September 29, 2006

(9/29) Oklahoma Sooners Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Thompson likes the deep ball: Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson says he likes to throw deep passes, which is a good thing. With defenses focusing on stopping Adrian Peterson, the deep ball has been, and could continue to be, a weapon for the Sooners. "I've definitely got to be comfortable with throwing deep balls," Thompson said. "With the types of defenses we're getting, they're allowing us to take those shots. "With the kind of receivers we have and the playmakers we have on the field, it makes my job easier and makes my job more fun." Of his playmaking receivers, sophomore Malcolm Kelly has shot to the top of the list. (NewsOK.com)

OU's Beeler praised after first start: Tulsa World

Stoops, Sooners out of spotlight: SoonerSports.com

Senior season not Pleasant in 2002: SoonerSports.com

September 27, 2006

(9/27) O-Line Impresses, Grading the Sooners and Oklahoma Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Props to O-Line, Named Offensive Players of the Week: Guard Duke Robinson said all five starting offensive linemen were named the team's offensive players of the week for their performance against Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders had one sack, and the Sooners tallied 462 total yards. Running back Adrian Peterson had 128 yards and scored three touchdowns. (Dallas Morning News)

85-yr. old Pac-10 official speaks, kinda: The Oregonian newspaper reached the 85-year-old replay assistant who was in the booth for the OU-Oregon game Sept. 16. "I really need to honor the Pac-10 statement. They told me not to respond," Gordon Judd told the paper. "The whole thing was . . . a blown call. That's all I can say." Judd, who is from Salem, Ore., and replay official Gordon Riese have taken leaves of absence for the remainder of the season. (Tulsa World)

SHSU awaits Bomar appeal: Sam Houston State coach Todd Whitten said Tuesday that the school has not heard from the NCAA about quarterback Rhett Bomar's eligibility. Because his appeal is pending, the former Oklahoma quarterback is not allowed to dress out or travel with the Bearkats. That means he won't be in Austin for Saturday's game against seventh-ranked Texas. Bomar was dismissed from the Sooners football team along with offensive lineman J.D. Quinn in early August for accepting money from a Norman car dealership for work they did not perform. (Houston Chronicle)

A year later, Stoops pleased with experience: One extreme difference separates the Sooners now from the Sooners of a year ago and it hasn't gone unnoticed by Stoops. "I just realize the experience level from a year ago is drastically different on our team in a lot of areas that really matter," Stoops said. Areas where OU lacked experience last year -- receiver, defensive end, some parts of the secondary, among others -- are loaded with experienced players this season. (NewsOK.com)

Grading the Sooners After 59-0 Win: AOL Sports Fanhouse

Heisman Hopefuls: CBS Sportsline

Heisman Watch: ESPN

Good time to have the week off: Norman Transcript

Sooners' Smith a natural at any position: The Oklahoman

Castiglione has seen it all: The Oklahoman

Peterson valuable as a decoy: Tulsa World

OU's Gresham confident, but struggling with blocking: Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma Football Notes: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

September 26, 2006

(9/26) Smith Receives Big 12 Honor, OU-Texas and Sooner Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Reggie Smith earns Big 12 Special Team honors: For the third consecutive week an Oklahoma player has claimed one of the Big 12 Conference's weekly awards. This time it's punt returner Reggie Smith, who had a 61-yard touchdown return against Middle Tennessee during OU's 59-0 win, Saturday. In the previous two weeks, Sooner running back Adrian Peterson won the offensive player honor. Smith currently ranks No. 10 nationally with 15.9 yards per return. The 61-yard return was his first for a touchdown, but not his longest of the season. He had a 62-yard return against Washington in game two. Smith average per punt return is magnified by the fact that he has 13 attempts. No other player in the NCAA top 25 has more than 10 thus far. (SoonerSports Release)

Both schools OU-Texas decline moving game to primetime: ABC announced Monday that the Oct. 7 OU-Texas game will be played at 2:30 p.m. The network initially inquired about playing the game at night, but both schools declined. "We make our decisions based on the best interests of the university, a magnificent and passionate rivalry and of the fans that attend the game," OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said Monday. Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds could not be reached Monday for comment. Likely heading the list of reasons for the schools' stance is the safety of the fans and other innocent State Fair of Texas patrons. The general idea is that fans at a night game are a bit more raucous, having had a few extra hours to get that way. Perhaps the Cotton Bowl can't contain anything more raucous than the average OU-Texas crowd. ESPN has yet to determine the location of its Oct. 7 College GameDay broadcast. (NewsOK.com)

Sooners in the Pros -- Week Three: SoonerSports.com

OU Notebook -- Smith honored: Tulsa World

Big 12 play kicks off, questions continue: Tulsa World

Sooners get rare off week before Texas game: Dallas Morning News

Coaches ready to fall back on time: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram


Ex-Sooner Flynn was one of a kind: Enid News and Eagle

OU-Texas Kickoff Set for 2:30 ABC

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU-Texas Set for 2:30 Nationally Televised Kickoff: The AT&T Red River Rivalry Game featuring Oklahoma and Texas will kickoff at 2:30 p.m., Oct. 7, in Dallas. ABC has the live telecast of the game and will be sending it to a nationwide audience. It will be the 101st renewal of the series, which has been played in Dallas every years since 1929. Oklahoma will take a 3-1 mark into this year's contest as the Sooners are off this week. Texas, also with one loss on the season, hosts Sam Houston State this week. As usual, the game is sold out with more than 75,000 expected at the Cotton Bowl. (SoonerSports Released)

September 25, 2006

(9/25) Coach Wilson Pleased, Oklahoma Moves Up in Polls, and OU Notes

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Wilson pleased with O-Line: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson was pleased with the play of his three true freshmen who saw action on the offensive line in Saturday's 59-0 win over Middle Tennessee State. Center Chase Beeler started the game after getting in against Oregon last week when sophomore Jon Cooper suffered an ankle injury. For Trent Williams and Cory Brandon, Saturday was the first action of their careers. Wilson expects all three to be used as the season goes on. "We thought for the long haul, as we go through conference play, we're going to need those guys to be major contributors and have a significant role," Wilson said. "Not just be a backup, but be a guy we can get something out of." (NewsOK.com)

Oklahoma inches up in Polls: Oklahoma rises 1 spot to number 16 this week in the AP college football poll after the Sooners' 59-0 rout of Middle Tennessee. Ohio State is still #1 with 59 of a possible 65 first place votes. Auburn, Southern California, West Virginia and Florida round out the top 5. (AP/KOTV.com)

Minor changes on Defense in MTSU game: There were some minor changes to the personnel, particularly on defense. Reggie Smith's return to strong safety gives the Sooners a middle defender with top-shelf coverage skills. D.J. Wolfe's return to field cornerback -- midway through the first quarter -- was productive. And Nic Harris, who was beaten in coverage for the game-winning touchdown at Oregon, played with more confidence than ever. Venables said Smith was moved back to the spot he played last season because "our next options at safety doesn't give us our best players on the field. That was determined after three games of evaluations." (Tulsa World)

Allen Patrick struggles with fumbles: Coaches won't quickly forget backup running back Allen Patrick's two fumbles in the second half. "Through spring, he did that a few times," Wilson said. "Hopefully, we can get that cleaned up, because we will need him down the stretch. He is a good player, but we're going to need him to play smarter than that." (NewsOK.com)

Sooners take some time off: Players will get today, Friday and Saturday off. (Dallas Morning News) Note: Texas-Red River Shootout is 12 days away.

