Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesUT's Rick Barnes stayed in the Stoops Suite: From Tulsa World Sports blog.. The Longhorns spent Tuesday night at Sooner Legends Inn & Suites in Norman, where Barnes bunked in the Bob Stoops Suite. The pictures and memorabilia were everywhere, prompting this quip from the Texas hoops coach: "We were pretty intimate." (Tulsa World)Q&A with Jameel Owens: The OklahomanLabels: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesOklahoma defeats Texas 28-21 in Red River Rivalry: After growing up in the Texas family, Malcolm Kelly switched sides for a better chance at winning the Red River Rivalry. Without him, No. 10 Oklahoma might never have come away with their latest victory in the century-old series. Kelly caught the game-winning 35-yard pass in the fourth quarter, then stuck around to savor it. Even as an announcement over the public address system warned everyone to leave the Cotton Bowl because of an impending thunderstorm, Kelly was posing near midfield for another photo and soaking in his first win over the 19th-ranked Longhorns. "A lot of great players have played in this game, and I wanted to be one that walked off victorious," said Kelly, who caught five passes for 105 yards and one score in Oklahoma's 28-21 win Saturday. "I had a good game, so I feel like I accomplished that." (AP/SportingNews - Stats) Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Texas
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesWright's past Texas connection: OU defensive backs coach Bobby Jack Wright knows what the OU-Texas rivalry is like wearing burnt orange. Wright spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Texas before joining Bob Stoops' staff in 1999. "When I was south of the Red (River), I got cussed by people north of the Red,” Wright said. "Being born and raised in Texas, I have a lot of friends in Texas. "I get cussed by them now." (NewsOK.com)Switzer on the Red River Rivalry: (Barry) Switzer, who turns 70 today, works as a college football analyst for XM Satellite Radio, but still remembers the pressure surrounding an OU-Texas game. "I know how that game goes. I know the pressure," he said. "It's tremendous." The former OU coach said the weight to win the game is always heaviest for those on the OU sideline. "I don't think I've met anybody that's graduated from the University of Texas and come north of the Red River to make a living," he said. "But we've got a lot of our graduates who left and have gone south of the Red River, to Dallas and Houston, that make a living and live in those communities, the social clubs, the golf clubs ... It's very important to us. There's tremendous pressure on Oklahoma to win this game every year. I’ve always felt that."(Norman Transcript)Only so far back: Stoops said he only goes back two years to look at past Texas-OU games. "We'll look a little bit at what they were doing," Stoops said. "If you go back too far, things look too different." (Dallas Morning News)OU-Texas a Saturday of memories: SoonerSports.comFormer OU coach is having the time of his life as grandfather, businessman: The OklahomanSwitzer's most memorable games: The OklahomanInfluencing Switzer: The OklahomanBeating rival on field can help win recruits' hearts: The OklahomanKey matchups: The OklahomanWhen the Sooners have the ball: The OklahomanWhen Texas has the ball: The OklahomanSooners winning recruiting battle with Texas on Dallas turf: Dallas Morning NewsUT players given sobering lesson: Dallas Morning NewsPlayers' legal woes wear on Longhorns: Dallas Morning NewsOU, Texas teams won't abandon run: Dallas Morning NewsRed River Rivalry hasn't been too kind to first-time quarterbacks: Tulsa WorldImplications are large in rivalry game: Tulsa WorldStopping Charles is key for Sooners: Tulsa WorldTexas battling its demons: Tulsa WorldOU-Texas matchups: Tulsa WorldOU Notebook: Think, then run: Tulsa WorldMcCoy, bruised and down on his luck, staying positive: Tulsa WorldVintage Switz: Tulsa WorldOklahoma-Texas rivalry transcends rankings, records, bowl hopes and spying: Ft. Worth Star-TelegramTurning over a new leaf?: Ft. Worth Star-TelegramNotebook -- Brown on the defensive: Austin American-StatesmanHomecoming for fan Okie: Austin American-StatesmanOU-Texas trophy no steal: Austin American-StatesmanStoops, Brown polar opposites: Austin American-StatesmanStoops no longer walking on water: San Antonio Express-NewsOklahoma's defense is under the gun: San Antonio Express-NewsHorns, Sooners hope to avoid 0-2 start to Big 12 play: ESPN.com Labels: Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Texas
