2016-10-31

Bob Stoops Can't Keep Count of Injuries, Suspensions

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Oklahoma was as short-handed as it has been all season for Saturday’s game against Kansas. The latest blow was freshman defensive end Amani Bledsoe. The backup was “suspended indefinitely” before Saturday’s 56-3 victory.

The Lawrence Journal Record, Bledsoe's hometown paper, reported Saturday night that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Bledsoe is appealing the test result.

2016-10-30

Report: Defensive End Amani Bledsoe Suspended One Year After Positive Test

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Oklahoma freshman defensive end Amani Bledsoe has been suspended for one year for failing an NCAA performance enhancing drugs test, the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World reported.

Bledsoe could not be eligible to return until the eighth game of next season, though the newspaper said Bledsoe planned to appeal the suspension.

Samaje Perine Will Not Play Against Iowa State on Thursday Night

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Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops doesn't expect RB Samaje Perine to be healthy enough to play during the Sooners' next game at Iowa State on Thursday night.

Perine left the Sooners' game against Kansas State two weeks ago with a pulled muscle in his leg and was expected to be out two to three weeks at the time of the injury.

RELATED: Samaje Perine Out At Least Two Weeks After Injury

"He's felt really good," Stoops said. "I'm sure there will be no chance this week. It's been progressing really well. The first week went really well. He felt good, even in the first week, so we're optimistic." (Dallas Morning News)

WATCH >> Samaje Perine Highlights

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2016-10-29

Oklahoma Dominates Kansas, 56-3

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Desperate for a strong performance from its defense, Oklahoma found the perfect opponent in Kansas' feeble offense.

No. 16 Oklahoma's offense did its usual thing — rolling up 538 yards — in a 56-3 rout of Kansas. Baker Mayfield threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns and receiver Dede Westbrook scored on a 71-yard punt return and a 41-yard reception for Oklahoma (6-2, 5-0).

KU Head Coach Wanted To Hire Lincoln Riley

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Every week when Kansas head coach David Beaty previews his team’s upcoming foe, the Kansas football coach with seemingly endless ties to his home state of Texas references various assistants he knows on opposing staffs and praises them for what they’re accomplishing.

Beaty delivered more of the same leading up to the Jayhawks’ trip to face No. 16 Oklahoma on Saturday, and shared his admiration for Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley dated back a few years. In fact, Beaty hoped to add Riley to his staff when he took over KU’s program in December, 2014.

2016-10-28

Baker Mayfield: Joe Mixon Is Most Talented Guy I've Seen

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Joe Mixon is coming off a 377-all-purpose-yard performance in last Saturday’s 66-59 victory over Texas Tech, one wonders what he’ll do next?

“He’s the most naturally talented guy I’ve ever seen in my life,” OU quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “He keeps getting better and better. The more opportunities he gets, the more plays he’s gonna make.”

Football: Big 12 Will Take Top 2 Teams For Title Game, No Divisons

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The Big 12 conference announced Friday that its championship game, which returns next season, will match the top two football teams in the conference standings.

The conference considered going to divisions out of its round-robin format but opted against it in the end -- despite a 7-3 vote among football coaches Wednesday in favor of splitting into divisions, sources told ESPN's Brett McMurphy.

2016-10-26

Baker Mayfield Surpassing Last Season's Performance

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Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield threw seven touchdowns in Saturday's win over Texas Tech, but that wasn't enough to earn him player of the week honors.

It was, however, the best performance of a season that has Mayfield near the top of every statistical category in college football.

WATCH >> Baker Mayfield "Overcoming the doubters"

"I thought Baker was just sensational," head coach Bob Stoops said. "Not only just his accuracy — his deep balls, the decisions at the line of scrimmage, changing players here and there. (He) just really operated in a great, great way to have the consistency we did."

Former Sooner Isaiah Cousins Waived By Kings

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Former Sooner Isaiah Cousins was waived by the Kings.

