Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Sooners search for backup at center: At right guard, Brandon Walker is the returning starter, but Brian Simmons held the spot last spring while Walker worked his way back from knee surgery. Now the two could end up splitting time. And the newest battle is for the backup job at center. With the announcement Tuesday that sophomore Chase Beeler had left the team, that spot on the depth chart became vacant. OU coach Bob Stoops said Wednesday that Walker is capable of playing center, but the coaching staff is also looking at sophomore Noah Hughey and true freshman Jason Hannan in that role. (NewsOK.com)
QB race still wide open: It appears Oklahoma will conduct its second major preseason scrimmage Saturday night with Keith Nichol, Sam Bradford and Joey Halzle all still in the hunt. "Not trying to drag it out, but right now, like we've got three tight ends, we've kind of got three quarterbacks," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Thursday between the Sooners' two practices. "Everybody says no one's separating, but it's not because they're stinking. They're all playing really good. So we'll just let them keep playing." Wilson said all three took snaps in Wednesday night's mini-scrimmage, when the Sooners ran the ball more than they did in the previous Saturday's full scrimmage, concentrating particularly on short-yardage situations. (Tulsa World)
Oklahoma breaks ground on statue work: Dirt work has begun beside the statues honoring Heisman Trophy winners Steve Owens and Billy Vessels in the areas that will eventually house statues for OU's other Heisman winners, Billy Sims and Jason White. The statues, which will be located on either side of the Owens and Vessels statues east of Owen Field, will be unveiled this fall. (NewsOK.com)
Injury Report: Branndon Braxton, battling Trent Williams to start at right tackle, has recovered from an ankle injury and is practicing. Cory Brandon, who was second-team right tackle, has missed time with a concussion. Tight end / fullback Brody Eldridge, coming off ankle surgery, is practicing but not participating in major contact situations. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is still hampered by a hamstring injury. (Tulsa World)
Thursday evening practice coverage: SoonerSports.com
OU confident with bevy of backs: SoonerSports.com
QB Race Even: Oklahoma Daily
Last tango in Miami: The Oklahoman
Reynolds recovers to land starting job: The Oklahoman
Tight ends do more than catch: The Oklahoman
O-line competition fierce: Tulsa World
Extra five yards on kickoffs may give OU returners a boost: Tulsa World
Reed a big hitter for Sooners: Norman Transcript
Strong play keeping QB race going: Norman Transcript
Linebacker's return has Sooners hopeful: Dallas Morning News
OU walk-on DT Taggart getting noticed: Dallas Morning News
OB race wide open at Oklahoma: CNNSI