Coach Bob Stoops defends Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson: Head coach Bob Stoops came to the aid of offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, who has been criticized by fans and media for being too conservative in his play-calling during Oklahoma's 21-20 loss at Miami. "Those people, I'm sure they're good play-callers after the fact; they can call plays when they get their team," Stoops told reporters after Monday's practice. "Our game plan was what it had been all along; I don't see where people get that. We went right down the field and scored on the first drive of the game. We were calling those same plays throughout the game. "They don't look as good when they're defended as well or you get a holding call out on the perimeter. I don't see it that way. I thought we called the game the same really throughout." (More at The Oklahoman)
Eldridge earns high praise from Coach Wilson: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson threw an incredible amount of praise on center/tight end Brody Eldridge Tuesday. Eldridge was announced as the starter at center against BYU. He was a starter at either tight end or fullback the last three seasons. Despite weighing just 265 pounds, Wilson believes Eldridge is the cream of the crop of OU's offensive line. "Brody is as good as the guy who played last year (Jon Cooper) right now," Wilson said. "He blocks those big guys we've got that are as good as anybody we'll see right now." (Norman Transcript)
Kevin Wilson hopes to prove doubters wrong about Oklahoma's offensive line: During Thursday's edition of College Football Live, ESPN analyst and former Heisman winner Andre Ware made a bold, if not bizarre, prediction. The Oklahoma Sooners, ranked No. 3 in the preseason and returning the Heisman winner at quarterback, would lose four games this season, including the opener to Brigham Young. "It's documented that everybody is concerned about our offensive line. I'm not. At all," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Friday during OU media day. "The line is as talented as any in this league and the country. It needs competition, it needs experience, it needs to grow. I can't help that it's not seasoned, but I love the ability with what we're working with. "I think it has a chance to be a phenomenal group." (More at The Oklahoman)
Sooners' Wilson named country's top assistant coach: The Oklahoma Sooners have the best offense in the nation. Now, they can boast of the top assistant coach, as well. Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson was presented the 13th Annual Frank Broyles Award by officials from The Rotary Club of Little Rock during a luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel on Tuesday. The award is given annually to the nation's top NCAA assistant football coach. Wilson is the second Sooner assistant to win the award since Bob Stoops arrived at OU in 1999. Mark Mangino, now the head coach at Kansas, was cited in 2000 while serving as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator. Wilson's offense is coming off one the greatest five-game stretches in NCAA history, and is the highest-scoring team in NCAA history. Oklahoma's 62-21 victory over Missouri in the Big 12 Championship Game last Saturday was the fifth consecutive game that the Sooners have gone over 60 points, a feat last accomplished 89 years ago. (More at SoonerSports.com)
English returns to practice: Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said defensive end Auston English went through a full practice Monday and should be able to play in the Big 12 championship game Saturday. English missed the last three games with a knee sprain. (Norman Transcript)
Wilson named a Broyles Award finalist: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson is among five finalists for the Frank Broyles Award, given annually to college football's top assistant coach. The winner will be announced Dec. 9 in Little Rock. Utah defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, TCU defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas, Ball State offensive coordinator Stan Parrish and Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong are the other finalists. (Tulsa World)
Report: Clemson AD visits Oklahoma to interview who? Late this afternoon Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips boarded a plane headed for Oklahoma City. At first everyone believed that he would be talking with OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, but it now looks like Phillips is meeting with OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables. (More at SoonersIllustrated)
Wilson's and Stewart's longtime coaching ties: OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson will be coaching against one of his former mentors in the Fiesta Bowl. West Virginia interim head coach Bill Stewart was the offensive line coach at North Carolina when Wilson was a graduate assistant for two seasons in the mid 1980s. "I'm just grateful that Coach (Dick) Crum didn't run me off and hire Kevin because he was a whole lot smarter than me back then," Stewart joked Friday. "I just hope he is not a lot smarter than me this week. He’s a tremendous football coach and a tremendous friend." (Norman Transcript)
