December 24, 2006
The No. 21-ranked Texas A&M football team continued preparations for the 2006 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl with a two-hour workout in shorts and shells Sunday on the campus of UCSD. After the workout, the Aggies headed to Sea World for an afternoon of fun.
?It was good day today,? Aggie head coach Dennis Franchione said of the workout. ?We got the trip behind us and practiced much better today.?
Franchione was asked how he keeps his team focused on the bowl game.
?That was one reason why yesterday was a real grinder,? Franchione explained. ?We practiced in full pads and it was very physical. We wanted to send that message. We also practice in the morning so it tends to make (the players) get in a little earlier. The other thing that is fortunate for us is that the older guys that went to the Cotton Bowl can remember that as the week goes on you better manage it well and keep fresh and focused on the game.?
Franchione was asked what most concerned him about the No. 19-ranked California Golden Bears, the Aggies?â„¢ opponent in Thursday?â„¢s Holiday Bowl.
?Explosive offense and big plays,? Franchione said. ?Cal is very capable of big plays and they?â„¢ve had lots of them. They average a lot of points and can score points fast.?