(2/6) Sooners '06 schedule released and Patton added to staff

2006 University of Oklahoma Football Schedule released: Two games against teams from the Pacific-10 Conference highlight the non-conference portion of the 12-game 2006 University of Oklahoma football schedule that was announced today by OU Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. The Sooners will host Washington on Sept. 9 and then travel to Oregon on Sept. 16. It will mark the third consecutive season in which OU has played the Ducks, including last season's Pacific Life Holiday Bowl at San Diego. It also marks the fifth consecutive season in which Oklahoma played at least one game against a team from the Pac-10. Oklahoma opens the season Sept. 2 against Alabama-Birmingham, then, after the two games against Pac-10 schools, completes its non-conference slate by hosting Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 23. For a sixth straight season, OU will play a schedule comprised solely of NCAA Division I-A programs. In Big 12 Conference play, Oklahoma has its regular menu of games against the Big 12 South, but rotates into three new opponents from the North Division. The North foes this year include Iowa State at Norman on Oct. 14, Colorado at Norman on Oct. 21 and Missouri at Columbia on Oct. 28. In each of the last two seasons, OU's North Division foes were Kansas, Kansas State and Nebraska. There is one open date on the schedule, Sept. 30. On earlier schedules, that was the date for the Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game, but that contest has been moved to Nov. 25 to meet the requirements of the Big 12 Conference television agreement. (Sooner Sports Release) 2006 Sooner Football Schedule

Oklahoma adds Patton to staff: James Patton, the offensive line coach at Northwestern for the last five years, has been named to the same position at the University of Oklahoma. OU head coach Bob Stoops made that announcement Monday. Stoops announced other moves on the Sooner staff, as well. Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, the offensive line coach for the last four years, will now coach tight ends and fullbacks. Kevin Sumlin, the tight ends coach for the last three seasons, will now coach the receivers and add the titles of co-offensive coordinator and passing game coordinator. (SoonerSports.com)