Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesSooners Ranked #8 in Preseason USA Today Coaches Poll: Complete Poll @ USAToday.com1. USC (45) 0-0 1,481 2. LSU (4) 0-0 1,372 3. Florida (9) 0-0 1,278 4. Texas 0-0 1,231 5. Michigan (2) 0-0 1,218 6. West Virginia 0-0 1,205 7. Wisconsin 0-0 1,114 8. Oklahoma 0-0 1,026 9. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,00510. Ohio State 0-0 91919. Nebraska 0-0 38825. Texas A&M 0-0 209Stoops doesn't rule out using two quarterbacks: Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops seeks a starting quarterback for the 2007 season and hasn't ruled out the idea of using two quarterbacks. "There's always that chance," Stoops said Friday morning during the Sooners' media day in Norman. "I'm not saying we will, but it's too early to say we wouldn't." The biggest question as Oklahoma opens August practice is who will be the starting QB. (Tulsa World)Pendleton receives Bowden FCA Award: Former Oklahoma football player Carl Pendleton held the Bobby Bowden Fellowship of Christian Athletes Award in his hands for about two minutes. And that was enough for him. Pendleton, who was announced as the winner of the award in January, finally received the trophy Thursday night during the OU Caravan stop at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. (NewsOK.com)Three still in the race to start as OU quarterback: The OklahomanStoops says names will return to OU's jerseys: Tulsa WorldLabels: Bob Stoops, Carl Pendleton, Oklahoma Sooners, Polls, Quarterbacks, Rankings
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Pendleton Big XII Male Sportsperson of the Year: Carl Pendleton, who announced last fall that he would forgo his senior season of eligibility to care for his 11-year-old stepbrother, was named today as the Male Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year. A media panel selected Pendleton. Kansas golfer Amanda Costner won the award for females. The Sportsperson of the Year Award was started in 2000-01 to annually recognize student-athletes who displayed an extraordinary degree of sportsmanship and/or community service during the academic year. The Big 12¹s recipients are nominated for the NCAA Sportsmanship Award. (SoonersSports.com)
Another Texas recruit commits to Oklahoma: Houston's Strake Jesuit College Preg defensive end David King committed to Oklahoma. King a pass rusher is the latest Texas recruit to committ to the Sooners. King received offers from Big 12 schools' Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Baylor and OU.Labels: Award, Carl Pendleton, Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Oklahoma Student Athletes recognized: Carl Pendleton II and Brittney Schumann were among the 24 student-athletes recognized today as winners of the 2006-07 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships, the Big 12 office announced. The scholarships are named in honor of the late Dr. Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staff member and student services' pioneer. Gautt also is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and was the first African-American to receive a scholarship from OU to play football, breaking down racial barriers that opened doors to other Sooner student-athletes. The university celebrated the 50th anniversary of his historic actions at OU last fall during the 2006 Sooner football season and OU's student-athlete academic center is named in his honor. Gautt passed away in March 2005. (SoonerSports PR)
Bog 12 Who’s new? A dozen players to watch next fall: Daily TribuneLabels: Award, Carl Pendleton, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesBob Stoops Q&A: Q: Can you analyze how your three quarterbacks played in the spring? Stoops: I thought they got better through the spring. They all have shown the ability to make the throws we need and the decisions we need, but early on in the spring they would make some poor decisions here and there that obviously hurt them and hurt the offense. I think you only get that stinging feeling by doing it. Early on in spring they made some of those, along with the good throws, and I think they learned from it. Q: Has one quarterback emerged over the other two? Stoops: No.(More at Tulsa World)Pendleton recognized: They called the ceremony at the Oklahoma Memorial Union on Tuesday morning the Max Weitzenhoffer Scholar Athlete Breakfast. A better idea would have been the "Carl Pendleton Show." "Carl, would you please stand again?" OU president David Boren asked from the dais. "I know you just gave the invocation." Pendleton stood so he could be recognized for the $23,000 post-graduate scholarship he earned last fall, a reward that allowed him to leave OU's football team after his junior season to concentrate on more important things. Important things like the next three times he was recognized Tuesday morning -- for winning the Athletic Director's Leadership Award, the Conference Medal and the Sooner Schooner Scholastic Award. (Tulsa World)
