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Dec. 31, 2008

QB Colt McCoy
On the season so far: All of the things that have happened this year really haven't sunk in, especially for me. I've been focused on Ohio State. We have one more game and an opportunity to win 12 games. We have an opportunity to accomplish so many more things by coming down here and winning the Fiesta Bowl. That's kind of been my focus and I know I can speak for the team and say that too.

On Jordan Shipley receiving a sixth year of eligibility: That was really good. We kind of felt like he would. He went through so many injuries during his first two years of school. We kind of felt like it was a shoe-in that he would get that, and there was always that chance that he won't. When we finally got the word everybody was excited.

On having Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby as his receivers: Being able to have Jordan (Shipley) and Quan (Cosby) out there, they both play on each side of each other. Quan on one side and Jordan on the other. A lot of quarterbacks have that one guy they can go to. I've been blessed to have both of them. I know where they are going to be. I've thrown with them for the last three or four years, so we have that type of relationship when something breaks down they are going to find a way to get open. They're going to run sharp, crisp routes and know how much we need on third-and-seven. That type of relationship out on the field makes things a lot easier.

On what he remembers about facing Ohio State: I've tried to think a lot about that game about what I remember. I just remember that they were ranked No. 1 in the country. I think we were No. 2 or No. 3. We were at home and they came in there and beat us. You learn a lot from losing. We bounced back from that game. That was probably the biggest thing that I took out of that. We went on a long winning streak after that. I know they are tough. They are really big and physical. We know we have our work cut out for us. I threw my first pick ever to (James) Laurinaitis. I remember that for sure.

On how much he has grown as a player since last facing Ohio State: I would say that I have grown a lot. I've overcome a lot of things. I've been blessed to be able to have two more years to play successfully. I know I have become a lot better player than what I was then. At the same time, Laurinaitis can say the same thing. That's why it's going to be a fun matchup. He (Laurinaitis) does a great job leading their defense. With (Malcolm) Jenkins outside, you're going to have to be aware of where he is at all times because he can make plays. The biggest thing for us is taking care of the ball. If you don't turn the ball over and you don't give them a short field and don't give them anything they can capitalize on, we can execute what we are trying to do offensively.

On playing next season as a senior: I've said all year long that I was coming back. God has blessed me. He has given me the opportunity and ability to play the last three years. Not too many guys can say that, especially not too many guys playing at such a great university as The University of Texas. I love my coaches and my teammates. I want to graduate. I can go on and on because there are a lot of things that I want to do. I also feel like we are going to be really good next year.

WR Jordan Shipley
On staying loose as a team during practice: I think Vince (Young) taught all of us that. You can go out and have fun and still be about business and getting the job done. You don't have to be overly serious. Obviously, we take football very seriously. I think he taught us that you can be loose and have fun and still get the job done.

On Colt McCoy: Colt has developed into one of the best quarterbacks to ever play at Texas. Just look at the name. It doesn't get any better than that for quarterbacks. He's definitely got his place in Texas football history and a lot of people look up to him. A lot of kids identify with him. I think what he has been able to do is pretty special.

RB Chris Ogbonnaya
On whether they can still win a national championship: From what I understand, we can. I don't know what needs to happen. Right now, our focus is Ohio State and really that is all that matters. We can't talk about being in the national championship picture without having a victory against them. They are a very good team and we have a lot of respect for them. We just have to come out on top.

On Ohio State RB Chris Wells: I know for a fact that he (Chris Wells) is a great player. I saw him play a few times against Michigan. He's a great player. Really big back. Really good speed. It will be a great challenge for our defense to get after him.

On running the ball against Ohio State's defense: All we have to do is keep sawing wood and just keep staying after it. They are a great football team but sometimes with these defenses you just have to keep coming after them and hopefully the big play occurs. That's what happened a couple times against Oklahoma in the second half. You can't give up on the scheme.

On what he plans to do after football at Texas: I'll just see what happens with football. I'm finishing a few academic things here and there with grad school. I'm looking into that. I'm just hoping that things work out.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Greg Davis
On preparing for bowl games: I think there is a tendency in bowl games to do too much because you have so much time. You've looked at all 12 ball games. You've looked at this thing that hurt them this week and the other thing that hurt them the next week. This team stole this and here it is corrected over here later in the season. If you are not careful, you can overanalyze. You can tweak what you do to the point that you're not successful.

On preparing for Ohio State with game film: We did go back to (game film) in '05 and '06. Their staff has stayed intact pretty much and our staff has stayed intact for the most part. We are also similar in the way we approach the games. Obviously, in 2005 we were a little bit more quarterback-run oriented than we were in '06. But we did go back and look at those ballgames just to see what they did against us that they didn't do against anybody else.

On Quan Cosby: Maturity. That's what stands out. Seeing him as an 18-year-old high school senior and then four years later. Now, more four years later with two children. He has brought a workmanlike attitude to practice every day. I'm sure that's from playing professional baseball. I'm sure some days you are tired and stayed up late. He has brought a workmanlike attitude that every time he runs a route he has to get better. He's a great source of leadership for the whole team but especially the wide receivers.

WR Quan Cosby
On playing at Texas: Early in my career having Vince (Young) and now having Colt (McCoy), I've been pretty fortunate in the quarterbacks that I have had. Playing with (Jordan) Shipley and the young guys we have coming up, it's definitely been a dream come true. I've been very fortunate to meet a lot of friends that I have now and play with some of the very best players in the country. It's one of the best schools in the country and programs in the country. The coaching staff, too. It's all been a fairy tale for me.

On facing Ohio State's defense compared to Big 12 defenses: Schematically, they do things different. As far as them having the athletes across the board, I don't think they are very much different because the Big 12 has some very good defenses. The defense we play against in practice is one of the best defenses in the country. Schematically, they do some very good things and they do it very well. That's where you separate the Top 10 defenses in the country from other schools.

On not playing in the BCS Championship game: Of course it hurt. We took a few days off, really. That's what it boiled down to. Took a few days off and hung out with family. We cleared our minds and then came back and got to work. We practiced before we took a break for the holidays. They were very intense practices and very focused practices. As much as it hurt, we are still in a BCS game in Arizona. The Fiesta Bowl is treating us well. The opportunity to play a program like Ohio State will clear your mind really fast. You can't really worry about the things you can't control. This whole year we had a lot to prove and we still do apparently.

On Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley: They are best friends. They're roommates. The funny thing about it is that I see them picking each other apart. But you wouldn't do that with somebody you didn't like. Throughout our team, everybody gets along well and have a lot of fun together. That's why we look like a team on the field. It definitely carries over.