WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:02.002  (female announcer)   Production funding for 00:02.002 --> 00:04.404  "Sports Files" is   made possible in part by.. 00:04.404 --> 00:06.540  (male narrator)   Infiniti of Memphis has moved to 00:06.540 --> 00:09.710  Germantown road just half mile   north of Wolfchase Galleria and 00:09.710 --> 00:12.846  is proud to support W-K-N-O for   its quality broadcasting and 00:12.846 --> 00:14.214  service to our community. 00:14.214 --> 00:16.583  Quality and service --   No wonder Infiniti of Memphis 00:16.583 --> 00:27.728  feels at   home on W-K-N-O. 00:27.728 --> 00:29.863 This week on "Sports Files" I'll preview Monday afternoon's 00:29.863 --> 00:33.333 Autozone Liberty Bowl, and do so with the head coaches for the 00:33.333 --> 00:37.104 game, Kevin Sumlin of Texas A and M and West Virginia's Dana 00:37.104 --> 00:38.305 Holgorsen. 00:38.305 --> 00:55.656 [theme music] 00:55.656 --> 00:56.890 Happy Holidays everyone! 00:56.890 --> 00:59.426 We certainly hope you are having a joyous one. 00:59.426 --> 01:01.561 'Tis the season also for bowl games, 01:01.561 --> 01:03.897 and for the Memphis Tigers, their first trip to a bowl since 01:03.897 --> 01:06.767 2008 was one to remember. 01:06.767 --> 01:09.903 After blowing a ten point fourth quarter lead against B-Y-U in 01:09.903 --> 01:12.906 the Miami Beach Bowl, the Tigers forced overtime late in 01:12.906 --> 01:15.375 regulation on a fourth down touchdown pass, 01:15.375 --> 01:19.313 forced double overtime on a 55 yard Jake Elliot field goal, 01:19.313 --> 01:22.816 then won it in double O-T on a Paxton Lynch touchdown pass to 01:22.816 --> 01:24.818 freshman Roderick Proctor. 01:24.818 --> 01:28.121 The game would end on a Tigers interception and then a may lay 01:28.121 --> 01:30.424 would ensue that got pretty ugly. 01:30.424 --> 01:34.661 The Tigers ten win season would be their first since 1938. 01:34.661 --> 01:35.696 Congratulations. 01:35.696 --> 01:39.032 Okay, since 1965, the city of Memphis has played host to the 01:39.032 --> 01:40.200 Liberty Bowl game. 01:40.200 --> 01:43.203 This year marks the 56th annual post season contest, 01:43.203 --> 01:45.572 having started back in 1959 in Philadelphia, 01:45.572 --> 01:46.807 Pennsylvania. 01:46.807 --> 01:49.042 The Autozone Liberty Bowl game is one of the oldest and most 01:49.042 --> 01:52.079 historic of the bowl games and this year features a tremendous 01:52.079 --> 01:54.681 matchup of the S-E-C versus the Big 12. 01:54.681 --> 01:56.750 Texas A and M will rep the S-E-C. 01:56.750 --> 01:59.486 The Aggies finished the regular season seven and five. 01:59.486 --> 02:01.922 Kevin Sumlin's team features a high octane offense led by 02:01.922 --> 02:04.591 Quarterback Kyle Allen, who replaced Kenny Hill as the 02:04.591 --> 02:07.127 team's starting quarterback in week nine. 02:07.127 --> 02:09.796 Meanwhile, West Virginia will attempt to successfully fly the 02:09.796 --> 02:11.732 Big 12 banner on Monday. 02:11.732 --> 02:14.167 The Mountaineers also put together a seven and five mark 02:14.167 --> 02:17.471 which included a successful five and four record in the Big 12. 02:17.471 --> 02:20.474 And if you thought the Aggies could light up the scoreboard, 02:20.474 --> 02:22.976 West Virginia has been a scoring machine. 02:22.976 --> 02:25.646 Coach Dana Holgorsen's offense, led by signal caller Clint 02:25.646 --> 02:29.750 Trickett, finished 17th in the nation in total offense. 02:29.750 --> 02:32.119 Today I go one-on-two with the head coaches, 02:32.119 --> 02:34.187 Kevin Sumlin and Dana Holgorsen. 02:34.187 --> 02:36.690 We'll get a preview of the game, a look back at each team's 02:36.690 --> 02:39.660 regular season thru the eyes of their respective leaders, 02:39.660 --> 02:42.129 and we'll hear what it was like when the two worked together at 02:42.129 --> 02:45.198 Houston, with Sumlin serving as Head Coach of the Cougars, 02:45.198 --> 02:47.701 and Holgorsen as one of his assistants. 02:47.701 --> 02:49.870 It's all coming up next on "Sports Files." 02:49.870 --> 03:00.047 [theme music] 03:00.047 --> 03:01.515 Gentlemen, thanks so much for joining me today. 03:01.515 --> 03:02.716 Great to see ya. 03:02.716 --> 03:04.785 Great to have you in the Autozone Liberty Bowl game. 03:04.785 --> 03:06.653 Kevin, let me start with you. 03:06.653 --> 03:08.989 To date, how would you evaluate your season? 03:08.989 --> 03:10.991 Oh, it's been one of ups and downs. 03:10.991 --> 03:12.993 You know, we've had some good wins. 03:12.993 --> 03:14.127 We've had some close losses. 03:14.127 --> 03:15.929 We've had some terrible losses. 03:15.929 --> 03:17.798 So, we got a young team. 03:17.798 --> 03:22.369 And I think we played that way, weren't real consistent but 03:22.369 --> 03:25.005 showed some signs of being a pretty good team. 03:25.005 --> 03:27.074 And then, you know, with young teams, 03:27.074 --> 03:29.209 sometimes guys were a little bit overwhelmed. 03:29.209 --> 03:30.477 So, we had peaks and valleys. 03:30.477 --> 03:32.746 But overall, you know, I think it's something we can build on 03:32.746 --> 03:33.747 in the future. 03:33.747 --> 03:36.016 Yeah, was that to be expected when you're coming off a year 03:36.016 --> 03:38.585 which was sensational and you lost the talent you lost? 03:38.585 --> 03:41.655 Yeah, we lost a couple of guys and played a bunch of young 03:41.655 --> 03:44.391 guys, particularly the quarterback. 