EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 Television
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Chat Reel: Josh Heupel

Oklahoma QB not distracted by the hype

After going 7-5 a year ago, Josh Heupel has led Oklahoma to a No. 3 ranking. Elsa Hatch/Allsport

Believe the Heupel.

Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel thrust himself into Heisman contention after completing 29-of-37 passes for 374 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Sooners' 41-31 victory against then-No. 3 Kansas State.

The win moved up Oklahoma from No. 8 to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 poll. Heupel, a senior from Aberdeen, S.D., is taking the win and the media attention in stride. He joined CNNSI.com users on Tuesday, Oct. 17, to chat about Sooner football.

A transcription follows:

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's college football chat with Oklahoma QB Josh Heupel. Welcome, Josh.
Josh Heupel: Thanks! Thanks for coming out today, especially you OU supporters.

From SoonerMagic: How are you dealing with all the press that you and the team are getting now?
Josh Heupel: The team is not worried about outside media attention. We'll continue to stay focused on the things we can control, which is our performance.

From Berkeley Smith in Norman, Okla.: Josh, last week in the K-State game, you took on a lot of blitzes. How are you feeling this week, and do you expect the same hurries for the Nebraska game?
Josh Heupel: I feel great. We'll continue to see blitzes throughout the rest of the year, not just from Nebraska.

From David Daniels in Lawrenceville, Ga.: Josh, did you have any idea that Bob Stoops and company could turn the program around so quickly? Also, what is the attitude of the players concerning the conditioning you guys have gone through?
Josh Heupel: Everyone bought into coach Stoops' vision of the program. When a football team is headed in one direction, we'll be successful. Our offseason conditioning program is the best in the country, and it has helped us prepare for this season.

From Joe Mancino in Dallas: Josh, congratulations on all your success. How does it feel to suddenly be an integral part of such a storied program like Oklahoma? Go Sooners!
Josh Heupel: Few football programs in the country have the tradition like the University of Oklahoma. So, to play at a university like this is an honor.

From Travis Rainwater in Soery, Okla.: Josh, last year Mike Leach was your offensive coordinator, this year you have Mark Mangino. The transition seems like it was fairly easy, but what is the biggest difference you've found between the two.
Josh Heupel: No huge differences. The biggest difference in our offense from a year ago is that we're able to be more successful at football.

From Jeff in Moore, Okla.: Josh, can you tell us how Chuck Long has improved your performance and what he means to the program?
Josh Heupel: Coach Long has helped my fundamentals and technique, and has helped me become a better football player. Not only because he has coaching experience, but playing experience.

From James Lingo in Tahlequah, Okla.: How simple is the spread offense for you? I understand that it is usually a hard offense to grasp, and you seem to have done it with relative ease.
Josh Heupel: Nothing comes easy. There has been a lot of time and energy put into understanding the offense.

From JCHADWICK: Josh, just how much ribbing has Renaldo Works received for that halfback pass during the K-State game?
Josh Heupel: The players joke around with him a little bit -- it's nothing personal. Renaldo has done a great job for us all year long.

From SoonerMagic: I see your working on your A,B, C's, Applewhite, Beasley is Crouch next?
Josh Heupel: That's cute. Hopefully we'll continue the success we've had in the last two weeks.

From fan: What were your expectations going into this season?
Josh Heupel: Our expectations were to go out and perform to the best of our ability each and every Saturday. We never talked about a certain amount of wins.

From SoonerMagic: How do you like the fans at the University of Oklahoma?
Josh Heupel: Their enthusiasm and overwhelming support for the program is something that I will always remember, and truly appreciate.

From Aaron Cox in Oklahoma City: How do you keep such a cool head with all of the excitement surrounding yourself and our team?
Josh Heupel: If you don't go out and win each week, the excitement will leave the program. You're only as good as your last performance. That's what drives you to continue the success.

From Wayne in Mcloud, Okla.: What are your plans after graduation?
Josh Heupel: Hopefully, I'll have a chance to continue playing football. If not, I plan on going into coaching.

From Johnbart: Do your Dad and Mom get to see you every Saturday?
Josh Heupel: My mom comes to every game. My Dad is a head coach for a Division II football program, and has made it to two games this year so far, and will make three more at the end of the season.

From Kristofer Russell in Oklahoma City: Can having a week off before playing a very important game get the team out of rhythm? If so what do you do as a team to not let that happen.
Josh Heupel: We will continue to practice hard this week, so I'm sure we won't get out of rhythm.

From Mike Loffland in Norman, Okla.: How important is the home field advantage in the upcoming game against Nebraska?
Josh Heupel: It's a benefit for us, but playing at home doesn't insure victory. The team that plays better between the white lines will win.

From Mdsooner: What is the biggest difference between this year and last year?
Josh Heupel: Having one more year in the system, and being mentally strong enough to go out and win on the road.

From BOOMER-Engie: What's it like having to room with a Texan?
Josh Heupel: He's a West Texan, first of all! But he's a Sooner.

From Rob in Willimantic Conn.: You remind me of Steve Young the way you hit slashing receivers and pick apart defenses across the middle of the field. What quarterbacks did you look up to growing up in the 90s. And have you tried to emulate any of those?
Josh Heupel: I never tried to emulate any particular quarterback. But I did enjoy watching Steve Young and Joe Montana play while I was growing up.

From Sammy in Norman, Okla.: Hey Josh, did you see all those oranges around campus this morning? You gotta love it.
Josh Heupel: It's something we can laugh about a little bit. As long as we go out and take care of business, those things will take care of themselves.

From Bill Braskie in Austin, Texas: Do you feel any frustration or disrespect towards OU's football program with regard to their poll rankings. Considering OU is the only undefeated top-five team to have played and beaten two top-10 teams, including the then a No. 2 team?
Josh Heupel: Doesn't matter where you're ranked during the season. You go out and win football games, and those types of things will take care of themselves

From OU: Josh, what do you think about going to the Downtown Athletic Club in New York after the season?
Josh Heupel: That's something that I'm not worried about or focused on. Again, outside attention is due to team success.

From djfreak: What's your favorite pro team?
Josh Heupel: I'm a Minnesota Vikings fan. I grew up in South Dakota, and they were next door.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Josh Heupel. Josh, thank you for joining us.
Josh Heupel: Thank you! It's been a pleasure, and God bless everyone.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.