Oklahoma coach Stoops avoids replay talk: Two Oklahoma pass plays in Saturday's 27-24 loss to Colorado were reviewed by the replay booth during the second half. And both calls eventually went against the Sooners. OU coach Bob Stoops refrained from commenting on either play. "I'm not gonna get into it,” he said. "What's that gonna do?” (NewsOK.com)
OU's Ryan Reynolds "fine": OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said linebacker Ryan Reynolds is "fine" after playing through a shoulder injury Saturday. "He's just a little bit sore," Venables said. Reynolds had numbness in his right arm after getting hit by another player's helmet. (NewsOK.com)
Kevin Wilson: On OU's offensive performance against Colorado: OU had seven second-half possessions against the Buffs, none longer than five plays. A Sooners' offense that had averaged 562.3 yards per game finished with 230. "We had been playing so well," OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said, "but our execution was just off, and it hasn't been that way." (Dallas Morning News)
Stoops on the Red River Rivalry after losses: When asked if the losses [OU and Texas, Saturday] detract from Saturday's showdown, Sooner coach Bob Stoops dryly responded: "I don't know how it could add." (Norman Transcript)
Former Canes' Coach Coker expects unrank Miami to challenge OU: [You] ask Larry Coker, and unranked Miami still possesses one key element that will be dangerous for the eighth-ranked Sooners in their second-week game Sept. 8. "They'll have talent," said Coker, Miami's coach since 2001 until he was fired after last season. "I don't think there's any doubt they're being overlooked. "I think you're going to see a very good Miami team come to Oklahoma." (NewsOK.com)
Wilson on Bradford's first start: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson on red shirt freshman Sam Bradford. "We've talked about how they need to manage or take care of the ball. But in taking care of the ball, you need to be not so afraid of taking care of the ball that you don't take the shots that are there, and you don't live on the edge and you don't dare greatly. But if you don't take that first step, the bird's still sitting in the nest. So you need to not be afraid to fly, but you need to be ready to fly when it's time. It'll be interesting Saturday to see. Because we won't know until Saturday and it's for real and the clock's on, the lights and the fans and let's go play." (Tulsa World)
Red-White game today 1:00 at Owen Field, also available on ESPN television. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. Entrance into the stadium will be available through Gates 1, 5, 7, 12.
Red-White system: Offenses can score in traditional ways -- six points for a touchdown, three for a field goal -- and nontraditional ones as well. A play over 30 yards is good for two points, while a first down is good for one. Defenses can keep up by earning three points for a turnover and nine if the turnover is returned for a touchdown. Third-down stops are worth one point and fourth-down stops two, with a three-and-out series resulting in two as well. (Tulsa World)
Wilson looking for leadership: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson spent much of the last week observing the leadership qualities of his three quarterbacks, something he'll again be watching closely in today's Red/White spring game. "There will be many plays next year where there will be zero seniors on the field offensively" Wilson said. "There will be situations where it will be a freshman-sophomore-junior team" (NewsOK.com)
Wilson recipient of the Merv Johnson Integrity in College Coaching Award: The Oklahoma chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame will host its 23rd Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 11 at the Petroleum Club of Oklahoma City. Former OU All-American Joe Washington will be the keynote speaker. Several awards will be presented during the evening. Current Sooner Austin Box and OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson are among those being feted. Wilson is the recipient of the Merv Johnson Integrity in College Coaching Award. The dinner begins with pictures and a reception at 6 p.m., with the formal program starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 and must be purchased in advance from the OU Touchdown Club. That number is 405/840-1460. (SoonerSports.com)
Get your half-price Red-White Tickets: The clock is ticking on half-price tickets for the Red/White Spring Football Game. Fans have until the close of business Friday to purchase $5 tickets. On Saturday, the day of the game, that price doubles to $10. The Sooners will play their spring game this Saturday before a national television audience on ESPN. "This is an opportunity to put our best foot forward for a national audience," said OU head coach Bob Stoops. "We're excited that ESPN will be here and know that our fans will provide a great environment." To purchase tickets, fans may go online at SoonerSports.com, order over the phone at 405/325-GoOU (4668) or buy them in person from the office located east of Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. (SoonerSports PR)
