Keith Nichol not expected to transfer; Has Bradford's backing: With the announcement Tuesday that Sam Bradford will be Oklahoma's starting quarterback, it's fair to assume that freshman Keith Nichol could be questioning his future. Or not. Nichol's father, Gary, told The Oklahoman on Tuesday that Keith "loves OU and is not going to transfer.” And OU head coach Bob Stoops said Nichol is "probably not” going to redshirt this season. Nichol, a native of Lowell, Mich., is still entrenched in a quarterback battle, but now it's for the backup job as he and junior Joey Halzle are splitting snaps equally with the second-team offense in practice now. Losing out on the starting job wasn't easy to take for Nichol, who told his parents the news Monday night. "When an 18-year-old has spent over half of his life working toward a single goal and it doesn't come true, that's not your best day,” his father said. (NewsOK.com)
Sooners select captains: Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday that Sooner players have selected five captains for the 2007 season. The honor went to Joe Jon Finley, Allen Patrick, Lewis Baker, Marcus Walker and Jacob Gutierrez. Finley, a tight end, and Patrick, a running back, will represent the offense. Baker, a linebacker, and Walker, a cornerback, will represent the defense, while Gutierrez, a running back, represents the special teams. All five are seniors. (SoonerSports.com)
Bradford named Oklahoma's Starting QB: Sam Bradford has been tabbed for the starting quarterback job at Oklahoma. OU head coach Bob Stoops made the announcement Tuesday. Stoops said the decision was actually made Sunday and that Bradford took snaps with the first team during Monday's practice. Bradford, a redshirt freshman from Oklahoma City, emerged from a battle with Joey Halzle, a junior, and Keith Nichol, a true freshman. "We feel very good about all three of those guys," Stoops said. "All three have made great improvement and contributed a lot to our program. "We are going with Sam because he earned the position. We expect both Joey and Keith to continue working hard and competing for playing time just like all our players do at every position. There may be an opportunity for them at some point and it will be important for them to be ready." Bradford, the son of former Sooner offensive lineman Kent Bradford, redshirted at OU last season. (SoonerSports.com)
OU ranked eighth in college football sales: Oklahoma ranked No. 8 in college football, the Sooners also are ranked eighth in college merchandise sales. Sunday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution released the 2006-07 school-year sales of the Atlanta-based Collegiate Licensing Company, which brands merchandise for nearly 200 college athletic programs, including OU and OSU. The Cowboys also made the top 25, coming in at No. 24. Texas finished No. 1 for the second consecutive year. Michigan, which was second last year, dropped to No. 4, and Notre Dame replaced the Wolverines at No. 2. (NewsOK.com)
No Quarterback Announcement yet: Everyone except coach Bob Stoops and his staff [named a QB]. No official announcement came Monday -- the first day of fall classes at OU -- as to who would start at quarterback in the Sooners' season opener Sept. 1 against North Texas. OU coaches and players were not made available to the media following Monday evening's practice but are expected to be available today. (Dallas Morning News)
Murray's improvements come by suggestion: [DaMarco] Murray said the reason for the turnaround was not attempting to turn every carry into a big run. "Coaches have been telling me not to try to make the big play all the time,” Murray said. "I let the offensive line open up the holes and just made my cuts.” (NewsOK.com)
Former Sooner Beeler to visit Stanford: Oklahoma sophomore center Chase Beeler might be transferring to Stanford. Beeler, originally recruited by the Cardinal, reportedly has been granted his release by the Sooners and made his official visit to Stanford on Saturday. (San Francisco Chronicle)
No timetable to name Oklahoma QB: Wilson suggested that the coaching staff would have more time to evaluate who should be the starter this week since players will be starting classes and limits on their contact with coaches will take effect. But coaches have repeatedly refused to set a timeframe for a decision. "We just go by who we feel is doing the best job directing the team and the most consistent job, and staying away from the plays that really hurt you," head coach Bob Stoops said. (AP/SoonerSports.com)
Oklahoma Scrimmage Stats: A crowd estimated at 5,000 braved a steady rain to watch the workout, which included 97 plays. SoonerSports.com
Passing Sam Bradford: 12-17-130, 4 TDs Keith Nichol: 5-16-82, 1 TD Joey Halzle: 8-23-47, 1 INT
Rushing Murray: 9 carries for 105 yards, 1 TD. Brown: 8 carries for 37 yards. Gove: 8 carries for 34 yards. Madu: 7 carries for 28 yards. Gutierrez: 8 carries for 26 yards. Nichol: 3 carries for 4 yards. Halzle: 1 carry for -3 yards. Iglesias: 1 carryfor -4 yards. Complete Scrimmage stats at SoonerSports.com
Patrick may return next week? Stoops said next week's workouts might include running back Allen Patrick, who has been sidelined for nearly two weeks with a sprained right ankle. (SoonerSports.com)
Stoops on the QB performance:"We're still deciding," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "We like what we've seen from all of them. They've all made great progress."
