January 31, 2013

Report: Oklahoma Will Switch to 3-4 Defense

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From Berry Tramel's Blog,  Chatting with OU commit Jordan Evans last Saturday, I learned that the Sooner staff is telling recruits that OU likely will change to a 3-4 defense. It only made sense and we figured that would be the case, but now we have confirmation that the coaches are seriously looking at it.

And it’s clear why. Lack of defensive tackles. The Sooners hope a 3-4 leads to a better pass rush, but the move to a 3-4 is out of necessity. OU was wiped out at defensive tackle — Jamarkus McFarland, David King, Casey Walker and Stacey McGee, all gone. (More at NewsOK.com)

Stanvon Taylor: 'I'm committed strong to Oklahoma'

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For several days, there was a persistent and compelling rumor – that East Central’s Stanvon Taylor, a four-star cornerback prospect and the 2012 Tulsa World’s All-Metro player of the year, might switch his commitment from Oklahoma to the University of Tulsa.

On Tuesday night, after he scored nine points in a 59-48 Cardinal basketball loss to Bartlesville, Taylor said his commitment to OU remains firm.

WBB: Sooners Roll Past TCU, 74-54

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NORMAN, Okla. -- Sharane Campbell scored 23 points as No. 21 Oklahoma pounded TCU, 74-53, despite missing its leading scorer for most of the second half Wednesday.

The Sooners trailed 11-0 before Aaryn Ellenberg, who entering the game as the Big 12's second-leading scorer behind Baylor's Brittney Griner, scored from 3-point range five minutes into the contest to end the drought.

Ellenberg scored seven points before leaving the game with an ankle injury early in the second period.

MBB: Sooners Defeat Baylor, 74-71

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WACO, Texas (AP) -- Thanks to guards young and old, Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger could still feel good after watching his team squander just about every bit of a 16-point lead after halftime.

When Baylor scored 10 in a row to get within a point, freshman guard Buddy Hield drove for a bank shot with 1:06 left.

After the Bears got that close again, senior Steven Pledger -- who finished with 20 points -- made two free throws and the Sooners held on for a 74-71 victory Wednesday night.

January 30, 2013

Jacoby Rubin Named Conference Gymnast of the Week

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NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma gymnast Jacoby Rubin was named the MPSF Gymnast of the Week Tuesday after a career-high performance led No. 3 OU to wins over three top-eight teams at this past weekend’s Metroplex Challenge.

The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) is the hybrid conference that the OU men’s gymnastics team competes in with Air Force, California and Stanford.

At the Metroplex Challenge, Rubin posted a team-best score of 15.000 on high bar, tied a team high with a 14.800 on pommel horse and scored a career-high 15.050 on rings. He also recorded a 13.950 on parallel bars. In addition to his career high on rings, his pommel horse score tied a career high and his high bar and parallel bar routines marked his season debuts in those events.

Track and Field: Riley Masters Clocks Personal-Best Mile in Boston

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NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma track & field senior Riley Masters clocked a personal-best 3:57.74 mile last weekend in the Boston University Terrier Classic, held at the Boston university-Track & Tennis Center.

Masters competed unattached since he has exhausted his eligibility in indoor track and field at Oklahoma. His mile performance at the Terrier Classic would stand as OU’s second-best time in program history if he had represented OU as a collegiate runner at the classic.

OU's Patrick Casey Named Big 12 Male Athlete of the Week

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Credit: SoonerSports.com
NORMAN, Okla. – Oklahoma redshirt senior Patrick Casey has been named the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Week, for competition through Jan. 25-Jan. 27, after he ran the nation's best mile when he crossed the finish line in 3:56.28 to win the event at the 2013 Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.

It is the first Big 12 honor of Casey’s track career since he joined Oklahoma’s track and field program in 2012.

The time is nearly two whole seconds faster than the second-best time to date of the 2013 indoor track and field season. Additionally, it is a personal-best time for Casey who shaved three seconds off of his previous low of 3:59.67 set in 2011, and a new Oklahoma Track and Field Record in the mile.

OU Rowing Training Center Approved

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The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione and Head Rowing Coach Leeanne Crain announced the approval of and schedule for the construction of the Oklahoma Rowing Training Center, a state-of-the-art on-campus practice facility for OU's rowing program.