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Hate involved in Red River Rivalry? Asked about his OU-Texas experience this week, Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy was quoted as saying: "I was just amazed at how much these teams hated each other." Asked to respond Tuesday, Stoops said: "We don't talk about hating anybody, and I don't think it does a whole lot for you. In the end, people talk about hating or being angry, that doesn't get you two minutes into the game. After that, you've got to play and you've got to know what you're doing, and you've got to have the focus and the ability to get it done." (Tulsa World)More Franks, less Smith on returns? Smith will continue to return punts, but Stoops might choose to rest him on occasion, replacing him with Dominique Franks. Stoops hinted that Smith's muffed punt could have been a result of his starting cornerback being tired late in a game where OU's defense had been on the field more than usual. "I've got to be smarter (about) how fatigued he is at times, how many snaps he's had," Stoops said of Smith. "Dominique Franks has done a great job with it. We need to probably spell (Smith) some for that reason."(NewsOK.com)Stoops: It's not just about Texas: Stoops said beating Texas is just a part of the whole picture. "In the end, we've beaten Texas before and not won the Big 12 championship, and I don't hear anybody congratulating us at the end of the year," Stoops said. "If you beat them and do nothing the rest of the year, that doesn't go around here. "That might go at some schools where everybody said, 'At least you did that and you're showing improvement,' or whatever, but that doesn't happen here. Winning a championship is what matters." (Dallas Morning News)Malcolm Kelly has point to make: SoonerSports.comSooners focused on Longhorns: SoonerSports.comSooners trying to find pass rush that vanished: The OklahomanQBs try to conquer presures of OU-Texas: The OklahomanThe best of OU-Texas: The OklahomanStoops' staggering setbacks: The OklahomanA crisis of confidence: Norman TranscriptSooners have a question to answer: Norman TranscriptBaker remembers his first time: Norman TranscriptOU defense aims to end ups and downs Saturday versus UT: Tulsa WorldWilson says black eye is his, not team's: Tulsa WorldUT's Foster familiar with game's spotlight: Dallas Morning NewsBig 12 South not just a two-team race: Dallas Morning NewsUT defense plays follow the leader: Dallas Morning NewsRed River Rivalry -- Where Are They Now?: Dallas Morning NewsKelly ready to make good on decision to go to OU: Ft. Worth Star-TelegramSophomore has weird links to Texas: Ft. Worth Star-TelegramTexas Notes: Ft. Worth Star-TelegramSweed, Kelly need to play tall, not small like last week: Austin American-StatesmanOU quarterback Bradford is coming along nicely: Austin American-StatesmanDesperation in air for OU, UT at Red River Rivalry: Houston ChronicleSooners QB shows leadership skills: San Antonio Express-NewsStoops not surprised by tale of UT-OU fight: San Antonio Express-NewsLabels: Bob Stoops, Dominique Franks, Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Reggie Smith, Texas
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
UT opts to stay put; Oklahoma fans keep tunnel entrance: Even though Texas won the right to sit over the tunnel at the Cotton Bowl for its annual showdown with Oklahoma, Longhorns athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Monday UT will continue to sit in the end zone opposite the tunnel. "The contract allows the home team to pick, and we're leaving it the way it was," said Dodds, referring to the game's unique seating in which fans from each team are split down the 50-yard-line. Texas is the home team for this year's Red River Rivalry and figured to take advantage of its newly acquired right to sit over the tunnel, where Oklahoma fans have sat for years. Dodds said Monday there are three reasons why Texas is staying put: 1) improved "security" around the tunnel; 2) the ability to see a giant replay screen that sits over the tunnel; and 3) band seating. (Dallas Morning News)
Muskogee pair lead 2008 football prospects: The Oklahoman