03:44.391 --> 03:47.994 A couple of real young guys. 03:47.994 --> 03:50.797 But, you know, I think they grew as the year went. 03:50.797 --> 03:52.799 They were excited to play in this game. 03:52.799 --> 03:55.235 Dana, I know you had some big wins and some tough losses, 03:55.235 --> 03:56.236 as well. 03:56.236 --> 03:57.237 Talk about your season. 03:57.237 --> 04:00.273 Well, it's kind of a very similar script to Texas A and M 04:00.273 --> 04:01.274 honestly. 04:01.274 --> 04:03.276 I mean, you know, the one thing about it is, 04:03.276 --> 04:05.278 is we're fortunate to be able to play in a good conference in the 04:05.278 --> 04:06.279 Big 12. 04:06.279 --> 04:08.281 We're fortunate to be able to play a tough schedule. 04:08.281 --> 04:11.318 We were competitive -- for the most part, 04:11.318 --> 04:12.319 competitive all year. 04:12.319 --> 04:14.855 Unfortunately we didn't win a couple of those close games in 04:14.855 --> 04:16.656 the middle. 04:16.656 --> 04:18.658 You know, played a lot of young guys. 04:18.658 --> 04:21.995 You know, obviously, you know, not going to a bowl game last 04:21.995 --> 04:23.396 year, it humbles ya. 04:23.396 --> 04:25.532 So, our guys are pretty fired up for this bowl prep, 04:25.532 --> 04:27.000 pretty fired up for this game. 04:27.000 --> 04:31.071 It's a great match-up when you get a team from the S-E-C and a 04:31.071 --> 04:32.539 team from the Big 12. 04:32.539 --> 04:33.540 Two explosive offenses. 04:33.540 --> 04:35.742 Everybody expects, alright, fireworks galore with these two 04:35.742 --> 04:36.743 offenses. 04:36.743 --> 04:37.878 Is that what we should expect? 04:37.878 --> 04:39.045 Dana, let me start with you. 04:39.045 --> 04:41.314 Well, it depends on how these quarterbacks play, 04:41.314 --> 04:42.315 I think. 04:42.315 --> 04:44.317 I mean, we've played a couple of different quarterbacks 04:44.317 --> 04:46.319 throughout the course of the year. 04:46.319 --> 04:48.321 Ended the year with the young guy ourselves, 04:48.321 --> 04:49.322 a sophomore. 04:49.322 --> 04:51.825 You know, we're still going to evaluate Clint Trickett to see 04:51.825 --> 04:53.226 if he's able to play. 04:53.226 --> 04:55.228 If he can't, then we're going to go with a young guy. 04:55.228 --> 04:57.230 And I know Texas A and M's got a couple of young guys there, 04:57.230 --> 04:58.231 as well. 04:58.231 --> 05:00.233 So, two very similar offenses and, 05:00.233 --> 05:02.536 you know, you got to get those quarterbacks playing pretty good 05:02.536 --> 05:04.104 if you need to be successful. 05:04.104 --> 05:05.105 Right. 05:05.105 --> 05:07.274 And for those who don't know the situation with Clint, 05:07.274 --> 05:09.276 can you explain that to our viewers? 05:09.276 --> 05:11.978 Well, he just, you know, Clint's had a great year. 05:11.978 --> 05:14.347 You know, and he's not the most physical presence, 05:14.347 --> 05:15.415 you know, out there. 05:15.415 --> 05:17.417 He comes in about 6'1", 190 pounds. 05:17.417 --> 05:19.419 Throughout the wear and tear of the season, 05:19.419 --> 05:22.789 you know, he ended up kind of getting knocked out of a couple 05:22.789 --> 05:23.790 of those games. 05:23.790 --> 05:25.792 So, we're evaluating where he's at. 05:25.792 --> 05:26.860 Had a tremendous senior year. 05:26.860 --> 05:29.629 He's responsible for getting us to a bowl game. 05:29.629 --> 05:31.765 Kind of ran out of gas there towards the end of the year. 05:31.765 --> 05:34.668 So, we'll evaluate him and see where he's at. 05:34.668 --> 05:37.804 Kevin, I know it started out with Trill Hill and just an 05:37.804 --> 05:40.574 explosive performance as he came on the scene in beating South 05:40.574 --> 05:42.843 Carolina, that big to open the season. 05:42.843 --> 05:45.779 And then, of course, it's Kyle Allen maybe midway to the end of 05:45.779 --> 05:47.781 the season who put up some good numbers, 05:47.781 --> 05:48.782 as well. 05:48.782 --> 05:50.784 Just talk about your quarterback situation. 05:50.784 --> 05:53.086 Yeah, I think, you know, it's been documented. 05:53.086 --> 05:55.689 Kenny started off the year on fire. 05:55.689 --> 05:59.559 Kyle has come on, you know, and started the last four or five 05:59.559 --> 06:02.362 games of the year and continues to get better. 06:02.362 --> 06:04.364 So, you know, both of them are young. 06:04.364 --> 06:05.498 One is a true sophomore. 06:05.498 --> 06:07.500 The other guy is a true freshman. 06:07.500 --> 06:09.502 So, you know, I think Dana hit it right on the head. 06:09.502 --> 06:11.738 You know, the quarterback play will be big in this game as far 06:11.738 --> 06:13.540 as points and production. 06:13.540 --> 06:16.843 But I think the guys have gotten better during the year. 06:16.843 --> 06:18.411 And we'll see how it works out. 06:18.411 --> 06:21.514 I know we're still a ways away from the game itself and 06:21.514 --> 06:23.516 breaking down each other's teams. 06:23.516 --> 06:26.886 But on the surface when you look at West Virginia, 06:26.886 --> 06:29.689 what worries you the most, concerns you the most about 06:29.689 --> 06:30.991 preparing for them? 06:30.991 --> 06:32.993 You know, I think they've been really, 06:32.993 --> 06:33.994 really solid on defense. 