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)
Peterson shows no rust: OU running back Adrian Peterson has gotten most of the workload in practice to make sure he's not rusty next Monday, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. Still, Wilson said Peterson, Allen Patrick and Chris Brown will all see action. "I've knocked all the rust off and [am] back to 100 percent," Peterson said. (Dallas Morning News)
Wilson unsure on how good Boise State is: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Thursday he's still trying to figure out how good Boise State is.He has watched BSU opponents San Jose State, Utah and Hawaii play in bowl games -- TiVo remote in hand -- to get a gauge."You're playing a team that looks awfully good who in some ways you know little about," Wilson said, "and you're trying to get a feel for that." (Idaho Statesman)
Sumlin Interviewed at La. Tech? OU receivers coach Kevin Sumlin said he met with representatives of Louisiana Tech about their head coaching vacancy, but the talks never got serious. Reports in Miami also linked Sumlin to the offensive coordinator position under new Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon. Sumlin said it was all media speculation, though, and that he has not spoken with anyone at Miami. (Dallas Morning News)
OU's and BSU's Alexanders related: Boise State safety Gerald Alexander hasn't been able to catch up with Oklahoma linebacker Rufus Alexander, a distant relative. The two are planning to get together at some point during bowl week.Gerald learned during the Christmas break that his great grandfather and Rufus' great-grandfather are cousins."My family is coming. I don't know how much of his Oklahoma family is coming, but we're all family and I'm sure we'll meet together," Gerald said. (Idaho Statesman)
A. Peterson to make decision after Fiesta Bowl: With speculation running wild, Adrian Peterson remains coy about his future. The junior running back is 151 yards away from breaking Billy Sims' Oklahoma career rushing record of 4,118 yards. Peterson is expected to be an early first-round pick if he jumps to the NFL next year. "It's a big decision, but I'm waiting until after the game to finalize that," Peterson said. (Eastern Valley Tribune)
Fiesta Bowl practice visitors: Practice visitors included former OU head coach Chuck Fairbanks, who resides in the Phoenix area. He watched much of the practice along side Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione. (Oklahoma Practice Notes)
Home Team: The Sooners are the home team and will wear their crimson-colored jerseys. (Dallas Morning News)
Been asked and received a couple e-mails about what footage, Jim Traber and Al Eschbach were talking about on the WWLS 97.9 The SportsAnimal. Referring to Dean Blevins asking, what's Adrian Peterson's chance of returning for Bedlam with Coach Bob Stoops and Offense Coordinator Kevin Wilson, here it is.... Available at NewsOK.com
Birdine Quite: Fans have heard the last of outspoken senior defensive end Larry Birdine. Media who requested to interview him after practice Tuesday were told he was no longer allowed to speak to the press because of his comments last week pertaining to the Sooners;' 2005 loss at Texas Tech, about which Birdine said, "we got screwed." (Tulsa World)
Wilson on Mossis Madu redshirt: Offensive Cordinator Kevin Wilson on pulling Madu's redshirt... "We were talking about him as far back as the Middle Tennessee game," OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Tuesday. "'Should we get him in?' The main reason we held on some of those guys is the games got so short, we just didn't think we needed the substitution as much. We just said, 'Hey, let's hold it.' " (NewsOK.com)
AP Voter Error: Jim Kleinpeter, a writer at the New Orleans Times Picayune, admitted Tuesday he sent in his ballot Sunday morning thinking the Sooners had lost to Texas Tech on Saturday night. He had OU ranked 15th last week but dropped the Sooners to 24th this week despite their 34-24 win over Texas Tech. OU is 16th in the poll this week, five points behind Auburn, which Kleinpeter voted at No. 8 because he thought the Tigers had beaten Georgia when they lost 37-15. "I was in the press box after the LSU game that night and I remember . . . asking somebody, Did Oklahoma get beat? and somebody said 'Yes.' When I woke up the next morning, I rushed through my stuff and when I looked in the paper, I didn't see the score. It was still in my head that they lost. "It was an honest mistake. I'm going to correct it next week." (Tulsa World)
Thompson frustrated with slow climb in Polls: While upsets ruled the college landscape a week ago, the Sooners rose just one spot in both the AP and coaches polls. "That is frustrating," OU quarterback Paul Thompson said. "It's unfortunate that there are some teams ahead of us that I don't think should be. "Hopefully, in the end, if we take care of what we need to take care of, people will recognize that and put where we need to be." (NewsOK.com)
