2015-12-31

Defensive Tackle Charles Walker Out Against Clemson

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Oklahoma starting defensive tackle Charles Walker will miss the College Football Playoff semi-final game against Clemson after reportedly suffering a concussion.

Walker posted on Instagram he's "not playing" in the Orange Bowl but "will be back for national championship."

Zack Sanchez's Speech After Texas Loss Was Turning Point

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Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon told reporters at Orange Bowl media day, defensive back Zack Sanchez's speech after the Texas loss rallied teammates.

Mixon described it as the turning point for Oklahoma.
“What stood out to me the most after that game was how Coach Stoops handled it,” Mixon said. “Coach Riley as well. And the talk that Zack Sanchez gave us. Was nothing but motivation from Coach Stoops. And Zack Sanchez, he got on us. Basically, that talk that he was saying was real, and he got us right. Ever since then, we’ve been able to roll with it.”
“All I remember is him yelling how horrible we played,” Mixon said. “He was just telling us we gotta get with the program. You know, jump onto the ship, and basically, that’s pretty much what we all did. We all bought in. What he said, what the coaches said, was a great job, and obviously it paid off.”
(H/T The Oklahoman)

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2015-12-30

WR Sterling Shepard Has Extra Motivation to Beat Clemson

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Two weeks after Sterling Shepard graduated from the University of Oklahoma and receiving his father's 1985 National Championship ring as a graduation gift from his mother.

Though, Shepard has the motivation to get a ring of his own, he remembers Oklahoma’s embarrassing loss to Clemson in last year's Russell Athletic Bowl.

2015-12-29

Joe Mixon Meets the Media...And It Was Awkward

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Prior to the player's arrival, an Orange Bowl media relations staffer informed the group of reporters that questions for media would be "football only" or they would be asked to leave. It was later clarified that the Orange Bowl staffer was speaking out of turn. That only inflamed an already awkward situation.

TCU Coach Gary Patterson Responds to Mayfield's Criticism

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TCU coach Gary Patterson responded to Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield's criticism of Patterson not offering him a scholarship doing his college recruiting process, which led Mayfield to walk-on at Texas Tech.

Bonnie Bernstein posted Patterson's response on her Facebook.
Just spoke with TCU coach Gary Patterson, who, while at practice for the Horned Frogs' Alamo Bowl match-up vs Oregon, called over the coach who recruited Mayfield, DC Chad Glasgow. "When did we tell Baker Mayfield he wasn't getting a scholarship?"

"First week of January," I heard Glasgow respond.

Patterson: "I like Baker Mayfield. I think he's a good kid and that's what disappoints me.
"If Baker Mayfield wants to blame TCU for 128 BCS schools not offering him a scholarship, that's fine. But ask Kliff Kingsbury why he didn't offer him a scholarship at Texas Tech. Ask about Baker's dad [James]. He's an arrogant guy who thinks he knows everything. If people knew the whole story, they might not have a great opinion of Baker or his father."

"Remember what was going on then. Casey Pachall was in alcohol rehab, we already had Trevone [Boykin], Tyler Matthews was an early commit. When we knew we were getting Casey back, there just wasn't a need. This stuff happens all the time."

RELATED: 
Baker Mayfield Not A Fan of TCU Coach Gary Patterson

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Brent Venables: Oklahoma's Offense "A Different Animal" With Baker Mayfield

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The former Texas Tech walk-on, with the help of offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, has completely revitalized the Sooners offense. Entering the postseason, Oklahoma is averaging nearly 10 points and 78 yards per game more than last year’s squad.

2015-12-28

Baker Mayfield Not A Fan of TCU Coach Gary Patterson

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During a playoff media appearance, Baker Mayfield criticized TCU, which recruited the quarterback out of high school.

“They told me they were going to offer me a scholarship and kind of drug it out,” Mayfield said of TCU. “I told other schools that I wasn't interested because I thought I was going there. I truly believed they were going to offer me because they told me that. They disappointed (me). They kind of hung me out to dry right before signing day.”

Mayfield said Patterson does not like him, but that he had “no comment about that.” The quarterback also called a columnist from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal“absolutely ignorant,” when asked about a recent article critical of him published in the newspaper. (SI.com)


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Oklahoma vs Clemson Game Preview

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#4 Oklahoma Sooners (11-1) vs. #1 Clemson Tigers (13-0)


This page will be updated continuously leading up to kickoff.
(last updated: December 31st)

Rankings: Oklahoma is ranked No. 4 in AP and No. 3 in USA Today Coaches poll, No. 4 in CFB Playoff rankings; Clemson is consensus No. 1 in AP, Coaches and CFB Playoff rankings
Date/ Location: December 31, 2015 in Miami, Florida
Time: 3:10 PM/CT
Field - Stadium: Dolphins Stadium
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 66,524
Pre-game: TBA
Halftime: TBA
Last Oklahoma Game: Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State, 58-23
Last Clemson Game: Clemson defeated North Carolina in ACC Championship game, 45-37
Last Series Game: 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl, Clemson defeated Oklahoma,
Team Uniforms: White
Officials:

Know The Opponent:

×Clemson is one of five schools with a chance to win a fourth straight bowl game in four consecutive years. The list includes Clemson, Michigan State, Oregon, Texas A&M and Utah State.