Unsurprisingly, the Kings have opted to part ways with Cousins, their second-round pick (59th overall) out of Oklahoma. The guard appeared in only two exhibition contests, averaging 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in nearly 28 minutes per game. Cousins will now likely explore his options overseas or in the D-League. (CBS Sports)

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Dimon, Walker Won't Play Against Kansas

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OU coach Bob Stoops said on his weekly radio show that defensive linemen Matt Dimon and Charles Walker will not play Saturday against Kansas.

Linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who was taken out of the locker room on a stretcher with an unknown condition last week, is doubtful. Also, defensive lineman Matt Romar, who suffered a left leg injury, will not play.

2016-10-25

Cleveland Browns Claim Former Sooner Gabe Ikard Off Waivers

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The Cleveland Browns were busy on Monday, adding both a quarterback and an offensive lineman. They claimed Joe Callahan, who was waived by the Saints on Saturday and Gabe Ikard, who was waived by Buffalo.

Ikard, a center, was originally signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He has appeared in six career games. The Browns acquired him during the 2015 season, but he was inactive for one game. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

RELATED: Gabe Ikard Named Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year

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Baker Mayfield Named Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week

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For the third time in his career, and the first time in 2016, Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield has been named Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week.

Mayfield was given the distinction Tuesday after turning in his best career game in a 66-59 win Saturday at Texas Tech, his former school. The redshirt junior connected for a school-record seven touchdowns and did not throw an interception. He was 27-of-36 through the air for a career-high 545 yards, nine shy of the OU single-game record. His 564 yards of total offense were eight short of his own program standard.

The Austin, Texas, product averaged 20.2 yards per completion and 15.1 yards per attempt in the contest, and his 266.3 passing efficiency rating was the best in school history among players with at least 30 throws.

2016-10-24

Joe Mixon Named Co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

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University of Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon has been named the Co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after his all-around performance in OU's 66-59 road win over Texas Tech on Saturday in Lubbock.

In a game that featured an NCAA-record 1,708 yards of combined total offense (854 by each team), Mixon shouldered most of the OU backfield load with fellow running back Samaje Perine out due to injury.

Mixon accounted for 377 all-purpose yards, the most by an FBS player this season, the second most in OU history and the fourth most in Big 12 annals.

The redshirt sophomore from Oakley, Calif., carried the ball 31 times for a career-high 263 yards (most by a Big 12 player this year and sixth most in school history; 8.5 average) and two touchdowns, and caught four passes for 114 yards (28.5 average) and three TDs. The three receiving scores set a record for an OU running back.

2016-10-23

Mike Stoops Calls Defensive Performance Against Texas Tech 'Embarrassing'

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Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops walked into his postgame press conference and feigned a joke that was likely serious.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to come in here,” Stoops said.

He faced the tough task of explaining how his defense allowed 854 yards of total offense in Saturday’s 66-59 victory against Texas Tech.

RELATED >> Sooners Defeat Red Raiders in Shootout, 66-59

“We had no control,” Stoops said. “At no time did we feel good in any aspect of what we were doing. Pressures weren’t good enough. Coverage wasn’t good enough. Making them pull it down and run wasn’t good enough. There was nothing good.

Sooners Defeat Red Raiders in Shootout, 66-59

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Oklahoma's wild 66-59 win Saturday night over Texas Tech produced a number of record-breaking performances on both sides.

At least seven FBS records were broken or tied, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

The Sooners and Red Raiders shattered the FBS record for combined yards in a game with 1,708 -- both sides finished with 854 yards apiece. The previous record of 1,640 yards was set by San Jose State and Nevada in 2001.

2016-10-20

Oklahoma Baseball Releases 2017 Schedule

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University of Oklahoma head baseball coach Pete Hughes released his team’s 2017 schedule on Monday afternoon. For the first time in five years, the Sooners will open on the road; beginning with opening day at Long Beach State on Friday, February 17 to begin a three-game series. Oklahoma gets the first home game of the slate under its belt on Tuesday, February 21 against Grambling State at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

An evenly balanced schedule features 27 home games, 26 road games, including two trips to the Eastern Time zone and one to the Pacific, and the Bedlam series in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The Sooners play nearly half of its schedule, 24 games, against 10 teams that finished 2016 in the top-75 of the RPI ratings. A total of 18 games come against seven opponents that appeared in a NCAA Regional; eight of which will be played at home.