*Labels: Cotton Bowl, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Dallas Official: Dallas isn't obligated to spend bond money: The city of Dallas isn't obligated to spend $30 million in bond funds on the Cotton Bowl, said David Cook, the city's chief financial officer. His statement came in response to the Dallas Business Journal query: "What legal options does the city of Dallas have to make the (Cotton Bowl) renovations, if its leaders no longer see the need to spend that money on the project?" Dallas City Councilman Mitchell Rasansky has been skeptical about spending money renovating the Cotton Bowl, in light of the construction of the Cowboys' new stadium, which is estimated at costing more than $1 billion. "The voters have authorized the city to issue bonds for particular purposes, but the voters haven't mandated that that be done," Cook said, in response to a query from the Business Journal. "From a legal view, the city council doesn't have to issue those bonds and do those improvements. They are authorized to do so. It technically wouldn't take a special vote of the citizens to deauthorize," he said. (Dallas Business Journal)
Live Chat Transcript via Dallas Morning News with Cotton Bowl President Rick Baker: Q: From e-mail: Isn't it true that the city of Dallas failed by not giving a $325 million investment for a $1 billion complex that would have replaced the Cotton Bowl? A: Rick Baker: We are not in the blame game. We just had to make a decision based on the facts laid out before us. The city of Dallas has been a great partner for 71 years and we will continue to need their world-class hotels and infrastructure to be able to produce a premier bowl experience.
Sooners' prospect instead playing Pro Baseball: The bigger question with [Mike] Wilson is why he is a [Seattle] Mariner at all. He grew up in the heart of football country, Tulsa, Okla., and had accepted a full ride to the University of Oklahoma as a linebacker when Seattle came calling. The running joke around camp is the Sooners might have offered more than Seattle did to secure Wilson's services. To be sure, Wilson will always be a fan of Oklahoma football. What Oklahoma couldn't match was the hold baseball had on Wilson's heart. "I played football, and I liked it," he said. "But I always was a baseball player. That was the sport I loved. So when I got drafted in the second round, it wasn't that hard of a decision. "I sat down with my mother and we talked it over. It didn't take long. The average career in football is four or five years. The average career in baseball is longer. And I was hurting; my knees were tired from all the hitting I was doing playing football." (Seattle Post)
Cotton Bowl Offers Texas Tech a free venue to play? A&M? OU?: We speak extensively [News Radio 1420] with the man who is trying to convince Texas Tech and Texas A&M to play their rivalry game in Dallas rather than Lubbock and College Station. His name is Errol McCoy. He is the state fair president. One of his responsibilities is to fill the cotton bowl with high impact football games. Now that the Cotton Bowl game will no longer played in the Cotton Bowl stadium McCoy will renew his efforts to sweet talk Texas Tech. McCoy says the City of Dallas will pay Texas Tech's travel expenses, and he says the state fair will waive the stadium rental. "So, basically the Universities have zero cost in coming to Dallas to play in a neutral site, with the tremendous upside. And in the case of Texas Tech I think they could improve their overall financial situation for the athletic department by $2 million per year; each year!" Of course the average fan says 'Yeah but that's our big rivalry game.' It doesn't get any bigger than Red Raider verses Aggies. We can't give that up! Right? So News Radio 1420 asked Errol McCoy: does it have to be THAT game? What about Tech verses Oklahoma? What about Tech verses ANY other Big 12 team? How about trying to build a brand new rivalry from scratch; say, Texas Tech verses LSU? Here's McCoy's answer. "So it can be any combination; I think any combination of those you just mentioned probably would work and work well." (Newsradio1420)
Cotton Bowl marriage may soon be tested: Dallas Morning News
Change aids chances: Star Telegram
Peterson dynamite player, but few tailbacks carry teams to titles: MSNBC.com
Cotton Bowl finds new home to build legends: Yahoo! Sports Labels: Cotton Bowl, Dallas Bond, Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting, Texas, Texas Tech