06:33.994 --> 06:35.996 I think Dana hit it right on the head that they had real close 06:35.996 --> 06:40.367 losses to some really good teams and beaten some good teams. 06:40.367 --> 06:45.372 So, you see, you know, what the trademark of West Virginia 06:45.372 --> 06:47.040 football, what Dana has done. 06:47.040 --> 06:48.041 They're playing hard. 06:48.041 --> 06:52.045 They're playing fast, changing the looks on defense and got 06:52.045 --> 06:53.146 some explosive players. 06:53.146 --> 06:56.783 So, you know, we're going to have to match that type of 06:56.783 --> 07:00.020 speed, game speed real quickly in a game like this. 07:00.020 --> 07:02.022 Otherwise, you can get in trouble. 07:02.022 --> 07:03.023 No question. 07:03.023 --> 07:05.025 And Dana, when you look at Texas A and M, 07:05.025 --> 07:06.026 your concerns? 07:06.026 --> 07:08.028 Good news is I've been following Kevin his whole life here. 07:08.028 --> 07:10.263 So, I've kind of got it figured out what he's doing on all three 07:10.263 --> 07:11.631 sides of the ball. 07:11.631 --> 07:14.034 We've got to figure out what they're going to do defensively 07:14.034 --> 07:15.035 a little bit here. 07:15.035 --> 07:17.103 But, you know, offensively there's a lot of similarities, 07:17.103 --> 07:19.339 what we're going to do. 07:19.339 --> 07:21.341 I mean, we're cut from the same mold. 07:21.341 --> 07:23.009 We got the same systems. 07:23.009 --> 07:26.646 Probably try to figure out who can fool each other, 07:26.646 --> 07:27.747 I guess, more than anything. 07:27.747 --> 07:29.749 But, you know, Texas A and M is a great football team. 07:29.749 --> 07:31.785 They've played at a very high level. 07:31.785 --> 07:35.355 They've been competitive for the majority of the tough losses 07:35.355 --> 07:36.556 that they've had obviously. 07:36.556 --> 07:39.192 And they're going to have great athletes running around. 07:39.192 --> 07:41.728 I know Kevin's been recruiting hard for three or four years at 07:41.728 --> 07:43.263 Texas A and M. 07:43.263 --> 07:44.264 Got great O-linemen. 07:44.264 --> 07:48.168 They do sons of the N-F-L every year and just tons of athletes 07:48.168 --> 07:49.169 on defense. 07:49.169 --> 07:50.170 It'll be a challenge. 07:50.170 --> 07:52.172 Alright, let's expound on what you said. 07:52.172 --> 07:53.173 Cut from the same mold. 07:53.173 --> 07:57.644 You obviously have a relationship and a history. 07:57.644 --> 08:01.014 Dana, two years under Kevin at Houston. 08:01.014 --> 08:03.516 What can you tell me about him, the man and the coach, 08:03.516 --> 08:05.518 and what did you learn from him? 08:05.518 --> 08:07.687 Well, I tell you what he does a fantastic job is, 08:07.687 --> 08:09.689 is being a C-E-O of the program. 08:09.689 --> 08:11.691 You know, he came in as an offensive guy, 08:11.691 --> 08:14.761 like I was, but just a fantastic job of being the C-E-O of the 08:14.761 --> 08:15.762 program. 08:15.762 --> 08:19.165 He does an unbelievable job recruiting, 08:19.165 --> 08:21.167 relating with his players, you know, 08:21.167 --> 08:23.670 building good quality young men and, 08:23.670 --> 08:26.606 you know, making sure that on all three sides of the ball, 08:26.606 --> 08:28.608 he's getting the right schemes in place and getting them 08:28.608 --> 08:29.909 motivated to play. 08:29.909 --> 08:32.345 I try to take a lot of that with me to West Virginia. 08:32.345 --> 08:35.648 You know, being an offensive guy myself and spending a lot of my 08:35.648 --> 08:37.650 whole career on offense, you know, 08:37.650 --> 08:41.154 you're not going to win very many championships if you're not 08:41.154 --> 08:44.090 very good in recruiting, you're not very good on defense and 08:44.090 --> 08:46.126 you're not molding these guys in to what they need to be. 08:46.126 --> 08:48.962 So, it ws a good two years under Coach Sumlin. 08:48.962 --> 08:51.965 I'm pretty fortunate to be in this game right now at West 08:51.965 --> 08:52.966 Virginia. 08:52.966 --> 08:54.968 Two of the top offensive innovators in the game I'm 08:54.968 --> 08:56.536 speaking to right now. 08:56.536 --> 09:00.140 So, when you had Dana, what did you see in Dana that has 09:00.140 --> 09:02.475 obviously propelled him to these heights? 09:02.475 --> 09:06.546 I saw a guy who is brilliant offensively, 09:06.546 --> 09:08.948 creatively and across the board in football. 09:08.948 --> 09:11.051 A guy who is on the cutting edge, 09:11.051 --> 09:14.687 knew what he was wanting to do, knew how to communicate it to 09:14.687 --> 09:16.689 young guys, knew how to motivate. 09:16.689 --> 09:21.361 And, you know, like I said early in his career when we first 09:21.361 --> 09:26.299 called him, you know, if I wanted somebody to come in and 09:26.299 --> 09:30.603 get creative, do the things that we wanted to do offensively, 09:30.603 --> 09:32.806 he just took it from there. 09:32.806 --> 09:36.109 And I'm not surprised he's had the success he's had. 09:36.109 --> 09:39.412 You mentioned earlier that there's the improvement when you 09:39.412 --> 09:41.414 look at West Virginia's defense. 09:41.414 --> 09:44.951 This game has changed so much, as you guys know. 09:44.951 --> 09:49.355 Can you win big strictly with offense and a mediocre defense? 