GNEXTINC.com: Oklahoma Sooners Football

According to online reports and then reported on KFOR's 10:00 pm telecast, University of Oklahoma Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables, will stay with the school and will not pursue the KSU job.

Five Sooners named All-Big XII: Thirteen Oklahoma Sooners, including five that received first-team recognition, were named to the All-Big 12 Conference Team that was announced today. The team was selected by the league's coaches. RB Adrian Peterson, FB J.D. Runnels and OT Davin Joseph were named to the first team offense, while DT Dusty Dvoracek and LB Rufus Alexander were named to the first team defense. Second team selections from OU included LB Clint Ingram, WR Travis Wilson, DE Calvin Thibodeaux and CB Chijioke Onyenegecha. DE C.J. Ah You was named the league's defensive newcomer of the year and was one of four Sooners named honorable mention. The other three were QB Rhett Bomar, WR Malcolm Kelly and CB D.J. Wolfe. Runnels, Joseph, Dvoracek, Ingram,Wilson and Onyenegecha are seniors. The other seven honorees from Oklahoma are scheduled to return for 2006. (Sooner Sports)

Five Sooners make All-Big 12 squad: The Oklahoman

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

More on Venables and KSU: Despite message board chatter and a television report to the contrary, OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables has not interviewed with Kansas State and does not have an interview scheduled, a source close to the situation said Monday afternoon. The rumors might have been fueled by the fact Venables was in his hometown of Salina, Kan., Sunday and Monday. But Venables was attending to family matters related to the recent death of his mother. Venables, a former Kansas State player and assistant, is considered a candidate to replace Bill Snyder, who announced his retirement two weeks ago. (NewsOK.com)

Cooper Surgery: Freshman center Jon Cooper underwent surgery Monday to repair a broken right ankle. Cooper, who was injured Nov. 19 against Texas Tech, is expected to be ready to participate in spring practice. (NewsOK.com)

Holiday Bowl Bound? Barring a titanic upset this weekend, Oklahoma appears headed to the Holiday Bowl. Invitations cannot be extended until Sunday. But when the Holiday Bowl's team selection committee met Monday in San Diego, Calif., the consensus had OU as the bowl's overwhelming choice. The Sooners would face Oregon, the No. 2 team from the Pac-10, in a 7 p.m. kickoff Dec. 29. "The only thing I could see that would get in Oklahoma's way would be a situation where we would be facing a rematch," said Eric Graves, a selection committee member. Graves referred to the slim chance UCLA might be the Pac-10 entry; OU played UCLA last September. But UCLA's only chance to play in the Holiday Bowl would be by upsetting top-ranked USC on Saturday -- and then only if the Bruins were not a BCS at-large selection. (NewsOK.com)

Thibodeaux receivers hardship waiver: Norman Transcript

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Peterson named Offensive National player of the week: Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson has been named the national offensive player of the week by the Walter Camp Foundation. The sophomore received the honor for his performance in OU's 42-14 trouncing of Oklahoma State, Saturday. Peterson carried 24 times for 237 yards and two touchdowns in the Sooner victory. It marked the third time in two seasons that Peterson won the honor. On Monday, Peterson also was named the Big 12 Conference's Offensive Player of the Week. The Palestine, Texas, native scored against the Cowboys on runs of 84, the longest of his career, and 71 yards. He picked up 210 yards in the second half, the highest single half total in school history. Former Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims held the old mark with 206 yards against Missouri in the second half of the 1979 game. (Sooner Sports PR)

Venables hasn't spoken with KSU: With the end of the regular season, OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables has the time to talk to Kansas State officials about their head-coaching vacancy. But Venables said nothing had been scheduled. "I haven't spoken to them," Venables said. "I'm at Oklahoma. If that happens, I would be excited about that opportunity. But I also love coaching linebackers. I love coming to work every day and going into that meeting room. If the timing is right, it will happen. And if not, I couldn't be in a better situation." (NewsOK.com)