Peterson has no doubt he's worthy of a top pick: ESPN.comNFL will be lucky to have classy Peterson in its league: SI.comLabels: Adrian Peterson, Bob Stoops, Carl Pendleton, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesCarl Pendleton wins Bowden award: Oklahoma defensive tackle Carl Pendleton has been named the recipient of the 2006 Bobby Bowden Award. The honor is bestowed annually by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Pendleton, who graduated from OU in December as a sociology major and religious studies minor, gained national attentioin during the season when it was announced he would forgo his senior season of elibility. The Sapulpa, Okla., native said he made the decision after becoming the legal guardian for his 11-year-old brother, Kierstan. Subsequently, Pendleton received one of the National Football Foundation's Post-Graduate Scholarships, an $18,000 grant the honor student will use to pursue graduate studies at OU. Pendleton also is a finalist for the John Wooden Citizenship Cup, which presented annually by Athletes for a Better World. Earlier, he was announced as a finalist for the Football Writers Association of America Courage Award and the Danny Wuerffel Trophy. The Bowden Award, named after Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden, is presented at the site of the BCS national championship game. (SoonerSports.com) Stoops' pay is close to $3 million in 2006: The Oklahoman
No. 1 issue? Who will quarterback?: The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's pressing issues: The Oklahoman
Hard Fiesta deserves siesta: Tulsa World
Negativity may deter OU recruits: Tulsa WorldLabels: Award, Carl Pendleton, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesWe haven't seen nothing yet, maybe? With only the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State remaining, the Sooners' fifth-year senior quarterback hopes they can pull it together in his final game. "Being the competitor that I am, it doesn't seem like I've had a good practice in the five years I've been here," Thompson said. "There's always something we can improve on. There's always maybe a turnover or something and a lot of times we come away with a win, but there might be one or two things where we didn't achieve our goals." (NewsOK.com)Sooners travel to NFL's top rated stadium: Oklahoma's players, coaches and fans will enjoy a state-of-the-art facility for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day. OU will meet Boise State on the field inside University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, the stadium was completed in 2006 at a cost of approximately $450 million. The facility was named the best in the NFL by Street & Smith's and Sportsbusiness JournalSportsbusiness Daily and one of the 10 best stadiums in the world by BusinessWeek. (Facts and notes at SoonerSports.com) G Note: University of Phoenix Stadium is truly a world-class facility, among Texas Motor Speedway, and the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Pendleton FCA finalist: Oklahoma defensive tackle Carl Pendleton is a finalist for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' Bobby Bowden Award. Pendleton will travel to attend the presentation ceremony in Phoenix, Ariz., on Jan. 6. In 2004, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes presented the first of what is now a yearly award. Named for the current Florida State coach, the award honors one college football player for their achievements on the field and in the classroom and for their conduct as a faith model in the community. Nominees must have a 3.0 GPA or better and must also have the backing of his school's athletic director and head football coach. The award is presented each year prior to the Bowl Championship Series' national title game. Pendleton, a junior and a three-year starter, has decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility - but not to turn pro. Instead, Pendleton, who will graduate in December, will continue his education and focus on caring for his 11-year-old brother, Kierstan. He became Kierstan's legal guardian recently. (SoonerSports PR)
Fired up: Norman TransciptIn Ruuuuuuuuufus' shoes: The OklahomanClayton Grows Up Quickly: Washington Post
Chat [Transcript] with Barry Switzer: ESPN Insider Labels: Carl Pendleton, Fiesta Bowl, Paul Thompson
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesPendleton a Wooden Citizenship Cup finalist: Oklahoma defensive tackle Carl Pendleton is one of five finalists for the John Wooden Citizenship Cup, which is presented annually by Atlanta-based Athetes for a Better World. OU track and cross country runner Jackie Dubois won the honor last year. Another Sooner athlete, football running back Jacob Gutierrez, was a finalist for the Wooden Cup last season. He was one of 17 semifinalists in 2006. Other finalists for 2007 include Kandia Batchelor, Florida State; Parker Dalton, Texas A&M; Anna Key, California and Eric LeRoux, Princeton. The winner will be announced Jan. 25 in Atlanta. Pendleton, a recent recipient of the National Football Foundation's Post-Graduate Scholarship, has decided to forgo his final season of football eligibility at Oklahoma to pursue a graduate degree from the school. He carries a 3.86 grade point average in sociology with a minor in religious studies. The Sapulpa, Okla., product recently took legal guardianship of his 11-year-old brother, Kierstan. (SoonerSports PR)Eye on opponent -- Boise State: SoonerSports.comFormer Sooners help Ravens stop Chiefs: The Oklahoman Holiday wish list: The Oklahoman OU football Q&A: The OklahomanLabels: Award, Carl Pendleton
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Pendleton Story: Checkout a great story on Oklahoma's defensive tackle Carl Pendleton, his cousin Kierston in Today's Dallas Morning News.
No eyes on Texas, OU says: "We have a lot of pride in finishing the year strong," Stoops said. "That's all that should matter to us. "All we can control is getting ourselves ready to play the best game we can." Sophomore linebacker Curtis Lofton said he'll likely just wait to find out who won rather than watch the game on TV. "I won't be an A&M cheerleader," Lofton said. "Of course, I want them to win and if they do, that's great, but I won't be sitting there cheering or anything." (NewsOK.com)
PAC-10 official Riese speaks: Two months after the Oregon instant replay fiasco, he is answering the phone again. Irate Sooner fans ring him up just two or three times a week now. The death threats have stopped. The healing has begun. "It will never leave me," Gordon Riese says. "Until I die." On a day we set aside to count our blessings, some fans will no doubt continue cursing Riese, who was in charge of the botched review that cost Oklahoma victory on that September afternoon at Autzen Stadium. The Sooners have rebounded nicely from the stunning setback. But a 9-2 record should have been 10-1. Many fans see the current BCS picture and wonder, despite a loss to Texas, if OU wouldn't be at least on the fringe of the national title conversation. Who knows? But fans know why the Sooners are not. Riese does, too. "Everybody knows," he says. You remember how it went. OU ahead by six points, 72 seconds left, an onside kick, a collision. You saw Allen Patrick emerge with the football. You saw officials huddle. You watched countless replays. Stunned, you saw Oregon given the ball. You saw the Ducks score, and win. "This was the easiest call to make, if I'd have gotten the (correct) replay," Riese says. "It would have been the right call. It would have been the correct call. The Oregon kid touched the ball at the 44-yard line." But wait. It gets worse. From that end-zone shot, Riese couldn't answer the question he was asked. But he could tell Oregon didn't have the football. "I saw the ball laying on the ground, the Oklahoma kid picks the ball up with his knee on the ground," Riese says. "I knew it was Oklahoma ball." But here's the thing: By rule, Riese wasn't allowed to determine possession. Not after the officials had already given the ball to Oregon. (In Part, more at NewsOK.com)
Thompson OU's calming influence: Norman TranscriptDinner, as well as a rivalry, is served: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
A Sooner Thanksgiving: The Oklahoman
Replay official says he knew Sooners recovered kick: The Oklahoman
OU-Nebraska forever?: The Oklahoman
OU football notebook: The Oklahoman
Pondering the possibilities of a Stoops bowl: The Oklahoman
Thompson looks to keep OU rolling: Tulsa World
'Mess' grows up: Tulsa World
No hard feelings between Gundy brothers: Tulsa World
Bowl destinations make Bedlam more intriguing: Tulsa World
Fans gone wild -- Bedlam messages: Tulsa World
Bedlam memories -- Questions with Pat Jones: Tulsa World
Bedlam memories -- Questions with Barry Switzer: Tulsa World
Reid trying to join short list of Cowboy QBs to beat OU: Tulsa WorldLabels: Carl Pendleton, Gordon Riese, Texas
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesUSA Today Report: University of Oklahoma's Bob Stoops highest paid College Coach: The sport's dizzying salaries spiral has come to this, a USA TODAY study finds: The million-dollar coach, once a rarity, is now the norm. Head coaches at the NCAA's top-level schools are making an average of $950,000 this year, not counting benefits, incentives, subsidized housing or any of the perks they routinely receive. At least 42 of the 119 Division I-A coaches are earning $1 million or more this year, up from five in 1999. Jim Tressel, coach of No. 1-ranked Ohio State, and Mack Brown, who steered Texas to the national championship a year ago, are among the nine coaches making more than $2 million. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz will pocket a guaranteed $4.6 million in an atypical 13-month period ending next June, including $1.8 million in one-time payments. With the incentive bonuses he still can earn, he could push his take to more than $4.7 million. That's the most among the 107 coaches for whom USA TODAY could obtain a contract or other official document showing compensation. Oklahoma's Bob Stoops is the only coach in that group who has cleared the $3 million-a-year bar in guaranteed pay, although Ferentz likely will join him in 2007. Coaches' contracts these days offer far more than just the basic salary. In scrutinizing contracts, USA TODAY found all kinds of perks: personal use of private jets, low-interest home loans, land deals, million-dollar annuities, pricey luxury suites at schools' stadiums, use of vacation homes and family travel accounts. (More at USA Today)Perks Noted from USA Today:Travel: Oklahoma's Bob Stoops gets up to 35 hours a year of private plane availability. Ohio State's Tressel gets 10 hours of jet time for personal use. Virginia's Al Groh gets "reasonable use of the University's aircraft and vehicles" for his duties.Anniversary Benefit: Oklahoma contributes an average of $750,000 a year toward an "anniversary benefit" paying Bob Stoops $3 million on Dec. 31, 2008, marking his 10th anniversary at the school. He forfeits the money if he leaves for another coaching job before then, though he'll get a prorated portion if he leaves in 2007 or 2008 in conjunction with David Boren's departure as president. Stoops also gets 35 hours of private air travel a year.