Clayton to strongside linebacker: One position switch was noticeable Saturday. Keenan Clayton, who started two games last season at strong safety, has been moved to strongside linebacker. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said the switch was made a few days ago. Clayton only made eight tackles last season and lost his starting job when Reggie Smith was switched back to strong safety after two games. D.J. Wolfe has won the starting job there this season. (Norman Transcript)
Sooners search for backup at center: At right guard, Brandon Walker is the returning starter, but Brian Simmons held the spot last spring while Walker worked his way back from knee surgery. Now the two could end up splitting time. And the newest battle is for the backup job at center. With the announcement Tuesday that sophomore Chase Beeler had left the team, that spot on the depth chart became vacant. OU coach Bob Stoops said Wednesday that Walker is capable of playing center, but the coaching staff is also looking at sophomore Noah Hughey and true freshman Jason Hannan in that role. (NewsOK.com)
QB race still wide open: It appears Oklahoma will conduct its second major preseason scrimmage Saturday night with Keith Nichol, Sam Bradford and Joey Halzle all still in the hunt. "Not trying to drag it out, but right now, like we've got three tight ends, we've kind of got three quarterbacks," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Thursday between the Sooners' two practices. "Everybody says no one's separating, but it's not because they're stinking. They're all playing really good. So we'll just let them keep playing." Wilson said all three took snaps in Wednesday night's mini-scrimmage, when the Sooners ran the ball more than they did in the previous Saturday's full scrimmage, concentrating particularly on short-yardage situations. (Tulsa World)
Oklahoma breaks ground on statue work: Dirt work has begun beside the statues honoring Heisman Trophy winners Steve Owens and Billy Vessels in the areas that will eventually house statues for OU's other Heisman winners, Billy Sims and Jason White. The statues, which will be located on either side of the Owens and Vessels statues east of Owen Field, will be unveiled this fall. (NewsOK.com)
Injury Report: Branndon Braxton, battling Trent Williams to start at right tackle, has recovered from an ankle injury and is practicing. Cory Brandon, who was second-team right tackle, has missed time with a concussion. Tight end / fullback Brody Eldridge, coming off ankle surgery, is practicing but not participating in major contact situations. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is still hampered by a hamstring injury. (Tulsa World)
Beeler to keep football options open: Sources said Tuesday that [Chase] Beeler wanted to focus on other areas of his life, instead of being consumed by the demands of major college football. A source said Beeler intended to keep open his football options at academic benchmarks like Stanford, Harvard and Princeton. OU signed seven linemen in the 2006 class, and Beeler is the third one to leave the program, joining Curtis Bailey (injury) and Ada's Chad Roark (transferred to Nebraska, then quit there). (Tulsa World)
QB situation remains unchanged: Oklahoma coaches said they are no closer to naming a starting quarterback today than they were at the beginning of preseason practices. Oklahoma has scheduled a closed scrimmage of about 60 plays tonight to look at each quarterback. The quarterbacks will also participate in an open scrimmage at 6 p.m. Saturday at Owen Field. OU quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel said each quarterback is getting an equal number of reps with the first-team offense. (Dallas Morning News)