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Future of OU-Texas at Cotton Bowl Stadium unknown: Tuesday's announcement also could open the door for a move for the Texas-Oklahoma game, played on the grounds of the Texas State Fair yearly since 1929. The possibility of making the game a home-and-home affair, alternating annually between the campuses in Austin and Norman, Okla., has been broached in the past. But last May, the Longhorns and Sooners extended their contract with the Cotton Bowl stadium through the 2010 season. In November, Dallas voters approved a $30 million improvement package to the stadium in addition to $20 million earmarked for the project by the State Fair and the city. The $20 million currently is being spent on new scoreboards and seating. Officials say it's too early to tell if the Texas-OU game will follow the Cotton Bowl Classic to Arlington or break with the neutral-site tradition to go to the home-and-home format. "This move of the Cotton Bowl Classic to Arlington does nothing to change our agreement for the Texas-Oklahoma game," Texas athletics director DeLoss Dodds said in a statement. "We have no plans beyond that." Joe Castiglione, OU's athletic director, said the Cotton Bowl Classic's decision to move was not a surprise. "But I really can't say whether it will have any effect on future (Texas-OU) decisions because that's so far down the road," he said. Castiglione added the majority of Sooner fans want to keep the game in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. "I think our fans really embrace the tradition and uniqueness of the game," he said. "They want to preserve the tradition for as long as they can. It's established itself as one of the unique phenomenons in the pageantry of college football, and people want to see that tradition upheld. "The dynamics for that (bowl) game are totally different than for OU-Texas," Castiglione added. "What they're trying to do is keep the Classic viable to put them in position for a BCS game." (More at Austin American Statesman)
Spring practice schedule change: The University of Oklahoma is making some changes in the dates for spring football practice.The first practice had been scheduled for Monday but is now set for next Wednesday. Scrimmages are planned for March 14th and 31st and the annual spring game is to be April seventh. (KTUL)
With postseason bowl moved, Red River Rivalry can't be far behind in Arlington shift: Daily Texan
Fair question: Founder would have made Classic move: Dallas Morning News Arlington hails Cotton move as important first step: Dallas Morning News Bowl vote unanimous, but emotions were mixed: Dallas Morning News Now Classic can make BCS push: Dallas Morning News Bittersweet: Cotton Bowl moving: Dallas Morning News Labels: Cotton Bowl, Dallas Bond, Oklahoma Sooners, Spring Practice, Texas
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes The future of the Cotton Bowl in hands of other teams if OU/UT don't reach long term commitment: North Texas' baddest football battle is over two stadiums, not in them: an aging Dallas landmark vs. Arlington's sparkling, billion-dollar sports palace now under construction. And for the Cotton Bowl, it may be a fight for survival. Most Dallas City Council members back overhauling Fair Park's 76-year-old Cotton Bowl. The facility, they say, can remain a viable venue for major college football games. And they aren't interested in terminating $50 million in mostly taxpayer-funded renovations to the stadium – even if its namesake contest, the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, soon bolts to the Dallas Cowboys' retractable-dome stadium two cities westward. On one hand, council members could wait to fund renovations until securing long-term contracts with current college football teams plus prospective tenants, such as Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, the University of Notre Dame and Louisiana State University. But if they wait too long, they risk renovation delays. On the other, officials could forge ahead, funding renovations as soon as May even without long-term commitments. Not all council members, however, share their philosophy. "The Cotton Bowl is a dinosaur. Yes, it's an institution, but even though it is an institution, I want to see if we're throwing money out the window," said Mitchell Rasansky, chairman of the council's Finance, Audit and Accountability Committee. "Unless we have some long-term commitments soon, I think it is money thrown away. That's only good business to expect that. We, as elected officials, have to be taxpayers' guardians." Meanwhile, negotiations to lure new college football games to the Cotton Bowl have, at best, been slow, although talks with several major college programs and the Big 12 continue, Mr. McKoy said, adding that he's aiming to score commitments for at least one game, to be played during the State Fair of Texas, within the next 45 days. [Dallas Mayor] Ms. Miller says she's optimistic it'll happen. "It's absolutely worth significant upgrades to the facility to get four weeks of college football," the mayor said. "But they've been talking to the same teams for a year now. It's baffling to me why we can't get it