Boilermakers prepare for tough Cowboys team

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It became quite clear on Wednesday: Sports doesn't like snow.

Not only did the Indiana Pacers postpone their game against the Chicago Bulls, but  practice for the Purdue football team was canceled, our sister station WLFI reports.

Although the Boilers will be playing in a bowl game in less than a week, Purdue interim Head Coach Patrick Higgins said he was satisfied with the decision to not practice.

"Once we knew the storm and the severity of it, we were all about safety first," said Higgins. "So, we were not going to put anybody at risk over a practice. It's not worth it."

Safety first meant all players from Texas stayed in Texas. The rest of the team back in Indiana had one short practice Thursday night, before they packed their bags to head down south.

Bright and early Friday morning, the team filed into the Purdue Airport prepared mentally, and physically, to face a team they say is one of the toughest in the Big 12: Oklahoma State.

"The offense is pretty fast paced," said defensive tackle Kawann Short. "So, as far as the defense goes, we just have to stay on our toes and be prepared."

"They can run the ball and throw the ball," said cornerback Ricardo Allen. "Everybody just looks at them as a passing team, but they can actually run the ball too. So, it's just about going out there and not letting them make many big plays."

"They've got a lot of play makers, a lot of guys that can get the ball that can have an impact," said linebacker Robert Maci. "So, we have to look out for everybody."

Yet, when it comes to their opponent, a win seems to be the only thing on the minds of the men in Gold and Black.

The Boilermakers face the Cowboys at noon Eastern time on New Year's Day.