Sooners required to take ice baths in 100 degree plus heat: OU players have been taking ice baths for years, but head coach Bob Stoops made it mandatory this year, [Scott] Anderson said. "For heat stress, ice immersion is the gold standard," Anderson said. "There's never been any known case where someone died of heat stroke after being immersed in cold water. It's something we worry about and pay a great deal of attention to." Especially with the state cooking in triple-digit temperatures for several days. Anderson said two factors contribute to overheating. "There's the internal production of heat and the external heat factors. The higher environmental heat, then the more problematic it is to shed that internal heat," he said. (Tulsa World)
Braxton and Williams returned to practice Monday: Senior free safety Darien Williams and offensive tackle Branndon Braxton returned to practice Monday. For Williams, it was the first practice of the year. Offseason knee surgery kept him out of spring practice, and a surgically repaired stress fracture in his foot forced him to miss the beginning of training camp. "He was a little rusty out there," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "Gotta get to communicating, quit thinking. But it was good to see him back." Braxton's ankle injury was minor. (NewsOK.com)
Sooners to find direction at QB this week? Oklahoma could see some movement in the quarterback race by the end of the week, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Monday."This is a big week," he said. "We're going to work on our identity, No. 1. I think as this week goes, we need to probably start making the decisions."The Sooners have set a mini-scrimmage for Wednesday and another major scrimmage Saturday night. (Star-Telegram)
Patrick on crutches at practice: Senior running back Allen Patrick, the Sooners' expected starter, left Monday morning's practice on crutches with his right foot in a protective boot. (Dallas Morning News)
Pair of Sooners demoted: DeMarcus Granger and Steven Coleman, who both saw significant action last season, were demoted because they showed up to preseason camp out of shape. "It's all about playing hard," [Jackie] Shipp said. (Norman Transcript)
OU's Quarterback role remains unfilled: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Sunday will be the first opportunity since preseason practice started for the Sooners' coaching staff to discuss the quarterback situation at length. He hinted it's possible that the final decision on a starter might not be made until after the season starts. Oklahoma will open on Sept. 1 at home against North Texas and will host Miami a week later. "I wish it would be settled and done right this second, personally, for all positions," Wilson said. "But at the same time, we're going to need more than one....Maybe we go with two. "We're through the first (week) and through a scrimmage. Maybe, from what we've seen in practice and today, maybe we can get close to making that call...or (decide that) we're five, six, eight, 10 days away." (Dallas Morning News)
Players out due to injuries: Notables that did not play due to injury included OT Branndon Braxton, CB Reggie Smith and RB Allen Patrick. Patrick is out with a sprained ankle. Stoops said Braxton and Smith have minor ailments and should be back soon. (SoonerSports.com)
Bob Stoops post-scrimmage quotes: "It was good overall. Defensively we're just so much more stable in the secondary. You have the potential there for giving up plays or making plays. Defensively, we were solid."
"It's obvious that our quarterbacks can make all the throws. They did a really nice job. I didn't see any forced decisions. The drives that stalled didn't stop because of their play. The players around them have to make plays."
"On offense, I was pleased for the most part. Our defense sees that offense every day so the offense is at a significant disadvantage."