OU's plan comes together: The Oklahoman

Bedlam victory proves how far Sooners have come: Norman Transcript

Holiday Bowl for the Holidays: Oklahoma Daily

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Holiday Bowl Bound? Oklahoma put itself in good position to land in the Holiday Bowl with a 42-14 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday. Unfortunately for OU, there were no Holiday executives among the 84,875 in attendance. Alamo Bowl and Independence Bowl officials were at the game, though, and both seemed eager to host OU (7-4, 6-2 Big 12) in late December. It's unclear what bowl has the inside track to land the Sooners. The team won't learn where it's going until next Sunday. It's believed that Colorado's performance in Saturday's Dr Pepper Big 12 championship could have a bearing. If Colorado plays well but loses to No. 2 Texas, the Buffaloes could land in the Holiday and push the Sooners to the Alamo. If Colorado gets blown out, the Holiday could take OU. "They're all good. They're all great," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "However it ends up, we'll be pleased." (Dallas Morning News)

Runnels honored: Senior J.D. Runnels was honored prior to the start of Saturday's game as the 2005 Don Key Award winner. The award is given annually to the OU player who exemplifies traits of excellence on and off the field and in the classroom. Key, a former All-Big Eight offensive lineman for OU whose career was ended due to cancer in 1981, presented the award to Runnels. The fullback had two catches for 39 yards in the game, including a 35-yarder in the third quarter.(NewsOK.com)

Another Replay: The Big 12's instant replay system didn't do OU any favors again Saturday. Replay officials did not buzz referee Walter Davenport to stop the action when the Sooners appeared to bring down quarterback Al Pena at the OSU 1. ABC's replays showed Pena's knees clearly hitting the ground before he got rid of the football on third-and-12. OSU got the ball back at the previous spot, the 18-yard line, and punted. OU was penalized 16 times for 155 yards, the third-highest total in school history. (Dallas Morning News)

Pregame Tussle: Players from both teams engaged in a little Bedlam trash talk during pregame warmups. No punches were thrown, but a crowd of OU and OSU players went chest-to- chest in the southeast corner of the stadium, near the tunnel where OU enters the field, before being separated by coaches. (NewsOK.com)

Medical red shirt: DE Calvin Thibodeaux has earned a fifth year of eligibility with a medical redshirt. (Dallas Morning News)

Peterson powers Sooners past sluggish Oklahoma State: ESPN

Peterson's cross country runs too much for OSU: The Oklahoman

Bomar gives boost to future Bedlams: The Oklahoman

Banged up or not, Peterson still a star: The Oklahoman

Peterson poison for Cowboys: The Oklahoman

OU seniors say farwell: The Oklahoman

OU game balls: The Oklahoman

OU injury report: The Oklahoman

Three questions with Rhett Bomar: The Oklahoman

Peterson shifts into high gear as Sooners run over Cowboys: Kansas City Star

Sooners have their way: Norman Transcript

Not a bad regular season: Norman Transcript

Peterson runs wild: Norman Transcript

Peterson, Oklahoma hit high gear against OK State: Houston Chronicle

OU's Peterson runs wild in Bedlam series: Dallas Morning News

Boring to Bedlam because of Peterson: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Adrian Peterson ran for a season-high 237 yards, including two long touchdowns in the second half, and Rhett Bomar threw three touchdown passes to lead Oklahoma to a 42-14 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Sooners' third straight win in the Bedlam rivalry was lackluster until Peterson, the Heisman Trophy runner-up last season, livened things up with an 84-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Peterson ran around the right end of the line, passed two downfield blocks and sped into the end zone untouched on the longest run of his career and a 28-7 lead. His previous longest run was an 80-yard score against the Cowboys in the Sooners' 38-35 win last year in Stillwater. (Fox Sports - Complete Stats)