09:49.355 --> 09:51.357 Or to win it all, to be in the playoff, 09:51.357 --> 09:54.427 to win a championship, do you have to have some defense? 09:54.427 --> 09:55.428 Yeah, I think so. 09:55.428 --> 09:57.430 I think you have to have some defense. 09:57.430 --> 10:00.200 You know, we struggled there and we're getting better. 10:00.200 --> 10:04.304 But without a doubt, you know, the two conferences that we play 10:04.304 --> 10:07.207 in, I think it bears out. 10:07.207 --> 10:09.976 You know, and in particular in the S-E-C and in the S-E-C West, 10:09.976 --> 10:11.377 you better play some defense. 10:11.377 --> 10:13.379 Otherwise, it will be a long night. 10:13.379 --> 10:16.816 Kevin White, speaking of trying to play defense on this guy, 10:16.816 --> 10:18.918 you have coached some darn good receivers. 10:18.918 --> 10:20.587 How good is he? 10:20.587 --> 10:23.423 Well, I tell you what's been fun to watch about Kevin is, 10:23.423 --> 10:27.093 is just developing in to what you currently see as a senior. 10:27.093 --> 10:29.395 We're talking about a guy that was in junior college for three 10:29.395 --> 10:32.499 years, wasn't a dominating player in junior college but was 10:32.499 --> 10:37.036 -- had a ton of athleticism, spent two spring practices and a 10:37.036 --> 10:42.008 full year before he found some confidence and a pretty good 10:42.008 --> 10:44.611 rapport with the quarterback that was on the same page with 10:44.611 --> 10:45.612 them. 10:45.612 --> 10:46.613 That doesn't hurt, as well. 10:46.613 --> 10:48.615 But he's a tremendous young man. 10:48.615 --> 10:52.285 He's going to get his degree here over the Christmas break. 10:52.285 --> 10:55.021 He's going to move on in to the N-F-L and play football for a 10:55.021 --> 10:56.055 long time. 10:56.055 --> 10:58.625 Don't give away your trade secrets but it seems like it's 10:58.625 --> 10:59.926 almost impossible on paper. 10:59.926 --> 11:05.565 Yeah, every time you look up for what we do on Saturday night on 11:05.565 --> 11:07.567 E-S-P-N, he's on the highlights. 11:07.567 --> 11:12.071 So, it's the first guy that we knew who he was and on video, 11:12.071 --> 11:13.773 he does it against everybody. 11:13.773 --> 11:17.677 So, we better have some kind of plan to help them. 11:17.677 --> 11:20.847 You have obviously all these extra practices that coincide 11:20.847 --> 11:22.582 with being in a bowl game. 11:22.582 --> 11:24.584 So, you're preparing for your opponent. 11:24.584 --> 11:26.586 Obviously you want to come out with a W. 11:26.586 --> 11:28.588 But you're also looking ahead to next year. 11:28.588 --> 11:32.725 Is that the case, Dana, as far as can you start preparing 11:32.725 --> 11:34.193 already for 2015? 11:34.193 --> 11:36.195 You can do it a little bit of that. 11:36.195 --> 11:38.631 But, you know, just like we were talking about earlier, 11:38.631 --> 11:41.100 there's so much recruiting going on right now. 11:41.100 --> 11:43.102 There's a week's full of finals. 11:43.102 --> 11:45.104 Before you know it, you're in game prep. 11:45.104 --> 11:46.105 So, there's.. 11:46.105 --> 11:48.107 You're able to spend some time with them, 11:48.107 --> 11:49.242 which I think is important. 11:49.242 --> 11:51.511 You're able to challenge them a little bit more. 11:51.511 --> 11:54.314 You know, the days of being able to have 15, 11:54.314 --> 11:56.316 16 practices, I think, are over. 11:56.316 --> 11:58.318 You don't have that much time with them. 11:58.318 --> 12:01.321 But the little work that you do, every little bit helps. 12:01.321 --> 12:04.657 Is it normal game preps for West Virginia or are there new 12:04.657 --> 12:07.727 nuances that you throw in while you're preparing for the bowl 12:07.727 --> 12:08.728 game? 12:08.728 --> 12:10.730 Well, you know, you've got time. 12:10.730 --> 12:12.765 So, you know, coaches can be their own worst enemy during 12:12.765 --> 12:16.402 this time because we come up with all kinds of stuff when we 12:16.402 --> 12:17.804 have time on our hands. 12:17.804 --> 12:21.240 And, you know, there's a lot of familiarity with both of us. 12:21.240 --> 12:23.910 So, I would assume that there's going to be some new stuff from 12:23.910 --> 12:24.911 this game. 12:24.911 --> 12:26.913 I would imagine there would be some traction. 12:26.913 --> 12:28.114 I know this guy pretty good. 12:28.114 --> 12:30.283 He's going to be thinking of some stuff. 12:30.283 --> 12:31.284 I'll tell you. 12:31.284 --> 12:34.253 First thing we got to do is, probably both of us, 12:34.253 --> 12:36.889 is change our signals. 12:36.889 --> 12:37.890 Right. 12:37.890 --> 12:38.891 Familiarity, right? 12:38.891 --> 12:39.892 Yeah. 12:39.892 --> 12:41.894 Steve Ehrhart, the executive director of the Autozone Liberty 12:41.894 --> 12:43.896 Bowl, Harold Graeter, all the fine folks that do such a great 12:43.896 --> 12:44.897 job with this bowl game. 12:44.897 --> 12:46.899 I know they're excited because we're talking about two of the 12:46.899 --> 12:49.869 great fan bases in college football in Texas A and M and 12:49.869 --> 12:50.870 West Virginia. 12:50.870 --> 12:52.872 So, Dana, let me start with you. 12:52.872 --> 12:57.143 What has been the reaction and what type of support do you 12:57.143 --> 12:59.545 believe you'll get for the Mountaineers for this game? 12:59.545 --> 13:01.481 Yeah, our fan base is fired up. 13:01.481 --> 13:03.483 There's been some intense talks, you know, 13:03.483 --> 13:06.786 with the Liberty Bowl and West Virginia for the last couple of 13:06.786 --> 13:09.222 years when the Liberty Bowl got involved with the Big 12. 