Stats: Sam Bradford: 11-of-18 passing for 83 yards; 1 INT Joey Halzle: 8-of-16 for 51 yards; 1 TD pass for 3 yards Keith Nichol: 12-of-21 for 85 yards; 1 TD pass for 20 yards
SCORING Manuel Johnson 3-yard pass from Keith Nichol Malcolm Kelly 20-yard pass from Joey Halzle Jacob Gutierrez 53-yard touchdown run RUSHING Gutierrez - 7 rushes for 68 yards Madu - 10 rushes for 18 yards Murray - 6 rushes for 25 yards Brown - 2 rushes for 7 yards Tennell - 2 rushes for 1 yard Gove - 2 rushes for 0 yards Caleb - 1 rush for negative 2 yards
Equal time for all three quarterbacks in practice allows comfort: That's part of the reason Oklahoma's scrimmage on Saturday is open to the public. It's also why the Sooners offensive coordinator and his other coaches will step to the sideline during practice. "Instead of us being out there calling the play and setting the tempo, 'Hey, it's your team, your offense. You've got this group. Let's see how you do.'" Wilson said. "We did that a lot at the end of last spring, and we want to start early this year with those guys playing on their own, instead of us holding their hands." Wilson said all three quarterbacks -- Joey Halzle, Sam Bradford and Keith Nichol -- are playing an equal number of snaps in practice. (NewsOK.com)
Stoops appreciates Barry's HR 756: Count the Sooner coach among those who support new home run king Barry Bonds. "I thought it was great," Stoops said of Bonds' 756th home run. "The guy is amazing what he's done. The more they talk about him. . . I'm not the biggest baseball fan, I don't follow it that much. But just all the Gold Gloves, what a complete player he's been is really impressive." (Tulsa World)
Big Red Rally set: OU has set the date for its annual preseason pep rally. The Big Red Rally will take place at 6 p.m. on Aug. 23 at Owen Field. (NewsOK.com)
Scrimmage Information: Remember Oklahoma's first scrimmage of the 2007 fall schedule is open to the public this Saturday, gates open at 9:30 a.m. and starts at 11:00 a.m. Information on the scrimmage is available at SoonerSports.com.
Stoops familiar with QB competition: Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops on OU's 2007 quarterback race.. "This isn't the NFL, where you have a guy for 12 years, Joe Montana,” Stoops said. "This is natural, it's college football. Guys come and guys go. It's always been that way and always will be. "I don't look at it as an issue. It's not like we haven't had this issue in eight years. We've had it many times and we've managed it fairly well.” Stoops is proud of his quarterback record at OU. His QB/championship ratio is impressive. In the last seven years, Stoops' Sooners have won four Big 12 titles with a different quarterback for each trophy. (NewsOK.com) As Stoops said earlier this month, it all comes down to how much the players around the quarterback have improved. Landry Jones could put Sooners back in title hunt: Tulsa World
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes Vikings select Rufus Alexander #176 selection: It took till the sixth round for Oklahoma's Rufus Alexander to hear his name selected in the 2007 NFL Draft. From Vikings.com... The Vikings bolstered their linebacker corps in the sixth round by selecting a talented linebacker out of Oklahoma. Rufus Alexander was the pick, the 176th overall in 2007 and he is a playmaker with great instincts and ball-hawking ability. He measures in at 6-1, 228 pounds and he registered a 4.69 40-yard dash. (Vikings.com) Yesterday, The Minnesota Vikings selected Adrian Peterson at the 7th selection. Rufus Alexander Profile: CBS Sportsline.com
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes Stoops Quote on Peterson: Oklahoma's head coach Bob Stoops telling SoonerSports.com.. "We're very happy and proud for Adrian and his family," said OU head coach Bob Stoops. "He is such a competitive player and I appreciate so much what he brought to our program. He has great pride in the way he plays and he's extremely tough. "Those qualities rub off on the people around him. He has the kind of competitive spirit that elevates those around him. It means an awful lot to him that the entire team does well and I think that is probably his most under-appreciated quality. As much attention as he garnered here, he was always more concerned with being respected in the locker room. Being a good teammate matters a lot to him. He genuinely cares about the people around him." (SoonerSports.com)
Peterson Q&A: Q: Are you relieved that this process is over? Peterson A: I'm happy it's over. It's a dream come true no matter what. I keep thanking God. (NFL.com)