Bedlam Gameday Notes/Articles

Senior Day for Sooners: Defensive tackle Remi Ayodele, cornerback Eric Bassey, offensive lineman Chris Bush, offensive lineman Kelvin Chaisson, offensive lineman Chris Chester, fullback Russell Dennison, defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, tailback Donta Hickson, linebacker Clint Ingram, tailback Kejuan Jones, offensive lineman Davin Joseph, tight end Bubba Moses, cornerback Chijioke Onyenegecha, cornerback Jowahn Poteat, receiver Jejuan Rankins, offensive lineman Brett Rayl, deep snapper Jacob rice, full back J.D. Runnels, defensive end Calvin Thibodeaux and receiver Travis Wilson.

Bomar and Reid form close friendship: The Oklahoman

Bedlam Storylines: The Oklahoman

Bedlam -- When they run, pass: The Oklahoman

OU Notebook: The Oklahoman

Wins equal losses at Gundy home: The Oklahoman

Bedlam battles define Dusty's career: The Oklahoman

OSU's Hamilton in running for breakout performance: The Oklahoman

Bedlam still has its meaning: Norman Transcript

Seeing Bedlam for what it really is: Norman Transcript

OU and OSU: Tale of the tape: Norman Transcript

No substitute for victory: Norman Transcript

Bedlam: Edmond Sun

OSU showing it can compete with OU: Enid News & Eagle

WR's clutch for OU: Dallas Morning News

OSU-OU preview: Dallas Morning News

No title on line, but Bedlam plenty big: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

OU moving on from Tech loss: Lawrence Journal World

Okie State seniors ready for Sooners: Lawrence Journal World

Sooners host Bedlam Football Saturday: SoonerSports.com

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

The Oklahoman ranks all 100 Bedlam match-ups here's the top 5.

1. 2001: OSU 16-13 - Upset supreme. T.D. Bryant's catch set up Rashaun Woods' TD catch, and OU was knocked off Rose Bowl Road.

2. 1988: OU 31, OSU 28 - Garrett Limbrick's taunting penalty put OSU in 4th-and-16 desperation with 56 seconds left. Still, Mike Gundy's heave into the end zone found flanker Brent Parker's hands. Parker dropped the ball.

3. 1926: Tie 14-14 - OSU's Gordon Peery threw a 29-yard TD pass to Claude Poole with less than a minute left, capping a 70-yard drive that set a standard for early two-minute offenses.

4. 2004: OU 38-35 - It all came down to Jason Ricks' 49-yard field goal with 15 seconds left. The kick sailed wide left.

5. 1969: OU 28, OSU 27 - OU's Albert Qualls sacked OSU's Bob Cutberth on a 2-point conversion play with 1:15 left.

Bedlam still has luster for players: The Oklahoman

OU's destination depends on Bedlam win: The Oklahoman

Dvoracek making the most: Norman Transcript

100th Bedlam game in Norman on Saturday: SoonerSports.com

Dvoracek proud to finish career OU career: SoonerSports.com

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Sooners' spread thrives on variety, quality: The Oklahoman

OU Notebook: The Oklahoman

Bedlam football celebrates 100 years: Norman Transcript

Rankins keeps the laughter coming: SoonerSports.com

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Sooner's undergoing surgeries: OU coach Bob Stoops said senior receiver Travis Wilson underwent successful surgery on Sunday to repair a broken bone in his foot. Recovery should take three weeks, Stoops said. "They're hoping he'll be ready for whatever bowl game we're in," Stoops said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to get him back." Meanwhile, freshman center Jon Cooper, who suffered a broken bone just above his right ankle against Texas Tech, is scheduled to undergo surgery next week. Doctors want to wait until swelling subsides. Cooper’s recovery is expected to take several months, but he should be ready for spring practice. (NewsOK.com)