Stoops pleased with Beeler:
Jenks' Chase Beeler joined fellow true freshmen Trent Williams and Cory Brandon for significant minutes on the Sooners' offensive line Saturday. Beeler started his first game in place of the injured Jon Cooper." "I thought he did a really good job for his first time in there," Stoops said. "And he'll only get better from it." "He missed some blocks or got a little high (in his stance) at times," Wilson said, "but he didn't have any significant mental errors. His snaps were all clean." (Tulsa World)

Reaction from Saturday's 59-0 win: SoonerSports.com

Questions and answers: The Oklahoman

Texas at a glance: The Oklahoman

A checkpoint on OU's season: The Oklahoman

Lasting impression?: The Oklahoman

Three questions: Tulsa World

Sooners look to build off big win: Norman Transcript


Watch out Texas! Sooners aren't happy -- even after blowout: CBS Sportsline

September 24, 2006

(9/24) Oklahoma-MTSU Post Game Notes, Articles and Columns

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

President Boren tells Sooner fans to move on:
University of Oklahoma President David Boren says that it's time for the Sooners and their fans to move on after a controversial loss at Oregon, but that efforts to deal with officiating issues apparent in that game should continue. "We can put the game behind us," Boren said Friday, after an announcement of a $1 million donation to OU's College of Earth and Energy. "But we shouldn't put behind what we can learn from this, and I think what we can learn from it is that we need more neutrality when [teams from different] conferences play each other. We need not only actual neutrality, we need the perception of neutrality." (AP/ESPN.com)

More of the suspended officials work, Pac-10 delays suspension: Line judge Manuel Alonzo, back judge Steve Hudson and field judge Daniel Spriesterbach worked Saturday night's Oregon State-Idaho game at Reser Stadium even though all three drew one-game suspensions from the Pacific-10 Conference for their work in last week's Oregon-Oklahoma game in Eugene. A Pac-10 spokesman said this week that there wasn't enough time to rearrange schedules and find replacements, and that the officials in question will serve their suspensions later this season. Beavers coach Mike Riley said he hopes the conference learns something positive from the mistakes that were made in the Ducks-Sooners game. (The Oregonian)

Middle Tennessee Game-Notes from SoonerSports
Beeler first career start: Chase Beeler made his first career start tonight. Beeler is also the first true freshman to start a game this season.

Hazle passes first career OU pass: Sophomore Joey Halzle tossed his first career completion to Manuel Johnson in the fourth quarter for a 15-yard gain.

First Career TD Grab: True freshman Jermaine Gresham caught his first career touchdown in the second quarter, a 22-yard reception.

Oklahoma Shutout: The Sooners recorded the ninth shutout of the Bob Stoops Era and the first since blanking Baylor in 2004.


Hello Oklahoma! Sooners Rout Blue Raiders 59-0: AOL Sports Fanhouse

The Impact Of The OU-Texas Game On The Heisman: AOL Sports Fanhouse

OU fans are still angry about the officiating in loss: The Oklahoman

No need for reviews in this Sooners game: The Oklahoman

Instant replay officials kept busy: The Oklahoman

Oklahoma cruises to easy win: Tulsa World

Defense shaping up: Norman Transcript

Shutout: Norman Transcript

Sooners get just what they need: Norman Transcript

COLUMN: OU addresses week of agony by satisfying a sweet tooth: Muskogee Phoenix

Few Sooners are ready to forgive, much less forget: The Oregonian

September 23, 2006

Sooners Rout Blue Raiders 59-0

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma Dominates and Shuts Out Middle Tennessee: Adrian Peterson and Malcolm Kelly made sure there was no doubt Oklahoma came away with a win this time. Peterson scored three touchdowns, Kelly set a school record for receiving in a brilliant first quarter and the 17th-ranked Sooners scored 45 points in the first half on their way to a 59-0 win against Middle Tennessee on Saturday night.Paul Thompson threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns for the Sooners (3-1), who left nothing to chance after a 34-33 loss last week to Oregon that the Pac-10 Conference later said was affected by an incorrect call. (AP/FOXSports.com - Stats)

Oklahoma Defeats MTSU 59-0

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Note

UPDATE 8: Sooners defeat Middle Tennessee 59-0.. Oklahoma's first shut out, since Baylor 2004 35-0... More to Come..

UPDATE 7: Oklahoma Sooners have dominated the Blue Raiders, the 17th-ranked Sooners have accumulated 59 points, 455 yards compared to MTSU's 0 and 100 yards. Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson ran for three touchdowns, with 26 rushes and 138 on the ground came out after Oklahoma's opening second half drive. Oklahoma's Paul Thompson was impressive, 13 of 19 passing for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns, before coming out late in the third. His primary target Malcolm Kelly connected for 166 yards, and 1 touchdown. Oklahoma's defense has only allowed 100 total yards with 2:00 minutes remaining in the game, and forced five Middle Tennessee turnovers.

UPDATE 6: Oklahoma's offense traveled 67 yards for a TD, as Adrian Peterson rushed for 47 yards, including a 34 yard rush. Oklahoma leads Middle Tennessee 52-0.

UPDATE 5: First half complete Oklahoma leads Middle Tennessee 45-0.

UPDATE 4: Adrian Peterson rushed two times inside the MTSU 10, running 7 yards for his 3rd TD of the evening -- extending Oklahoma's lead 45-0... 2:23 remaining in the half.

UPDATE 3: Oklahoma is driving in MTSU territory with 6:00 minutes remaining. Oklahoma's defense has only allowed 22 total yards compared to Oklahoma's 244 total yards. Oklahoma's Jermaine Gresham catches a 22-yard Paul Thompson pass with 5:22 remaining in the half, extending the Sooners' leader over the Blue Raiders 38-0

UPDATE 2: Oklahoma leads MTSU 24-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. OU threatening to score inside MTSU's two yard line to begin the second quarter. Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson rushes for his second touchdown in 10 carries from MTSU's two yard line. Paul Thompson passes for 163 yards on 9 attempts and 5 completions.


