Reynolds and Lewis among LBs named to Butkus award watch list: Oklahoma's Ryan Reynolds and Travis Lewis were among 35 players nominated for the 2009 Butkus Award preseason watch list Friday. The Butkus Award goes to college football's top linebacker. (Tulsa World)

2009 Butkus Award pre-season watch list
Pat Angerer, Iowa
Navorro Bowman, Penn State
Bruce Carter, North Carolina
Jamar Chaney, Mississippi
Justin Cole, San Jose State
Kavell Conner, Clemson
Rennie Curran, Georgia
Ryan D'Imperio, Rutgers
A.J. Edds, Iowa
Obi Ezeh, Michigan
Chris Galippo, USC
Darryl Gamble, Georgia
Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
Nate Irving, North Carolina State
Micah Johnson, Kentucky
Greg Jones, Michigan State
Sean Lee, Penn State
Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
Rolando McClain, Alabama
Mike McLaughlin, Boston College
Rod Muckelroy, Texas
Eric Norwood, South Carolina
Joe Pawelek, Baylor
Ryan Reynolds, Oklahoma
Perry Riley, LSU
Daryl Sharpton, Miami (Fla.)
Malcolm Smith, USC
Sean Spence, Miami (Fla.)
Brandon Spikes, Florida
Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
Daryl Washington, TCU
Dekoda Watson, Florida State
Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Kion Wilson, South Florida
Martez Wilson, Illinois

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Ryan Reynolds, Travis Lewis, Watch List

Trio of Sooners on Bednarik List: Oklahoma's Jeremy Beal, Travis Lewis and Gerald McCoy are on the watch list for the 15th Chuck Bednarik Award. Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski made the announcement today. Beal, a junior from Carrollton, Texas, started all 14 games at defensive end last season and was a firs-team All-Big 12 player by the Associated Press. He finished with 61 tackles, including 15.5 for loss with 8.5 sacks and three fumbles caused. Lewis, a sophomore linebacker from San Antonio, Texas, was Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2008 when he notched 144 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He broke Brian Bosworth's freshman tackle record, which stood at 133. McCoy, a junior from Oklahoma City, was a first-team All-American last season by The Sporting News. He had 30 tackles from his defensive tackle position along with 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Eagle great. Mr. The only previous Oklahoma winner was LB Teddy Lehman, who claimed the honor in 2003.(SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Gerald McCoy, Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma Sooners, Travis Lewis, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Eight Sooners on All-Big 12 team; Bradford named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska) and Phil Taylor (Baylor) highlight the 2009 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team, chosen by media representatives who cover the Conference. Bradford was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and selected the preseason squad's quarterback. The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner was Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year last season and earned All-Big 12 First Team honors. Bradford was also a consensus All-America while winning the Davey O'Brien and Sammy Baugh awards. Suh garnered honors as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and as a defensive linemen on the preseason team. He was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team a year ago after leading the Conference linemen with 76 tackles. Taylor, a transfer from Penn State, was named Preseason Newcomer of the Year. The defensive tackle will have two years of eligibility remaining after playing in 18 games as a freshman and sophomore at PSU. He sat out the 2008 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. (Big 12 Sports PR)

2009 Media Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team
Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (QB, 6-4, 223, Jr/2L, Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Defensive Player of the Year: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (DT, 6-4, 300, Sr/3L, Portland, Ore.)
Newcomer of the Year: Phil Taylor, Baylor (DT, 6-4, 355, Jr/TR, Clinton, Md.)