Athletes deal with losses in different ways: The Oklahoman

Only Bedlam: Norman Transcript

Team focuses on Bedlam: Oklahoma Daily

Sooners Try To Leave Tough Loss Behind: KOTV

Stoops ready to put controversial loss in rearview mirror: Dallas Morning News

Dvoracek thankful for second chance: NCAAfootball.net

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Big XII Commissioner supports call: Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg supported the officials' call on the final play of Saturday's Oklahoma-Texas Tech game. Replays at the time could not confirm conclusively whether Texas Tech running back Taurean Henderson stretched the ball across the goal line before he was down. Henderson was awarded the touchdown on the field, and the call was upheld by replay for a 23-21 Tech victory. "Based on the information that I have, I think the replay official did exactly what we have asked him to do," Weiberg said during Monday's Big 12 media teleconference. "He looked at the video that was available to him, and it did not meet the standard of being able to reverse the call." Weiberg said the league would not comment publicly on judgment calls, but the Big 12 does provide coaches with specific answers on questionable calls forwarded to the league office. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops questioned the call on the final play and an earlier spotting of the ball after a tipped pass that kept Tech's final drive alive. (Dallas Morning News)

More on Call: Weiberg also suggested Fox Sports Net's superimposed, electronic first-down line might have been "off by a yard" on the fourth-down play. However, observers on the field said, and subsequent replays appeared to show, that the receiver was down almost a yard short of the first down. Weiberg said the conference office had not received OU's report on the officiating. Any admission of blown calls or decision regarding an official would be communicated to OU, according to Weiberg, who said he had spoken Monday with OU athletic director Joe Castiglione. (In part from NewsOK.com)

Oklahoma Sooners Columns

Bedlam Gundy's: The Oklahoman

Rookie coaches won in '95 and '01. How about '05?: The Oklahoman

Origin of Bedlam series a mystery: The Oklahoman

Sooners' Carter takes advantage of chance: The Oklahoman

Big 12 commish says he still likes instant replay: Norman Transcript

What if...Big 12 bowl possibilities: Oklahoma Daily

Penalties were key in Saturday's loss: Oklahoma Daily

Team focuses on Bedlam: Oklahoma Daily

Big 12 Report: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

All was relatively quiet on the coaching search front Monday, although Bill Snyder reiterated his stance that someone with K-State ties probably has an advantage. The list of candidates who fit that description is long. Possibilities include South Florida's Jim Leavitt, TCU's Gary Patterson, K-State graduate assistant and former Wyoming and Houston coach Dana Dimel and assistants Brent Venables (Oklahoma), Chuck Long (Oklahoma), Del Miller (K-State) and Bobby Elliott (K-State). (Topeka Capital Journal)

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Stoops to submit report on officiating: Following routine procedure, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops plans to submit a report to the Big 12 office on the officiating during Saturday's 23-21 loss to Texas Tech. But this report won't be routine. Twenty-four hours after the controversial ending, the Sooners continued to stew about three replay-reviewed calls in the final 30 seconds, including a disputed touchdown on the final play. "They're always important," said Stoops of the reports. "But obviously, when they're in these type of situations, they're even more critical." Stoops said Sunday afternoon he had not spoken with any Big 12 officials about the controversy. But OU athletic director Joe Castiglione met with Stoops on Sunday afternoon; that's not a routine occurrence. The Sooners will probably send an extensive report that includes videotape of the plays in question. "There are several plays," Stoops said. "To me, the bigger issue is the fourth-down play. But obviously, I see them differently, the spot on the fourth-down play and the touchdown. "Again, that's part of the game, the spots are judgments on what they see. For me to sit here and make an issue about it, that will be the story and it doesn't need to be." (In part from NewsOK.com)

Venables on KSU job: Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said after Saturday's game that any discussion about the Kansas State head coaching job was premature. "I haven't talked to anybody and don't intend to," Venables said. (Dallas Morning News)

Now Sooner Columns spanning the Nation

Tech's TD worth stringent review: The Oklahoman

Two Sooners to have surgery: The Oklahoman

Replays aside, Texas Tech delivered the big plays at the end: The Oklahoman

Bedlam bedfellows: The Oklahoman

Plight of the Bedlam coach: "I don't think they want us to get along": The Oklahoman

