Tonight, New Years Eve, is my first night in Arizona, and already I?ve caught the bowl game bug. This afternoon I went to the media box to get my press credentials (and free press gift!). This morning was the media day and interviews with the head coaches of WVU and Oklahoma. We missed the event due to the time that our flight arrived in Arizona, but I was still able to find out what happened at the event.

As usual, Bill Stewart is excited to be coaching the Mountaineers, and couldn?t be happier to see them in the Fiesta Bowl. With all of the turmoil and commotion that has been caused since Rich Rodriguez left the team, one would think that Stewart would crack under the pressure. Instead, he has remained optimistic. ?It has been a great, blessed two weeks. We’ve had tremendous intensity and preparation by our football players, first and foremost. I can only congratulate these players on how they have conducted themselves, first of all, as a team and football family and a group of brothers. I can say that with every ounce of fiber in my body,? Stewart said in a press release.

Stewart was not only congratulatory of the players, but also the remaining coaching staff. ?More importantly, I am pleased with our staff. Our football staff. We won four championships in five years and you first of all have to do that with players, as we just talked about, the players and how they have done. Our staff has represented the Mountain State of West Virginia with more professionalism than even imaginable. This group of men and their brides that allow them to be coaches have jumped front and center. They deserve all the credit,? he said.

Recently, Oklahoma had to send one of their key players, DeMarcus Granger, home and they team is also missing many of their key defensive players. Even with the team missing some of their strongest players, Stewart is not about to admit that he feels totally ?comfortable? playing the Sooners. He said ?I would like for about ten more to go home and half their coaches, and I would feel real good. I didn’t even know that and I thank you very much. But I can tell you this: Bob Stoops and Kevin Wilson, whom I’ve worked with, I think a lot of people know that and Brett Venables and their staff, they have done a tremendous job. They’ve won 11 games seven of the last nine years. They have played for and won national championships. We’re just very gracious and very humble to be able to play these guys in such a nice game.?

It seems like the match-up between the two teams should be an exciting one. There is so much energy going into this game, from both sides, that whatever the outcome may be, I am sure it will be an incredibly high scoring game. I?m excited to see our fast offense take on the strong defense of Oklahoma?s Sooners. I can?t wait to be there in the thick of the action with all of the loyal Mountaineer fans around me.