UPDATE1: Oklahoma leads Middle Tennessee in the first quarter 24-0 with 1:49 remaining. Two forced turnovers by the Sooners, (1) Rufus Alexander, and (1) Zach Latimer.. Paul Thompson 4-7 for 120 yards, longest 73 yards, Adrian Peterson 7 rushes for 31 and 1 TD..

(9/23) OU-MTSU on TV/Radio, Pac-10 Officiating, and Oklahoma Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma-Middle Tennessee State available on PPV, Sooner Radio Network:
Big 12 Special Order Sports, FSN Southwest's pay-per-view division will produce Oklahoma's Sept. 23 game against Middle Tennessee. The game will be available on participating cable television systems across Oklahoma and Texas and nationwide to DirecTV and Dish Network customers. The game will also be available online in its entirety to O-Zone members three hours after the conclusion of the action on the field in an agreement with the broadcast distributors. Participating cable and satellite TV providers will offer the telecast to their customers on a specially designated pay-per-view channel. Suggested retail price for the 6 p.m. kickoff from Norman, Okla., is $29.95. (SoonerSports Release) Also, the OU-MTSU is available on the Oklahoma Sooner Radio Network, check for your station on Media/Radio/TV page.

Sooners Youth Movement: [Chase] Beeler shouldn't be the only true freshman to get playing time tonight. First-year players like tight end Jermaine Gresham, tackle Trent Williams and wide receivers Adron Tennell and Brandon Caleb are slated to help out the veterans. "Joe Jon Finley played 71 snaps," Wilson said of the Oregon game. "Adrian Peterson played 71 snaps. Malcolm Kelly is playing too much, and (Juaquin) Iglesias. They're playing so much that we're actually losing a little speed, we're getting a little sloppy." (Tulsa World)

More Pac-10 Officiating Errors, although not OU.. Against Baylor: Not that it does a lot of good now, but the Pac-10 Conference agrees with Baylor. Head coach Guy Morriss, who asked the league to review six plays from last Saturday's 17-15 loss to Washington State, received a report Thursday from Pac-10 coordinator of football officiating Verle Sorgen. In all six cases, Sorgen agreed with Baylor's assessment and "graded down" the referee, back judge and head linesman. But there was no public apology by Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen nor game suspensions handed down like there were for the mistakes made at the end of the Oklahoma-Oregon game that cost the Sooners a victory. "That's about all you get is I'm sorry," Morriss said Friday (Waco Tribune)

Sooners want to start faster: Norman Transcript

Sooners have a chance for something magical: Norman Transcript

Storylines: The Oklahoman

Welcome to my world -- Reggie Smith: The Oklahoman


Sooners return to the field after a long week: The Oklahoman

Defense gets back to basics: Tulsa World

Deficiencies may put OU, Stoops to test: Tulsa World

Sooners look for answers to defensive deficiencies: Dallas Morning News

Middle Tennessee vs. Oklahoma Preview: Dallas Morning News

Sooners' offense picking up later: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Big 12 Previews: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Blue Raiders stand in path of furious foe: Murfreesboro Daily Journal

Stoops' success no surprise to Stephens: Murfreesboro Daily Journal


'Boro resident shows his true colors — red: Murfreesboro Daily Journal

Officials err, Sooners fume ... now, MTSU to pay: Murfreesboro Daily Journal

September 22, 2006

(9/22) Pac-10 Ref's Suspension Delayed and Oklahoma Notes

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Suspended Pac-10 ref to officiate this weekend's Arizona, Stoops game: David Cutaia, the on-field referee in last Saturday's Oregon-Oklahoma game, will referee Saturday's USC-Arizona game. On Monday the Pacific 10 Conference issued one-game suspensions to the field officials and instant replay crew for their mistakes in the controversial finish to Oregon's 34-33 victory. But because the Pac-10 does not have enough crews to cover all of its games this weekend, Cutaia will be working Saturday -- and serve his suspension later in the season. Arizona is coached by Mike Stoops, the brother of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen said Monday that a review by conference officials of video of Saturday's game revealed that both the replay officials and the game officials assigned by the conference made errors in the final 1 minute, 12 seconds of the game. (ESPN.com)

Interesting Site: Looks like a Oklahoma Sooners' fan has launched a new website, in light of last weekend's game at voidgame.com.

Instant replay going through some growing pains: Yahoo! Sports

(9/22) White Wouldn't Want 2004 Title, Beeler May Start, and Dozen OU Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

White wouldn't want 2004 Title, if forfeited: If a report that Reggie Bush and his family violated NCAA rules by accepting more than $100,000 worth of cash and services leads USC to forfeit its 2004 national championship, it wouldn't be much of a consolation to Jason White. The former Oklahoma quarterback wouldn't feel any different about the 55-14 drubbing USC handed his team in the Orange Bowl two years ago. "If they had to forfeit it, I wouldn't want the national championship. We didn't win it," White said in a phone interview. "When you get beat, you get beat." "I'm sure any other player wouldn't feel any differently. If anybody wasn't eligible, I wouldn't want anybody to tell me we were national champs two years later. As an athlete, I don't think it would be very accepting to take that. You definitely wouldn't feel like you earned it." Still, White believes if the allegations are true, some type of punishment is in order. (San Bernardino County Sun)

Beeler may see first start: True freshman Chase Beeler from Jenks will likely make the first start of his young career Saturday as starting center Jon Cooper nurses his sore ankle. Beeler played the final three series at center against Oregon after Cooper went out. Starting tackle Chris Messner likely will back up Beeler on Saturday. For quarterback Paul Thompson, the transition between Cooper and Beeler was smooth last week and he doesn't foresee any problems Saturday. (NewsOK.com)

Peterson wants to try punt coverage at gunner: Stoops said that isn't the only special teams spot the Heisman Trophy candidate wants to try. "He's been badgering me more about being a gunner on our punt team," Stoops said. "He wants to run down and hit somebody." The chances of Peterson finding his way onto the punt team are extremely slim, but he'd probably excel at the job. "Heck, he would be down on the return man before the ball, I guarantee you that. He would outrun the ball," Stoops joked. "Shoot, I would be scared that he would just run over the return man whether he caught the ball or not. I think he is so tired of getting hit that he wants to start hitting somebody. I don't think we will go that far with him, but he asks me about it two or three times a week. He would be the best gunner in college football if we would let him." (Norman Transcript)

Arizona's Mike Stoops favors Pac-10 policy change: The brother of Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops finds himself on both sides of the fence in the debate over whether the Pacific 10 should change its conference officiating policy in the aftermath of the school's game against Oregon. "They may move forward with this thing to get regional refs that don't have any bias, subconsciously or consciously," Arizona head coach Mike Stoops told the Oklahoma Daily on Wednesday. "I think it's good anytime you have out-of-conference [officials]. For out-of-conference games, all coaches I think would be for that." Stoops said he takes a lot of pride being in the Pac 10, but was upset by the calls. "I just thought it was ridiculous that they couldn't get all of the angles. It was pretty obvious, and not to see that Oklahoma had recovered those were just errors that are the fundamentals of refereeing," Mike Stoops said. (AP/ESPN.com)