OU must deal: Norman Transcript

No excuses, but calls steam OU's Stoops: Dallas Morning News

Stoops won't fuss about officiating: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Big 12 refs steal one from OU: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Replay will never be the perfect system: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Calls don't bother Tech coach: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Cooper Injured at Center: Once again, OU lost a center to injury. Jon Cooper's broken leg or ankle, suffered in the second quarter forced Chris Bush into action. "I feel bad for Jon, more than anything,'' coach Bob Stoops said. "He was really playing well and he's a great young guy. It just hurts for him that he had a bad break.'' Bush, of course, had played center until breaking his right hand against Nebraska on Oct. 29. Bush had originally replaced Chris Chester, who missed several weeks with a knee injury. (NewsOK.com)

Stoops says call, is "part of the game": Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Sunday he didn't see any point in protesting the touchdown call on Taurean Henderson's 2-yard run that gave No. 21 Texas Tech a 23-21 win on Saturday. A side official ruled Henderson reached the ball across the goalline before he was down on the final play of the game. Video replays didn't show conclusive evidence to reverse the call, and the touchdown was upheld. "That's part of the game -- the spots, the judgments, what they see," Stoops said Sunday. "I'm not going to sit here and whine about it and say that's why we lost." Three plays on Tech's game-winning 12-play, 65-yard drive were reviewed with the Big 12's new instant replay system. The others were a 5-yard touchdown pass from Cody Hodges to Joel Filani that was ruled incomplete after review, and a fourth-and-3 pass from Hodges to Danny Amendola on which the spot at the Oklahoma 23 was reviewed and upheld. Upon measurement, the catch earned Tech a first down by about one inch. "There are several plays. To me, the bigger issue is the fourth-down play," Stoops said. "Obviously, I see them differently." (ESPN/AP)

Sooner Columns and Articles

Did Tech really score? No one really knows: The Oklahoman

Raiders defeat OU with TD on final play: The Oklahoman

Three questions with Bob Stoops: The Oklahoman

Bowl possibilities: The Oklahoman

3rd-quarter shortcoming may have lost game for OU: The Oklahoman

Taking the wind, again: The Oklahoman

OU so close: Norman Transcript

Did we just see an instant classic: Norman Transcript

Upon further review, Tech beats OU: Dallas Morning News

OU is left with little recourse: Dallas Morning News

Sooners not arguing calls on last drive: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

TOUCHDOWN Stands: Texas Tech Daily

Henderson's disputed dive sinks Sooners: Corpus Christi Caller Times

Switzer weighs in on fantastic finish: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Tech contains difficult Peterson: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Red Raiders rally for stunning victory: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Raider RB breaks plane, OU with score: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Taurean Henderson scored on a 2-yard run as time expired to lift No. 21 Texas Tech over Oklahoma 23-21 Saturday, breaking the Sooners' five-game winning streak over the Red Raiders. Henderson took the handoff with 2 seconds remaining and went up the middle. As he was going down, he stretched out his arms and got the ball across the goal line. The play was reviewed but the touchdown call was upheld, giving Tech coach Mike Leach his first victory in six tries against former boss Bob Stoops. Leach was Oklahoma's offensive coordinator in 1999. Tech (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) trailed 21-17 when it got the ball at its own 35 with 1:33 remaining and no timeouts. Cody Hodges completed passes of 26 and 7 yards to Robert Johnson and an 18-yarder to Danny Amendola to help get the Red Raiders to the Oklahoma 5 with 13 seconds remaining. Moments later, Henderson went in for the winning score. (AP/CNNSI - Game Stats)

