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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Official Oklahoma release on the scheduled Friday Tulsa game: I missed it the first time, Thanks, Jeff for the e-mail and link.. From OU Athletics Site.. Oklahoma's upcoming football game with Tulsa has been moved up one day from Sept. 22 to Friday, Sept. 21 to accommodate an ESPN2 request. OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione said that he agreed to the move only after consulting with the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association. "Ultimately, this is Tulsa's home game and the contract with ESPN exists through Tulsa's affiliation with this game," Castiglione said. "A date change, which in this case came about at the suggestion of the rights holder, typically requires the approval of both institutions. We did not want to give that approval until we had the opportunity to speak with the secondary school activities association. "We wanted to assure them that we do support high school football and its traditional night of competition and that we have no plans to conflict with them on a regular basis. "We appreciate the willingness of the association to review this matter with us and to give us the approval to move forward. It allows us to showcase our program and since there are so many Oklahomans on our roster, we hope we can showcase the association and many of the young people it has produced as well." The Tulsa game is the fourth on the 2007 OU schedule. It will be played at Skelly Stadium on the TU campus. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. (SoonerSports PR)

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma-Tulsa Agree to a FRIDAY Night ESPN 2 Game in 2007: The University of Tulsa's football schedule for the 2007 season was announced today by TU's Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. Tulsa's six-game home schedule features contests against two teams that completed the 2006 campaign ranked among the nation's top-25, including No. 11 Oklahoma and No. 16 Brigham Young, The Hurricane has two games televised on ESPN2 and will play a total of four teams that appeared in Bowl games in 2006. "This is a great schedule and a challenging one. The best thing about it is that it's an incredible home schedule with BYU, Oklahoma, UAB, Marshall, SMU and Houston," said Tulsa Head Coach Todd Graham. "We're excited about the opportunity to play this demanding type of schedule." (Tulsa Athletic Site) The game is schedule for Friday, Sept. 21 7:00 CT on ESPN2, previously scheduled for Sept. 22. Personally, who schedules a Friday Night College Football game on the duece?!? Someone please e-mail, why would the University of Oklahoma football program agree to such terms? Nonetheless its set, mark it down.

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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

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Cotton Bowl to move to new Cowboys Stadium: Hoping to get the Cotton Bowl back on college football's national stage, the board that oversees the game voted Tuesday to move it to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium starting in 2010. "This is one of the most important decisions in the 71-year history of the AT&T Cotton Bowl," Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Chairman Bruce Gadd said in a statement. "Moving the Classic preserves the Classic's legacy and, at the same time, secures its future as one of college football's best postseason bowl games." The move was approved by voice vote during a regular meeting of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association board of directors. The first game at the new venue in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth, will be on New Year's Day, 2010. Plans for the $1 billion stadium, scheduled to open in 2009, include a retractable roof that would cover a hole similar to the one at Texas Stadium in Irving. A domed stadium is important to bowl game officials because of Dallas' sometimes cold January weather. (Dallas Morning News) This can't be good for the future of the Red River Shootout at the current Cotton Bowl stadium. As the Cotton Bowl has commitments from both Oklahoma and Texas through 2010, only if City of Dallas continues improvements with bond money already approved. In the past, Dallas officials have said they will only continue improvements with long-term commitments.

Taylor: Dallas dropped the ball: WFAA

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Report: Cotton Bowl Classic on the Move to Arlington: Officials with the State Fair of Texas and the city of Dallas conceded Monday that the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic will almost certainly move from its namesake stadium in Fair Park to the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington. "It's been a foregone conclusion that they're leaving," said State Fair president Errol McKoy, who also serves on the board of directors for the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. "The reason the Cotton Bowl game is supposedly going to move -- and they'll have an announcement here soon -- is all because of one thing, and that's a roof over their head. That's something that we cannot and will not ever provide -- a roof over their head," State Fair chairman Pete Schenkel told The Dallas Morning News, while at once vowing to retain the annual Texas-Oklahoma and Prairie View-Grambling college football games and to attract new ones. A move to the Cowboys' retractable-roof stadium tops the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic board's meeting agenda today. But just about everyone on the board is comfortable that the decision-making process is nearly finished, said Darrell Jordan, a longtime advocate of improving the Cotton Bowl stadium and a candidate for Dallas mayor. "It's my understanding that they are going to vote, unanimously or nearly unanimously, to move the game to the new stadium in Arlington. That is not unexpected," Mr. Jordan said Monday. (Dallas Morning News) Note: Both the Universities of Oklahoma and Texas have agreements with Dallas to play the annual Red River Shootout through 2010. Further agreements are pending.