Offense
Pos Name School Ht Wt Cl/Exp Hometown
WR Dez Bryant* Oklahoma State 6-2 215 Jr/2L Lufkin, Texas
TE Jermaine Gresham* Oklahoma 6-6 258 Sr/3L Ardmore, Okla.
OL Russell Okung* Oklahoma State 6-6 305 Sr/3L Fort Bend, Texas
OL Trent Williams* Oklahoma 6-5 318 Sr/3L Longview, Texas
C Chris Hall# Texas 6-4 295 Sr/3L Irving, Texas
OL Adam Ulatoski* Texas 6-6 310 Sr/3L Southlake, Texas
OL Brandon Carter Texas Tech 6-7 354 Sr/3L Longview, Texas
WR Dezmon Briscoe# Kansas 6-3 202 Jr/2L Dallas, Texas
QB Sam Bradford* Oklahoma 6-4 223 Jr/2L Oklahoma City, Okla.
RB Kendall Hunter* Oklahoma State 5-8 190 Jr/2L Tyler, Texas
RB DeMarco Murray^* Oklahoma 6-1 214 Jr/2L Las Vegas, Nev.
PK Alex Henery Nebraska 6-2 175 Jr/2L Omaha, Neb.
KR Perrish Cox Oklahoma State 6-0 195 Sr/3L Waco, Texas

Defense
Pos Name School Ht Wt Cl/Exp Hometown
DL Ndamukong Suh# Nebraska 6-4 300 Sr/3L Portland, Ore.
DL Gerald McCoy* Oklahoma 6-4 297 Jr/2L Oklahoma City, Okla.
DL Jeremy Beal# Oklahoma 6-3 261 Jr/2L Carrollton, Texas
DL Sergio Kindle Texas 6-4 255 Sr/3L Dallas, Texas
LB Sean Weatherspoon*^ Missouri 6-2 245 Sr/3L Jasper, Texas
LB Joe Pawelek*^ Baylor 6-2 240 Sr/3L San Antonio, Texas
LB Travis Lewis Oklahoma 6-2 232 So/1L San Antonio, Texas
DB Darrell Stuckey* Kansas 6-1 205 Sr/3L Kansas City, Kan.
DB Jordan Lake*^ Baylor 6-1 215 Sr/3L Houston, Texas
DB Dominique Franks# Oklahoma 6-0 192 Jr/2L Tulsa, Okla.
DB Earl Thomas Texas 5-10 197 So/1L Orange, Texas
P Derek Epperson Baylor 6-3 235 Jr/2L Southlake, Texas
PR Dez Bryant* Oklahoma State 6-2 215 Jr/2L Lufkin, Texas
^ 2008 Preseason Team
* 2008 All-Big 12 First Team selection
# 2008 All-Big 12 Second Team selection

Related Post:
Big 12 Media Preseason Poll Released
Bradford, Gresham, McCoy to Represent OU at Big 12 Media Day

Labels: Big XII, DeMarco Murray, Dominique Franks, Gerald McCoy, Jeremy Beal, Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Travis Lewis, Trent Williams

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Nothing to Lewis absence: Brent Venables said All-Big 12 linebacker Travis Lewis "missed a little bit" of practice Sunday, but said there was nothing physically wrong. "Aw, he had an issue," Venables said. "No big deal." (Tulsa World)

Williams recovering from flu-like symptoms: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said right tackle Trent Williams missed Monday's media day trip to Dolphin Stadium because of flu-like symptoms. Williams rested at the team hotel and Wilson said he'd play Thursday. (Tulsa World)

Is there a Heisman jinx?: Norman Transcript

Tebow shakes off comments: Norman Transcript

Sooners, Gators trade barbs: Tulsa World

Stoops keeping his players on task before big game: Tulsa World

Coaches share similarities: Tulsa World

Daily log: Tulsa World

Iglesias is tough, talented: The Oklahoman

McCarney, Stoops meet in Miami again: The Oklahoman

OU kickoff return unit lauded: The Oklahoman

Iglesias has a touch of greatness: Dallas Morning News

Here's hoping for some drama with OU-Florida: Star-Telegram

OU's Brown gives Sooners solid backup plan at running back: Austin American-Statesman