Harris NFC Defensive Player of the Week: SoonerSports.com

Sooners look to fix defense: The Oklahoman

Pay the Piper Saturday stings unlucky trio: The Oklahoman

Peterson leads: Tulsa World

Former QB recalls 1981 Orange Bowl: Tulsa World

Knight has no sympathy for OU: Dallas Morning News

Chasing Adrian: Murfreesboro Daily News

Stockstill feels sting of loss to OU 25 years later: Murfreesboro Daily News


Peterson big hurdle for MTSU's defense: The Tennessean

Fix it? The Sooner, the better: Marin Independent Journal

Oklahoma needs to grow up, move on after defeat: The Greenville News

OU officiating scandal still raging: The Daily Texan

Angry Oklahoma overdoing protests: News Tribune

Deciding punishment for Oklahoma-Oregon fiasco a tough task: Seattle Times

Monson: Stop your whining, Sooners: Salt Like Tribune

MTSU preps for angry Sooners: Nashville City Paper

September 21, 2006

(9/21) Tech's Knight Chimes in on Call and Oklahoma Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Tech's Coach Knight speaks about controversial call: Three years ago, Texas Tech basketball coach Bob Knight expressed disgust when Oklahoma refused to forfeit a home game it won under a cloud of controversy. Given the circumstances surrounding last Saturday's OU-Oregon football game in Eugene, the legendary coach couldn't resist revisiting the topic with a telephone call late Wednesday afternoon. "Maybe now those people at Oklahoma understand what I was talking about," an upbeat Knight said. "And you make sure they get this message. I want them to be that much more enamored with me over at that place." On Jan. 20, 2003, the Sooners beat the Red Raiders 69-64 in overtime at Lloyd Noble Center in a contest mired by two clock controversies in the final seconds of regulation. The game clock stopped for a full second when Texas Tech had the ball with 6.7 seconds left, and started .7 seconds late after OU in-bounded the ball with 4.5 seconds remaining. "Had Oklahoma forfeited that game against us like I suggested, they would have gotten far more positive publicity out of that than if they had gone to the Final Four that year," Knight said. "Now I guess the 'duck' is swimming in the other pond." (In part NewsOK.com)

Sooners-Middle Tennessee on PPV: Big 12 Special Order Sports, FSN Southwes's pay-per-view division will produce Oklahoma's Sept. 23 game against Middle Tennessee. The game will be available on participating cable television systems across Oklahoma and Texas and nationwide to DirecTV and Dish Network customers. The game will also be available online in its entirety to O-Zone members three hours after the conclusion of the action on the field in an agreement with the broadcast distributors. Participating cable and satellite TV providers will offer the telecast to their customers on a specially designated pay-per-view channel. Suggested retail price for the 6 p.m. kickoff from Norman, Okla., is $29.95. Kansas City Chiefs radio voice Mitch Holthus (play-by-play), KWTV News 9 Sports Director and former Oklahoma quarterback Dean Blevins (analyst), and Oklahoma City-New Orleans Hornets broadcaster Sean Kelly (sideline reporter) form the announcing team. The game will be replayed on FSN Southwest throughout the network's coverage area (Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, parts of New Mexico) on Monday, Sept. 25 at noon CT. (SoonerSports.com)

Thompson's running game: For those wanting to see more of Paul Thompson in the running game, be patient. "I definitely enjoy running the ball, feel comfortable running the ball," Thompson said. "It puts more pressure on the defense. Oregon had a plan for that. A lot of the reads, I handed it off instead of running it. There were definitely more opportunities I had to run the ball, but they played it well. "I don't think our game plan is for me running the ball 10, 11 times a game or something like that." (NewsOK.com)

Wilson used to not getting calls: One coach not as quick to jump into the melee is offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. "When you play nine years in the Mid-American Conference playing Big Ten teams, you get used to not getting calls," said Wilson, who coached at Miami (Ohio) and Northwestern from 1990-2001. "And when you're at Northwestern playing big teams, you get used to not getting calls. "So I've always been where you've got to play well enough to overcome that one call and not leave points on the board, get in the scoring zone and execute better or have a better plan or rhythm of plays to get 7s instead of 3s." (Tulsa World)

All Day All-Access, Week Four: SoonerSports.com

Walker back on track: Norman Transcript

Middle Tennessee coach still trying to boost his program: The Oklahoman

Going back to Pac-10 is best way to make point: The Oklahoman

OU-Oregon could meet in Fiesta Bowl: The Oklahoman

Coach speak: Tulsa World

OU-Oregon tests picker's patience: Tulsa World


OU loss hinders Peterson: Tulsa World

Know the foe -- Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders: Tulsa World

MTSU readies eyes, ears for Norman: Murfreesboro Daily Journal

September 20, 2006

(9/20) Pac-10 Official Riese Takes Leave of Absence

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Pac-10 Offcial takes leave of absence: The league announced Wednesday that official Gordon Riese, who has already been suspended for a game by the Pac-10, requested a leave of absence. Because Pac-10 replay officials work in crews, replay assistant Roger Judd also will not work any more games this season. "Gordon Riese had a distinguished 28-year career as a Pac-10 official and, with the exception of Saturday, had done a fine job as a replay official," Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen said. "He is an individual with impeccable officiating credentials and unquestioned integrity. We look forward to his return next season." Riese has said he was "struggling" with missing the call. (Kansas City Star)

(9/20) Huskies Expect Sooners, Oklahoma Columns and Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Huskies expect Sooners to show up: Washington athletic director Todd Turner said he has received no indication that Oklahoma would pull out of its 2008 game at Husky Stadium despite the fact that Sooners coach Bob Stoops said that was a possibility during a Tuesday press conference. "It's not an issue right now," Turner said. "As far as I know, we have a contract with Oklahoma and they'll be here in 2008. We're scheduled to have Pac-10 officials and until I'm told differently or Oklahoma officially calls and says that's unacceptable, that's what we're counting on." (Daily Herald)

Peterson, Stanton strengthening first-round status: SI.com

Possible bias of conference-affiliated officials concerns fans, teams: USA Today

Boren's behavior is the real outrage: FoxSports

People will stop complaining Sooner or later, right?: SportingNews

Hawkins has sympathy card for Sooners: Denver Post

Oklahoma? I'd sooner die: The News Tribune

(9/20) Stoops Moving On, Peterson's Heisman Run, and Sooner Notes

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sooners 'not pointing fingers' and Stoops moving on: Coach Bob Stoops said he would address the controversial finish at Oregon for the last time Tuesday at his news conference. Normally, the weekly Q&A lasts 30 minutes. But Stoops spent the first 25 minutes of a 36-minute session talking about the loss. "First, we take accountability for what we could have done that changed that game," Stoops told reporters. "Anyone who's sitting there thinking that we're just pointing fingers and not looking at ourselves, that's not true." But he went on to say, "I'm proud of a football team who was an underdog on the road against a ranked football team in a sold-out, packed stadium that you all talked about was so difficult to play [in] and put themselves in position to win. "It's undeniable that the results of the officiating mistakes changed the football game." (Dallas Morning News)

