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Oklahoma Sooner's Notes and Articles

Peterson shows no slow down: If there were any ill effects from off-season shoulder surgery, sophomore running back Adrian Peterson didn't show them Thursday. The All-American participated in all aspects of Oklahoma's first practice and looked strong. "That shouldn't be any surprise," said OU coach Bob Stoops. Despite sitting out spring drills, Peterson showed the same burst he had last fall when he finished runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. What's more, Stoops singled Peterson out when asked about team timed drills held earlier in the day. (NewsOK.com)

Grady misses first Practice: Oklahoma's quarterback competition might have dropped from a three-way race to a two-man duel. The Sooners had their first practice of the 2005 preseason Thursday at the OU Rugby Fields and Tommy Grady was absent due to an intercession course. It won't be the only practice Grady, a redshirt sophomore, will miss. "It will be spotty," OU coach Bob Stoops said when asked how many practices Grady could miss. “He was in meetings today and he’ll be at practices as his schedule accommodates. We'll give him all he can handle and keep him up to speed the best we can. Hopefully he won't miss too much." OU wouldn't put an exact number on how many practices Grady will miss. The intercession course is scheduled for Monday through Friday and lasts until Aug. 19. The fall semester begins Aug. 22. The class could cause Grady to several preseason practices. (Norman Transcipt)

Stoops leaves Practice early: Oklahoma's football team completed its first practice of the 2005 season Thursday afternoon. Braving temperatures in the mid-90's, the Sooners polished off a two-hour workout in helmets, jerseys and shorts. Head coach Bob Stoops missed the last 15 minutes of the practice so he could attend the Sooner Caravan stop in Oklahoma City, but had praise for his team before leaving. "It was a good day, we were sharp," he said. "The testing was real good in the morning. It looks like we're trained up and ready to go," Stoops cited several players for their testing efforts, including running back Adrian Peterson. "He's just big, fast and strong," Stoops said. "He's up to about 218 pounds and just as fast if not faster than last year." Peterson averaged 43 seconds on a pair of 300-yard shuttle runs with only a 90-second rest in between. (SoonerSports.com)

Stoops offers no apology: Standing in front of a crimson-and-cream crowd at the annual Sooner Caravan stop in Oklahoma City, he found himself among friends. He could've said anything, and they would've loved it. He could've glossed over some things and hyped up others, and they would've played along. Instead, Stoops brought up the one subject Oklahoma fans would rather forget. The Orange Bowl. "I'm not afraid to lose," Stoops said Thursday night at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. His voice was strong, his tone strident. "If they tell me I could go out there tomorrow and the same thing might happen or worse and all that criticism might come," he said, "I'd be the first son of a gun out there." Stoops served notice that even though Southern Cal delivered a crushing blow, he isn't about to stand down. He intends to compete for more championships. He plans to be in the hunt again. (More at NewsOK.com)

Former Edmond Santa Fe Smith at Corner? Ballyhooed true freshman Reggie Smith, a prep All-American free safety at Edmond Santa Fe, spent the day at cornerback Thursday. "He played corner today," said Stoops. "He really sticks out. All those guys (in the defensive backfield) looked really good." Smith wasn't alone. Stoops said all the freshmen and first-year players looked sharp in their first practice. "They looked awesome," he said. "They looked like they're what they're billed to be and more." (NewsOK.com)

OU has questions to answer: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Oklahoma football notepad: Norman Transcript

Football season opens at Oklahoma: SoonerSports.com

August 4 Practice Photo Gallery: SoonerSports.com

Cowboys, Sooners Ready For Some Football: ChannelOklahoma.com