13:09.222 --> 13:12.191 And obviously West Virginia because of geography was going 13:12.191 --> 13:13.192 to be a good fit. 13:13.192 --> 13:16.963 So, and again, don't mean to bring this up too much but not 13:16.963 --> 13:18.965 going to a bowl game for a year, you know, 13:18.965 --> 13:19.966 that humbles you. 13:19.966 --> 13:20.967 It humbles your fan base. 13:20.967 --> 13:23.703 Our fan base is excited about traveling. 13:23.703 --> 13:25.204 It's within driving distance. 13:25.204 --> 13:29.108 And to be able to play a national S-E-C team in Texas A 13:29.108 --> 13:31.277 and M, I think, is going to be something that everybody is 13:31.277 --> 13:32.378 going to be fired up about. 13:32.378 --> 13:34.614 Kevin, with the Aggie following, what's it going to be like? 13:34.614 --> 13:35.715 Oh, it's going to be great. 13:35.715 --> 13:37.317 I think our fans are fired up. 13:37.317 --> 13:39.786 A lot of them haven't been in this area very, 13:39.786 --> 13:40.787 very often. 13:40.787 --> 13:43.690 I know our players are excited to be here. 13:43.690 --> 13:45.825 Fans are excited to be here. 13:45.825 --> 13:49.162 You know, it's really a new place for us and an opponent 13:49.162 --> 13:52.932 that it's hard to believe we've never played. 13:52.932 --> 13:57.136 So, that's always good for not only the game but good for the 13:57.136 --> 13:58.137 fans, too. 13:58.137 --> 14:00.673 So, can the 12th man make a statement in Memphis? 14:00.673 --> 14:02.675 Twelfth man can make a statement where ever. 14:02.675 --> 14:06.379 So, you know, I wouldn't look for this to be any different. 14:06.379 --> 14:08.881 I got to ask you, Dana, about this Twitter deal. 14:08.881 --> 14:10.883 Because, Kevin, I don't know how much you're on Twitter. 14:10.883 --> 14:12.018 I know Dana is. 14:12.018 --> 14:15.388 And, look, you look terrific, my friend. 14:15.388 --> 14:16.389 I got to tell you. 14:16.389 --> 14:19.592 But the Big Ern McCracken thing, what's going on with that? 14:19.592 --> 14:22.061 It was just some comedy. 14:22.061 --> 14:25.064 You got to have fun with us or this profession is pretty hard. 14:25.064 --> 14:27.066 It's pretty competitive, you know. 14:27.066 --> 14:29.168 Everybody is always at each other's throats when it comes to 14:29.168 --> 14:31.637 recruiting and being competitive on the field. 14:31.637 --> 14:33.840 You've got to have some fun with it a little bit as well. 14:33.840 --> 14:37.310 That was just an exchange between me and Coach to have 14:37.310 --> 14:38.578 some fun with it. 14:38.578 --> 14:39.846 Very entertaining, it was. 14:39.846 --> 14:41.848 Recruiting -- how is everything going? 14:41.848 --> 14:43.349 Kevin, let me ask you. 14:43.349 --> 14:45.251 Good, we're all over the place. 14:45.251 --> 14:47.453 And just like Dana said, you know, 14:47.453 --> 14:50.623 you've got to mix this time of year with recruiting, 14:50.623 --> 14:52.625 home visits, official visits and practice. 14:52.625 --> 14:55.261 And so, the calendar is going to change. 14:55.261 --> 14:57.029 So, one thing has got to give. 14:57.029 --> 15:00.099 And for what we're doing, recruiting is not going to give. 15:00.099 --> 15:02.101 We're not going to budge on that. 15:02.101 --> 15:04.504 And I tell ya, I would imagine that the families, 15:04.504 --> 15:09.008 it's tough on them because here we are in the holidays and it's 15:09.008 --> 15:11.010 probably the busiest time for you guys. 15:11.010 --> 15:12.011 Right, Dana? 15:12.011 --> 15:13.012 Well, it is. 15:13.012 --> 15:15.014 You know, and, you know, with the whole recruiting thing.. 15:15.014 --> 15:17.016 I mean, Kevin has done a great job of recruiting. 15:17.016 --> 15:19.018 I learned a lot of things that we've done. 15:19.018 --> 15:20.019 That doesn't slow down. 15:20.019 --> 15:21.020 That never slows down. 15:21.020 --> 15:23.022 But when they let the head coaches out, 15:23.022 --> 15:24.023 we've got to get out there. 15:24.023 --> 15:26.025 We've got to, you know, got to get in to as many homes as we 15:26.025 --> 15:28.494 possibly can and sell our brand. 15:28.494 --> 15:30.496 Big 12 has been great for West Virginia. 15:30.496 --> 15:34.333 You know, it's allowed us to recruit at a higher level, 15:34.333 --> 15:36.335 you know, which is up and down on the East coast. 15:36.335 --> 15:38.337 Probably not going to venture too far from that. 15:38.337 --> 15:40.339 As far as the kids go and their families, 15:40.339 --> 15:44.110 you know, I mean, you know, it's you don't want to stay at home. 15:44.110 --> 15:47.046 So, if you have an opportunity to travel and go to a bowl game, 15:47.046 --> 15:49.048 I think everybody is going to be excited about it. 15:49.048 --> 15:50.716 First year for the play-off. 15:50.716 --> 15:52.718 I want to get your thoughts on that. 15:52.718 --> 15:54.587 I know the Big 12 was shut out. 15:54.587 --> 15:56.656 I know there was a lot of controversy as far as that's 15:56.656 --> 15:57.657 concerned. 15:57.657 --> 16:01.027 But overall, you have obviously your A-D with Oliver Luck is on 16:01.027 --> 16:02.028 that committee. 