Lofton named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week: Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton has been named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The junior earned the honor for his effort against No. 11-ranked Missouri last Saturday. Lofton had a career-high 18 tackles and a 12-yard fumble return for a touchdown at a critical juncture in the contest. OU had just re-taken the lead at 29-24 early in the fourth quarter when Lofton scooped up the loose ball and gave his team an 11-point bulge. OU led by at least 10 points for the remainder of the game. The Kingfisher, Okla., native now has 82 tackles on the season. That figure leads Oklahoma and more than doubles the career total of 40 he amassed during his first two seasons in the program. Last week, Reggie Smith won the Big 12 defensive honor for his work in the win over Texas. It was a repeat for Smith, who also won the award after Oklahoma's win over Miami. (SoonerSports PR)
No changes planned at kicker: Kicker Garrett Hartley missed a PAT and had another blocked against Missouri. Hartley, a senior, is 40-for-46 on PAT attempts and 5-for-7 from field-goal range. Despite the struggles, OU football coach Bob Stoops said there are no plans to change kickers. He said the PAT was missed was due to a bad hold by Hays McEachern and the line was to blame for the block. Nonetheless, the gaffes have been and will continue to be addressed. “We have to get that unit sharper and we will,” he said. (Norman Transcript)
Bradford seventh on CSTV Heisman List: 7. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (9) -- has beaten both Texas and Missouri, and could get a New York invite if the Sooners win out. (Complete list at CSTV)
Hartley continues season struggles: Senior kicker Garrett Hartley of Southlake Carroll continued struggling. Hartley hooked a 38-yard field goal attempt wide left with 19 seconds left. He has missed two field goal and three extra-point attempts this season. (Dallas Morning News)
Venables takes the fall for linebackers coverage: Texas' five plays involving tight ends Jermichael Finley and Blaine Irby gained 175 yards. The Longhorns' 50 other plays gained 210. Since Finley and Irby were primarily the responsibility of Sooner linebackers, Venables, OU's linebacker coach, put himself squarely on the spot. "I've got to do a better job and get them better aligned and play with better technique and better awareness and all of the above," he said Sunday. "That's obviously discouraging. Obviously you're glad you won despite that. We couldn't play any worse in the coverage aspect on those snaps." (Tulsa World)
McCoy out against Utah State: Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Gerald McCoy didn't start for the first time this season and didn't get into the game. Backup Steven Coleman, a senior from Skyline, started in McCoy's place. McCoy broke the fourth metacarpal bone in his right hand against Miami last week and has been wearing a cast ever since. McCoy said earlier this week that the cast slows him down.(Dallas Morning News) Hartley career long: Garrett Hartley banged home a 53-yard field goal Saturday, a yard longer than his previous career best against Texas in 2005. "It came off my foot really well, with a little right-to-left draw," he said. "I couldn't tell how much I had to spare. It was good enough from 53, I know that." (Tulsa World) Nichol #2 QB: True freshman Keith Nichol, who had been the Sooners' No. 3 quarterback in the previous two games, entered as the second-string signal caller Saturday. Nichol was 1-of-6 passing for 10 yards. He turned the ball over on a fumbled snap, but also threw a well-placed deep pass that Garrett Bothun could not pull in near the goal line. Joey Halzle also entered the game late, completing his only pass. (NewsOK.com) OU Two minute drill: The Oklahoman
Updated: OU wants secondary violation dropped: As previously posted; After consulting with a fellow Big 12 Conference school, Oklahoma wants the NCAA to strike a self-reported secondary rules violation from its record. Oklahoma reported that it had broken NCAA rules when it hung jerseys with three prospects' high school numbers in the Sooners' locker room when the recruits came to visit. The university's executive director of compliance, Jason Leonard, subsequently sent a letter to the NCAA asking to have that violation removed, according to documents obtained Friday through an open records request by The Associated Press. Leonard wrote that Oklahoma heard from compliance staff at Missouri after they'd read