The project, recommended by President David Boren, was approved by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents at their January 2013 meeting. This $6.5 million, 24,000-square foot facility represents the latest addition to an impressive list of infrastructure additions and improvements by OU Athletics on the Oklahoma campus. Current project plans call for groundbreaking to commence in March with an anticipated completion in the spring of 2014.

January 29, 2013

Gymnastics: Spears, Albright, Alexander Honored by Big 12

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Photo Credit: SoonerSports.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- For the second time in as many weeks and the third time this season, the Oklahoma women's gymnastics team swept the Big 12 weekly awards announced Tuesday.

Junior Taylor Spears was named Gymnast of the Week, junior Lara Albright was named Specialist of the Week and sophomore Lauren Alexander was named Newcomer of the Week for their performances in the Metroplex Challenge last Saturday.

Spears picked up her third Gymnast of the Week honor this season and ninth career weekly accolade. This is the first recognition for both Albright and Alexander.

Spears tied for the all-around title at the Metroplex Challenge, a meet featuring No. 7 LSU, No. 9 Georgia and No. 16 Oregon State. Led by a season-high bars score of 9.875 and the second-best score on beam of any gymnast on the night (9.875), Spears won her third all-around title in four meets this year. The junior is currently No. 7 in the nation with a 39.413 all-around average, second-best among competitors with at least four all-around scores or more this season.

Baseball: Sooners Ranked in Two More Polls

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NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma baseball team will begin the 2013 season ranked No. 16 in the USA Today Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll and No. 19 according to Baseball America.

Oklahoma is ranked No. 14 in the nation, according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's Fabulous 40 Pre-Season Poll, which was announced last month. 2013 marks the fifth straight season that OU appeared in a preseason poll.

The Sooners are seeking to make another run at the NCAA Men's College World Series in 2013 under head coach Sunny Golloway's watch. Oklahoma posted a 42-25 mark last season and reached its third Super Regional in program history. OU is looking to make its sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 36th overall appearance. The Sooners have reached the CWS on 10 previous occasions, winning national championships in 1951 and 1994.

Baseball: Javier Flores Honored at Diamond Dinner

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Photo Credit: SoonerSports.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Nineteen years ago, Javier Flores was a wide-eyed, talented freshman out of Broken Arrow, Okla., beginning his rookie campaign as the backup to All-American Rich Hills at shortstop for the University of Oklahoma baseball program. By season's end at the 1994 NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Neb., he was OU's starting catcher and chased down a swinging bunt by Georgia Tech star backstop and future MLB All-Star Jason Varitek, firing a throw down to first base to clinch the program's second national title.

The 2013 Sooners, who feature 12 freshmen, are hoping to capture some of that '94 magic, as the program honored the career of Flores (1994-97) and celebrated the start of a new season Saturday at the 10th Annual Diamond Dinner, held at the Embassy Suites.

"The banquet is always a great time of year," said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. "There's always going to be a lot of excitement from the players and the coaches, but when we see that energy translated over to our fans, our families and so many of our boosters that have followed our program, that's really exciting to me."

January 28, 2013

Texas DT Matt Romar Commits to OU

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With just more than a week to go before signing day, Oklahoma picked up a commitment from defensive tackle Matt Romar, SoonerScoop.com reported Monday night.

Romar (6-foot-3, 268 pounds) visited Norman this weekend and had a visit to TCU planned for the final weekend before signing day, Feb. 6.

The Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial product is the Sooners' 21st commitment of the 2013 class and the fourth defensive tackle, joining Kerrick Huggins, Quincy Russell and Charles Walker. (The Oklahoman)

OU's Bubby Graham Named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week

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NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma senior Bubby Graham has been named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week after he claimed two victories over the weekend. The announcement marks the first career honor for Graham since he came to Oklahoma a year ago.

An Oklahoma wrestler has now claimed five of the seven awards.

The Annapolis, Md., native picked up two wins in a span of three days as Oklahoma took on No. 14 Lehigh and No. 9 Virginia Tech. Although the Sooners dropped both matches, Graham improved his season record to 18-2 and dual record to 10-2.

Graham began the weekend with an 11-3 major decision over Lehigh's Ben Haas for his fifth major decision of the season, and then wrestled up a weight class on Sunday to beat Virginia Tech's 174-pounder Austin Gabel in a 3-2 decision.