16:02.028 --> 16:04.030 Your thoughts on how the committee did in this first 16:04.030 --> 16:05.031 year? 16:05.031 --> 16:07.033 Well, I think they did a fantastic job really. 16:07.033 --> 16:09.101 You know, it's the first year of doing it. 16:09.101 --> 16:12.405 If you think they're going to get through it without any 16:12.405 --> 16:14.407 hiccups, you're kind of fooling yourselves. 16:14.407 --> 16:18.110 So, you know, Big 12 is probably going to have to tweak some 16:18.110 --> 16:21.747 things just to put Big 12 on an even playing field with 16:21.747 --> 16:22.748 everybody else. 16:22.748 --> 16:24.750 There's five great conferences out there. 16:24.750 --> 16:25.885 And there's only four spots. 16:25.885 --> 16:28.454 You know, so, you got to settle it on the field. 16:28.454 --> 16:31.624 You know, I think T-C-U and Baylor both agree that they 16:31.624 --> 16:33.626 should probably should have won that extra game. 16:33.626 --> 16:35.628 So, it's going to continue to tweak. 16:35.628 --> 16:37.630 I think we're on the right track. 16:37.630 --> 16:38.631 Continue to tweak. 16:38.631 --> 16:41.434 I know Bob Bowlsby has been very vocal although he has not said 16:41.434 --> 16:45.004 or committed to adding teams in the future. 16:45.004 --> 16:47.773 Do you think that's the way to go if a waiver is not presented 16:47.773 --> 16:49.275 to have a championship game? 16:49.275 --> 16:50.910 The first step is the waiver. 16:50.910 --> 16:53.079 You know, we submitted the waiver quite some time ago. 16:53.079 --> 16:56.048 I think all the Big 12 coaches would agree. 16:56.048 --> 17:00.086 A championship game to put us at a 13th game is going to be 17:00.086 --> 17:02.088 something that we need to entertain. 17:02.088 --> 17:04.090 If the N-C-A-A doesn't allow that, 17:04.090 --> 17:06.092 then we probably got to take some steps. 17:06.092 --> 17:08.094 But that's way above my pay grade. 17:08.094 --> 17:10.096 I'm just trying to be a football coach here. 17:10.096 --> 17:12.098 That's why they get in those meetings and hash things out. 17:12.098 --> 17:14.100 And again, I think we're on the right track. 17:14.100 --> 17:16.736 I just think it's going to take some time to get it right. 17:16.736 --> 17:18.771 Kevin, your reaction to year one for the committee? 17:18.771 --> 17:20.773 Yeah, I thought they did a great job. 17:20.773 --> 17:23.409 I thought, you know, it created the excitement that everybody 17:23.409 --> 17:24.744 was looking for. 17:24.744 --> 17:28.214 You know, the television ratings and everything was.. 17:28.214 --> 17:30.850 Every week everybody was waiting on Tuesday whether they want to 17:30.850 --> 17:32.852 admit or not to see where they were. 17:32.852 --> 17:35.655 I think there's been some discussion about how the 17:35.655 --> 17:38.190 rankings every week didn't really matter. 17:38.190 --> 17:39.792 I think they did. 17:39.792 --> 17:43.029 I think, you know, football used to be, 17:43.029 --> 17:45.831 for a lot of fans, regionally watched. 17:45.831 --> 17:50.636 And I think what it created was a situation where people were 17:50.636 --> 17:55.775 watching, in the South were watching Ohio State in Oregon 17:55.775 --> 17:58.044 because it affected people in the South. 17:58.044 --> 18:00.313 And all over the country, we were watching different games 18:00.313 --> 18:04.083 that maybe didn't watch before just to see who was going to be 18:04.083 --> 18:05.718 in that '14 play-off. 18:05.718 --> 18:09.088 One team from the S-E-C gets in in Alabama and who knows what 18:09.088 --> 18:11.891 would have happened if Missouri upset Alabama in the S-E-C 18:11.891 --> 18:13.025 championship game. 18:13.025 --> 18:15.761 With that said, and we know the competitiveness in the Big 12 18:15.761 --> 18:17.763 and all of the power five conferences. 18:17.763 --> 18:20.733 That S-E-C West, that's got to drive you crazy preparing every 18:20.733 --> 18:21.767 week for one of those teams. 18:21.767 --> 18:23.035 Yeah, it's a grind. 18:23.035 --> 18:25.838 But, you know, there's a lot of good teams, 18:25.838 --> 18:28.174 a lot of good coaches, a lot of good players. 18:28.174 --> 18:32.111 But like I said before, I think what the play-off did, 18:32.111 --> 18:37.550 what this whole set up did was take people from really being -- 18:37.550 --> 18:41.287 watching regional football as much but watching national 18:41.287 --> 18:44.490 football because it affected it and it affected your conference. 18:44.490 --> 18:46.625 It affected who was going to be in this play-off situation. 18:46.625 --> 18:48.627 And I think from that standpoint, 18:48.627 --> 18:50.830 I think it's accomplishing what we want to accomplish. 18:50.830 --> 18:53.566 Dana, will there be time to go to Graceland while you're down 18:53.566 --> 18:54.567 here? 18:54.567 --> 18:56.569 Well, the thing I'm really excited about is getting to know 18:56.569 --> 18:57.570 Memphis a little bit. 18:57.570 --> 19:00.006 But I know our practice situation is about two minutes 19:00.006 --> 19:01.007 away. 19:01.007 --> 19:03.709 We were in New York a couple of years ago which made that a 19:03.709 --> 19:04.710 little bit tough. 