Sooner Schooner, Chief Osceola shut out at Orange Bowl

MIAMI (AP) _ When it comes to the Sooner Schooner and Chief Osceola, there will be no horsing around at the Orange Bowl. <br><br>The two traditional mascots have been banned from Pro Player Stadium when

Sunday, December 31st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MIAMI (AP) _ When it comes to the Sooner Schooner and Chief Osceola, there will be no horsing around at the Orange Bowl.

The two traditional mascots have been banned from Pro Player Stadium when No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 3 Florida State meet Wednesday night.

The Schooner, a small covered wagon pulled by ponies Boomer and Sooner, usually circles the end zone when Oklahoma scores. And Seminoles fans are used to seeing Chief Osceola ride his horse, Renegade, onto the field.

But Orange Bowl officials said in a statement that live animals are not allowed to participate in Bowl Championship Series events because of safety concerns.

``I guess the way Pro Player Stadium is set up, the space around the sideline isn't as great as it was in the old Orange Bowl,'' Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said.

``I understand to some degree their concerns. We're disappointed, but from what I understand, this isn't the first time they have precluded the live mascots access.''

The Schooner will be at the stadium on game night, but not inside.

``We knew we may make the trip and not necessarily have access to the field,'' Castiglione said. ``However, there are a half-dozen other events where Boomer and Sooner will participate, so it isn't a wasted trip.''

In fact, the Schooner was part of the Orange Bowl parade through downtown Miami on New Year's Eve.

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FREEZING OR FRYING?: Even with a ski cap on his head, Alonzo Jackson was shivering.

The Florida State defensive end was trying to stay warm Sunday, without success. Especially for someone who grew up in the South.

``This is freezing,'' the Georgia resident said. ``This is no fun.''

Almost all of his Seminoles teammates agreed. With temperatures around 50 degrees, most of them wore sweat pants and jackets _ a few sported ski masks, too _ for media day at the Orange Bowl.

The interview session was held at the Orange Bowl stadium while Pro Player Stadium was being prepared for the game. Sitting in the shaded stands for an hour was taking its toll.

``It's nippy,'' kicker Matt Munyon said. ``They told us it would only be for 20 minutes. I think they lied.''

Munyon, from Panama City, Fla., looked miserable. Doubled over in only his short-sleeved jersey and knee-high football pants, he had his arms tightly tucked across his chest and was shaking.

After Florida State finished answering questions, it was time for Oklahoma to talk. Having escaped the snow and ice in their home state, the Sooners basked in the winter sun.

``It feels like a heat wave,'' wide receiver Ryan Daniel said.

Daniel, like many of the Oklahoma natives, was perfectly content and comfortable without a jacket or long pants. Before they left for Miami, the Sooners practiced outdoors in below-zero wind chill.

``Actually, this is quite warm compared to what we were involved with in Norman,'' said quarterback Josh Heupel, who grew up in South Dakota.

Temperatures in Miami are expected to warm up as game time approaches.

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REMEMBER WHEN: Chris Hammons slowly turned in a circle, making sure his camcorder did not miss an inch of the Orange Bowl.

The Sooners tight end from Sulphur, Okla., had heard about the 63-year-old stadium his whole life. He'd seen plenty of games from there on television, and now wanted to make sure he saw it all in person.

``There's a lot of history here. I remember watching Oklahoma play here as a boy,'' he said. ``My dad was excited that I was going to see it.''

Wednesday night's game will be played up the road at Pro Player Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. But Sunday's media day was held inside the Orange Bowl itself, which brought back memories for many of the homegrown Oklahoma players.

``All the great Sooners have been here,'' said wide receiver Ryan Daniel of Blanchard.

``They've all stepped on this field,'' said wide receiver Buck Scifres of Velma.

Scifres hoped he'd have a chance to wander around. He could already see the palm trees beyond the end zone at the open end of the stadium, and wanted to look at the big, orange letters that spell out Miami Orange Bowl on the outside. No matter that they're faded.

``That was always the first thing they showed on TV before a big game here,'' he said. ``You'd see that sign.''

Oklahoma is 11-5 in Orange Bowl games. The 16 appearances were the most ever at the actual Orange Bowl stadium _ the game was moved to Pro Player starting in the 1996 season.

Scifres said he watched Oklahoma's final appearance at the Orange Bowl, when its bid to win the 1987 national title was stopped by Miami 20-14.

``There's a mystique here and I'm glad I'm getting to see it,'' he said. ``But I remember that last game, and I still can't stand Miami to this day because of it.''

Offensive tackle Scott Kempenich of Wagoner recognized the Orange Bowl represented a lot of tradition, but offered another opinion.

``It's getting pretty old,'' he said.