From Arizona: Clay talks about stepping up for Finch

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz -- Brennan Clay could be a key cog in Oklahoma's running game against Connecticut after the loss of Roy Finch to a stress fracture in his foot. Clay gives the Sooners another young, versatile runner to continue running their 'backs' formation. For Clay, a big game in the Fiesta Bowl would be a great way to end a freshmen season that has had its fair share of ups and downs.

Talking to the coaches today they both brought up your name as being a bigger part of the offense. Can you talk about what that means to you?

It means a lot to me. I know with Roy being out, I've got to step up now. We both came in here competing as freshmen. We know how that went. We both got hurt and came back pushing it. We both came back and we were doing the most and towards the end of the season we were pushing each other. Unfortunately he got hurt and I know I need to step up into the role now and spell Demarco and Mossis a little bit and of course in the ponies formation I'm going to come in and do my best.

You've been on the sideline and seen the ebbs and flows with Mossis having some fumbles and sitting out a few games and then coming back and makes an impact. You get hurt and now do you feel you could have that same type of impact?

Oh, most definitely. We know all the backs that come in here in this program with this tradition and this pride, that we're going to fight hard. There's no doubt that any of these backs at this university could start anywhere else. We're all just going to push each other and we're going to come back and compete. That's all we can do is help the team win.

What's it been like in practice this week with new coordinators since Kevin took over the Indiana job? Has it been different?

No. Not at all. He's still helping us and he can still come back and coach. Coach Heupel and Coach Norvell are doing a great job motivating the offense and getting us back in the flow of things after the break. We'll be alright.

What's it like just being out here in your first BCS bowl game?

It's amazing man. I feel good coming back on the west coast side and getting this good weather and being able to practice freely or worrying about the cold. It's fun and we're having fun. We're gonna come out with this 'W'. I know that for sure.

Does it feel different being out here? Just as far as your football mentality?

You could say that for some people. They worry about the cold or they focus on the cold too much and then mess up in a game or practice, but for the most part I think football is football and once that adrenaline gets pumping, you're all good from there.

With Roy out and you moving up in the batting order, it seems like they've added more to the offense for running backs since the middle of the season. Has it been a little bit more fun?

With all the running backs we have, it's kind of amazing. You stick any of us out on the field and we can do special things with the ball. I think with that backs formation it's a pretty good way to get a lot of talent on the field all at once and we can do a lot of special things.

This is going to be your first chance for that. Were you excited when they broke that out?

Oh, most definitely. I knew no matter what you could be in the rotation receiving the ball, blocking for another back and all that good stuff.

People when we talked to them this morning, they mentioned 'business trip' a lot. Do you sense a different mentality from this team right now?

Most definitely. The first couple of days we were kind of lackadaisical and tomorrow will be full pads and we're going to get down to work. This is definitely a business trip.