Gymnastics: OU Wins Inaugural Metroplex Challenge

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FORT WORTH, Texas -- The University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team captured the inaugural Metroplex Challenge men's title Friday with a score of 441.500 against four top-eight teams at the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena.

No. 4 OU finished over 12 points ahead of No. 5 Ohio State, who posted a 429.400. No. 6 and defending national champion Illinois finished third with 428.300, followed by No. 8 Iowa with 422.750. Texas A&M's club team finished fifth, ahead of a group of Texas collegiate all-stars.

The Sooners won team event titles on the pommel horse (72.850), parallel bars (72.850) and high bar (73.000). Ohio State claimed victories on floor (74.800) and vault (73.200) while Illinois won the rings event (75.250) with the highest team score on any event.

January 26, 2013

Softball: Sooners Ranked No. 2 in USA Today Poll

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NORMAN, Okla. - Coming off an appearance in the Women's College World Series Championship Finals, the University of Oklahoma softball team enters the 2013 season as the No. 2 team in the country according to the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Preseason Poll, announced Tuesday.

The No. 2 ranking matches Oklahoma's highest preseason ranking in school history, as OU also started the 2001 season as the second-ranked team in the country. It's the 12th time under head coach Patty Gasso that the Sooners have started the year in the top 10 and the sixth time the team has started in the top five.

The Sooners, who finished with a 54-10 record overall and  19-5 mark in the Big 12 a year ago, earned five of the 31 possible first-place votes.

Spencer Tillman Is Concerned About Direction of Program

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WINNING (or virtually sharing) a Big 12 championship every other year and losing three games should not be an acceptable standard at Oklahoma.

Those are the sentiments of many former Sooner players, including three OU stars who grew up in Tulsa and were in the inaugural class of the Tulsa Public Schools Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

From schematics on offense and defense to evaluation of recruits to work ethic within the coaching staff to talent on the field, Randy Hughes (Memorial), Tony Casillas (East Central) and Spencer Tillman (Edison) spoke candidly about the program they love and the recent results of head coach Bob Stoops.

Four Longview, Texas Players Receive Junior Day Invites

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Four Longview junior football players have been invited to Oklahoma’s Feb. 2 junior day, according to one of those Lobos.

Defensive tackle Zaycoven Henderson told ETSN.fm late Friday night that Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell invited Henderson, safety Travin Howard, receiver Dorian Leonard, and safety Stephan Maxey to the Feb. 2 junior day during a Friday morning visit to Longview High School.

“(Norvell) told us ‘We’re starting back our recruiting in East Texas,’” Henderson said. “‘We’re fixing to start recruiting back out here.’ He compared Dorian to (former Longview and Oklahoma star) Malcolm Kelly.” (ETSN.fm)

January 25, 2013

Tennis: Sooners Host ITA Kick-Off Weekend

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NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma men's tennis team hosts Harvard, Notre Dame and Memphis in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend tournament Saturday, Jan. 26, and Sunday, Jan. 27, at the Gregg Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion. OU is one of 15 host sites for the ITA's Kick-Off Weekend.

"We are very excited to be hosting this weekend," OU head coach John Roddick said. "It is a great opportunity for our players to play in a big event at home. We are looking forward to showing other teams around the country our great facility and having a great weekend of tennis."

The No. 8 Sooners (1-0) enter the tournament after sweeping the Wichita State Shockers, 7-0, Tuesday, Jan. 22. The Sooners boast three ranked singles players, with Guillermo Alcorta leading the pack at No. 36.

OU also has three doubles teams ranked, with the Sooners' tandem of Costin Paval and Dane Webb ranked No. 12.

Softball: Sooners Add All-Pac-12 Honoree Shelby Pendley

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NORMAN, Okla. - Shelby Pendley, an infielder who spent her freshman season at the University of Arizona, has transferred to the Oklahoma softball program, head coach Patty Gasso has announced. Pendley is cleared to play this season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

"We're very pleased about the addition," Gasso said. "Shelby is very athletic and versatile, so she helps solidify our infield at any position. She also has incredible strength at the plate.

