DALLAS -- Baylor quarterback Seth Russell was on a mission trip in Brazil when he got the text message that Art Briles was no longer Baylors coach. Cornerback Ryan Reid was waking up at his moms house in Dallas when he found out. Neither saw it coming, and today both are just trying to move forward.The Baylor players spoke to reporters Tuesday during Big 12 media days, for the first time since the programs May coaching change. Both insist theyre staying focused on the season ahead in the wake of the schools sexual assault scandal, and they hope they can help restore the reputation of a school theyre proud to attend.You have to take pride each and every day when you go to work, especially representing a university like Baylor, Russell said. Its an honor to play for Baylor. With all the Baylor nation around, its cool to see the support system and see how everyone has stuck together and not turned their back on us.The players praised the efforts interim coach Jim Grobe has made to support them through the turbulent summer. Russell said their new leader has brought character and an encouraging presence to the team in a time of need.The first thing he told us was hes here to help us and support us, Reid said. I feel like thats the smartest thing anybody could come in and say to a bunch of kids that are heartbroken.The cornerback said the message from Grobe and his assistants this summer, with so much scrutiny on the program in recent months, has been to stay focused on football and only what they can control.We have to keep worrying about football and the season coming, Reid said. We cant wonder why this or why that. That throws us off from doing what we came here to do: win football games, win the Big 12, contend for a national championship.Russell felt helpless being so far away from Waco, Texas -- he was on a Fellowship of Christian Athletes mission trip with fellow Baylor student-athletes -- while the university was experiencing such turmoil. He reached out to Briles right away. Russell said his former coach urged him to stay the course.Russell knows whats being said about the culture of the football program. He knows the actions of some have done considerable damage, and he hopes Baylor players can play a major role in helping repair the schools image.Were all human. If nobody has made a bad decision in life, please tell me, and Ill follow them, Russell said. Weve all made bad decisions. This just happened to be a pretty bad decision by some of the guys, and they paid for it. Theyre not on the team anymore. Theyre not here at Baylor. 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VAL GARDENA, Italy -- Bode Miller, Daron Rahlves, Bill Johnson, Buddy Werner.None of these accomplished skiers have achieved what Steven Nyman is aiming for this season: To become the first American man to claim the season-long World Cup downhill title.Having finished sixth in the past two seasons -- and within 76 points (less than the 100 points earned with one race win) of the crystal globe trophy last season -- Nyman believes he has what it takes to surge into the top spot.Its a possibility in my head, because I performed really well in the beginning of last season and I performed really well in the end of the year, Nyman said on Thursday after placing second in the final downhill training session on his preferred course in Val Gardena. So if I can figure out how to link all that together I definitely have a shot at the title.But its a big step and big names like Bode and Daron and (A.J.) Kitt and (Kyle) Rasmussen and Bill Johnson -- nobody has ever won it, Nyman added. So for me to say that is a big statement.Miller came close to the title in 2008, finishing five points behind Didier Cuche when the final downhill of the season was canceled in Bormio.Rahlves finished a distant second to Stephan Eberharter in 2003.If Nyman does realize his goal, hell raise the trophy on home snow at the World Cup Finals in Aspen, Colorado, not far from Nymans hometown of Sundance, Utah.After finishing only 15th in the opening downhill of this season in Val dIsere, France, this month, Nyman will be looking for a lot more on Saturday in Val Gardena, where he has claimed his only three career wins.With one more downhill win in Val Gardena, Nyman can match the course record shared by Austrian great Franz Klammer and Italian great Kristian Ghedina.Ive performed at most of the hills already so I just have to really stay focused and execute, Nyman said. The equipment is styled. Everytthing has been pretty good.dddddddddddd My body is quite healthy.Over his career, Nyman has achieved podium results in five other World Cup resorts -- including a third-place on the course in South Korea that will host the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018.Still, Nyman hasnt been able to win anywhere else besides Val Gardena.When I see him ski here the confidence seems a lot higher, Canadian rival Erik Guay said. I dont think Ive seen him ski with that kind of confidence in a place like Beaver Creek or Kitzbuehel.Peter Fill of Italy, who grew up just down the road from the Val Gardena course, is the defending downhill champion.Win or lose, Nyman will enjoy himself in Val Gardena.On Sunday, Nyman will take his annual tour around the Sellaronda, a 40-kilometer (25-mile) loop of interconnected trails around the Sella Range massif in the heart of the Dolomites that traverses four Alpine passes.Last year, Nyman completed the Sellaronda on a mono ski.And I had never mono skied before. It was a long 40 kilometers. It took all day. But it was a lot of fun. You cant get a bad view here. And to ski all the way around and witness the air show in Alta Badia for the giant slalom is pretty exciting.Nyman finishes off his tour with a seafood dinner at the Emilio Comici refuge in Val Gardena.The fish is brought in every day from the Mediterranean so its top notch, Nyman said. Theyre proud of their food here and I like eating a lot of it. The people, the food, the air. Its kind of like the Mediterranean air. I step out of the car here and I just feel at home. Our hosts, the Demetzs, is family to us.When Nyman returns to Val Gardena next year, hes hoping it will be as the reigning World Cup downhill champion.---Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '