Venables defends Frank Alexander's personal foul penalty: OU is one of three teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision with over 700 yards in penalties, joining Texas Tech and Arizona State. Three personal fouls made up the bulk of the Sooners' 64 yards in infractions Saturday night. One was whistled against defensive end Frank Alexander, and it helped Nebraska in its third-quarter drive to a field goal. Sunday, however, defensive coordinator Brent Venables took issue with the call. "He was protecting himself," Venables said. "The guy (who Alexander hit to get the penalty) was coming to block him after the ball was out of bounds. He actually was looking at the ball and felt the guy coming from his blind side and actually just pushed off to protect himself. It happens." (Tulsa World)

The heat's still on in Norman: Tulsa World

Bob Stoops, Landry Jones, Sooners Hit New Lows: Bleacher Report

Questions swirl around Sooners: Examiner

'Sooner Magic' appears to have dried up this season: ESPN.com

Labels: Brent Venables, Frank Alexander, Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Alexander talks about stabbing: For the first time since being stabbed in the arm at a party after the opener, defensive end Frank Alexander spoke with the media on Tuesday. "The coaches were very understanding of the situation and came to see me in the hospital, which made me feel good to know I had their support and that they care about me," Alexander said. "They just told me to come back stronger. I've learned a lesson; my mother always tells me that nothing good happens after midnight, and I guess she was right." (The Oklahoman)

OU injury report: Bob Stoops said Tuesday that wide receiver Manuel Johnson was "getting closer" to returning to the lineup for Saturday's game against Nebraska. Johnson "caught some balls, did some drills yesterday, is supposed to do more today. So it should be just how comfortable he is at the end of the week and how much of the game plan, meaning in practice, he's able to execute. We'll just have to see by the end of the week." Tight end Brody Eldridge was full speed at practice on Monday and is expected to play, Stoops said. Offensive lineman Branndon Braxton, coming off an ankle injury against TCU, sustained a shoulder injury last week, said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. (Tulsa World)

Stoops, Pelini go way, way back: Norman Transcript

Schooled in the rivalry: Norman Transcript

OU's BCS title hopes not dead, but help required: Tulsa World

Granger speaks: Tulsa World

Listen to Bob Stoops' weekly press conference: Tulsa World

Assessing the big-play damage: The Oklahoman

Stoops talks Nebraska, recaps last week's win against Kansas State: The Oklahoman

OU Notebook -- Heupel food drive set for Saturday: The Oklahoman

Sooners thrive on speed: Lincoln Journal-Star

Ball control gives NU a chance: Lincoln Journal-Star

NU-OU rivalry not lost on team: Lincoln Journal-Star

Husker linebacker Dillard out: Lincoln Journal-Star

Sooners learning about Nebraska rivalry: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Will Sooners rip Huskers in red zone?: Omaha World-Herald

Pelini's joke -- I'm toast if I don't beat OU: Associated Press

Labels: Frank Alexander, Manuel Johnson, Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Frank Alexander shines: Freshman defensive end Frank Alexander played by far his most minutes of the year Saturday, rotating in for both Auston English and Jeremy Beal from the third series on. His biggest play was a rush off the right end late in the first half, when he hit quarterback Josh Freeman despite being held by tackle Edward Prince. His backside sack forced a fumble that DeMarcus Granger recovered for the Sooners' third takeaway in four K-State possessions. (Tulsa World)

Venables on OU's defense: The Sooners aren't dominating either, giving up 32 points a game against Big 12 competition. Said defensive coordinator Brent Venables, "We're just giving things away, playing sloppy. That's what's discouraging and frustrating. We're in position and we're turning guys loose and we're not playing with any discipline." (The Oklahoman)

OU's record first half: Oklahoma's 55 points in the first half tied an Oklahoma program record for points in a half. OU had previously posted 55 points against Kansas State in the second half of its 1942 matchup. The point total is the highest ever in the first half, topping the previous record of 52 against Rice in 1978. (SoonerSports.com Statistics)

In a hurry: 1:45 - Of its eight scoring first-half scoring drives, Oklahoma's longest lasted only 1 minute and 45 seconds.

Injury report: Wide receiver Manuel Johnson watched the game with his arm in a sling after dislocating his elbow last week against Kansas. Tight end Brody Eldridge missed his second game with an ankle injury, although he did suit up. During the game, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy appeared to injure his left foot or ankle midway through the third quarter. He returned in the fourth, and did not appear to be limping afterward. Gresham was knocked woozy during a K-State kickoff midway through the third. He didn't return, though offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said the Sooners simply were being cautious. (Tulsa World)

Even in victory, OU defense has fans in despair: Tulsa World

Iglesias' catch ignites offense: Tulsa World

Sooners play takeaway defense: Tulsa World

Box hurt early, but recovers: Tulsa World

OU Report Card: Tulsa World

OU Report Card: Tulsa World

Stoops and Snyder -- A classic moment: Tulsa World

Even in victory, OU defense has fans in despair: The Oklahoman

Murray totals 167 yards in OU rout of Wildcats: The Oklahoman

OU off and running again: The Oklahoman

K-State turnovers turned the tide: The Oklahoman

OU report card -- D for defense: The Oklahoman

Play of the game -- Fourth-down gamble that paid off: The Oklahoman

What they're saying in the K-State locker room: The Oklahoman

A win's a win: Norman Transcript

Victory not what it ought to be: Norman Transcript

Sooners respond to challenge: Dallas Morning News

In game of ups, downs, Sooners made plays that counted: Star-Telegram

K-State rallies early, but is no match for Sooners: Star-Telegram

Oklahoma rolls to 58-35 win over Kansas State: Kansas City Star

Oklahoma eases past K-State: Topeka Capital-Journal

Sooners dazzle K-State: Wichita Eagle

Labels: Defense, Frank Alexander, Kansas State, Oklahoma Sooners