(8/27) Dvoracek cleared, New Mascots, Dotson ineligible and more.

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Dvoracek cleared for TCU game: Dvoracek announced that he would be cleared to practice full speed on Monday for the first time since tearing his biceps last spring. However, he didn't know if that meant he would play in OU’s Sept. 3 opener against TCU. Friday, Stoops cleared things up. "We intend to play him in the first game," Stoops said. "Providing everything next week goes according to schedule, we intend to go in with him ready to play." (NewsOK.com)

Cingular and University of Oklahoma agreement: Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, today announced a two-year sports sponsorship agreement with the University of Oklahoma. The contract, which covers the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons, gives Cingular advertising presence during the Sooners' football and basketball schedules. Cingular will be allowed to deliver text alerts to www.soonersports.com visitors who "opt in" to receive text alerts to their handsets. Those who "opt in" can receive OU logos, scores, statistics, and the OU fight song. In addition, Cingular will conduct text messaging promotions at all home football and men's basketball games. Standard usage charges will apply. "Cingular Wireless is absolutely delighted to establish this sponsorship with the University of Oklahoma," said Lora Lee Laird, Cingular's sales director for Oklahoma. "OU has one of the country's premier sports programs, and the Big XII Conference is one of the most competitive and entertaining conferences in the nation. "OU fans are some of the most loyal anywhere, and we will provide an entertaining mix of products that will meet their need for OU information. We look forward to having the opportunity to bring the best wireless products and services in the wireless industry to the best collegiate program." "Sooner Sports Properties is delighted to have this partnership with Cingular," said Phill Corkins of Sooner Sports. "It's our hope that our fans will reap the benefits of some of the market leading technologies provided by this world class company." Cingular has the largest digital voice and data network in the country, which gives mobile-to-mobile customers unlimited calling to more than 51 million other Cingular customers. The company is the only wireless provider that offers Rollover that lets customers retain their unused minutes, and has the longest return period of any national carrier-30 days. In addition, Cingular sets the standard with customer-friendly point-of-sale documents. For more information about Cingular, please contact 1-866-CINGULAR or visit www.cingular.com. (Cingular Wireless PR)

Two new mascots: Four football team captains and two new mascots were introduced Friday during a University of Oklahoma pep rally that emphasized "There's only one Oklahoma." No one at the stadium was more rabid than emcee Clarke Stroud, OU vice president of student affairs. He turned down the WWE-type excitement when introducing the new horse mascots and explaining their purpose. Stroud said most venues involving OU teams can't have the Sooner Schooner, and student and university leaders decided the university needed consistent mascots to represent OU. Thus, Boomer and Sooner. The twin light brown horse costumes feature reddish manes and tails and red sweaters emblazoned with interlocking "OU" on the front and their respective names on the back. Stroud said the mascots are "an extension of the rich history of the university and the state of Oklahoma." (Norman Transcript)

Dotson ineligible: Sophomore defensive end Alonzo Dotson is academically ineligible and out for the season. Dotson has been practicing with the team since the start of preseason camp while awaiting a report on his academic standing. While the loss of Dotson was somewhat expected, it creates further depth problems at defensive end. Last week, OU lost starting DE Larry Birdine for the season with a torn biceps muscle. Birdine had surgery Thursday, and according to Stoops, “Everything went fine. Just as expected. He’s recovering and starting to feel better.” (NewsOK.com)

Stoops names Captains: The Oklahoma football team concluded Friday afternoon practice with a half hour of drills inside the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The drills capped a practice of over two hours that was open to the public and led up to the start of the annual Big Red Rally. OU head coach Bob Stoops announced that Dusty Dvoracek, Clint Ingram, Davin Joseph and J.D. Runnels were voted by the team and coaching staff as the 2005 captains. "These players were the overwhelming choices of the teams," said Stoops. "They are four solid players and individuals, who have been great examples throughout all of camp." (SoonerSports.com)

Cade misses practice again: Sophomore free safety Tony Cade missed practice for the second straight day Friday. Stoops said Thursday that Cade told him that he had car trouble in Moore. His absence Friday, though, came without explanation. There were grumblings at Friday's open practice that Cade might be thinking of transferring. The safety has had off-field problems in the past and was suspended for OU's Orange Bowl trip last December. Cade has been competing with Darrien Williams for the starting spot at free safety. However, Williams gets the majority of the snaps with the first team. (NewsOK.com)

Holmes can relate to Johnson's dilemma: The Oklahoman

Where's a fan to park: The Oklahoman

Peterson's ability helps fuel OU's expectations: Norman Transcript

Helathy Dvracek named OU captain: Dallas Morning News