Dec. 31, 2007

Mobile, Alabama - The Golden Hurricane football team arrived in Mobile, Alabama on Monday afternoon and greeted by members of the GMAC Bowl as well as television cameras as the Hurricane exited its charter flight. Tulsa was transported to the Riverview Renaissance Hotel, its headquarters for the week, and greeted by Southern Belles in the Riverview lobby.

"I'm very, very impressed. It's was a beautiful day," said Tulsa Head Coach Tod graham. "Everything has been first class -- the hotel and the GMAC Bowl people. It's really been first-class. It's been a great welcoming. We're excited to be here."

After hotel check-in, players had some time to explore the city, then dinner, followed by a New Year's Eve Celebration early in the evening.

"We thought it was important to get here on New Year's Eve. We had a great dinner, then gave the players their bowl gifts, then loosened up a little bit with a New Years Eve Party," added Graham.

Tulsa bowl gifts included -- a leather jacket with GMAC and C-USA West Division Champion logos, travel bag, commemorative football with the GMAC logo, a watch, Sony headset, warm-up suit, NIKE shoes and they'll also receive a Bowl ring.

At the Hurricane New Year's Eve Celebration, Tulsa players had fun imitating different Hurricane coaches. Sophomore Jesse Meyer imitating co-Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn, junior Nick Henderson mimicking co-Defensive Coordinator Paul Randolph, and freshman AJ Whitmore imitating Head Coach Todd Graham were three of the most memorable performances. Co-Offensive Coordinator Herb Hand stole the show when the time came for karaoke as he turned in a professional performance as a rapper, singing "Lose Yourself." Courtney Tennial, after hamming it up on the microphone, sang "Let's Stay Together"

After enjoying their first day in Mobile, Tulsa will get back on the practice field on Tuesday afternoon. The Hurricane will practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, and join the Bowling Green team on Tuesday night for the Alabama Power Company Team Welcome Reception.

Graham said his team is focused on the task approaching the Hurricane Sunday night.

"I think it's hit our guys that we're getting ready to play for a Bowl Championship. It's hard to get focused when you've had a month off, but we really got focused on Bowling Green when we returned from Christmas. We'll basically repeat what we did last week again this week," said Graham. "Being here at the bowl site, I think the kids can feel it and I can feel their energy tonight. I think our kids are focused and it will help us be more focused being here in Mobile."

The Bowling Green team will arrive in Mobile on Tuesday.