Dallas may challenge for naming rights: The city of Dallas may challenge the Cotton Bowl Classic's right to its name if it loses the annual college football bowl game. At the least, Dallas is exploring its options, it announced in a statement released by city spokesman Frank Librio. The city "has engaged outside counsel to advise us on the scope of our intellectual property rights," including trademark rights, the statement read. The classic's board is meeting today, and a possible move to the Cowboys' new stadium is on the agenda. The use of the name remains an emotional flash point for some. "As far as I'm concerned, I ain't giving up the word Cotton Bowl for any other city," Dallas City Council member Mitchell Rasansky said. "The Cotton Bowl, for whatever it's worth, it is at Fair Park." The city faces major legal hurdles should it mount a challenge. The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association registered the name "Cotton Bowl Classic" in 1999 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to the agency's Web site and documents obtained by The Morning News. The organization confirmed that the document was in use in 2004, as required. (Dallas Morning News)

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Spring practices will be closed: For 15 days this spring, beginning March 7, the Sooners will work mostly in secret, with only the April 7 spring game certain to be open to the public. Access to two scrimmages remains pending. (NewsOK.com)

Sad news; Peterson still worksout despite half-brother being killed: FOXSports.com has learned that Peterson was told in the wee hours Sunday morning that his half-brother was gunned down and killed in a Texas homicide. Sources say he was shot multiple times. The sources also said Peterson was very close to his half-brother and took the news extremely hard. Details are still sketchy and when contacted officials at the Houston Police Department did not have any information available. Despite such heart-breaking news, Peterson pulled his emotions together to have an impressive workout at the NFL's scouting combine. Not only did he run the 40s (4.38 in his first run) but Peterson participated in all the running back drills. Although his head was probably elsewhere, the former Heisman hopeful had what scouts deemed a terrific workout, including a 38.5-inch vertical and 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. Peterson spent much of the time before and after his workout on the phone with grieving family members and didn't get much sleep Sunday morning. (FOXSports.com)

Paul Thompson NFL Combine numbers: Former Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson turned in performances of 4.11 in the 20 shuttle, 6.81 in the three cone, 10-7 in the broad jump and 54.8 in ball speed. (NewsOK.com)

Sooners in the running for top Texas back? Now the Sooners appear to be the early leader for Jermie Calhoun of Van, Texas. Calhoun, who some think is the Lone Star State's premier back, was once considered a lock for the Longhorns. But Texas' curious apparent decision not to recruit Calhoun has shifted the runner's sights north of the Red River. Calhoun has run for more than 3,300 yards and 45 touchdowns the past two seasons. He's already had offers from OU, Oklahoma State, Alabama, Florida, Kansas State, LSU, Nebraska and Texas A&M. (NewsOK.com)

Peterson impressive at Combine: Dallas Morning News

Adrian a rocky choice? Chronicle-Telegram

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

The following numbers are of Adrian Peterson and #2 RB prospect Marshawn Lynch of California. (Numbers are un-official via NFL Network Coverage.. Official times posted later in the day.)
RB. 40-Times
A. Peterson: 4.38, 4.43
M. Lynch: 4.52, 4.49
Fastest: C. Henry 4.33, Henry's second time was slower

Long jump:
A. Peterson: 10'7
M. Lynch: 10'3

Vertical:
A. Peterson: 38'
M. Lynch: 35 1/2

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

NFL Scouting Combine: Catch Adrian Peterson and other running backs Sunday, Feb. 25 11 a.m. ET: Workouts: Quarterbacks, Running Backs and Wide Receivers (LIVE!) Available on DirectTV Channel 212 and 95 in HD

Peterson Measurements: Peterson measured in at 6-1 ½, 217 pounds on Friday, and he said he hopes to run "a high 4.2 or low 4.3" second 40-yard dash. (Dallas Morning News)

Cards eyeing Peterson at #5? Adrian Peterson, Arizona Cardinal? It's a crazy notion. Running back would seem to be far down the list of draft needs for the Cardinals, especially after handing Edgerrin James a four-year, $30 million contract last offseason.But new coach Ken Whisenhunt has talked about the need for another back to step in and lighten James' load after James piled up 337 carries last season. With the explosion of successful teams with two good halfbacks -- think New Orleans with Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, Chicago with Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, Indianapolis with Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes -- teaming Peterson with James isn't far-fetched.Subtly feeding into the idea is Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves, who said his goal of free agency is "take the pressure off feeling we have to address a certain position with our No. 1 pick." (East Valley Tribune)

