Manny Johnson held out of Pro Day: Wide receiver Manny Johnson did not participate at Pro Day after recently re-injuring his hamstring. Johnson also injured the hamstring at the Combine during receiving drills, which prevented him from testing there, either. (The Oklahoman)
Former Sooners at Pro Day: A handful of ex-Sooners now in the NFL -- C.J. Ah You of St. Louis, Larry Birdine of Tennessee and Reggie Smith of San Francisco among them -- watched the workouts and remembered what a stressful time it was. "The real stress was the combine, because you're up from morning to night, then you've got to get up and perform and you're tired, you're on your feet," Ah You said. (Tulsa World)
Habern receives NCAA medical redshirt: As expected, Oklahoma center Ben Habern learned late last week that he has received a medical redshirt for last season, and will still have four years of eligibility remaining. Habern, who at the moment is working with the first-team offensive line, suffered a broken toe at Baylor and missed the rest of last season. (The Oklahoman)
Owens to return after spring break: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said wide receiver Jameel Owens did some running during Tuesday's practice, but won’t be full go in practice until after spring break. Owens, who injured his ankle prior to the start of spring practice, is expected to compete for playing time this spring and next season.(The Oklahoman)
Miller, Owens not expected to redshirt this year: Bob Stoops has said this week that true freshmen wide receivers Dejuan Miller and Jameel Owens won't redshirt this season. "We're going to play them," Stoops said. (The Oklahoman)
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes Sooners' WR bunch shines: While you're at it, keep an eye on OU's wide receivers this afternoon, and not just after they've caught passes. "I don't think since I've been here I've seen that group play that hard," Sooner wide receivers coach Kevin Sumlin said of last week's victory over Miami. "They went after it both run and pass. It makes you feel good as coaches because we've been harping on that." The willingness of Malcolm Kelly, Manuel Johnson and Juaquin Iglesias to block is especially crucial on the bubble screen passes Sam Bradford likes to throw, and when tailback DeMarco Murray turns a run outside, as he is prone to do. (Tulsa World)
Oklahoma Connection: Utah State coach Brent Guy graduated from Oklahoma State in 1983 and served as graduate assistant and linebackers coach at OSU. But he has downplayed the significance of returning to Oklahoma Saturday. “That’s not what the game is about,” he said. “The game will be about our guys going in there and playing against a team that’s ranked in the top three in the country." (Norman Transcript)
Box may be redshirted? Even though coach Bob Stoops said linebacker Austin Box would be one of three freshmen to play this season, Box has yet to step on the field, suggesting he will redshirt this year. "I wasn't completely sold,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "He could play, but we're in a situation health-wise we don't have to do that. "In the end, I think he gets more value picking up that year down the road.” (NewsOK.com)
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)
