.
“They’re a special group,” Gundy said during a Camping World Bowl press conference Wednesday. “We have talked about it all year that these guys have been committed to each other and committed to the organization. We're very fortunate. And you've heard me say this before, but it's their team.
“We can only do the very best in putting them in position, but they have to play. They have to make the commitment in the offseason. They have to make the commitment to each other and work hard. And we have been very fortunate that we have great leaders, and they're willing to go in and pay the price every day. And that's all we can ever ask of them, to be committed to each other, to be committed to the organization and then they go out and play hard on Saturdays.”
The group has evolved during Gundy’s tenure and has encouraged his players to enjoy the postseason journey.
“You know, as I age through my career, you learn to appreciate things more so than we used to, and personally, even I used to. When I was younger and going to bowls, I didn't really appreciate the time and the accomplishment,” Gundy said.
“[Virginia Tech coach] Justin [Fuente] and I were talking about this last night. It's not easy to win a game. And it's certainly not easy to win nine. And when you do, if you can't look back and appreciate the young men that have given you these opportunities and as we all know, we've got guys that have been very special to this organization. And so it's allowed me to enjoy the week with them, and also let them know at the same time that we're fortunate to be in the Camping World Bowl. We're fortunate to be in Orlando. These are things you'll remember for the rest of your life.”
Fuente is eager to see his own group of seniors close out their careers with a win.
It won’t be easy stopping the Cowboys’ prolific offense, but his team has fielded a tough defense all season and expects to be competitive despite a handful of injury issues.
“We have a great senior class that we're going to say goodbye to after the game,” Fuente said. “… One of the best things about being a head coach is getting to see your team celebrate or enjoy the fruits of their labor. And so, you know, for me, it's about that fulfillment, a chance to get to 10 victories, which is kind of a number that Virginia Tech had been synonymous with for many years, and a chance to send our seniors out the right way.
“And it's you know, I think that's been the biggest thing behind our preparation, is we have a genuine admiration for the older kids in our program that are there playing their last game for Virginia Tech, and they genuinely love and care about Virginia Tech and, you know, wearing the “VT” means something to them, and we want to send them out the right way.”