Browns win coin toss, may select AD at #3: The Cleveland Browns won the coin flip Friday at the NFL Combine, giving the team the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft and adding some mystery to where former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson may go. The Browns may now be shooting for Wisconsin left tackle Joe Thomas, considered the top offensive line prospect in the draft. Or, if Thomas isn't available, the Browns could pass on Peterson and pick a quarterback. (NewsOK.com)

AD has the 'It' factor: "He [Adrian] has something very special about him. He just has that 'it' factor," said Bill Henkel, Peterson's marketing agent, who is in negotiations with several companies for deals for Peterson."He's got the looks; he's got the body; he's got the talent, charisma and everything. He can do anything he wants to do." (Star-Telegram)

Peterson Q&A: Adrian Peterson Question and Answers with 49ers.com.

Q: How would you respond to being featured in a two-back system?

A: If I end up in a system like that and that's how the offense is ran, then there's not much I can do about it. But I'm just going to go out there and do what I can to compete for a position. That's all I can ask for.

Q: Why did you decide to work out at the Combine?

A: That's the kind of competitive person I am. I don't see any reason not to work out. I just want to come out here and perform.

Q: What do you want to run?

A: I set my bar high. A high 4.2 or a low 4.3.

Q: How much magic do you have to find room to run when there isn't any room?

A: How much magic do I have? If you come in to a young offensive line or an offensive line that isn't proven, over time they will develop. There isn't much I can do about the offensive line. I just can go out there and whatever crease I can find I'm going to try to stick it in there.

Peterson pooh-poohs hurts: Orlando Sentinel

Peterson see you, Sooner? Detroit Free Press

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Kiper thinks the Browns will pick Peterson: Regardless of where Cleveland is picking, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. thinks the Browns will upgrade their running back situation, despite the fact it's not an immediate need. "I think Adrian Peterson would be an ideal Cleveland Brown," Kiper Jr. said. "Jamal Lewis, Phil Savage brought in to Baltimore and he was certainly a key factor in their success. To me, Adrian Peterson, you can make the argument, is the best player in this draft, if not, certainly one of the top three." It's possible the Browns may weigh their options of trading the pick to fill several needs. (The Columbus Dispatch)

Top 10 RB Prospects: SI.com

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

What to watch for; NFL Combines: Sunday, Feb. 25 11 a.m. ET: Workouts: Quarterbacks, Running Backs and Wide Receivers (LIVE!) (repeats at 4 & 8 p.m.) 2 p.m. ET: 2007 Scouting Combine Press Conferences (LIVE!) 7 p.m. ET/PT: NFL Total Access at the Scouting Combine (LIVE!) (NFL Scouting Combine Schedule via NFL.com)

ESPN's Mel Kiper's take on Peterson: Mel Kiper, ESPN's draft guru, thinks Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, already the top-rated runner, would help himself even more with a great showing."If he comes in at 6-foot-1, 223 pounds and runs a 4.38, he's going to make people go 'Wow,'" Kiper said. So much so, Kiper added, that teams such as the Ravens and the Denver Broncos, which are in the market for ball carriers, might be willing to trade up in the draft to get him. (Baltimore Sun)

NFLPA discusses rules on college players: NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw is expected to push for rules preventing agents from talking with college players until those players either have become seniors or declared for the NFL draft after their junior season. Upshaw spent Wednesday meeting with a group of agents on the subject. He will address a significantly larger group of agents Friday. "The reaction to it was about 50-50," Upshaw said of the smaller group of agents. "The biggest concern for them is making sure we can get control of the other people involved with the college players, like the financial advisors and the marketing agents." The NFLPA currently has no jurisdiction over advisors or marketing agents. (Yahoo! Sports)

Who Will Be On The Cover of the NCAA 08 Video Game? AOL Sports Blog

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Did you think there's no Oklahoma Football articles? Maybe, not at the other place.. Here's everything OU Football from today.