19:04.710 --> 19:07.680 I was in Miami the year before that which was a little bit 19:07.680 --> 19:08.681 tough, too. 19:08.681 --> 19:10.683 So, you know, it's going to be a great bowl. 19:10.683 --> 19:12.685 Our kids are excited about coming up, 19:12.685 --> 19:14.687 and practicing, and putting their best foot forward but 19:14.687 --> 19:18.090 also, being able to get away and be able to see some of the 19:18.090 --> 19:19.325 sights of Memphis, as well. 19:19.325 --> 19:21.327 With that said, as Coach Holgorsen said, 19:21.327 --> 19:26.032 is it tough or is it easy to balance having a good time with 19:26.032 --> 19:28.200 the mission at hand is to win the game? 19:28.200 --> 19:31.437 Well, I think it's part of the bowl experience. 19:31.437 --> 19:34.874 You know, you've got a chance to take our team. 19:34.874 --> 19:37.777 For example, a lot of guys have never been to Memphis. 19:37.777 --> 19:40.579 And so, the ability to explore Memphis, 19:40.579 --> 19:43.182 to see new things, get some good barbecue, 19:43.182 --> 19:45.351 let them see what's happening here, 19:45.351 --> 19:47.520 it's all part of the experience. 19:47.520 --> 19:50.122 And then, you know, getting ready to play the game, 19:50.122 --> 19:51.123 too. 19:51.123 --> 19:52.458 Alright, final question. 19:52.458 --> 19:54.927 Dana, what will it take for West Virginia to hold that trophy 19:54.927 --> 19:57.229 above their heads when it's all said and done? 19:57.229 --> 19:59.899 Well, we've had a little bit of a problem this year with 19:59.899 --> 20:00.900 turnovers. 20:00.900 --> 20:03.502 So, at the end of the day, you've got to make sure that you 20:03.502 --> 20:04.503 hang on to the ball. 20:04.503 --> 20:06.772 So, you know, a lot of that has to do with your quarterback 20:06.772 --> 20:07.773 play. 20:07.773 --> 20:10.109 We're going to have to do a good job of taking care of the ball, 20:10.109 --> 20:12.111 you know, and trying to get points when we can. 20:12.111 --> 20:14.113 It's going to be a competitive game. 20:14.113 --> 20:15.114 It's going to be a fun game. 20:15.114 --> 20:17.116 It's going to up tempo, up paced. 20:17.116 --> 20:19.118 You know, and at the end of the day, 20:19.118 --> 20:21.120 it's about taking care of the ball, 20:21.120 --> 20:23.122 getting some points when you have the chance to get some 20:23.122 --> 20:24.123 points. 20:24.123 --> 20:26.125 As you guys said, you've never met. 20:26.125 --> 20:28.127 Both teams have been in this bowl game once. 20:28.127 --> 20:30.129 But only Texas A and M played in Memphis. 20:30.129 --> 20:32.131 West Virginia played actually in Atlantic City, 20:32.131 --> 20:34.133 New Jersey the one year they had it. 20:34.133 --> 20:37.336 So, Kevin, to add that trophy to the nice trophy case at Texas A 20:37.336 --> 20:39.472 and M, what will it take to beat West Virginia? 20:39.472 --> 20:40.473 I think the same thing. 20:40.473 --> 20:42.475 We've had our problems with turnovers, 20:42.475 --> 20:43.476 too, you know, as a young team. 20:43.476 --> 20:47.313 And being able to handle the situation will be a big deal for 20:47.313 --> 20:48.347 our young players. 20:48.347 --> 20:51.250 But, you know, I think I'd say this. 20:51.250 --> 20:53.853 I think both teams better get some sleep the night before 20:53.853 --> 20:57.022 because there's going to be a lot of plays this game. 20:57.022 --> 20:59.024 There is no question and we expect fireworks. 20:59.024 --> 21:01.026 I know it's going to be a great crowd for this game. 21:01.026 --> 21:02.027 We're looking forward to it. 21:02.027 --> 21:04.630 West Virginia, Texas A and M and the Autozone Liberty Bowl game. 21:04.630 --> 21:05.865 Dana, thank you so much. 21:05.865 --> 21:06.866 Great to see ya. 21:06.866 --> 21:07.867 Kevin, always good to see you. 21:07.867 --> 21:08.868 Thanks so much for your time. 21:08.868 --> 21:09.869 Thank you. 21:09.869 --> 21:10.936 We'll take a short time-out. 21:10.936 --> 21:12.371 "Overtime" is next. 21:12.371 --> 21:37.663 [theme music] 21:37.663 --> 21:39.832 So 2014 is just about over. 21:39.832 --> 21:43.302 In fact, this is our final show of the year. 21:43.302 --> 21:46.772 Next week we'll usher in 2015 by looking at some New Year's 21:46.772 --> 21:47.773 resolutions. 21:47.773 --> 21:50.376 Today however I thought it would be neat to take a quick look 21:50.376 --> 21:51.744 back at the year in sports. 21:51.744 --> 21:53.145 So, here we go. 21:53.145 --> 21:56.148 In 2014, the name Richard Sherman became a household name 21:56.148 --> 21:59.952 as he led the Seattle Seahawks to a 43-8 rout of Peyton Manning 21:59.952 --> 22:02.621 and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 48. 22:02.621 --> 22:05.524 The Memphis Tigers men's hoop squad would go 23 and 8 but just 22:05.524 --> 22:07.726 12 and 6 in the American Conference. 22:07.726 --> 22:09.795 The Tigers would draw the fifth seed for the conference 22:09.795 --> 22:13.165 tournament played at FedExForum and Memphis would get clobbered 22:13.165 --> 22:16.368 in the quarter-finals by eventual national champions 22:16.368 --> 22:19.638 Connecticut The Tigers would get an at large birth in the N-C-A-A 22:19.638 --> 22:22.107 tournament in which they would beat George Washington in round 22:22.107 --> 22:25.077 two but fall to Virginia in the round of 32. 22:25.077 --> 22:28.013 The Memphis Grizzlies would overcome obstacles both on and 22:28.013 --> 22:31.217 off the court to win 50 games and draw the seventh seed for 22:31.217 --> 22:33.219 the playoffs in the wild western conference. 