an AP story published June 12 detailing secondary violations that had been self-reported by Oklahoma. Leonard wrote that he was informed that Missouri – in a similar situation – had been told by a former NCAA official in 2005 that no secondary violation had occurred in that instance. (AP/Dallas Morning News) (8-11-07) Update 2: University of Oklahoma secondary violations removed: The Oklahoma football program had a self-reported secondary NCAA violation removed from its record, according to documents obtained Tuesday by The Oklahoman. Oklahoma originally reported that it had broken NCAA rules when it hung jerseys with three prospects' high school numbers in the Sooners' locker room when the recruits came to visit. In a letter dated July 18, NCAA Associate Director for Enforcement of Secondary Violations, Renee Gomila, wrote that "based upon additional information (OU) submitted, it was confirmed by membership services that under the specific facts of this case, no violation of NCAA legislation occurred inasmuch as personalized numbers and names were not placed on the jerseys displayed during the prospects' visits.” (NewsOK.com)
McCoy suffers broken hand; unlikely to start against Utah State:Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy broke a bone in his right hand on Saturday against Miami but was able to practice Monday with a cast protecting the injury. He said the injury occurred during the Sooners goal-line stand that ultimately ended with a Hurricanes touchdown. McCoy said having a cast over four fingers does hinder his effectiveness, but doesn't actually hurt. "I'm working to get better every day so it won't slow me down," he said. (Tulsa World)
Updated: OU's Patrick suffered cramps: Oklahoma RB Allen Patrick did not play after two carries in the third quarter, but did not reinjure his right ankle, instead suffering leg cramps. (Star-Telegram)(9-9-07) Update 1: Patrick expected to play Saturday:Coach Bob Stoops said senior running back Allen Patrick has worked at full speed this week in practice and is expected to play Saturday. (Dallas Morning News)
Limited OU-Utah State tickets available: The University of Oklahoma has received a limited number of tickets from Utah State, this week's opponent, and has those tickets on sale now. Tickets are available online, by calling the Athletics Ticket Office (800-456-4668 or 405-325-2424) or in person from the Athletics Ticket Office on the west side of Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on the plaza level of the Asp Avenue parking garage. The office's regular business hours are Monday-Friday between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets for the game are $47.00 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. (SoonerSports.com)
Hartley on his missed attempted: “It definitely rattled me a little bit,” he (Garrett Hartley) said Tuesday. “I try to be perfect with everything regardless if it’s a field goal or extra point and when it hit off the left upright I kind of was in shock at first, but I have moved on. I watched film and I know what happened and it was just a timing issue.” (Norman Transcript)
Clapp may be redshirted: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said FB Matt Clapp might redshirt because of the play of Dane Zaslaw and the use of TE Brody Eldridge. (Star-Telegram)
Hartley on Groza Watch List: Oklahoma kicker Garrett Hartley, one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award last year, is on the preseason watch list for that same honor in 2007. Hartley, a senior from Southlake, Texas, made 19-of-20 field goals last season along with 49-of-50 extra points. His 2006 field goal percentage set an OU record and led the nation among kickers with more than 10 attempts. Hartley ranks No. 8 at OU in career kick scoring with 200 points, while his 34 field goal rank No. 6. With 98 career point after touchdown kicks, he ranks No. 9 on the all-time Sooner list. Two former winners of the award, Arthur Carmody of the University of Louisville and Alexis Serna of Oregon State University, are on the list too. The watch list is comprised of the top 30 preliminary candidates for the 16th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl. The top three finalists will be honored during the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet on Tuesday, December 4, 2007. (SoonerSports PR) Tuesday Football Post-Practice Video: SoonerSports