Peterson expects to run a 4.3 40: He says his goal is to run the 40-yard dash in about 4.3 seconds and everything else will take care of itself. Some draft analysts have Peterson going as high as the number four pick in the draft - which is held by the Cleveland Browns. (FOX23.com)

Adrian Peterson Combines Q&A: SI.com

Players to watch at NFL Combine: FOX Sports.com

Inside spring drills: Big 12 preview: Yahoo! Sports

Big 12 Coaches As South Park Characters: AOL Sports

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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

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sooners help build a home together: Sleepy college students filed into a lone bus in the early-morning darkness of the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot Sunday. Destination: Lawton and a new home for a Sooner family. Volunteers from the Oklahoma football and women's basketball teams accompanied by members of the spirit squads and OU Athletics Department staff headed to Comanche County to lend support to a Sooner family selected for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The television show features local volunteers working together to build new homes for deserving families. In April of 2004, Army sergeant and long-time OU fan Gene Westbrook was hit by a mortar at an American camp mess hall in Baghdad, Iraq. The attack left Westbrook paralyzed. When the program announced its intentions to assist the family, the OU Athletics Department organized volunteers from its own ranks to join the effort. Senior defensive end Alonzo Dotson (Alief, Texas), senior safety Darien Williams (Mesquite, Texas), junior linebacker Curtis Lofton (Kingfisher), sophomore receiver Carter Whitson (Shawnee), redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Bradford (Oklahoma City) and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma City) represented the Sooner football team. Sophomores Ashley and Courtney Paris (Piedmont, Calif.), fresh off a road victory at Texas Tech, joined from the women's basketball team. The new home is schedule to be unveiled to the Westbrook family on Thursday. The episode will air on ABC on Sunday, April 8, at 7 p.m. (More at SoonerSports.com)

07 Issues: Passing of an Important Generation: AOL Sports Blog
*Correction

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Stoops picks Johnson in the 500: Oklahoma's Bob Stoops one of many celebrities to pick their favorite for the Daytona 500. Coach Stoops is no stranger at the speedway, after a couple visits. Stoops' favorite to win the Daytona 500 is defending race winner and NEXTEL Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson.

Jimmie Johnson: He follows our program and comes to games now and then, and his
wife is a Sooner. Stoops telling SI.com

Update: After wrecking late in the Daytona 500 Jimmie Johnson finished 39th, leading zero laps in Sunday's Daytona 500.

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU football insider Q&A: The Oklahoman

Who's the boss?: The Oklahoman

07 Issues: The Need for Speed: AOL Sports Blog

Texas' Hall neighborly to OU's Sims: Dallas Morning News

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Texans' looking at Adrian Peterson if available? ESPN.com's John Clayton writes, It's also possible they could draft Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson if he's available in the first round, although their priority is a left tackle. This might sound unbelievable for a team that drafted Mario Williams over Reggie Bush, but the Texans would like to add another pass-rusher. (More at ESPN.com)

Ten prospects to watch at the Combine: NFL.com

Impact Redshirt Freshmen - Big 12: Yahoo! Sports

CBS Sports Line Mock Draft: Sportsline.com

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Hardison the third unnamed player? A University of Oklahoma walk-on football player who never saw game action earned about twice as much from a Norman, Okla., auto dealership as Rhett Bomar over roughly the same period in 2005, records show. Jermaine Hardison, a wide receiver from Midwest City, Okla., was paid for an average of 43 hours a week from late February through mid-May 2005, while school was in session and spring practice was held, the records show. His pay from Big Red Sports/Imports averaged $459 a week over that 12-week period. NCAA documents released Monday, however, allege that a third player also took money "for work not performed." The player's name is blacked out. Hardison earned a total of $9,926 through mid-July 2005 and Bomar earned $5,092.30 from late-March through mid-August, according to pay stubs, which were among hundreds of pages of materials obtained by The News through several open records requests since last August. Hardison didn't respond to multiple messages left for him by The News since mid-September or to written questions sent to him via a delivery service. (Dallas Morning News)

From previous blog post, August 11, 2006... Hardison dismissed from team: Walk-on Jermaine Hardison has been dismissed from Oklahoma's football team after violating team rules, spokesman Kenny Mossman said Thursday night. Mossman said Hardison, a 6-foot-3 junior from Midwest City High School, was not on scholarship. Mossman didn't elaborate on which rules were violated. Hardison had never played in a game at Oklahoma. He was listed as a wide receiver on the Sooners' roster. (AP/SportingNews) According to broadcast reports, Hardison was dismissed for going to a local tribal casino. Which would be a violation of team rules, Oklahoma would not comfirm that report.

