Boilers set to face Oklahoma State

DALLAS, Texas - Purdue is expected to have its new head football coach and former head football coach in attendance for the Heart of Dallas Bowl, which will kick off at noon Eastern time at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

Darrell Hazell, who was hired as the Boilermakers head coach December 4, is expected to attend the game between the Boilermakers and the Cowboys. Hazell is still conducting his head coaching duties at Kent State and will coach in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on January 6, when the Golden Flashes will take on Arkansas State in Mobile, Alabama.

Danny Hope, who was dismissed as the Boilermakers head coach on November 25, emailed Boilermaker players Monday to say that he was planning on attending the Boilers final game of the season.

"I shed a tear when I read the email (that Hope is coming)," said Purdue tight end Gabe Holmes. " Real happy that he is coming."

The Heart of Dallas Bowl hosted a pregame press conference Monday at the Cotton Bowl, which was attended by Boilermakers interim head coach Patrick Higgins and Boiler players Robert Marve, Akeem Shavers, Kawann Short, and Robert Maci.

Oklahoma State was represented by head coach Mike Gundy and four players, including defensive end Cooper Bassett.

"Very excited," Maci said. "We've been itching to get back out there."

Gundy has been impressed by the Boilers, especially during the Boilermakers near-upset of Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.

"At times Purdue has played very, very well against really good opponents," Gundy quipped.

Higgins said that the Boilermakers, a 16-point underdog, will have to be at their best against the Big 12 Cowboys.

"You have to have a complete game. You have to read your keys," Higgins said. "It's going to be a tremendous challenge for us to slow down an offense of that caliber."

Kickoff for the Heart of Dallas Bowl is scheduled for noon Eastern time on New Year's Day.