Oklahoma AD Castiglione avoids bringing outside help negotiating: Compensation for college head coaches -- especially the fast-escalating deals for football coaches -- is becoming an increasingly significant issue for NCAA schools, association president Myles Brand said Monday. During a session at the annual Street & Smith's Intercollegiate Athletics Forum here, Brand and other panelists were asked what they thought would be the most important story to follow in the upcoming year. "Coaches' contracts," said Brand, who added "agents have the upper hand" now and schools may need outside help negotiating these deals. Antitrust laws bar the NCAA from setting salary limits. "Negotiations have become tougher, and there's a lot of competition for the best coaches," Brand said in a separate interview Monday. "It might make sense for schools to have representation. They use outside counsel on other things." Hiring outside help can create problems, though, said Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione, whose football coach, Bob Stoops, is one of the nation's highest paid at $3.45 million this year. "It's human nature to want to avoid the hard-core aspects of negotiation," Castiglione said. "But it can hurt the employer-employee relationship." (In part from USA Today)
Oklahoma's Hartley edged by the 'ville's Carmody for Groza Award: Art Carmody of the University of Louisville football team won the Lou Groza Award yesterday as the nation's top collegiate kicker. The junior from Shreveport, La., made 20 of 23 field-goal attempts and all 57 conversion tries for a team-high 117 points. He holds the school career record with 46 field goals. The other finalists were Auburn's John Vaughn and Oklahoma's Garrett Hartley. "I knew that John and Garrett each had a great season," Carmody said. "Just sitting there and hearing my name, it was kind of a shock." (Louisville Courier-Journal)
Williams likely to play in Fiesta Bowl: Freshman offensive tackle Trent Williams, taken from the field by cart at the Big 12 Championship, should be fine to practice and play in the Fiesta Bowl. Williams suffered a leg injury in the second half of the game, but he was later seen on the field and told reporters he was "OK." (NewsOK.com)
Sooners Back to practice: The Sooners returned to the practice field Wednesday, as the Sooners practiced lightly in preparation for Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Boise State to practice this weekend: From Boise FOX 12 on Boise State's practice plans.. "Coach (Chris) Petersen wanted the guys to hit the books and get caught up on school work the next couple of weeks here, and we'll just practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week and give them all next week off for finals," said [BSU assistant football coach Jeff ] Choate. In three weeks, the team will begin its journey to Phoenix. They leave just one day after Christmas then they have a week until the actual game.
Harley only Sooner in Orlando: [Kicker, Garrett] Hartley is the lone Sooner in Orlando. Still, Hartley is making the most of the trip, which began Sunday and doesn't end until a flight back to Norman on Friday. The trip has included dinners, a stay at a five-star hotel, and a visit to Universal Studios. The highlight for Hartley so far: "A round of golf at the PGA National Resort, the Champions Club," he said. "Pretty spectacular." (NewsOK.com)
Don't forget the "Home Depot College Football Awards" show (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Oklahoma's Patrick runs past O-State: After a costly controversy and a Red River loss, Oklahoma seemed to be down and out. But look at the Sooners now, back on top and playing for a berth in the BCS. Allen Patrick ran for 163 yards and a touchdown to help No. 13 Oklahoma survive another Bedlam scare and win the Big 12 South title with a 27-21 win against Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Sooners' run to the title started immediately after a loss to Texas in October, and six of the team's seven straight wins have come without star tailback Adrian Peterson. "We've overcome a lot, but we knew we could get here," quarterback Paul Thompson said. "We knew we had the guys, the personnel to get here, especially after the changes we made and we saw what we had in our replacements. ... We never gave up hope of getting here, and now we're here." (ESPN.com - Stats)
Peterson unlikely for Big XII title game: The 23rd-ranked Huskers (9-3) clinched the Big 12 North title two weeks ago. The 13th-ranked Sooners (10-2) needed some help. But after Texas A&M upset Texas on Friday, all OU had to do was beat Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Sooners won, 27-21. OU coach Bob Stoops said it's unlikely running back Adrian Peterson (broken collarbone) will play. "They'll have to do the bone scan again and assess what they feel, whether it's OK for him or not," Stoops said. "I would say it's doubtful. That would be my feeling today. Now, that may change." (Dallas Morning News)