Lawsuit pending: Citing student privacy regulations, OU officials blacked out the names of all players identified in hundreds of pages of investigation documents that it released to The News. It also blacked out some information pertaining to the players. But Hardison's name can be deciphered, along with the names of 14 other OU players, through close examination of some documents. The names include eight players on the 2006 roster. Seeking the redacted information, The News filed suit against the university in September. The case is pending in federal court. (Dallas Morning News)

With the First Pick: Adrian Peterson Hype or the Real Deal?: MVN

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sooners in the pros wrapup NFC: SoonerSports.com

OU has done enough to pay for Bomar's sins: Oklahoma Daily

Athletes Going Pro, But not in Sports: Oklahoma Daily

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

NCAA Releases final report on Bomar/Quinn: As anticipated, the University of Oklahoma has received its notice of allegations from the NCAA related to the employment of student-athletes at a Norman automobile dealership and has announced its self-imposed penalties. According to OU officials, after several months of additional review and investigation by the University and the NCAA the content of the notice revealed nothing new from the University's original report with respect to the focus of the investigation. "The notice is part of the process we anticipated and is based on information contained in the report we submitted to the NCAA on August 21, 2006," said OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione. "The University diligently investigated this matter and has worked closely with the NCAA throughout this process so there are no surprises." The first allegation was reported by the University based on facts developed by its athletics compliance staff. The lone additional allegation included in the notice by the NCAA is that the institution failed to adequately monitor the specific employment of some student athletes during a limited period of time, a more limited allegation than "failure to monitor." "Upon completing our investigation, the University took action above and beyond what was required under the NCAA rules. The University permanently banned the involved parties from further athletics participation at the school. "Upon review, the NCAA reinstated the eligibility of the involved students. However, we maintained our original action of permanent dismissal of the involved parties. " More at SoonerSports.com

A third player took benefits, NCAA meeting set for April 14: Three Oklahoma football players, one more than the university has previously acknowledged, may have accepted money for work they did not perform at a local car dealership, according to an NCAA document disclosed Monday. School officials, including football coach Bob Stoops, will go before the NCAA committee on infractions on April 14 and argue their self-imposed penalties announced Monday are sufficient. OU spokesman Kenny Mossman said Monday night that the NCAA is alleging three players took money they didn't earn. But the university maintains that only two players, Rhett Bomar and J.D. Quinn, took excess pay from Big Red Sports/Imports in Norman. The NCAA, in its notice of allegations, says Oklahoma failed to monitor the working relationship of its players and Big Red, particularly with booster Brad McRae, who used to run the car dealership. (Dallas Morning News)

One Less Recruiting Coach: OU will also reduce the number of football coaches who can recruit off campus by one this fall. (Dallas Morning News)

NCAA Tells Oklahoma Something It Already Knew: AOL Sports Blog

NCAA drops no bombshells on OU: Norman Transcript

'No surprises' in call before NCAA: The Oklahoman

NCAA details case against OU: Tulsa World

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU football Q&A: The Oklahoman

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Stoops pleased with class of 2007: "Once again we met all our needs and addressed them in a very good way," Stoops said. "This is a very balanced class. We hit our numbers perfectly. We weren't able to sign a bigger class due to our numbers limitations this year, but we feel great about the quality. We signed some excellent players." Of the 20 players signed, five are offensive linemen. Three are linebackers while another three are defensive ends and three are receivers. Two each are listed at defensive back and athlete. One each was signed at quarterback and kicker. (More at SoonerSports.com)

Q. On if any of this year's commitments can compete to play right away:
A. "We expect them all to. Anymore, with our limited numbers, we get them all ready to play. Obviously, the offensive line is a thin position for us. We lose Chris Messner, so that will be important. It is important that Keith (Nichol) competes at the quarterback position. We have the mindset of getting them all ready to play. If they can all play and make us better, then they are going to play." Oklahoma Football Recruiting Page.

Norman's Broyles signs with OU: After a week of waffling, the Norman High School standout [Ryan Broyles] signed a national letter of intent with the Sooners on Wednesday. It marked the third time he had switched his commitment in the past week, alternating between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, but this time around, his choice is binding. "I'm a hundred percent to Oklahoma now," Broyles said. "I'm not willing to change that at all." Broyles originally committed to the Cowboys on Jan. 14, but later that day, the Sooners offered a scholarship. A couple weeks later, Broyles switched his commitment to the Sooners, only to switch back to the Cowboys a few days later. And as late as 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Broyles said he was committed to OSU. (NewsOK.com)

Scholarships available, Cohen offered: Extra scholarships became available when RB Adrian Peterson declared for the NFL draft and TE Aaron Cummings, OL Ben Barresi and OL Curtis Bailey suffered career-ending injuries. OU also awarded a scholarship to P Michael Cohen, who averaged 41 yards per punt in 2006. (Dallas Morning News)

Packers may trade up for Peterson in NFL draft? FOXSports.com Peter Schrager writes, "Don't be surprised if Ted Thompson and the Packers try to move up a few spots if Adrian Peterson slips out of the top five. " The Packers have the 16th selection overall.

