Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl<\/a> for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDuring the media day session, players were pretty tight-lipped, keeping key details close to the vest, but they did say they are ready for the face-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m going to be super amped up. I know this team is going to be super amped up. I think the first time I walk on the field, it’ll be a really cool feeling. Just look around, take everything in, and once I do that, it’s go time,” said Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Players said they have zero interest in playing as the underdogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I knew that we would get to this point. I knew that we were going to have to go through some hard times. I knew that there was going to be a grind, but I believed in the process the entire time,” said Hurricane running back Mark Fletcher Jr. “As soon as I signed that pen to the paper, I believed in the process, trusted the process, and I’m just very grateful that we’re here.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coach Mario Cristobal said he wants the team focused and on task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The unity of this team has been founded and just really hard work, been through some real trying times and situations and adversity, and it’s been exciting watching the growth and development of our guys, just galvanized throughout the process,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier in the day, the Canes settled into their hotel after their flight from Miami to Dallas. They told 7Sports they are ready to get to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I had a bed seat, I slept the whole ride, so I feel like it was a good thing,” said Canes defensive lineman Anez Cooper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the beds are different, the preparation routine remains the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We’re the same team every week — no matter who we play, where we play, what we’re playing — and we’re going to prepare the same way and be the same team, same team we’ve been all year,” said Canes defensive back Jakobe Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miami is focused on maximizing the time before its first-ever College Football Playoff quarterfinal game. However, players admitted during the presser that despite their professional status, the nerves are still there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s a game, and I love this game, and I block out the noise, the crowd. It’s just the game I fell in love with when I was 8 years old. It’s the same thing,” said Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The stage is set, and now is the time to lock in with the Canes bringing their best team they’ve had in more than 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“They got a lot of talent from depth, starters, the guys that are on the bench, all through the depth,” said Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And I just feel like that’s a big challenge for us that we’re going to go into come Wednesday, and I feel like we’re excited for the challenge, we’re just focused, and we’re just ready to play,” said Cooper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s a lot of excitement from the Canes and their fanbase ahead of the New Year’s Eve matchup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But until then, Canes players say they will rest, stay calm, and get ready to play well enough that they enter the new year still playing football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin tells 7News’ Sports Anchor Josh Moser that he’ll be flying into Irving on Tuesday night to witness the game.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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