Sooners atop NCAA in 10- win seasons: With its 27-21 victory over Oklahoma State Saturday, Oklahoma became the nation's leader in 10-win seasons with 29. Prior to Saturday, the Sooners were tied with Alabama. The Sooners have six 10-win seasons in eight years under coach Bob Stoops. Barry Switzer won 10 games 10 times in 16 years. (NewsOK.com)
Hartley rare miss: Hartley's missed extra point in the second quarter marked his first miss in 41 attempts this season (ended game with 43 season attempts) and only his second in 94 career attempts. (Sooner Sports Statistics)
Sooners watching Texas: Bob Stoops says he didn't watch a lot of Texas A&M's 12-7 victory over Texas on Friday. Quite the contrary, in fact. "I was out in the yard shooting baskets with my children," Stoops said. That's certainly a better post-Thanksgiving activity than biting nails, sweating bullets and crying, "Gig em!" But when your team's future rides on whether the Aggies can beat the Longhorns for the first time in a long time. . . . "Yeah, we watched it," said OU defensive end Alonzo Dotson. "It was exciting." (Tulsa World)
Patrick's rushes for longest run of '06: Patrick's 65-yard TD run, a career high, on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter marked the longest run by any Sooner this season. It is the longest rush since Adrian Peterson’s 84-yard TD run against Oklahoma State in 2005. (Sooner Sports Statistics)
Big XII Championship tickets: The University of Oklahoma Athletics Ticket Office has tickets available for the 2006 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship Game scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Sooners will take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a 7 p.m., kickoff. Tickets are $70 each. The ticket office will be open to take calls from season ticket holders from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26th and from 8-10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27. If tickets still remain, they will be available to the general public beginning at 10 a.m., Monday. Tickets may be purchased by calling the OU Athletics Ticket Office at 405-325-2424 or 800-456-GoOU. All orders will be shipped overnight via UPS. (SoonerSports PR)
Bob Stoops Website in the works: Asked on Tuesday if he had thought about launching his own Web site -- www.BobStoops.com -- the Oklahoma head football coach's response drew uncontrolled laughter. "What do you do with it?" he asked the questioner. Then, Stoops revealed the truth. "Yeah," he said, "I'm working on one. I think." The OU Internet Technology department is developing a site that will be devoted strictly to Sooner football, particularly recruiting. The name is still fluid, as is the content and presentation, but BobStoops.com is a strong possibility. "From what I understand," Stoops said, "somebody's working on one for me, I think." Actually, said associate athletic director for media relations Kenny Mossman, Stoops was the driving force behind the idea. "He sought us out and asked us to work on that project. He's definitely interested in it," Mossman said. "He sees a tremendous value in it. He's personally not very Web-savvy, but he understands the value of it." Mossman said the site will be housed within the athletic department's address -- www.SoonerSports.com (More at Tulsa World)
Oklahoma's Hartley Groza Finalist: Oklahoma kicker Garrett Hartley has been named one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award, which is presented annually to the top kicker in college football. The Palm Beach County Sports Institute and Palm Beach County Sports Commission made the announcement Tuesday. The award is presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl. The other finalists are John Vaughn of Auburn and Arthur Carmody of Louisville. Hartley has connected on 17 of 18 field goals this season. His only miss on the year came on a blocked 44-yard field goal against Oregon. Hartley currently ranks No. 2 among all players in the Big 12 Conference with 8.2 points per game. The junior place-kicker’s season long is a 46-yard field goal against Iowa State. Hartley has also remained perfect this season in extra point attempts going 39-of-39. Twice this year Hartley was named a Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Star of the Week. (SoonerSports PR)