Ref former high school friend of Bellotti: David Cutaia, the Pac-10 Conference referee who called Saturday's Oklahoma game at Oregon -- and who was leader of the crew that was suspended Monday by the Pac-10 for one game for officiating errors on the field -- is a longtime associate of Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti. The Tulsa World received an anonymous fax on Tuesday offering details about their relationship, which dates back to the late 1960s at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concorde, Calif. David Cutaia is also a police chief in Martinez, Calif. Phone messages left at his office were not returned. An employee at Ygnacio Valley confirmed that Cutaia graduated from the school in 1968, and Robert Michael Bellotti graduated in 1969. "I had no idea about that," said Pac-10 associate commissioner of communications Jim Muldoon. Muldoon said the Pac-10 has no policy in place that would preclude Cutaia from presiding over the officiating crew at an Oregon game. "We don't have any rules against officials working games at their alma maters like some conferences do," Muldoon said. "We do believe in the integrity of out people.(Tulsa World)

Peterson's Heisman run: Stoops was asked what he thought of the suggestion in the national media that OU tailback Adrian Peterson has fallen in the running for the Heisman Trophy. "How can that be?" Stoops asked. "Other than that a game was taken away from us, if that's how they look at it, the fact that there's a loss in the column, then you've got to be undefeated to win the Heisman." Peterson finished with 211 rushing yards against Oregon, including 145 in the fourth quarter. He now has 515 rushing yards and six total touchdowns for the season. (NewsOK.com)

Stoops receives calls: Stoops said he's received numerous phone calls from coaches over the last few days about the Oregon finish. One came from a total stranger -- Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo -- and another from Oregon football coach Mike Bellotti. Stoops said Bellotti apologized for the way the game ended. "I'd rather be in his position," Stoops said. (Dallas Morning News)

Sooners rethink Washington visit in 2008
: If the Pac-10 Conference doesn't change its policy of using its own referees for home nonconference games -- as OU president David Boren suggested Monday in a letter to the Big 12 -- then OU might cancel its 2008 game scheduled at Washington. "I think there's no question that (athletic director) Joe Castiglione and I or President Boren will, if that rule is not changed, that we may reconsider that game," coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday. "I think it's justified that we look into that, and that may change." The Sooners played UW in Norman on Sept. 9, and are contracted to return the game in two years. Castiglione declined comment on the possibility of canceling the game. "I know it's the heat of the moment, and while people want answers to those kinds of questions in the heat of the moment, decisions like those are better made when people can be more rational," Castiglione said during an interview prior to Stoops' comments. "Keep in mind, the University of Washington didn't do anything wrong here." The Pac-10 has a policy that all nonconference home games be officiated by Pac-10 crews. (Tulsa World)

M. Walker to start Saturday: Stoops verified Tuesday that junior Marcus Walker will start Saturday at cornerback. Walker will be the third player to start opposite Reggie Smith at cornerback. D.J. Wolfe started the first two games and Lendy Holmes started last week. "We're going to continue to work in the secondary to get better play," Stoops said. (NewsOK.com)

Peterson to get more returns: Adrian Peterson made his debut as a kick returner against Oregon. The All-American running back will continue his role on special teams Saturday against Middle Tennessee. "He just needs to see it more," Stoops said. "We need to keep getting him more practice with it. Sure, we intend to continue with it." (Norman Transcript)

Unamity sans from one Saturday: SoonerSports.com

Sooners in the Pros Week 2: SoonerSports.com

Stoops strikes right pose: Norman Transcript

Sooners read to move on: Norman Transcript

Stoops' mantra will serve him well: The Oklahoman

OU's loss to Oregon just won't go away: The Oklahoman

We're all the angles covered?: The Oklahoman

Stoops threatens pullout if policy stays: The Oklahoman

Oklahomans must be themselves and forgive: Tulsa World

Bellotti's comments: Tulsa World

Coach says he and team are through talking about Oregon flap: Tulsa World

Instant replay isn't perfect, but coaches prefer it: Dallas Morning News

Stoops says OU may cancel Pac-10 return: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

OU gotta see his rings: Murfreesboro Daily News

MTSU's Franklin to miss Oklahoma game: Murfreesboro Daily News

September 19, 2006

(9/19) Official no stranger to controversial calls, Stoops Unsatisfied, and Oklahoma Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Pac-10 Official no stranger to controversial calls, future games will 'be closely monitored':
Suspended were instant replay officials Gordon Riese and Roger Judd, both retired field officials, along with referee David Cutaia, umpire Dennis Angel, linesman Dan Antonietti, line judge Manuel Alonzo, back judge Steve Hudson, field judge Dan Spriesterbach and side judge David Curschman. Hansen said their work in future games would "be closely monitored." Riese and Judd are Oregon residents. "We generally don't travel our replay officials, nor do other conferences," Pac-10 associate commissioner Jim Muldoon said. This wasn't the first time Riese has been involved in controversy. On Nov. 20, 1982, he was the line judge when California defeated Stanford on arguably the most controversial finish in college football history. Cal won the game on a crazy kickoff return that ended with Kevin Moen scoring the winning touchdown before crashing into Stanford band trombonist Gary Tyrrell. In 2002, Riese told the San Jose Mercury News he wasn't in position to call an illegal forward lateral -- Mariet Ford to Moen -- because he had been run over by the on-rushing Stanford band. Riese said he has received menacing phone calls and a death threat over Saturday's game, adding he would make a decision soon about whether to finish the season, or even whether to return next year. (LA Times)

More controversial calls: Washington State fans may remember how [Gordon] Riese ruled in a 2002 Apple Cup game against rival Washington. In triple overtime, Cougars quarterback Matt Kegal lost the football and the Huskies recovered. Many thought it was either a fumble or an incomplete pass. After huddling with other officials, Riese made a confusing announcement that it was a backward pass and, thus, a live ball. Washington State coach Mike Price said afterward, "That's wrong." Riese also made a strange ruling in the 2004 USC-UCLA game. The Bruins held up Reggie Bush, and while the running back pushed for more yards, he fumbled. A UCLA linebacker picked up the ball and raced for an apparent touchdown. Riese told the crowd that Bush's forward progress had been stopped and the play was dead. ABC announcers said at halftime that the officials took a touchdown away from UCLA. (Dallas Morning News)