"The challenge for Shelby now is to learn our system and learn it quickly, which I don't think she'll have any problem with. She's so hungry to learn, and you can feel that. She's a sponge and she wants to learn, wants to know and wants to be taught."

Pendley said that she has enjoyed her experience since joining the OU roster before the spring semester.

Jaz Reynolds Speaks Out About Suspension

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Jaz Reynolds couldn't definitively say if he's been fully reinstated.

“You'll have to check in with coach,” said the senior-to-be Oklahoma receiver.

“I don't worry about it. I'm completely not worried about next season. I'm pretty sure I'll be out there like normal.”

Thursday evening, Reynolds and defensive backs Quentin Hayes and Trey Franks represented the football team at Jefferson Elementary School, which hosted a Sooner Jr. event promoting fitness, academics, nutrition and sportsmanship.

Jay Norvell Turns Down Chicago Bears Coaching Position

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Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell was offered a position on the Chicago Bears' new coaching staff, but turned it down to stay in Norman, a source close to the situation told The Oklahoman.

Norvell worked under new Bears coach Marc Trestman two seasons in 2002 and 2003, when Trestman was the Oakland Raiders' offensive coordinator. Norvell was Oakland's tight ends coach.

Trestman has added two assistant coaches from that Raiders team to his new staff in Chicago; Skip Peete was the Raiders' running backs coach then, and took the same position with the Bears.

Quarterback Drew Allen Seeks Transfer

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Oklahoma backup quarterback Drew Allen was given permission to explore other opportunities, making it likely he'll play his senior season elsewhere, according to a source close to Allen.

“He's looking around,” the source said.

An OU spokesman said Allen hasn't formally requested permission to contact other schools.

January 22, 2013

Drug Possession Charges Dropped Against Jalen Saunders

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SoonerScoop.com reports, Misdemeanor charges for marijuana possession against Oklahoma starting wide receiver Jalen Saunders have been dropped due to a lack of evidence after he and teammate Cortez Johnson were arrested and charged with the crime Dec. 2, 2012 during a traffic stop in Norman.

While Saunders' charges were dropped, Johnson pleaded guilty Tuesday in front of Cleveland County Judge Steve Tice to one count of misdemeanor marijuana possession and will be placed on six months probation.

Johnson and Saunders were arrested early morning Dec. 2, and released on bail between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. just one day after clinching a share of the Big 12 title with a 24-17 win against Texas Christian. (More at Sooner Scoop)

January 21, 2013

Annual Spring Football Game Set For April 13th

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NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma will conduct its annual Spring Football Game on Saturday, April 13 at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Spring Game, presented by US Fleet Tracking, is part of a full day of activities slated for that date.

A tentative time, ticketing information and a full slate of events will be announced in the coming weeks once plans are finalized. The day will kick off with the second annual Big Boomer BBQ held immediately north of the stadium.

Fans can enjoy a variety of local barbecue while also enjoying live music and kids' amusement rides. In addition, the OU Spring Sale will feature a number of vendors selling a wide variety of apparel and Sooners' merchandise.

January 14, 2013

Gymnastics: Oklahoma Moves to No. 3 in National Poll

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Photo courtesy: SoonerSports.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma women's gymnastics team moved up in the GymInfo Top 25 this weekend after defeating Arizona State on Saturday. The Sooners are tied with Florida for No. 3 in the nation with an average team score of 196.575.

OU, tops in the South Central Region, posted wins at No. 11 (now No. 8) Georgia and at Arizona State with scores of 196.450 and 196.700, respectively. The Sooners' high marks came while being the only team in the top 3 to have competed on the road in each of the first two weeks of the season.

UCLA is ranked first with an average of 196.788 while Michigan currently sits in second at 196.738.

In the team event rankings, OU is ranked No. 2 on beam (49.238), No. 4 on floor (49.213), No. 6 on bars (49.050) and No. 10 on vault (49.075). Oklahoma is one of only four teams in the nation ranked in the top 10 in all four events, along with Florida, Alabama and UCLA.

DB Aaron Colvin Will Return for Senior Season

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NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops confirmed Monday that cornerback Aaron Colvin will return for his senior season in 2013.

"I am pleased that Aaron has come to this decision and I believe it's the right one for him," Stoops said. "I believe he has an opportunity to become one of the premier defensive players in the Big 12 and in the country. Hopefully, he will continue to work hard to reach that potential and help us achieve our team's goals."