Aggie win, OU win over O-State equals incentives: Stoops has thousands of reasons to pull for the Aggies – approximately $230,000 worth of reasons. That's how much money Stoops could make in contract incentives if his Sooners get into the Big 12 championship game. According to the contract, Stoops would earn $60,000 just for playing in the Big 12 title game or $80,000 if OU wins it. Then, Stoops would make an additional $100,000 for participating in one of the four BCS bowls. He'll also earn $50,000 if OU finishes in the top 20 of the BCS standings, which is possible now, or $75,000 for landing in the top 10. (Dallas Morning News) Williams Questionable: Free safety Darien Williams is, in secondary coach Bobby Jack Wright's estimation, 70 percent after injuring a knee last week at Baylor. Asked after practice Tuesday if he thought he'd play at Oklahoma State Saturday, Williams said: "Probably. I don't know for sure, but I'm leaning that way." Wright said if Williams can't go, nickel back Nic Harris would replace him in the Sooners' 4-3 base defense. Harris would return to the nickel safety / linebacker position in OU's five-defensive back set, with Jason Carter joining Reggie Smith at safety. (Tulsa World)
Stoops expects Peterson to Return: Will Adrian Peterson ever play again in crimson and cream? Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops sounded like a believer Tuesday. "I'm pretty convinced of that," Stoops said. "Things may change, but at this point it hasn't for him." Peterson was hopeful to return from a broken collarbone in time to play in Saturday's Bedlam game. That possibility was ruled out after a bone scan done Monday. Stoops said he was uncertain whether Peterson might make it back should the Sooners make the Big 12 title game Dec. 2. Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, said Monday that his son still wanted to play for OU in a bowl game. As for the long layoff — the injury occurred Oct. 14 and a late-December or early January bowl is expected for the Sooners — Stoops said it's no concern. "He's out there running and doing things, training," Stoops said. "He's in shape. (NewsOK.com) OU Scholars: Fullback Dane Zaslaw, defensive tackle Carl Pendleton and defensive end Larry Birdine represent OU on the Academic All-Big 12 first team released Tuesday. Lofton and running back Jacob Gutierrez made the second team. (Tulsa World) Is Stoops feeling the Bedlam?: Norman Transcript
Hartley among Groza Semifinalist: Oklahoma kicker Garrett Hartley has been named a semifinalist for the 2006 Lou Groza Award by the Palm Beach County Sports Institute and Sports Commission. The honor is presented annually to the nation's top placekicker. Twenty players have advanced to the semifinal round. The winner will be announced Dec. 7 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Hartley, a junior from Southlake, Texas, has been brilliant through the first eight games. He has made 14-of-15 field goals and all 29 of his point after touchdown kicks. His lone miss came at Oregon when, after kicking a career-high four field goals, his final attempt of the game was blocked. Hartley ranks No. 4 in nationally in field goals made per game at 1.75 and No. 14 in scoring with 8.88 points per game. His field goals made percentage of .933 ranks first among kickers with more than 10 makes. A group of head coaches, sports writers and sportscasters, conference representatives, professional kickers and previous Groza Award finalists vote on the honor. (SoonerSports PR)
More Brown to Come: Both Stoops and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson anticipate the reappearance of tailback Chris Brown, the true freshman who carried four times late against Colorado two weeks ago, but did not get in the game at Missouri. "It wasn't like he had a bad week or anyone was upset with him," Wilson said. "I think we just got into a deal where on the road, in a close game, ball security (was an issue). Us as coaches were being a little cautious." Wilson said running backs coach Cale Gundy determines game-day reps for the tailbacks. "I was surprised probably like a lot of people that Chris Brown wasn't in," Wilson said. "But at the same time, the way it worked out, we didn't need him." (Tulsa World)
College GameDay from College Station FYI: The show will be carried from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fans are encouraged to be at the site as early as 6 a.m. and will be allowed into the area at 7 a.m. No tents or alcohol are permitted, and signs will be inspected.