Texas Tech snaps five-game skid against OU: Fox Sports

Sooners fall in final seconds: Oklahoma Daily, OK

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

OU Notebook: The Oklahoman

Sooners focused on putting games away: The Oklahoman

White-knuckle Sooners are a gas: The Oklahoman

Tech-Oklahoma winner may have feel of Cotton: Dallas Morning News

OU-Texas Tech Preview: Dallas Morning News

OU-Tech Storylines: The Oklahoman

OKLAHOMA AT TEXAS TECH: Houston Chronicle

Preview: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Tech: GNEXTINC.com

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Dvoracek status unknown before Tech: Oklahoma still doesn’t know if senior defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek will be able to play Saturday against Texas Tech. Dvoracek injured his right foot in the second quarter of last Saturday's victory over Texas A&M. He did not play in the second half of that game. He did not practice Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and has been wearing a medical boot on his foot this week. "It's another one of those situations where we'll just have to see how he goes through the week," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "It's a sprain, so it will be what he's able to tolerate. 'It will be one of those deals from day-to-day how much more weight and how much pressure can he put on it. We've got a good number of days until we play, so we'll see where it goes." (Norman Transcript)

Sooner Columns and Articles

Patrick is making mark: The Oklahoman

OU Notebook: The Oklahoman

OU eyeing second: Oklahoma Daily

Sooners aware of Tech's high-powered offense: Oklahoma Daily

Dvoracek questionable: Norman Transcript

Tech's Slay smacks of ex-OU great: Dallas Morning News

Key matchup -- Tech receivers vs. Oklahoma defensive backs: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Oklahoma, Texas Tech play for second place: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A chance to see the 100th renewal of the Bedlam Rivalry? Yes, fans still have that opportunity. The University of Oklahoma Athletics Ticket Office has a limited number of tickets for the Oklahoma State game on Saturday, Nov. 26. The game will kick off shortly after 2:30 p.m. in Norman. The tickets became available when unclaimed by OU students. Tickets are $72 and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Tickets will be available at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, online at SoonerSports.com.

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Dvoracek injury update: Senior defensive lineman Dusty Dvoracek was held out of practice for the third straight day due to a sprained right foot. Dvoracek, who injured the foot in the first half of the Texas A&M game Saturday, had a protective boot on the foot Wednesday. He has not been ruled out for OU’s game at Texas Tech on Saturday. (NewsOK.com)

OU's recent wins have clouded bowl picture: The Oklahoman

Young Sooners starting to bloom: Oklahoma Daily

Working overtime: Norman Transcript

Tech's lost a few against OU: Dallas Morning News

Sooners stumbling after surging early in season: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Key matchup: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Dvoracek day to day Injury: It hasn't been determined yet whether Oklahoma defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek will be able to play with an injured foot Saturday at Texas Tech. The senior injured the foot in the first half of the Texas A&M game and did not return. "It's another one of those situations in which we have to see how he does through the week," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "He has a sprain, so we need to see what he can tolerate. It will just go from day-to-day to see how much more weight and pressure he can put on it." (NewsOK.com)

Venables a candidate for KSU's head job: Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops acknowledged Tuesday that defensive coordinator Brent Venables could become a candidate to replace legendary Bill Snyder at Kansas State. "Absolutely. He'd be a great fit," Stoops said. "No question." Snyder, 66, announced Tuesday that he is retiring after Saturday's game against Missouri. Several coaches have worked for Snyder in Manhattan, Kan., but Venables also played for the Wildcats and then started his coaching career there as a graduate assistant in 1993. Venables, a Salina, Kan., native, was KSU's linebackers coach from 1996 to 1998 and then came to Oklahoma as a co-defensive coordinator in 1999. "That's something that will be talked about and discussed," Stoops said. "Brent's an excellent coach, so if that's something that goes in a positive direction, I'm all for it." (Dallas Morning News)