×Since Clemson’s last loss as a ranked team to an unranked team at NC State in 2011, 54 different schools have lost 126 times as a top 25 team in the AP poll to an unranked team.

Related OU-Clemson


Team Information

Roster: Oklahoma Sooners Roster
Depth Chart: Oklahoma Sooners Depth Chart
Oklahoma Injuries: DE Gabriel Campbell (academics; expected to miss vs. Clemson), CB Marcus Green (dismissed; dismissed from team), S Prentice McKinney (Academics; expected to miss Thursday vs. Clemson), RB Daniel Brooks (academics; OUT vs. Clemson), RB Rodney Anderson (leg; out for season), WR Austin Bennett (personal; left the team), OL Kenyon Frison (suspension; out indefinitely)



Roster: Clemson Roster
Depth Chart: Clemson Depth Chart
Clemson Injures:  WR Artavis Scott (Knee; probable vs. Oklahoma), WR Mike Williams (neck; out indefinitely), DT D.J. Reader (personal; out indefinitely), DB Korrin Wiggins (knee; out for season)


The Coaches


Bob Stoops: 179-45 overall (17th Season); 179-45 at Oklahoma (17th Season); 0-1 against Clemson
Dabo Swinney: 74-26 (8th season)
Stoops Bowl W-L Record: 8-8
Dabo Swinney Bowl W-L Record: 4-3

Previous OU-Clemson Video

Oklahoma vs. Clemson - 1989 Citrus Bowl

OU-Clemson Game Stats

Available after the game

Game Notes


* Oklahoma is making its 19th Orange Bowl appearance, more than any other school (Nebraska is next with 17). OU’s 12 Orange Bowl wins also pace all programs (Nebraska ranks second with eight victories). Four of the Sooners’ seven national championships culminated with Orange Bowl wins.

* This marks Oklahoma’s 49th bowl appearance. OU’s .594 bowl winning percentage (28-19-1) is fourth best among the 15 teams with at least 40 bowl appearances.

* The Sooners are 5-0 against AP-ranked opponents this year. OU has more wins without a loss against AP-ranked foes than any team in the country.

* For the first time in school history, OU will face its fourth straight opponent ranked in the AP’s top 11 when it meets No. 1 Clemson. The Sooners won their last three games (two of them on the road) by an average score of 44-29.

* The series is tied 2-2, Oklahoma is 0-2 at neutral sites and 2-0 when playing in Norman.

Weather Information

NWS Miami, Florida - Current weather conditions, forecast, radar, severe weather alerts and more
Weather Underground - Current conditions and forecast
Weather Channel - Current conditions and forecast

Ticket Information

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or the Orange Bowl's official ticket exchange website at PrimeSport.com.


TV Information

Network: ESPN
Internet Feed: WatchESPN app or ESPN3
Broadcast Map: National Broadcast
Broadcast Time: 4:00 p.m./CT
Announcers: Brad Nessler at play-by-play, Todd Blackledge as analyst and Holly Rowe as sideline reporter

NOTE:


Oklahoma Sooners Radio/TV Information Page

Radio Information

Network: Sooner Radio Network
Broadcast Time: 2:00 CT pregame
Announcers: Toby Rowland at play-by-play, Merv Johnson as color analyst, Chris Plank as sideline reporter, Teddy Lehman as sideline analysts,
National Radio ( ESPN Radio, XM/Sirius80): Bill Rosinski, pxp, David Norrie, analyst, Joe Schad, reporter.

Odds and Sportsbooks

The following is intended for informational use only
Odd Shark - Oklahoma vs  Clemson
Team Ranking - Odds and preview
Vegas Insider - Odds and lines

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2015-12-25

Darlington: Lincoln Riley is Deserving of Head Coaching Job

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Center Ty Darlington says Lincoln Riley deserves every bit of praise he's been given and is deserving of earning a head-coaching spot when he decides to take that step.

“It was very obviously, very early, to me that the level of coach that he was — that he was special,” Darlington said. “When I heard that he was the guy who was hired, when I heard his name was in the mix, I didn't know who the heck that was. When he first got hired, it wasn't like I wasn't excited about it but as soon as he got here and you started working with him, you started realizing real quick that there's something to this guy.