Highest Paid Salaries
1. Kirk Ferentz - 2,840,000
2. Pete Carroll - 2,782,320
3. Frank Beamer - 1,893,000
4. Larry Coker - 1,800,000
13. Bob Stoops 950,000
Other Income
1. Bob Stoops - 2,500,000
2. Tommy Tuberville - 1,996,000
3. Phillip Fulmer - 1,725,000
4. Mack Brown - 1,580,000
Maximum Bonus
1. Dirk Koetter - 1,234,000
2. Kirk Ferentz -1,000,000
3. Al Groh - 940,000
7. Bob Stoops - 745,000
11. Mike Gundy - 684,000
Total
1. Bob Stoops - 3,450,000
2. Kirk Ferentz - 2,840,000
3. Pete Carroll - 2,782,000
4. Mack Brown - 2,664,000
(Source USA Today - Full List)
To Oklahoma, Stoops worth more than his weight in gold: USA TodayPeterson Doak Walker Semifinalist: Adrian Peterson has been gone for three weeks, but the Oklahoma running back is not forgotten. He was one of 10 semi-finalists announced today for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to college football's top running back. The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors oversees the honor. The 166 members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes over the next week to determine the 2006 finalists. On Tuesday, Nov. 21, three finalists will be named, and a second vote will determine the recipient. The recipient of the 2006 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN's The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 7. The award will be presented at the 2006 Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet in Dallas on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007. (SoonerSports PR)Pendleton named All-District VI Academic: Oklahoma defensive tackle Carl Pendleton has been named All-District VI Academic and is now a candidate for Academic All-America honors. ESPN The Magazine sponsors the academic recognition. Pendleton, Sapulpa, Okla., native is a junior in eligibility but has announced that he will forgo his senior season of football to enter graduate school at OU. He already has received the National Football Foundation's Post-Graduate Scholarship. Pendleton carries a 3.86 grade point average in sociology with a minor in religious studies. He is nominated for numerous other awards including the NCAA's Today's Top VIII, FCA's Bobby Bowden Award, the FWAA's Courage Award, the Wuerffel Trophy and the John Wooden Citizenship Cup, presented by Athletes for a Better World. (SoonerSports PR) Labels: Bob Stoops, Carl Pendleton, Oklahoma Sooners, Salary, University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesCarl Pendleton finalist for Wuerffel Award: Oklahoma defensive tackle Carl Pendleton has been selected as one of the finalists for the Wuerffel Trophy which is presented annually by the All Sports Association of Walton Beach, Florida. The award is based on academic, athletic and community service performance. Final ballots for the trophy are tabulated the week of Nov. 27 and the winner is announced shortly thereafter. The formal presentation takes place Feb. 16, 2007. Pendleton has gained significant public notice in recent weeks when it was announced that he would forgo his final year of football eligibility to concentrate on graduate school and raising his younger brother. Pendleton has become the legal guardian for his 10-year-old brother, Kierstan. A 3.86 student in sociology with a minor in religious studies, Pendleton expects to graduate in December and will enter graduate school at OU. In addition to his candidacy for the Wuerffel Trophy, Pendleton is nominated for the NCAA's Today's Top VIII Award, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' Bobby Bowden Award, the Football Writers' Association of America Courage Award and the John Wooden Citizenship Cup presented by Athletes for a Better World. Pendleton already has been named a recipient of the National Football Foundation's Post-Graduate Scholarship, an award of $18,000. He will travel to New York in December to receive that honor. (SoonerSports PR)Labels: Award, Carl Pendleton
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Dallas Voters pass Cotton Bowl Bond, includes dome study: Deep within a multimillion-dollar contract to renovate Dallas' Cotton Bowl is an easily overlooked item that may resurrect an otherwise defunct idea from last decade -- doming the stadium. The $30,000 study would investigate options for covering the Cotton Bowl with a permanent roof or something semi-permanent, such as an inflatable, retractable or removable dome. The Dallas City Council is scheduled to vote today on the contract, which taps Atlanta-based Heery International Inc. to coordinate the estimated $45.5 million in Cotton Bowl design and construction work. The vote was scheduled to come the day after Dallasites were expected to approve $30 million in Cotton Bowl renovation bond funding to augment millions of dollars that the city and State Fair of Texas already