An All-Big 12 First Team selection by AP and the coaches in 2012, Colvin led the team with 11 pass breakups, finished second on the squad with four interceptions and was third on the team with 61 tackles (47 solo).

January 13, 2013

MBB: Sooners Win Bedlam at Home

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NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- After having to watch the Bedlam rivalry from the bench a season ago, Amath M'Baye couldn't wait for his chance to actually play in it.

As soon as Oklahoma finished its comeback victory at West Virginia a week ago, M'Baye was already getting psyched about the chance to face Oklahoma State. Even better, when his chance finally arrived, M'Baye came through with the plays to put the game away.

M'Baye scored seven straight points during a second-half spurt and the Sooners beat Oklahoma State 77-68 on Saturday.

January 11, 2013

Landry Jones a Senior CLASS First Team All-American

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NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is one of five NCAA FBS student-athletes selected to the 2012 Senior CLASS Award® All-America First Team in collegiate football.

To be eligible for this recognition, Jones was classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and had notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition. Jones was one of 10 finalists for the 2012 Senior CLASS Award® that was won by Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o.

Jones concluded his collegiate career with a 39-11 (.780) record as a starter at OU, giving him the most victories in school history.

Wrestling: OU's Kendric Maple Secures Third Conference Honor

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NORMAN, Okla. - Kendric Maple of the 10th-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling team has been named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for the first week of 2013, announced Monday by the league office in Irving, Texas.

With the recognition, Maple has secured three conference honors in a single season for the second-straight year after he was named the Wrestler of the Week on Jan. 2 and Jan. 30 of the 2011-12 season and selected the Wrestler of the Month for November of 2011.

He was named the Wrestler of the Week on Dec. 11 and selected as the Wrestler of the Month for November to spark his 2012-13 campaign.

January 10, 2013

NFL: Adrian Peterson Wants 2,500 Yards in 2013

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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson sat down with NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk for an "NFL GameDay Morning" segment that ran Saturday and touched on a variety of subjects, including his disappointment in not breaking Eric Dickerson's NFL single-season rushing record and his goal to get it in 2013.

"It was a terrible feeling," Peterson said. "I kind of figured I didn't break the record. I kind of assumed maybe I was 30 to 40 (yards) away from it.

"When I heard 9 (yards), my heart just sunk into my stomach. (There were) five, six, seven plays I was impatient or made the wrong read -- I could have blew it out the water."

Austin Woods Named Finalist for Rare Disease Champion Award

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Oklahoma's Austin Woods has been named one of seven finalists for the 2013 Rare Disease Champion Award.

The junior offensive lineman played football despite undergoing chemotherapy to fight Stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma. He didn't miss any games due to his condition and his last chemotherapy session was on Oct. 1.

Exactly one month later, Woods announced his cancer was in remission.

Gymnastics: Single-Meet Tickets On Sale

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NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma men's and women's gymnastics single-meet tickets are now on sale. General admission tickets are $8 apiece while youth and senior citizen tickets are $5 each.

To order, fans can call (405) 325-2424 or toll-free at (800) 456-GoOU or online.

Single meet family packs are available for $8 each (minimum 4 tickets) and include admission, hot dog, popcorn and drink. For $10 per ticket (minimum 10 tickets), fans can purchase Southwest Dairy Farmer birthday packs, which includes a $5 concession card and a gift bag for each attendee and a special birthday gift and in-game recognition for the birthday celebrant.

OU Cancels Junior Day

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Oklahoma's football coaches sent a clear message with the postponement of this weekend's scheduled junior day: Getting a jump on the 2014 recruiting class would've been nice, but this year's class must be their top priority.

OU hosts several important official visitors for the 2013 class this weekend, like four-star cornerback L.J. Moore (Fresno, Calif.) and two-star defensive tackle Charles Walker (Garland, Texas).

WBB: Defensive Stops Clinches OU's Road Victory

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FORT WORTH, Texas -- Aaryn Ellenberg scored 26 points and Joanna McFarland totaled a double-double with a career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds as No. 16 Oklahoma stayed perfect in Big 12 play with an 85-79 win at TCU Wednesday.

