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Lincoln Riley talks Baker Mayfield, Georgia defense heading into Rose Bowl showdown
By Cody McClure
Published:
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley appreciates Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield, not just for his talent, but also for his ability to still be humble.
Riley joined ESPNU Radio on SiriusXM ahead of No. 2 Oklahoma’s Rose Bowl showdown with No. 3 Georgia on Monday. He spoke about his own Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, as well as the challenge UGA will present in Pasadena.
“It’s been a great match between us, (Mayfield) and this program,” Riley said. “He continues to work hard and be coachable — and you appreciate that for a guy that’s had the amount of success he’s had.”
When asked if he’s had a chance to “catch his breath” as a first-year head coach, Riley said he hadn’t.
“But that’s ok,” he noted. “That’s part of this gig and I’m trying to enjoy every single minute of it.”
The Sooners’ head coach is well aware of how difficult it will be for Oklahoma to move past Georgia for a shot at the national championship.
“They’re great,” Riley said. “You don’t get to this game without being pretty darn good. They make you earn every single thing that you do well against them. They’re good on all three sides of the ball.
“It will be a big challenge.”
For @OU_Football head coach @LincolnRiley, it doesn’t get much better than QB @baker_mayfield6.#BoomerSooner 🔊🔽 pic.twitter.com/wcuMabUDug
— ESPNU Radio on SiriusXM (@ESPNUonSiriusXM) December 30, 2017
Cody McClure is an SEC Football Writer for Saturday Down South. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he also co-hosts a midday sports radio show for FOX Sports. Cody previously worked for Athlon Sports.