“I know we won't be able to hold onto him forever.” (The Oklahoman)

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2015-12-24

Former Texas A&M QB Kyler Murray Transfers to Oklahoma

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Former Texas A&M quarterback Kyler Murray has signed a financial aid agreement with Oklahoma and will join the Sooners' football program starting with the 2016 spring semester, OU head coach Bob Stoops announced Thursday.

Murray, who is from Allen, Texas, and was the 2014-15 National Gatorade Football Player of the Year as a senior at Allen High School, played eight games as a freshman at Texas A&M this season and made three starts. He amassed 1,021 yards of total offense (686 passing and 335 rushing) on the year and completed 72 of 121 pass attempts (59.5 percent) with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Adrian Peterson Says Odell Beckham Shouldn't Have Been Suspended

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Former Oklahoma and current Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson text-messaged New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. a word of encouragement in the aftermath of his on-field confrontation last Sunday with Carolina cornerback Josh Norman.

Peterson said the incident was unfortunate, but in his opinion not worth a one-game suspension for Beckham that is scheduled to fall on Sunday when the Giants travel to TCF Bank Stadium.

“I like both of those guys. Both of those guys are great football players in my eyes,” Peterson said. “It got physical out there and to me, the way I play, I like that. Both of them, did it kind of get out of hand maybe on one play each? Yeah. But my personal opinion, I don’t think it warranted a suspension. But that’s my one opinion.” (Star- Tribune)

RELATED: 
Adrian Peterson Hopes to Play 10 More Years In NFL
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2015-12-23

2015-12-22

Baseball: OU's Hansen and Neuse Named to Preseason All-American Team

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University of Oklahoma juniors Alec Hansen (Loveland, Colo.) and Sheldon Neuse (Fort Worth, Texas) each earned a spot on the Collegiate Baseball News/Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America Second Team as announced on Tuesday morning. Neuse, the Sooners’ shortstop, claimed preseason All-America status for the second consecutive season.

2015-12-21

Oklahoma Baseball to Honor George Frazier at Feb. 13 Diamond Dinner

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The University of Oklahoma baseball team’s 13th Annual Diamond Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, February 13 at 7:00 pm. The banquet will take place at the Chesapeake Energy East Side Stadium Club at Memorial Stadium. The Sooner Baseball Family and head coach Pete Hughes will honor Sooner alum and former major leaguer George Frazier.

2015-12-20

Report: Texas A&M the Favorite to Land Trevor Knight

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GigEm247 has learned that Trevor Knight, a former starter at Oklahoma, who originally committed to the Aggies in 2012 before flipping to the Sooners, could see his recruitment come full-circle in the near future as Texas A&M is the leader to land the graduate transfer.

Zack Sanchez Focused on Clemson and Not NFL Draft Decision

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Seemingly the most likely underclassmen to make the jump to the NFL after this season is cornerback Zack Sanchez, who leads the Big 12 with six interceptions and has picked off 14 career passes.

“I'm focused on Clemson right now,” Sanchez said when asked about his upcoming decision. “Obviously I just wanted to see where I was at. I'm solely focused on Clemson.”

2015-12-19

2015-12-18

2015-12-17

Josh Heupel Hired as Missouri Offensive Coordinator

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Missouri has made Josh Heupel -- formerly Utah State's offensive coordinator and both a quarterback and assistant coach at Oklahoma -- its new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Heupel played two years at Oklahoma and, in his senior season of 2000, led the Sooners to a national championship, coming in second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Baker Mayfield Named Sporting News Player of the Year

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This is the same Oklahoma team. The same Sooners that this time last year were on the verge of disaster.

That couldn’t win a big game anymore under coach Bob Stoops. That no longer ruled the Big 12. That was set up for a spectacular fall after an embarrassing 34-point loss in a bowl game to a team playing a backup quarterback.

13 Sooners Named to AP All-Big 12 Team

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Head coach Bob Stoops and quarterback Baker Mayfield each earned individual honors and 13 Sooners were also named to the AP All-Big 12 teams as the AP announced its football awards on Wednesday.

Stoops picked up his third Big 12 Coach of the Year honor (coaches, ESPN.com) after leading the Sooners to an 11-1 record, including an 8-1 mark in league play, and guiding Oklahoma to its ninth Big 12 Championship in his 17 seasons at the helm. He has also steered Oklahoma to a berth in the College Football Playoff where the No. 4 Sooners will meet No. 1 Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 31 in Miami Gardens, Fla.

2015-12-16

Stoops: Jordan Thomas Will Start in Orange Bowl

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Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma’s All-Big 12 cornerback who spent some time in jail last weekend over an unpaid speeding ticket, will start the Orange Bowl against Clemson, Bob Stoops affirmed Wednesday.