Oklahoma (13-2, 3-0 Big 12) continued its efficient ways on offense, shooting 49 percent from the field, but it was the Sooners' execution on defense through the final minutes that sealed the victory over the Horned Frogs (7-7, 0-3).

"I was really proud of our second-half effort," OU head coach Sherri Coale said. "We were flat early on, give TCU credit they hit a bunch of shots, but I'm not sure we made them very difficult."

January 9, 2013

LB Tom Wort Will Enter 2013 NFL Draft

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University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops confirmed Wednesday that linebacker Tom Wort intends to declare for the 2013 NFL Draft. Wort enrolled at OU in the spring of 2009 and redshirted that season.

"We wish Tom the very best as he concludes his time at the University of Oklahoma," Stoops said. "Tom has earned his degree and has informed me that he plans to declare for the NFL Draft."

/// SoonerSports PR

Adrian Peterson Surprises Teenager Who Suffers From Cancer

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Blake Cognata, is a senior lacrosse player from Fairport, NY who is also Minnesota Vikings fan. From what we can gather, Cognata seems to be a pretty good dude. Unsurprisingly, then, a groundswell of support developed around the senior to get the hashtag #APCallBlake trending on Twitter—or at the very least spam the hell out of Peterson's mentions—so that he would call Cognata. According to his friends, it worked. The picture you see is supposedly the moment Peterson called and it makes sense—who videos a random phone conversation, right? (via Deadspin)

Oklahoma Loses Prospect to Texas A&M

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Linebacker Jordan Mastrogiovanni, who had been committed to the Sooners since June, flipped to the Aggies on Sunday night.

The Dallas Jesuit product entertained the idea of flipping earlier in the season after a visit to College Station but eventually opted to stick with Oklahoma.

The switch leaves the Sooners with two linebacker commits, but both could wind up playing other spots at the college level.

January 7, 2013

It's Official: Stills, Jefferson Both Headed to NFL

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University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops confirmed Monday that he is aware that safety Tony Jefferson and wide receiver Kenny Stills intend to declare for the 2013 NFL Draft.

"We appreciate the contributions that Tony and Kenny have made during their time at Oklahoma," Stoops said. "We wish them both the best as they pursue their opportunities in the NFL.

/// SoonerSports PR

RELATED:
Report: OU's Stills, Jefferson to Enter NFL Draft

OU's Stills, Jefferson to Enter NFL Draft

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All signs point to safety Tony Jefferson and receiver Kenny Stills skipping their senior seasons at Oklahoma and entering the 2013 NFL Draft.

ESPN.com reported Sunday, citing a source, that both juniors had already decided to enter the draft.

Sources close to the program indicated Sunday that Jefferson and Stills were leaning toward forgoing their final seasons of college eligibility, but that no official decision had been made.

January 5, 2013

WBB: Oklahoma Downs Texas, 78-70

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AUSTIN, Texas -- Sharane Campbell scored a career-high 24 points as No. 17 Oklahoma took down of Texas 78-70 Saturday at the Frank Erwin Center.

The Sooners led by as much as 18 as it shot 82 percent from 3-point range in the second half. It was Oklahoma’s sixth win in Austin in the last seven seasons.

Morgan Hook made a 3-pointer with 12 minutes remaining to give OU a 58-50 lead. From there, the Sooners held Texas scoreless for five minutes as they went on a 14-0 run to clinch the victory. Hook scored 17 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.


 1st 2nd F
 Oklahoma 36 42 78
 Texas 31 39 70
 


/// SoonerSports.com

Aggies Dominate Sooners, 41-13

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The Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel ran for two touchdowns, threw for two more and piled up a Cotton Bowl-record 516 total yards as 10th-ranked Texas A&M wrapped up its first SEC season with a 41-13 win over No. 12 Oklahoma on Friday night.

The Aggies (11-2) never trailed after Manziel tiptoed the sideline for a 23-yard touchdown run on their opening drive.

After leading by only a point at the half, Texas A&M took control with touchdowns on its first three drives in the third quarter, going ahead by 34-13 when Manziel threw a 33-yard scoring pass to Ryan Swope on fourth-and-4.

January 4, 2013

Gabe Ikard Wins Scholar-Athlete Award

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Oklahoma junior center Gabe Ikard and Texas A&M senior defensive back Steven Terrell were honored Thursday as recipients of the Dan S. Petty Scholar-Athlete Award at the Big Play Luncheon in Dallas.