Brandon James looks to bust out vs. Oklahoma: Gainesville Sun

Bradford has remained Humble, focused: Gainesville Sun

Harvin's ankle at 90 percent: Gainesville Sun

Home cookin' for Gators, but Oklahoma has S. Florida ties, too: Miami Herald

For Oklahoma, taking is better than giving: Miami Herald

Gators star Harvin ready to go against Oklahoma: Miami Herald

How will Tebow respond to OU's verbal challenge?: Orlando Sentinel

When talking about Tebow, we should be talking about God: Orlando Sentinel

Harvin warns that Sooner's comments about Tebow may awaken 'sleeping giant': Orlando Sentinel

Sooners' offense is like something Gators' Meyer has seen before: New York Times

Gators defense faces biggest challenge in Sooners: Tampa Tribune

Sooners defensive back says Big 12 quarterbacks better than Gators' Tebow: Tampa Tribune

Gators hoping to hold the Sooners to 16 or less: Tampa Bay Tribune

So, what's a "Sooner" and why are they called "Gators"?: Tampa Tribune

From humble start, Iglesias blossoms into top OU receiver: ESPN.com

Big Game Bob could reappear with Sooners' upset: ESPN.com

Gators defense sees double in prep for up-tempo Sooners: Sportsline

If Harvin's running on all cylinders, watch out: Sportsline

Gators' twins are more than just an unusal story: SportingNews

For Sooners, dubious starts with "D": USA Today

Oklahoma freshman Travis Lewis and his Sooners are fueled by critics: Press-Register

Oklahoma Sooners claim defensive numbers don't add up to weakness: New York Daily News

Labels: Florida, Oklahoma Sooners, Travis Lewis, Trent Williams

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Murry suffers knee injury; expected to play bowl game: Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray left the game after taking a helmet to his left knee on the opening kickoff. After being examined on the OU sideline, Murray was taken to the locker room with 4:37 left in the first quarter and didn't return to the game. He came back to the sidelines later in the second quarter wearing sweats. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, however, said Murray only suffered a knee bruise and that holding him out was just for precaution. Murray is expected to be fine for the Sooners' bowl game. (The Oklahoman)

OU offense sets NCAA record: With 38 points scored in the first half, the Sooners set a record for points scored in a season during the modern era with 678, besting the previous mark held by Hawaii in 2006 (656). The all-time mark is 765 posted by the 1886 Harvard team. The Sooners currently rank third on the all-time list with 702. (SoonerSports PR)

Quality competition: Oklahoma is the only team this season to record five wins over ranked opponents, topping TCU, Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Missouri. (SoonerSports PR) In addition, Oklahoma defeated Cincinnati who is currently ranked 12th.

60 or more points consecutive games: The OU offense has scored 60 or more points in five straight games, an NCAA record. Overall, Sooner teams have scored 50 or more points in 134 games in school history. (SoonerSports PR)

Lewis surpasses Bosworth to set record: Travis Lewis recorded his 136th tackle of the season in the fourth quarter and set an OU freshman record held by Brian Bosworth. Bosworth had 133 tackles in 1984. (SoonerSports PR)

Record night for Sooners: Norman Transcript

Need more proof?: Norman Transcript

OU Report Card: The Oklahoman

By the numbers: The Oklahoman

Pinkel, Tigers heap praise on Sooners: The Oklahoman

Look out, Florida, here comes the Sooners: The Oklahoman

Sooners offense is one for the ages: The Oklahoman

Jackson keys stingy Sooner secondary: The Oklahoman

English returns from injury, pressures Daniel: The Oklahoman

Don't penalize Sooner quarterback for his stellar teammates: The Oklahoman

OU's Madu fills in for Murray with career-best performance: The Oklahoman

Pinkel -- OU 'best offense I've ever seen': The Oklahoman

OU wins 62-21, takes third-straight Big 12 title: Tulsa World

Impresive Sooners deserve spot: Tulsa World

Bradford, Oklahoma win convincingly: Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma's Brown runs with bigger role: Dallas Morning News

KO'd in KC: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Tigers again exposed against the elite teams: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