Coach Stoops unsatisfied w/apology: Stoops believes Riese, who elected not to overturn the calls, should have faced a much stiffer penalty. "I find it still absolutely inexcusable and unacceptable," Stoops said. "In particular the people who had an opportunity to review it all and look at it and get it right. They chose not to. "You discern whether a one-game suspension is appropriate for those individuals. I'm not talking about people in the heat of the moment out there in the middle of the chaos. I'm talking about people who, like every viewer at home, had an opportunity to see it. It's not for me to decide what is appropriate, but I think it's fair to say that a one-game suspension compared to the way our season now is altered, I don't know if that fits the situation. "Like I said, I've made a million mistakes. In a game I'd love to have a chance to replay it and do it over. They get that opportunity, we don't. To me again it's just unacceptable and inexcusable." (Norman Transcript)

Cooper may be held out: Stoops said Jon Cooper and DeMarcus Granger are "limited" in practice, but "should be fine" for Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee State. Wilson said Cooper should be available but, with an open date upcoming, would likely be held out a week. (Tulsa World)

Sooners moving forward: Stoops said his team is fully focused on the season ahead and what it can bring. "Our players understand there's a lot in front of us," Stoops said. "The season's young. We've got a ton to get better at, improve at and that's what we're focusing on. I have to deal with this because I'm the head coach. There's too many questions about it. "We're on to Middle Tennessee. We had a great practice. Our players are upbeat. They understand the potential that's on the football team, and we're going to continue working to get better." (NewsOK.com)

Easy Monday workload for AD: Running back Adrian Peterson had a light day at practice Monday, working only on blitz pickups. Head coach Bob Stoops said he likes to give Peterson a light load on Mondays "after he's has a hard day." (Tulsa World)

Oregon reaction; Ignore and 'move on': Ducks coach Mike Bellotti told The Oregonian that he wouldn't allow outside focus on the controversy to taint his team's win. "We ignore it and move on," Bellotti told the newspaper. Bellotti did say that if the calls were proven to be bad, as they since have been, he would feel bad. And he said he wouldn't want to win a game that way. "It still can't take away the effort and the will of our players," Bellotti said. (NewsOK.com)

Weekly team awards: Stoops said Peterson, Iglesias and Paul Thompson were OU's offensive players of the week, cornerback Marcus Walker was defensive player of the week and Reggie Smith and Michael Cohen were special teams players of the week. (Tulsa World)

Stoops reacts sharply: SoonerSports.com
No remedy, but Boren may help: Norman Transcript
Replay official gets death threat, might resign: The Oklahoman
Now everyone can do best to move on: The Oklahoman
Patrick earns place in OU lore: The Oklahoman
Stoops says he doesn't know if penalty fits: The Oklahoman
Talk of the town still Oklahoma, Oregon: The Oklahoman
Suspension, apology leaves Stoops unsatisfied: The Oklahoman
Pac-10 sits officials, apologizes to OU: Dallas Morning News
OU still seeing red after loss to Oregon: Dallas Morning News
Disputed call leaves mark on Sooners: Tulsa World
Pac-10 says it apologizes for bad calls: Tulsa World
Pac-10 apologizes for officials' errors: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Oklahoma not OK with loss at UO: The Oregonian
Football is just a game, until you're on the clock: The Oregonian
Ball should have gone to Oklahoma: The Oregonian

(9/19) Pac-10 Official Riese Talks, Considers Resigning, and Q&A

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Pac-10 Official says, he made the wrong call, now receiving threats: The instant replay official whose failure to overturn a bad call led to a narrow victory for Oregon over Oklahoma said he feels like he is under siege after receiving menacing phone calls and a death threat. Gordon Riese said he would make a decision soon about whether to finish the season, or even whether to return next year. "I'm struggling with it," Riese said in an interview at his home. "I feel so bad I missed that call, it's driving me crazy." A former college baseball pitcher in the 1960s who was inducted into the Portland State Hall of Fame in 1997, Riese said he never played football but always enjoyed the game during 28 years as a Pacific-10 Conference official. "I loved it, I absolutely loved it," Riese said. But that was before he became an instant replay official. "I've felt much, much more pressure as an instant replay official than I ever did on the field," Riese said. He said the equipment is not as sophisticated as NFL replay equipment, and does not allow the official to freeze the frame. Riese said he has stopped answering the phone, and police are investigating the threatening calls while keeping an eye on his neighborhood. (Seattle Times)

Q&A with Pac-10 Coordinator Of Officiating: Verle Sorgen, the coordinator of football officiating for the Pacific-10 Conference, on Monday answered questions about Oregon's controversial 34-33 win Saturday over Oklahoma, on the instant replay system and on the conference's decision to suspend the crew and replay officials.
Q: What happened on the onside kick and what went wrong with the officiating?
A: One of the officials was very definite that the Oregon player had recovered it and that the ball had been taken away from him. It's clear to me that Oregon touched the ball first. It is also clear that Oregon did not recover the ball in the pile. In either case, it should have been given to Oklahoma.

Q: What went wrong with the process and why wasn't the call reversed?
A: I think there was a glitch in the (instant replay) booth. Somehow they didn't get all of the replays that ABC was providing. I think there was a miscommunication between the No. 2 (Roger Judd) and the No. 1 (Gordon Riese), and as a result, we didn't get all the information we should have gotten.
Q: If the glitch was in the replay booth, why was the entire officiating crew suspended?
A: They made two incorrect decisions to begin with that caused all of this. The suspensions came from the conference office. We had a conference call for an hour this morning.

Q: The pass interference call (on the final drive), was it ruled incorrectly?
A: That was reviewed also. I really couldn't tell. I could see the linebacker go up with his right arm, I could see the ball go at a crazy rotation afterward, but it was going at a crazy rotation to begin with. (More at the Oregonian)

SportsNation Poll: ESPN ask the SportsNation, How should the BCS handle the Oklahoma-Oregon game? Vote now on ESPN.com. Currently, 53,000 votes.. 59% say Count It, 41% say Disregard It.

Please forward all e-mail complaints to the Pac-10, not my e-mail.. I don't do petitions, or complaints.. Here's a direct link to Pac-10 Conference Officials' contacts, Pac-10.org.