Stoops defends offensive coordinator Long: Stoops was asked Tuesday if fan criticism of OU offensive coordinator Chuck Long was off-base. "To say he's not creative, I don't believe at all is being fair," Stoops said. "We (had) a 2,000-yard rusher in Quentin Griffin in the shotgun who never took a snap out of the I. We come back two years later and have a 2,000-yard freshman (Adrian Peterson) from the I who doesn't take one out of the shotgun. You know what I mean? What do you want? I could go on and on. It's just people's shortsightedness who want to pick on one game or this particular season.” Stoops, who was a teammate of Long's at Iowa, was also asked whether hiring coaches who are also friends is a slippery slope. That question drew chuckles from the Sooner coach. "I've always said I've got a lot more friends I would never hire than friends I would." Stoops said. "So, that had nothing to do with it." (NewsOK.com)

Taking a look for the past: Stoops said he recently looked at a journal of preparation for Kentucky when Leach was there and Stoops was defensive co-coordinator at Florida. "I pull it out every year and look at it," Stoops said. "A few variations and wrinkles, but, for the most part, the body of [Leach's offense] is still there. Mike knows what he's doing, and they do it over and over, and they do it on everybody. That's the beauty of what he does." Stoops added one caveat. "I'm not being cocky," he said, "but we've been pretty successful against everybody, right? So I don't know that [going 0-5] would be a knock on them." (Star-Telegram)

Cooper likely to start: Freshman Jon Cooper will probably be OU's starting center Saturday, because Chris Bush and Chris Chester are still wearing casts on their hands to protect injuries. (Dallas Morning News)

Now Oklahoma Football Columns and Articles

OU coordinator could be next for Kansas State: The Oklahoman

Venables is ready for job: The Oklahoman

Rice anonymously making a name: Oklahoma Daily

Bob's Breakdown -- Special teams is solid: Oklahoma Daily

Stoops -- Venables fits Kansas State program: Oklahoma Daily

Venables or Long?: Norman Transcript

They're No. ?: Norman Transcript

Long wanted to play it safe, Stoops didn't: Dallas Morning News

Peterson back to being Sooners' workhorse: Dallas Morning News

Red Raiders' offense looks to solve Oklahoma: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Tech-OU matchup: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Sooners in BCS at 25th: (Rank) Team - Record - BCS Average

22. Florida Gators - 7-3 .1645

23. South Carolina - 7-3 .1372

24. Boston College - 7-3 .1286

25. Oklahoma Sooners - 6-3 .1205

Injury Updates: Rhett Bomar practiced Monday despite a heavily taped left ankle. Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek watched, wearing a protective boot on his sprained right foot. Coach Bob Stoops said Dvoracek's status is day-to-day. "It's a sprain," Stoops said. "It's just how he manages it. We'll take it easy here early in the week and see how it goes." Bomar said he hasn’t seen the replays of the play on which he injured the ankle, and didn't want to. But the injury initially felt as bad as it looked. "I thought I broke my leg, to be honest with you," he said. (NewsOK.com)

Tech has inside track to Cotton Bowl: Cotton Bowl president Rick Baker indicated Monday that Tech still controls its destiny as far as getting to Dallas on Jan. 2 is concerned. "I certainly think Tech has the opportunity to separate themselves from everybody else, because they're the only (Big 12) team out there that can get to nine regular-season wins. That's pretty substantial," Baker said, "and right now they're still the only team besides Texas that's ranked in most of the polls. I think Oklahoma is ranked No. 25 in the BCS poll that just came out. But the bottom line is Tech has it within their power to separate themselves." Baker wouldn't go so far as to say Tech (8-2 season, 5-2 Big 12) and Oklahoma (6-3, 5-1) are playing for the Cotton Bowl berth Saturday at Jones SBC Stadium. (The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Practice on Turf: The Sooners worked outdoors on their artificial turf practice field. Stoops said it was the first time in two seasons. The old-style artificial turf is similar to that at Texas Tech's Jones SBC Stadium. Most other opponents have natural grass or newer synthetic surfaces that more closely resemble real grass. (NewsOK.com)