“Just a mix-up… with the family paying a traffic ticket,” Stoops said. “Nothing else to talk about. It’s pretty simple. That happens to everybody.”

Oklahoma Highway Patrol ticketed Thomas for going 94 miles per hour in a 75 MPH zone July 24. In November, he was issued a bench warrant in Grady County for failure to appear for the violation. By then his fine had escalated to $321.50.

Thomas was booked into Grady County jail last Saturday. He was released Monday morning, when he plead guilty to the offense and paid the fine. (Tulsa World)

RELATED: Jordan Thomas Jailed For Failure to Appear

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OT Orlando Brown Named to Sporting News Freshman All-American Team

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Oklahoma redshirt freshman left tackle Orlando Brown was named to the Sporting News’ freshman All-America team on Wednesday.

Brown, from Duluth, Ga., started in all 12 of the Sooners’ games this season becoming one of 10 freshmen in OU history to start a game at offensive tackle.

RELATED: Orlando Brown Knows He Needs Play More Disciplined

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2015-12-15

Three Sooners Named All-Americans By Sporting News

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Three members of the Oklahoma football team were named All-Americans by the Sporting News Tuesday as junior quarterback Baker Mayfield and senior linebacker Eric Striker were named to the first team, while junior cornerback Zack Sanchez was placed on the second team.

Gymnastics: OU Women Ranked No. 1 in Preseason Poll

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For the first time in program history, the Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team has been picked No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll, released Tuesday. The Sooners received 29 first-place votes in the ranking.

"What a great compliment for our athletes and our program," 10th-year OU head coach K.J. Kindler said.

MBB: Sooners Climb to No. 3 in Latest National Polls

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The Oklahoma men’s basketball team (7-0) climbed to No. 3 in both the USA Today Coaches and AP Top 25 polls, announced Monday afternoon.

The No. 3 ranking is the highest for the Sooners since the 2008-09 season (Blake Griffin and company were ranked as high as No. 2 that year). OU is one of eight Division I teams (Iowa State, Little Rock, Michigan State, Purdue, SMU, South Carolina, Xavier) still undefeated this season.

2015-12-14

2015-12-13

2015-12-12

Stoops Confirms Trevor Knight Granted Full Release

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Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops announced that quarterback Trevor Knight has been granted a full release to play his final year of eligibility at a different school.

A redshirt junior, Knight has served as OU's second-string signal caller this year after starting 15 games over the previous two seasons.

2015-12-11

Baker Mayfield, Zack Sanchez Named Walter Camp All-Americans

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Oklahoma junior quarterback Baker Mayfield and redshirt junior cornerback Zack Sanchez continued the Sooners' strong award season as both were named Walter Camp Football Foundation All-Americans at the Home Depot 25th Anniversary College Football Awards.

Mayfield, who was named to the First Team, ranks No. 2 nationally in yards per pass attempt (9.6) and pass efficiency rating (178.9), No. 6 in passing TDs (35) and points responsible for per game (21.0) and No. 7 in pass completion percentage (.686). The Austin, Texas, native has accounted for 42 touchdowns and only five turnovers (8.4 to 1 ratio) on the season and has helped OU surpass 500 yards of total offense in nine of 12 games, including in each of the last seven.

2015-12-10

2015-12-09

Baker Mayfield Named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Finalist

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Baker Mayfield was named Monday as one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity.

Ty Darlington Wins Wuerffel Trophy

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Oklahoma offensive lineman Ty Darlington is the winner of the 2015 Wuerffel Trophy, announced by Danny Wuerffel at the National Football Foundation’s Press Conference at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

The All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, presents the Wuerffel Trophy to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best exhibits exemplary community service.

2015-12-08

Bob Stoops Named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Finalist

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Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops was named Monday as one of eight finalists for the 2015 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America.

Joining Stoops as finalists for the award are Clemson's Dabo Swinney, Houston's Tom Herman, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, Michigan State's Mark Dantonio, Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, Stanford's David Shaw and Temple's Matt Ruhle.

Lincoln Riley Named Assistant Coach of the Year

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The overseer of what has been the nation's best offense the past two months, Oklahoma offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Lincoln Riley was named the 2015 Broyles Award winner as the nation's top assistant coach on Tuesday. Riley was honored during a luncheon in Little Rock, Ark., that included fellow finalists Kirby Smart (Alabama), Kendal Briles (Baylor), Brent Venables (Clemson) and Gene Chizik (North Carolina).

In its 20th year, the Broyles Award was established to honor legendary Arkansas head coach Frank Broyles, who had a track record of producing some of the most successful assistant coaches in college football history. Former OU head coach Barry Switzer was one of them.