Oklahoma-Texas Extends Cotton Bowl Agreement: The City of Dallas, the State Fair of Texas, the University of Oklahoma and University of Texas have entered into an agreement that will keep the AT&T Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl through 2015. The game has been played in Dallas since 1929 and long since evolved into one of college football's greatest rivalry games. The move to keep the game at the same location pleased OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione. "Because of its prominent history and unique atmosphere, the setting of the Red River Rivalry truly represents one of the most special games in all of college football," Castiglione said. "We are grateful for the relationship we share with the State Fair and City of Dallas. They have identified a number of ways to upgrade and expand the Cotton Bowl Stadium and enhance the atmosphere of a venerable old stadium. "The University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas have nearly 80 years invested in this great tradition. As we look forward to continuing in Dallas, we are genuinely excited about all of the plans to improve and expand the Cotton Bowl Stadium. Both universities can involve many more fans in this special fall classic." (More at SoonerSports.com)
Red River Shootout to remain at Cotton Bowl Stadium:Dallas Morning News reports, In a reversal of Dallas' recent football fortunes, Mayor Laura Miller will announce Friday that the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma will continue to play their age-old annual football showdown in Fair Park's Cotton Bowl - at least through 2015. On Thursday, officials familiar with the announcement had also said Grambling University and Prairie View A&M University will agree to play their annual game at the Cotton Bowl through 2015. The schools' new contracts, which several Dallas officials say will include hundreds of thousands of dollars in new city-funded incentives, ends months of speculation that they soon would leave the aging Cotton Bowl for other venues, including the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, 20 miles away. (Dallas Morning News)
Stoops doesn't expect to makes decision on QB till August: Bob Stoops said a decision between Sam Bradford, Joey Halzle and Keith Nichol won't be made until one of the three has clearly seized the job. One thing working in the coaches' favor is a recent history of intense competitions. "I would guess it would be sometime in August," Stoops said after Saturday's Red-White scrimmage. "When I feel a guy has earned it, we'll say so. I think if you go through eight years here, we have named 'em all at different times. "I mean it when I say (when) a guy has earned it, we'll say so. This isn't new territory for us. We've had four Big 12 championships with four different quarterbacks. So we're used to this. Hopefully we'll get back to another one with a different quarterback." (NewsOK.com)
OU's Harris on Lott Watch List: University of Oklahoma defensive back Nic Harris has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2007 Ronnie Lott Trophy.Harris, a junior from Alexandria, La., played nickel back and strong safety last season and is expected to line up exclusively at strong safety this season. He is one of 42 defenders on the watch list.Harris was third on the OU team last season with 68 tackles and led the Sooners with four interceptions. (Tulsa World) Injury Report; Reynold out atleast four month, Madu spained ankle: Oklahoma linebacker Ryan Reynolds is set to have surgery on the torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee today and might be out at least four months The early diagnosis of the injury, which occurred Wednesday, was a partially torn LCL that would require only four to six weeks of rehabilitation... Norman native Mossis Madu, who has worked himself into some playing time both at running back and slot receiver for the Sooners, suffered a high left ankle sprain Monday. (From NewsOK.com) Stoops confident in LB core: Personnel has changed. Expectations have not. "It's coming," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "The guys that have looked the best have a chance to be a really, really good group. Ryan Reynolds and Curtis Lofton inside and Demarrio Pleasant and Lewis (Baker), who's played a ton out on the perimeter, those guys are solid. "The other guys, it's just learning everything. They're getting better. Mike Reed is doing a good job, and Lamont (Robinson) is getting better. It just takes some time, takes a lot of snaps." (Tulsa World) Class of '08 Recruit Arrested: Justin Johnson, a Gilmer, Texas, running back who has verbally committed to play at Oklahoma in 2008, was one of three people who voluntarily surrendered to police last Thursday for misdemeanor criminal mischief warrants, according to a report Saturday in the Longview (Texas) News-Journal. Johnson, the No. 2-rated running back in Texas, Arsenial Richardson and Dean Griffith have confessed to spray painting various marks on at least one car Feb. 24. The investigation is ongoing and the Upshur County sheriff's office anticipates charging the multiple juvenile offenders with crimes associated with these acts. (NewsOK.com) Go Inside OU Spring Practice No. 10: SoonerSports.com Sooners no longer have lone distinction: The Oklahoman Table Set for Red-White event: Ada Evening News