How about two national champs?: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Sooners make their point: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Sooners win with style points for BCS judges: Star-Telegram

Error-prone Daniel says this loss 'hurts the worst': Star-Telegram

Oklahoma eases to another Big 12 championship: Kansas City Star

Sooners' rout likely ends Texas' dreams of a national title: Austin American-Statesman

OU win has Texas bound for Fiesta: Austin American-Statesman

Sooners and Gators End the Debate on the Field : New York Times

With a point to prove, Sooners pack on plenty of points: ESPN.com

Sooners, Gators primed for collision: ESPN.com

Labels: DeMarco Murray, NCAA, Offense, Oklahoma Sooners, Travis Lewis

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Pair of Sooners earn Big 12 honors: Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Travis Lewis swept the Big 12 Football Player of the Week honors for their efforts in the Sooners' win over Texas Tech last Saturday. Bradford won the offensive award after completing 14-of-19 passes for 306 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Bradford's scoring strikes went to four different receivers and covered distances of 19, 28, 66 and 26 yards. The sophomore also rushed five times for 18 yards to account for 324 yards of total offense. Bradford has thrown four or more touchdowns in seven games this season including the last three in a row. Lewis, a redshirt freshman linebacker, compiled a game-high 13 tackles, one for loss, one pass deflection and one pass interception, which he turned 47 yards to set up the Texas Tech one. OU's DeMarco Murray ran in for a touchdown on the next play. (SoonerSports PR)

Brody Eldridge back: Saturday, the Sooners pounded Tech for 299 yards on the ground. Part of the reason for that was the return of tight end Brody Eldridge, who’s been out with an ankle injury the last month. "Brody is a physical presence in our front," Bob Stoops said. "On those perimeter runs, he's always a major factor in them." (The Oklahoman)

Sooners have edge in BCS standings: The Oklahoman

OU-Texas for the title a possibility: The Oklahoman

Sooners are oh, so close: Norman Transcript

OU's stock rises: Tulsa World

GameDay returns to Stillwater: Tulsa World

Offense must stay strong: Tulsa World

OU Notebook: Tulsa World

Cowboys must put up big points: Tulsa World

Oklahoma State will have a say in Big 12 race: Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma beats Tech, but Texas wins in BCS standings: Dallas Morning News

Only politics can help Oklahoma overtake Texas: Star-Telegram

Sooners, Gators gain ground but have work left: FOXSports.com

OU, Texas and Texas Tech all have solid cases to make if they finish tied: NBC Sports

UT leads No. 3 Oklahoma by a thin margin: Austin American-Statesman

Texas wins battle, but Oklahoma might win war: Austin American-Statesman

Big 12 power rankings: Sooners soar to the top: ESPN.com

Longhorns, Sooners hooked up in tight BCS battle: ESPN.com

What we learned in the Big 12, Week 13: ESPN.com

Labels: Big XII, Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Travis Lewis

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

CBS Sportsline ranks the Nation's top freshmen: Lewis among two freshmen defensive players ranked by Sportsline's Freshmen Watch, checkout full rankings here.

Player, Position, School.. Last Week..
1. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State: 30 rushes, 133 yards
2. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State: 15-26, 224 yards
3. Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma: 5 solo, 9 tackles
4. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State: Idle

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Travis Lewis

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Travis Lewis named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week: For the third time in the last four weeks and the second week in a row, an Oklahoma player has been named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Travis Lewis got the honor this week for his effort at Kansas State last Saturday. Lewis led the Sooners with 15 tackles, two of which went for loss, in the 58-35 victory. He also intercepted two passes and chalked up 55 yards in returns. Lewis got his first pick on KSU's opening possession and returned it 27 yards to set up OU's first score. The Sooners never trailed in the game. The San Antonio, Texas, native is OU's leading tackler this season with 84, the second-highest total ever by a Sooner freshman linebacker. Brian Bosworth holds that mark with 133 in 1984. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Big XII, Oklahoma Sooners, Travis Lewis