Elridge steps up at fullback: Among the four players to line up at fullback for the Sooners this season -- Matt Clapp , Ian Pleasant, Dane Zaslaw and Brody Eldridge -- offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson says Eldridge, who also plays tight end, has been the best. "He doesn't even practice (fullback) a lot," Wilson said. "When he gets on the field, he's the best blocker. "He actually performs at fullback better than the fullbacks." (NewsOK.com)
Wilson: Perfect scenario four weeks: Six weeks from Saturday is Nov. 25. Oklahoma visits Oklahoma State on that date in the regular-season finale. Peterson, a fast healer from injuries to his shoulder (in 2004) and ankle (in 2005), rushed for 249 and 237 yards in his two previous games against the Cowboys. "I've been told it can be a four-week deal, but that's a perfect scenario," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. "Typically it's 6-8 weeks. Time will tell as he heals and progresses." (Tulsa World)
Sooners climb in the polls: The Oklahoma Sooners moved up three spots to #20 in the Associated Press college football poll. OU beat unranked Iowa State 34-9 on Saturday. The Sooners are 1-1 in the Big 12 and 4-2 overall. Meanwhile, the Sooners climbed 2 spots to #20 in the USA Today college football coaches' poll released today. (KOTV)
Spread Offense in 2007? So Wilson will miss Peterson, the player and the leader. But like the general who refuses to retreat, despite word that his front-line troops have just been taken out, Wilson seems to be relishing that next move. And he was instantly spinning forward on Saturday. "I'd look at it more as a challenge and an opportunity, 'Here's where we're going,'" Wilson said. "Not that, 'It's a problem,' and, 'It's an issue.'" So where is Wilson going? Probably headed toward OU's offense for 2007, which judging by his personnel, minus Peterson, means Colorado coaches are likely scrambling to get their hands on some of the spread attack tapes from Wilson's days at Northwestern. Allen Patrick and Jacob Gutierrez might prove otherwise, but the Sooners' top offensive option no longer resides at running back. Options, yes, but the ball might now be better off with Malcolm Kelly and a cast of skilled receivers that runs deep through wideouts and tight ends. "I think the receivers," said Kelly, "there's more pressure on us now." Don't dismiss the running game. Wilson won't. It's too rooted in his past, even in the spread. Remember, at Northwestern, Damian Anderson ran for a Big Ten-record 193.6 yards a game out of Wilson's spread in 2000. (More at NewsOK.com)
Oklahoma-Missouri game time set: The Oct. 28 Oklahoma at Missouri football game has been set for an 11 a.m., kickoff. The contest will be televised by ABC. This week, Oklahoma hosts Colorado for a 6 p.m., kickoff in Norman. It will mark the 50th consecutive Sooner game to be televised.There are a limited number of tickets remaining for the OU-CU game. They sell for $67 each and are available online at SoonerSports.com, over the phone at 1-800-456-GoOU or in person at the ticket office west of Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. (SoonerSports Release)
Peterson to NFL after junior year "is common sense," Wilson, says: Most observers assume Adrian Peterson's departure to the NFL is a foregone conclusion after his junior season. Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson even figured as much on Tuesday while assessing quarterback recruiting. Asked to elaborate on Peterson, he said the running back's declaration for the NFL after this season is "common sense. "He'd be surrounded by a great college team coming back," Wilson said. "But the money that's being thrown out there, if he continues to play -- I'm sure coach (Bob Stoops) will get with him and the NFL people to see what his true stock value is, and if it's in the high end, I don't know any of us that will say, 'You should come back and not go be one of the top three or four guys picked.' "If you're going that high, you look at this year, those guys are getting 60 million bucks out the gate. It's hard to come back and go to study hall. Nothing against study hall." (Tulsa World)
Sooners ready to chase ISU's Meyer: OU defensive end Larry Birdine said he's tired of chasing guys and would prefer a drop-back passer. He asked: "Where's all the Drew Bledsoes at?" (Dallas Morning News)
No decision yet on McCoy redshirt: Gerald McCoy is becoming a better football player. Oklahoma coaches have said so. His teammates have said so. That doesn't mean McCoy, the Sooners' true freshman defensive tackle from Southeast High School, will play this season. Nor does it mean he won't. It simply means he's getting better, and his mother said McCoy is OK with that. "He's handling it well," Pat McCoy said of her son. "He feels like maybe it's for his betterment to learn and sit back and be an apprentice." Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday no final determination has been made as to whether McCoy will redshirt. (NewsOK.com)