"Biggest robbery since the Oklahoma land grab" Tony Kornheiser, PTI

September 18, 2006

Pac-10 Suspends Officiating Crew One Week

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Pac-10 apologizes; officials suspended, result stands: The fallout from controversial officiating and instant replay decisions in Saturday's college football game between Oklahoma and Oregon continued Monday when the Pacific-10 Conference suspended for one game the field officials and instant replay crew and apologized to the Sooners. Oregon won 34-33 after scoring two touchdowns late in fourth quarter. After the first score, Oregon recovered an onside kick, leading to the winning touchdown. The Pac-10 acknowledged Monday that the kick was touched by an Oregon player before it traveled the required 10 yards, so the ball should have been awarded to Oklahoma. The video also shows an Oklahoma player recovered the ball, although that part of the play was not reviewable under the instant replay rule. The kick had been reviewed by the instant replay officials, who concurred with the field officials. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops also questioned a pass interference call on the subsequent drive. Stoops said he believes Oklahoma defensive end C.J. Ah You deflected the pass that resulted in the penalty. If the ball was tipped, the penalty would have been negated. The replay officials ruled that there was not indisputable video evidence the ball had been tipped. "Errors clearly were made and not corrected, and for that we apologize to the University of Oklahoma, Coach Stoops and his players," Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen said in a statement. Earlier Monday, Oklahoma President David Boren sent a letter to Big 12 Commissioner Kevin Weiberg, asking him to push for the game to be stricken from the record books and having the officials suspended for the rest of the season. "There is no provision under NCAA or conference rules for a game result to be reversed or changed as a result of officiating errors, nor do I believe there should be," Weiberg said in a statement. (USA Today)

(9/18) President David Boren Open-Letter, Oklahoma Sooner Notes and Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma's President David Boren letter to Big 12: Today, University of Oklahoma President David Boren released a letter calling on the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference to take action related to the breakdown of officiating in the Oklahoma-Oregon football game last Saturday. (SoonerSports.com Release)
Dear Commissioner Weiberg:

To describe the lapses in accurate officiating at the Oklahoma-Oregon football game last Saturday as constituting an outrageous injustice is an understatement. Since officiating is a conference responsibility as opposed to an individual institutional responsibility, we must look to you to launch a vigorous effort to correct the situation.

On behalf of the University of Oklahoma, I ask that you as Big 12 Commissioner take the following actions:

- First, seek an apology from the Pac-10 Conference for the gross errors in officiating.

- Second, since institutions, players, and coaches are held responsible by conferences and the NCAA for their actions, those who officiate games should also be held responsible. At the very least, those found responsible for reviewing the onside kick call and the interference call in the closing minutes of the game should be suspended from officiating for the rest of the season.

- Third, it is my understanding that the Pac-10 Conference has a rule that they will only use Pac-10 officials at games with other conference institutions hosted by Pac-10 members. In light of what happened Saturday, the Big 12 should request that the Pac-10 change its rule to assure impartial officiating.

- Fourth, the Big 12 should request that the game should not go into the record books as a win or loss by either team in light of the level of officiating mistakes.

- Fifth, the Big 12 should place on the appropriate agendas of NCAA meetings and meetings of the conference commissioners a discussion of how the film review process should be implemented.

Since the University of Oklahoma and its officials are required by conference sportsmanship rules to limit their comments in situations like this, we must look to you as the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference to vigorously demand that our teams be treated fairly when participating in non-conference games.

It is truly sad and deeply disappointing that members of our football team should be deprived of the outcome of the game that they deserved because of an inexcusable breakdown in officiating.

Sincerely,
David L. Boren
President, The University of Oklahoma

Conference/OU Statements' and result unlikely to be overturned: Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said Sunday in a statement, "There should be no mistaking our very serious concerns about the events that transpired and the energy we will exert in voicing those concerns." Jim Muldoon, Pac-10 associate commissioner of communications and football administration, said Sunday, "We are reviewing it right now and we may have a statement tomorrow. "Our coordinator of officials (Verle Sorgen) will review the tapes and, if he deems necessary -- which I suspect he will -- he will then talk to the parties involved, the replay officials," Muldoon said. "He reviews the tapes of every game, yes, and gets a report of every game, yes. But we'll be expediting this one just because of the somewhat controversial nature of the finish." Muldoon said the Pac-10 has taken action for officiating mistakes previously. It may be nothing more than a public reprimand or, more unlikely, a formal apology to Oklahoma or the Big 12 Conference. "I know different leagues do this differently," Muldoon said. "But we are not reticent about admitting if we make a mistake." Big 12 associate commissioner of communications Bob Burda said Sunday "the result will stand. I don't believe there's any protocol in place to overturn the result of a game, regardless of what the review process may uncover."...... Castiglione said he has "taken immediate steps . . . in officially requesting a comprehensive review of specific officiating decisions and use of instant replay," but said, "we fully understand the outcome of the game is irreversible, regardless of the decisions made in regards to the grievance." Said Stoops, "In the end, it isn't going to change anything. In the end, I've got to look at a bunch of kids that fought hard and have a loss right now(In part from Tulsa World)

Walker may start?
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables indicated that CB Marcus Walker is likely to start next week after breaking up four passes against Oregon. (Dallas Morning News)

Stoops disappointed with Pass Interference call: Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Sunday he was "incredibly disappointed" after reviewing videotapes of a disputed onside kick and pass interference penalty from the Sooners' last-minute loss to Oregon. Stoops said he believes an Oregon player interfered with Oklahoma's chance to recover an onside kick by touching the ball before it traveled 10 yards. The play gave Oregon possession and set up the Ducks' game-winning drive. "The instant replay was brought up to eliminate issues like this. And here, there are a number of issues that are clearly -- looking at video -- wrong," Stoops said Sunday. (SoonerSports.com)

Offensive Coordinator Wilson praises Adrian: "With loaded boxes, I think that running back is playing about as good as you can ask anyone to play," Wilson said. "He's playing against a loaded deck every week and he's playing great." (NewsOK.com)

Stoops: Protection Good, Kick Low: Bob Stoops said the protection was solid on Garrett Hartley's final field goal, but the kick was a little low. Oregon blocked the 44-yard attempt as time expired. (Dallas Morning News)

Peterson receives Big 12 Weekly Honor: For the second straight week, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson has been named the Big 12 Conference's Offensive Player of the Week. It is the sixth time in his three-year career that he has been so honored. The junior had 34 rushing attempts for 211 yards and one touchdown last Saturday at Oregon. Peterson was particularly brilliant in the fourth quarter when he rambled for 145 yards. His career mark now stands at 3,548, just 570 yards shy of Billy Sims' OU career mark of 4,118. With 515 yards thus far, Peterson is off to the best three-game start of his career. He is averaging 171.1 yards per game and is ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division I-A statistics. (SoonerSports Release)

Onside Kick Video: KWTV via NewsOK.com

Refs don't have to answer to anyone: The Oklahoman

Chalk bad calls up to a lack of luck: The Oklahoman


Sooners have lost their swagger: The Oklahoman

Replays become crutches for refs: The Oklahoman

Patrick's unseen recovery should have won the game: The Oklahoman

Questions and answers: The Oklahoman

Sooners can't dwell on past: The Oklahoman


Officiating Bad, but So Is Sooners' D: SI.com

Last three plays: Tulsa World

OU coach dejected after seeing replay: Tulsa World

Top three all-time blown OU calls: Tulsa World

Stoops talks officiating: Norman Transcript

OU hasn't recovered: Dallas Morning News


OU president wants action after 'gross errors' by officials: Dallas Morning News

Upsets, statements and controversy: ESPN.com

On further review, UO will take the victory: Register-Guard

September 17, 2006

Oklahoma-Oregon Onside Kick Video

The Oklahoma-Oregon fourth quarter onside kick video is available on YouTube, available in real-time and slow motion.. You decide for yourself. A blind duck can see no-one from the receiving team touched the ball before the kicking team.