22:33.219 --> 22:35.921 The Grizz suffered key injuries and a complete overhaul in the 22:35.921 --> 22:38.824 front office with the firing of President Jason Levien. 22:38.824 --> 22:41.093 The Grizz would battle the favored Oklahoma City Thunder to 22:41.093 --> 22:43.162 a seventh game in round one of the post season, 22:43.162 --> 22:46.298 but a suspension to Zach Randolph for game seven would 22:46.298 --> 22:48.934 prove to be too much for the team to overcome. 22:48.934 --> 22:51.170 As for the rest of the playoffs, the ageless wonders from San 22:51.170 --> 22:54.573 Antonio would win another title, as the Spurs avenged a loss from 22:54.573 --> 22:57.643 a season ago to the Miami Heat, winning four games to one for 22:57.643 --> 22:58.944 their fifth N-B-A crown. 22:58.944 --> 23:02.414 At the FedEx-Saint Jude Classic, Ben Crane resurrected his career 23:02.414 --> 23:05.284 with his fifth victory and the first wire to wire win in 23:05.284 --> 23:08.854 Memphis since Brian Gay turned the trick in 2009. 23:08.854 --> 23:11.891 He would hold off Troy Merritt by a stroke despite a final 23:11.891 --> 23:12.892 round 73. 23:12.892 --> 23:16.528 On the diamond, the Memphis Redbirds won 79 games and the 23:16.528 --> 23:19.798 P-C-L American Southern Division title but lost in the first 23:19.798 --> 23:23.135 round of the playoffs, falling to Omaha three games to one. 23:23.135 --> 23:25.938 Off the field, huge news for the birds who were purchased by the 23:25.938 --> 23:28.607 Saint Louis Cardinals from the city of Memphis. 23:28.607 --> 23:31.377 The Cards have started renovations to Autozone Park, 23:31.377 --> 23:34.046 where as part of the deal, will spend four-and-a-half million 23:34.046 --> 23:35.714 dollars on upgrades. 23:35.714 --> 23:37.950 In the bigs, the Cardinals once again found their way into the 23:37.950 --> 23:40.686 post season before falling to eventual World Series champion 23:40.686 --> 23:41.820 San Francisco. 23:41.820 --> 23:45.124 The Cards surprised the Dodgers before losing to the G-Men. 23:45.124 --> 23:47.726 San Francisco would hold off surprising Kansas City four 23:47.726 --> 23:51.530 games to three to win their third title since 2010. 23:51.530 --> 23:54.033 Off the field, tragedy struck the Cardinals organization when 23:54.033 --> 23:57.269 a car driven by young star Oscar Taveras crashed in his native 23:57.269 --> 24:00.472 country of the Dominican Republic killing Taveras and his 24:00.472 --> 24:01.473 girlfriend. 24:01.473 --> 24:04.310 It was discovered later that Taveras's blood alcohol level 24:04.310 --> 24:06.412 was five times the legal limit. 24:06.412 --> 24:09.515 And finally, 2014 produced a pretty memorable football season 24:09.515 --> 24:10.749 for area teams. 24:10.749 --> 24:13.252 The play of Ole Miss and Mississippi State drew the eyes 24:13.252 --> 24:16.121 of the college pigskin world to the Magnolia State. 24:16.121 --> 24:19.058 E-S-P-N game day even made an appearance in Oxford for the 24:19.058 --> 24:22.661 very first time with singer Katy Perry stealing the show. 24:22.661 --> 24:25.564 Tennessee qualified for its first bowl under Butch Jones and 24:25.564 --> 24:28.734 Arkansas showed vast improvement and a promising future with 24:28.734 --> 24:30.302 Brett Bielema at the helm. 24:30.302 --> 24:33.472 And of course the Memphis Tigers bounced back from a three win 24:33.472 --> 24:37.309 season in 2013 to win nine games in the regular season, 24:37.309 --> 24:40.446 ten in all, and qualify for the programs' first bowl game since 24:40.446 --> 24:41.447 2008. 24:41.447 --> 24:44.316 Head Coach Justin Fuente was named American Coach of the Year 24:44.316 --> 24:47.019 and was awarded with a new five year contract starting at a 24:47.019 --> 24:50.456 reported 1.4 million per season. 24:50.456 --> 24:51.457 And that will do it for now. 24:51.457 --> 24:53.826 Next week we'll talk plenty of Grizzlies who will close out the 24:53.826 --> 24:57.563 2014 calendar year with a home game against Houston tonight, 24:57.563 --> 25:00.399 a visit to Miami tomorrow and a visit from the defending 25:00.399 --> 25:02.768 champion Spurs on Tuesday. 25:02.768 --> 25:05.104 Also, our next telecast of Tigers Basketball here on 25:05.104 --> 25:09.541 W-K-N-O we'll come your way at 10:30 pm on New Year's Eve. 25:09.541 --> 25:12.644 That's next Wednesday as the Tigers open up conference play 25:12.644 --> 25:14.113 against Houston. 25:14.113 --> 25:16.115 Not a bad way to usher in the new year. 25:16.115 --> 25:19.118 Until then, have a great week, Happy New Year and we'll see you 25:19.118 --> 25:20.119 next time. 25:20.119 --> 25:54.586 [theme music] 25:54.586 --> 25:55.554  (female announcer)   Production funding for 25:55.554 --> 25:58.824  "Sports Files" is   made possible in part by.. 25:58.824 --> 26:00.392  (male narrator)   Infiniti of Memphis has moved to 26:00.392 --> 26:03.762  Germantown road just half mile   north of Wolfchase Galleria and 26:03.762 --> 26:06.498  is proud to support W-K-N-O for   its quality broadcasting and 26:06.498 --> 26:08.067  service   to our community. 26:08.067 --> 26:10.502  Quality and service --   No wonder Infiniti of Memphis 26:10.502 --> 26:12.871  feels at   home on W-K-N-O. 26:12.871 --> 26:16.871 CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY W-K-N-O, MEMPHIS.