Petty played in the 1960 Cotton Bowl for Texas and went on to serve as chairman of the game's team selection committee for 10 seasons. He died in January 2011.

Each respective head coach and athletic director selects its school's award recipient. (The Oklahoman)

January 3, 2013

NFL: Three Sooners Named to Pro Bowl

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DL Gerald McCoy, RB Adrian Peterson and OL Trent Williams will all represent the NFC in the 2013 NFL Pro Bowl, as the league announced the rosters.

Peterson, who leads the NFL with 1,898 rushing yards, will start in his fifth Pro Bowl appearance. Peterson was the game's MVP in 2008. McCoy and Williams, meanwhile, earned their first selections.

/// SoonerSports PR

Oklahoma Quits the Use of Powerful Painkiller

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Despite stated label risks of possible fatal heart attack, stroke or organ failure, college football players across the country are still being given injections of a powerful painkiller on game days so they can play while injured, an ABC News investigation has found.

The drug, a generic version of Toradol, is recommended for the short-term treatment of post-operative pain in hospitals but has increasingly been used in college and professional sports, and its use is not monitored by the NCAA, the governing body of college sports.

Only two of the country's top football programs, Oklahoma and the University of Nebraska, reported to ABC News that they have limited or stopped the use of the drug in the wake of growing concern about its risks.

Shead Says Ankle Is Healed

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Oklahoma sophomore guard Adam Shead said his nagging ankle injury has healed up during the Sooners' long break.
“I was so happy when the season ended,” Shead said with a laugh. “We really needed that. ... I'm great; I'm ready to go.”

Shead had to be helped off the field several times this season with his bum ankle, and was forced to miss about half of the Sooners' regular-season finale at TCU. Junior guardBronson Irwin has also missed time with an ankle issue.

Norvell: Jaz Reynolds Needs to Focus

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Junior wide receiver Jaz Reynolds, one of four players indefinitely suspended last May for violating team rules, never got on the game field this season.

As a sophomore last year, Reynolds was the Sooners' third-leading receiver, with 41 receptions, 715 yards and five touchdowns. After senior Justin Brown transferred from Penn State and contributed significantly, there wasn't any reason to rush Reynolds back into action.

Plus, he still needs to focus on what's important, said co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell.

WBB: Sooners Top West Virginia in Big 12 Opener

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NORMAN, Okla. --No. 17 Oklahoma weathered the fight brought by Big 12 Conference newcomers West Virginia, taking Wednesday’s league opener 71-68.

The Sooners trailed by as much as 9 and constantly battled against an aggressive Mountaineer defense, tying the game eight times before taking their first lead on Aaryn Ellenberg’s free throws with 5 minutes to play.

From there, Oklahoma took a 66-60 advantage and held on for the final two minutes to snatch the victory away from West Virginia.

“Wow, that was a fight,” OU head coach Sherri Coale said. “That was a fight for 40 minutes, and I thought it was a great show of character by our team just grinding their way back.

January 2, 2013

NFL: Adrian Peterson Wants to Play on Special Teams

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Adrian Peterson has been Minnesota's most irreplaceable player for years, piling up 2,097 yards rushing this season alone to put himself in the mix for the NFL's Most Valuable Player award.

This unparalleled contribution to the Vikings and their success, however, hasn't been enough to satisfy Peterson. One of the sport's most relentless competitors, he would like to play on special teams, too.

"For the past two years I've been trying to get in on field goal block. Come in off the edge, you know? It's just going to take one block for them to really be like, 'OK, you know what? Let's take the chance and let you go out there and get it done,'" Peterson said. "Kickoff return, I wouldn't mind getting back there. I'm in it to win."

Oklahoma QB Drew Allen 'Committed to This Program'

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Oklahoma third-string quarterback Drew Allen, a junior, said he “hasn't decided anything yet” regarding his future.

“I know I'm graduating in May so I'm really excited about that,” Allen said.

Sophomore Blake Bell supplanted Allen as senior Landry Jones' backup during fall camp. Since then, with Bell presumed to be the favorite to start next season — plus the emergence of true freshman Trevor Knight, who has starred on the scout team — there has been speculation that Allen might transfer.

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