(9/17) Peterson returning kicks, Sooner Injuries, and Oklahoma Notes

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Peterson returning kick returns: OU's Adrian Peterson returned kicks for the first time as a Sooner, part of a strategy to prevent teams from benefiting by kicking away from Reggie Smith. "I hadn't done it since high school," Peterson said. "It takes work. You've got to read the blocks and understand and see what you've got set up." Peterson had 68 yards on three returns, with a long of 28 yards. (NewsOK.com)

Earplugs seem ineffective: OU's offensive players spent the week wearing earplugs in practice so they could focus. Whether it was the noise or Oregon's defense, quarterback Paul Thompson was clearly confused at times. OU was out of timeouts with 3:22 remaining in the first quarter. Coaches also had to call a timeout with 10:02 left in the third quarter, because Thompson lost track of the play clock. (Dallas Morning News)

Peterson big day: Adrian Peterson's 211 rushing yards carried him past De'Mond Parker and into fourth place on OU's all-time list. He trails fourth-place Quentin Griffin by 390 yards. Peterson's 279 all-purpose yards vaulted him by Mark Clayton for 10th place on the Sooners' all-time list. (Tulsa World)

Injury report, Cooper, Granger: Sophomore center Jon Cooper left the game with a left ankle injury. He did not return. Cooper's status for this week is uncertain. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger was shaken up and walked off unsteadily. He did not return. (NewsOK.com)

Change in secondary: Lendy Holmes replaced D.J. Wolfe as OU's starting boundary cornerback Saturday. He struggled with Oregon wideout Jaison Williams (9 catches, 177 yards) early, and gave way to Marcus Walker during the Ducks' second series. Walker left midway through the third quarter with cramps, and Williams burned Holmes for a 30-yard touchdown on fourth-and-6 on the second play of the fourth quarter. Jason Carter played the whole game at strong safety in place of Keenan Clayton, who had started the first two games of the year, and led OU with 10 tackles. (Tulsa World)

No further discussion on future series: Saturday marked OU's third game with Oregon in 24 months. OU beat Oregon in Norman in 2004 and also played in the Holiday Bowl last December. OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said OU and Oregon have not discussed a future series. (NewsOK.com)

Blocked field goal dooms OU: SoonerSports.com

The Other Side: Reactions from Game: SoonerSports.com

Heartbreak for Sooners: Norman Transcript

Calls or no calls, Sooners still didn't finish: Norman Transcript

Still struggling on D: Norman Transcript

Still not a bad day for Hartley: Norman Transcript


Sooners' return to glory derailed by gut-wrenching game in Oregon: The Oklahoman

Three questions with Oregon's Brian Paysinger: The Oklahoman

Sooners disagree with review calls: The Oklahoman

How Oregon saw it: The Oklahoman

Game balls: The Oklahoman

OU wonders what happened: The Oklahoman

OU injury report: The Oklahoman

Last three plays: The Oklahoman

Ducks devour Sooner defense: Tulsa World

Blocked field goal stuns team: Tulsa World


Sooners lose on disputed replays: Tulsa World

Stoops still reeling after difficult defeat: Tulsa World

Sooners blocked on road: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram


Sooners' defense falters at the finish: Dallas Morning News

OU's celebration turns to consternation: Dallas Morning News

Later, Sooners!: Eugene Register-Guard

For OU fans, Oregon is A-OK: Eugene Register-Guard

Final ticks turn into a nightmare: Eugene Register-Guard


Peterson stings Oregon's defense: Eugene Register-Guard


Big plays + big block = huge win: Salem Statesman-Journal

Happy ending for Ducks: The Oregonian

First thoughts on the game of the century: The Oregonian


Instant analysis Week 3: FoxSports.com

Oklahoma robbed as Sooners lose on replays 34-33

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oregon Edges Oklahoma 34-33: In a wild final 72 seconds, Dennis Dixon and the Oregon Ducks had everything go their way. Dixon rallied for two late touchdowns, with the help of a successful onside kick, and the No. 18 Ducks blocked a field goal on the final play to seal a 34-33 victory over No. 15 Oklahoma on Saturday. Dixon's 16-yard keeper with 1:12 left brought the Ducks within 33-27 and set up the onside kick attempt. The Ducks (3-0) recovered the bouncing kick on their own 48, but Oklahoma (2-1) argued that an Oregon player touched the ball before it went the required 10 yards, which would have given the Sooners possession. Officials delayed play for an instant replay review, but the call stood and Dixon went to work. After a pass interference call on Oklahoma again had Sooners coach Bob Stoops shaking his head on the sideline, Dixon threw a 23-yard TD pass to Brian Paysinger with 46 seconds to give Oregon the lead. Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen said Saturday night that both the onside kick and pass interference call will be reviewed by the league. Oklahoma wasn't done, though, as Reggie Smith returned a squib kick 55 yards to the Ducks' 27. With no timeouts the Sooners ran one play, run into the line by Adrian Peterson, then spiked the ball with a second left. Garrett Hartley's 44-yard field-goal attempt wasn't high enough to clear the line and the Ducks celebrated. "I was just praying we would get that onside kick," said Sooners tailback Adrian Peterson, who ran for 211 yards. "Once we didn't get it, things got really ugly from there. " (AP/ABC News - Game Stats)

September 16, 2006

(9/16) Oklahoma-Oregon Game Day Articles

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Playing it cool: Norman Transcript

Not just another game if Sooners win: Norman Transcript

Sooners enter Duck country: The Oklahoman

Storylines: The Oklahoman


Sooners enter the final frontier: The Oklahoman

Separation anxiety at OU?: Tulsa World

OU Notebook: Tulsa World


OU enters contest at Oregon seeking direction: Tulsa World

Ducks wathershed opponent for Sooners: Dallas Morning News

Preview - Oklahoma at Oregon: Dallas Morning News

Time is right for Ducks, Sooners: The Oregonian

Autzen a September graveyard for opponents: The Oregonian


Ducks' welcome mat invited Peterson inside: Eugene Register-Guard

Oregon adjusts for injuries: Eugene Register-Guard

Inside Oregon-Oklahoma: Salem Statesman-Journal

Ducks aiming to reverse trend vs. Sooners: Salem Statesman-Journal

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