have fronted. These funds will provide a bevy of new amenities for the 76-year-old facility -- seats, scoreboard, bathrooms, concession areas and locker rooms, among others -- and increase its capacity to more than 92,000 fans. It does not, however, allocate funds for doming the stadium. City leaders fear that without some way to keep out wind and cold, the Cotton Bowl will lose its namesake AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic college football game to the Dallas Cowboys' domed stadium in Arlington, which is scheduled to open in three years. (More at Dallas Morning News)Bob Stoops among 10 finalist for Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year: Oklahoma's Bob Stoops is one of 10 finalists named today for the inaugural Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, which honors the college football coach who best exemplifies responsibility and excellence on and off the field of play. The other candidates are Mack Brown (Texas), Lloyd Carr (Michigan), Danny Hale (Bloomsburg), Bobby Petrino (Louisville), Greg Schiano (Rutgers), Jeff Tedford (California), Mel Tjeerdsma (Northwest Missouri State), Jim Tressel (Ohio State) and Tommy Tuberville (Auburn). "More than a quarter-million fan votes were cast and nearly 80,000 fan testimonials were submitted supporting hundreds of coaches from every level of NCAA competition. We think each finalist embodies what makes this award different than any other: responsibility -- not only to his own team and players, but also to his institution and in society," said Paul Condrin, Liberty Mutual president, Personal Markets. "Honoring responsible coaching is a celebration of the positive influence sports coaches – at every level – can have on young people, their families and entire communities." Selected based on professional competence and achievement in 2006, commitment to the well-being and development of student-athletes, high ethical standards, and civic and charitable stewardship, the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year will receive $100,000 to support civic and charitable activities. In addition, Liberty Mutual will grant $20,000 in scholarship to the alumni association of the winning coach's school. Each of the 10 finalists scored in the top 20 percent of the online fan vote within his division during the first phase of competition (September 8 -- November 6). The public can again log onto www.coachoftheyear.com through November 20 to review bios and fan testimonials supporting each candidate and vote for their selection for the award winner, which will be revealed on December 16, 2006. (SoonerSports PR)Patrick expected to play: OU tailback Allen Patrick, who injured his ankle on his final carry at Texas A&M last week, returned to practice Wednesday. "He did a little bit today. We want to be careful how much," Stoops said. "He'll get more tomorrow. He said he was feeling better and better, so we anticipate him being ready to play." (Tulsa World)Pendleton FWAA Courage Award nominee: Oklahoma defensive tackle Carl Pendleton is this week's nominee for the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award to be announced at the end of the 2006 season. Pendleton, a junior and a three-year starter, has decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility - but not to turn pro. Instead, Pendleton, who will graduate in December, will continue his education and focus on caring for his 10-year-old brother, Kierstan. He became Kierstan's legal guardian recently while their parents sort through a difficult divorce. Pendleton, who carries a 3.86 grade-point average in sociology with a minor in religious studies, will pursue a graduate degree. In October, he was awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. "With the responsibility of raising my younger brother, I realize football is not the best choice for me," Pendleton said. "Football was a way for me to get my education." Pendleton, a regular speaker at Fellowship of Christian Athletes functions, teaches Sunday school each week at a Norman church. This month, he is taking over responsibility for the church's ministry to fifth- and sixth-graders. (SoonerSports.com)OU notebook: The OklahomanThe list: Best OU backup tailbacks: The OklahomanRunning Away: The OklahomanSooner DBs fired up to face Tech Oklahoma at Texas Tech: The Oklahoman Reggie Smith Video Journal No. 5: SoonerSports.comHe means business: Tulsa WorldKnow the Foe: Texas Tech Red Raiders: Tulsa WorldThe List: Tulsa WorldOU Notebook: Stoops a finalist: Tulsa WorldQuestions with Paul Thompson: Tulsa WorldSooners secondary is better later: Dallas Morning NewsSooners have Tech's number: Dallas Morning NewsLabels: Allen Patrick, Bob Stoops, Carl Pendleton, Cotton Bowl, Dallas Bond
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