done." (In parts and much more at Dallas Morning News) In the past, much of the slow commitments have been on Texas' part. On May 5, 2006 both Texas and Oklahoma agreed to an additional two years running through 2010. Peterson's speed could turn heads at combine: The Oklahoman Labels: Cotton Bowl, Dallas Bond, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas, University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesStoops visits Paris for potential prospects: University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops made a visit to Paris on Monday to visit with Paris coaches on any potential players who might be interested in going to Oklahoma, and Stoopes was especially interested in watching Good go through offseason drills, along with receiver/defensive back Keon Furtch."Good was at the top of (Oklahoma's) list. He also showed interest in Keon. They're going to make spring football interesting," said new Paris head football coach Travis Smith. Already Good has 19 scholarship offers from all the Big 12 schools, along with Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Alabama, and the University of Texas El Paso. Good, a 6-6, 295-pound lineman who is only 16 years old, will no doubt get more offers.Good is going to Norman on Saturday for the Junior Day visit. He was invited along with Furtch, who has already received offers from Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. (The Paris News)Labels: Recruiting, Texas
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesOklahoma'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)Sooners beat Pokes for Big 12 South: SoonerSports.comOU-OSU Notes: SoonerSports.comBig 12 Championship Ticket Info: SoonerSports.com
K.C. bound: Norman TranscriptSooners win in fitting fashion: Norman TranscriptGround control: Norman TranscriptDefense holds strong: Norman TranscriptOU to play for Big 12 title: Tulsa WorldSooners have a fighter in Stoops: Tulsa WorldTwo minute drill: Tulsa WorldBedlam in pictures: Tulsa WorldBowman, Woods wonder what if: Tulsa WorldOSU's Reid out in crunch time: Tulsa WorldLast drive a Cowboys cliffhanger: Tulsa WorldPatrick trades in pain for gains: Tulsa WorldGoal-line stand stood out: Tulsa WorldPeterson's status for Big 12 championship unclear: Tulsa WorldDefense deflects Cowboys' final charge: Tulsa WorldSooners outlast Cowboys in Bedlam thriller: The OklahomanGritty Sooners next foe is a familiar one: The OklahomanAn estimated 7,500 Sooner boosters leave happy: The OklahomanIglesias overcomes earlier problems, comes up with nifty catch: The OklahomanOU controls own destiny: The OklahomanCowboys' QB shuffle leaves some questions: The OklahomanGreat drama ends in OU's favor: The OklahomanOU plan wasn't to ignore passing game: The OklahomanStock Report: The OklahomanOU Game Balls: The OklahomanBedlam tidbits: The OklahomanOU survives Bedlam, takes South: Dallas Morning NewsAnkle doesn't slow OU's Patrick: Dallas Morning NewsOU rises in South: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram'Huskers could muddy picture: Ft. Worth Star-TelegramLabels: Adrian Peterson, Allen Patrick, Big XII, Bob Stoops, Garrett Hartley, I, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas, Tickets
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesTexas loss helps the Sooners in Big XII South race: Entering Friday's game against No. 11 Texas, Franchione was 2-10 in November, including a combined 0-5 this season and last. As if that record were not bad enough, he never had beaten the Longhorns in the rivalry known as the Lone Star Showdown.That changed Friday when Stephen McGee, Texas A&M's sophomore quarterback, crashed into the end zone with less than three minutes left on an 8-yard run to shock Texas, 12-7, before 89,102 fans.The victory in the 113th game between the two universities snapped Texas A&M's six-game losing streak to the Longhorns. It was also the Aggies' first victory here since 1994. Texas (9-3, 6-2 Big 12) has now lost consecutive games for the first time since 1999."It's good to get everybody to shut up about Coach Fran and start realizing that he's doing a great job," said McGee, who rushed for 95 yards and passed for 58 yards.Had Texas won Friday, it would have clinched the Big 12 South Division title. The Longhorns now need Oklahoma (9-2, 6-1) to lose Saturday to Oklahoma State (6-5, 3-4) to meet Nebraska on Dec. 2 for the Big 12 championship. Otherwise, the Sooners will win the division and play the Cornhuskers. (New York Times)Labels: Big XII, Texas
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
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