Columns spanning the Country
Sack city -- Thibodeaux nears goal: The Oklahoman

OU ends justify the means: Dallas Morning News

Tech's players-only meeting clears air: Dallas Morning News

Tech still favorite to go to Cotton Bowl: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Crystal bowl cloudy for postseason play: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Tech needs to beat OU for Cotton Bowl bid: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Red Raiders get ready for OU after stunning loss: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Dvoracek Injury: DT Dusty Dvoracek (sprained foot) did not play in the second half but is expected to return. (Dallas Morning News)

Always a Backup at Center: Bush's break came against Nebraska on Oct. 29. Chester, who returned to practice after missing a month with a torn MCL in his right knee, suffered his during a practice in preparation for the Texas A&M game. OU offensive coordinator Chuck Long said Sunday that OU always has a capable "emergency center" available. Offensive line coach Kevin Wilson said that freshman guard J.D. Quinn would get some practice as the "second center" and Kelvin Chaisson and Davin Joseph could also play there if needed. Wilson said Chester might return to the center position for the Oklahoma State game or a bowl game. (NewsOK.com)

Chester starts for Quinn: Chris Chester started at right guard instead of J.D. Quinn of Garland after missing more than a month with a knee injury. Quinn was arrested for driving under the influence on Nov. 1 but did play. (Dallas Morning News)

Now the Columns Around the Country
Venables unhappy with Sooners' run defense: The Oklahoman

OU questions and concerns: The Oklahoman

Family moves to Purcell in case A.D. ever needs them: The Oklahoman

Sooners not satisfied with another letdown: Norman Transcript

OU looks to play complete game: Oklahoma Daily

Crystal bowl cloudy for postseason play: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Tech needs to beat OU for Cotton Bowl bid: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Cotton won't come easy for Tech: Dallas Morning News

Red Raiders get ready for OU after stunning loss: RedRaider.com

Texas A&M wandered back into its personal haunted house Saturday and discovered that little has changed since its 77-0 loss here two years ago. Oklahoma dominated the first quarter, stormed to a 21-point lead and it appeared the rout was on – again. "The first quarter was a disaster, like Nightmare on Elm Street ," A&M defensive coordinator Carl Torbush said. This time, the Aggies clawed their way back and cut the deficit to six in the fourth quarter. But the Sooners held their breath and held on for a 36-30 victory in front of an Oklahoma Memorial Stadium-record crowd of 84,943. (Dallas Morning News)

Quick Stats

Adrian Peterson - 28 rushes for 138 yards, 2 TDs

Rhett Bomar - 28 att. 20 comp., 1 TD, 1 INT

Complete Game Stats

Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Stoops stayed home during off week: Given a Saturday off, Stoops considered going to Tucson, Ariz., and Fayetteville, Ark., but instead stayed home. "I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to sit around with your kids and watch the game in the back yard," Stoops said. "So I opted to watch 'em both at home." Mike Stoops' Arizona team beat UCLA. Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team beat Arkansas. (NewsOK.com)

Sooner Articles Spanning the Nation

Peterson had no doubt he would return from shoulder injury against A&M: The Oklahoman

At Long last, an offense emerges: The Oklahoman

Arizona's win over UCLA a big one for Mike Stoops: The Oklahoman

Franchione no longer in Stoops' league: Norman Transcript

Underlying Sooners' offensive turnaround is a settled and solid offensive line: Norman Transcript

A&M Nation growing restless over blowout losses: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Aggies return to scene of 77-0: Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma, Aggies look to become bowl eligible: Amarillo.com

Aggies' eyes on the present: San Antonio News-Express

Bowl eligibility on the line for Sooners, Aggies: Austin American-Statesman

Aggies seek a ray of hope in the gloom: Austin American-Statesman

A&M & Sooner Previews

OU-A&M Storylines: The Oklahoman

Texas A&M-Oklahoma Preview: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Texas A&M at Oklahoma Preview: Houston Chronicle

Texas A&M-Oklahoma Preview: Dallas