No, Robert Broyles Is The Least Decisive Person Ever: AOL Sports FanHouse

Top CFB Moments of 2006 #1: Statue Of... Hook And... BOTH!: AOL Sports FanHouse

Sooners bulk up line with 6-8, 360-pound Loadholt: The Oklahoman

Broyles switches to Oklahoma: The Oklahoman

Vian receiver hits it big with OU: The Oklahoman

Box adjusting to life at OU: The Oklahoman

Signing day roundup: The Oklahoman

Taylor Picks Oklahoma: Times Record

Recruiting class not typical for Sooners: Tulsa World

Sooners land some surprises: Norman Transcript

No lesson in Broyles' saga: Norman Transcript

Recruiting: Oklahoma Sooners: San Antonio Express-News

Sooners' pickings address all needs: Houston Chronicle

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Find Oklahoma Sooners Football class of 2007 recruits and more on the Oklahoma Sooners recruiting page. Also find more on the recruiting blog channel.

My recruiting story - Joe Washington: Yahoo! Sports

OU recruiting notes: The Oklahoman

QB Nichol is just what Sooners need: The Oklahoman

Decision time for DB Broyles: The Oklahoman

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

ESPN to televise Red-White game: For the second straight year, ESPN will televise Oklahoma's Red/White Spring Game live. The game is set for 1 p.m., on Saturday, April 7. The cable network is yet to assign the announcers for the game. The visit marks the third overall for ESPN to the OU spring game. In 2003, the College GameDay crew of Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit included the Sooners during their spring tour for SportsCenter. Oklahoma is on a roll when it comes to football on television. The last 56 OU games have been televised. Over the history of the program 249 Sooner games have been televised, including 144 that were shown to national audiences. (SoonerSports PR)

Pac-10 Official Riese Fired: As the Pacific-10 Conference discusses improvements to its instant replay equipment for 2007, one decision already has been made: Gordon Riese will not be using it. Riese, the embattled instant replay official who was in the booth during the Oklahoma-Oregon game Sept. 16 in Eugene, got a call from the conference last week with official confirmation. "I was told I was not wanted in the replay booth," said Riese, who said he received death threats after the Ducks' 34-33 win after a botched ruling on an onside kickoff snatched a victory away from the Sooners. (The Oregonian)

Taylor commits to OU: [Londell] Taylor committed to Oklahoma on Monday, after receiving an offer from coach Bob Stoops. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound wideout picked OU over North Carolina, which began the recruiting push for Taylor six days ago. "Butch Davis and John Blake came through last week and picked up a tape," said Vian coach Brandon Tyler. "They watched him play basketball and talked to him. They wanted to fly Londell to Chapel Hill for a visit." Taylor visited North Carolina last Friday. He received an offer but didn't commit, opting to think it through. "Stoops called on Friday," said Tyler, who sent OU a highlight tape of Taylor early in January. "They'd seen his highlight film. He went to their camp this summer, so they knew who he was and what he was capable of." Tyler said Taylor's decision was a no-brainer. (NewsOK.com)

OU or UNC? Taylor narrows schools to two: Muskogee Phoenix

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Top Texas RB prospect commits to the Sooners for '08: Gilmer RB Justin Johnson, considered by many the state's top running back, committed to Oklahoma for the Class of '08. Johnson (6-1, 210) gave OU coach Bob Stoops a letter as he arrived Saturday for the Sooners' junior day. (Dallas Blog)

OU Q&A: The Oklahoman

Wait for stars to appear: The Oklahoman

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Stoops 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)

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

William Cole undecided on Oklahoma, Ark, Neb. and Texas A&M: Cedar Hill quarterback William Cole hasn't decided where to take his 4.5 forty time. On Monday, Cole was expected to receive an personal, in-home visit from Oklahoma's coach Bob Stoops and defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Scott's hosted Texas coach Mack Brown, LSU's Les Miles, A&M's Dennis Franchione and Stoops. Scott told Scout.com that he hopes to make a decision over the weekend. Cole is still considering all his options, which include Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska and Texas A&M. (Pegasus News)

Sooner Athletics Stocked With Dallas Imports: The Oklahoma Daily

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