Sooners youth highlight scrimmage: Three sophomores and a freshman accounted for the four touchdowns in the event. When it was over, OU head coach Bob Stoops, who was critical after his team's first major scrimmage, was more positive about his team. "It was better," he said. "The intensity, the effort, the enthusiasm all were really good. We've got improvement to make in clearing up some mistakes but that's why we practice." Redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray again practiced well. He rushed 16 times for 132 yards and one touchdown. (Stats and more at SoonerSports.com)
Wolfe playing at safety: For the third time in his four years at Oklahoma, D.J. Wolfe has landed at a new position, playing with the first-team defense at free safety in Saturday's scrimmage at Owen Field. "I'm loving it, being able to get back there and have vision of the whole field and be in the action," Wolfe said of the move to safety. "I hate to say it, but it might be better than corner." Wolfe moved to safety as the Sooners try to find a suitable backup for returning starter Darien Williams who is out for the spring after undergoing offseason knee surgery. (NewsOK.com)
Kevin Wilson on turnovers and quarterbacks: Afterward, coordinator Kevin Wilson said he sped the pace from the March 14 scrimmage, which likely contributed to the turnovers. He said coaches hadn't met to discuss the quarterbacks' progress, let alone determine any kind of pecking order, something he feels is a long way off. (Tulsa World)
All three quarterbacks have potential? According to at least one receiver, any of the three could claim the job."(All) of them have the opportunity to potentially get us where we need to go," Quentin Chaney said. "They're coming along very well. They're all pretty comfortable back there." (Norman Transcript)
Injury Report: Left guard Duke Robinson injured his shoulder in Friday's practice and was not available. Cornerback Lendy Holmes has a bruised sternum and will be held out a few days as well. Holmes, a receiver-turned-defensive back who is also talented at basketball, still managed to show off his versatility. (NewsOK.com)
All three quarterbacks see snaps in practice #2: The stadium portion of the practice was highlighted by the team drill featuring the offense against the defense. That session lasted approximately 40 minutes. All three quarterbacks vying for the starting job -- Joey Halzle, Sam Bradford and Keith Nichol -- got snaps. "We're still giving those guys a lot to think through and they're playing against a good defense, but they're handling it well and making good progress," Stoops said. "This is a learning time for them, especially in the first few practices." The Sooners will don pads for the first time this spring when they practice Saturday. (SoonerSports.com)
Oklahoma Sooners Football Articles and Notes Stoops not expected to name starter at QB anytime soon: Oklahoma fans can forget an answer as to who the next Sooners quarterback is until next season's opening game approaches, coach Bob Stoops said. "This is not do-or-die for anybody," Stoops said of the spring workouts that begin today. "Everybody wants to have the answer [immediately], but we hope [the three candidates] will work together to make each other better, and make it a stronger position." Expectations center on freshman Keith Nichol, a standout from the state of Michigan who, because of a coaching change at Michigan State, signed with the Sooners and enrolled for the spring semester. But Stoops won't anoint anyone until he gets a thorough look at Nichol, seldom-used transfer Joey Halzle and redshirt freshman Sam Bradford, who caught the attention of coaches in the fall while running the scout team, in spring practices and on into August drills. "Keith comes in with a lot of promise," Stoops said. "He's shown to be a great worker and a tough kid who the players enjoy being around." (Star-Telegram)
OU Football's new flagship station in Tulsa Effective with the start of the 2007 football season, Oklahoma will have new radio home in the Tulsa market. For football and some men's basketball broadcasts, OU is moving from KFAQ am1170 to KMOD fm97.5. Some of the OU men's basketball broadcasts, along with as many as 15 OU women's basketball broadcasts, will be carried by KTBZ am1430. (Tulsa World)