2016-10-19

NBA GMs Pick Former Sooner Buddy Hield To Finish Second For ROTY

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The NBA's 30 general managers have made their annual predictions for the upcoming season and they have former Sooner and current New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Buddy Hield finishing second behind Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Kris Dunn for the rookie of the year award.

WR Dede Westbrook Says There's Room For Improvement

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Dede Westbrook was mad for dropping what could have been touchdown No. 4. Westbrook was ready to go back on the practice field — as a champion golfer would go back to the putting green or the driving range after a sub-par round — to fix little things.

“I can’t miss a pass like that,’’ Westbrook said. “I slowed down. That’s something I can control. It was a lack of focus on my part. I need to catch 10 or 15 passes like that. I have to work more. That’s something I can fix and work on. It was just a lack of effort.’’

2016-10-18

Former Oklahoma QB Landry Jones To Start For Steelers

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Former Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones will get the start Sunday when the Steelers play the 5-1 New England Patriots at Heinz Field.

Ben Roethlisberger underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and at his weekly press conference, Tomlin quickly ruled out a quick return for his franchise quarterback.

2016-10-17

Samaje Perine Out At Least Two Weeks After Injury

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Bob Stoops announced Monday that Samaje Perine will miss at least two weeks, possibly three, as he deals with a hamstring injury. Perine suffered the injury early in Oklahoma's 38-17 win against Kansas State.

He had rushed for 23 yards on three carries during Oklahoma's opening drive, and then capped the possession off with a 25-yard touchdown catch to give Oklahoma an early lead. It was on that touchdown, however, that Perine tweaked his hamstring as he never returned to the game.

RELATED: Riley: Pace Isn't An Issue For Samaje Perine

2016-10-16

Baseball: OU Halloween Game Returns October 27

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The University of Oklahoma baseball team and head coach Pete Hughes invite the community to L. Dale Mitchell Park for the team’s Fourth Annual ALS Awareness Halloween Game on Thursday, October 27 at 6 p.m. Admission is free for fans of all ages, who are encouraged to arrive in costume. The Sooners will take the field for an intra-squad scrimmage dressed in costume for the event.

Kids attending the game in costume will have the opportunity to trick-or-treat at the field and meet with players. Kinds in costume will also be invited down to the field for a picture with the team at the conclusion of the game. Gates will open at 5 p.m.

RELATED: Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray, WR Zach Farrar to Play Baseball

“This game has been the hit of the year three years running,” marked Hughes. “It’s a terrific opportunity for our team to connect with our community as well as for our fans to see some of the new faces in our dugout. We’re about community and family and there’s no better night to bring it all together than our Halloween game. To be able to do it with the fight against ALS as the backdrop is an honor and something we take seriously.”

2016-10-13

MBB: Sooners Picked Sixth in Big 12 Preseason Poll

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The Oklahoma men's basketball team was picked sixth in this year's official Big 12 Preseason Poll, the conference office announced Thursday. The order of finish was voted on by the league's head coaches (they were not allowed to vote on their own team).

Kansas finished atop the poll with 81 points (nine points were awarded per first-place vote, eight points per second-place vote, etc.) and was unanimously picked to win the league. KU was followed by West Virginia (65 points), Texas (59), Iowa State (56 points), Baylor (53 points), OU (40 points), Oklahoma State and Texas Tech (32 points each), Kansas State (20 points) and TCU (12 points).

Civil Suit Against Joe Mixon Being Transferred To Oklahoma Court

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Amelia Molitor’s civil lawsuit against Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon is headed to Oklahoma.

Judge James Donato ruled Thursday in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California that the case will be transferred to the United States District Court in Oklahoma City.

“We certainly respect Judge Donato’s ruling, and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to practice before him. At the same time, we now look forward to proceeding with the litigation back here in Oklahoma,” Ben Baker, Molitor’s co-counsel, said in a press release. “Frankly, it is surprising to us that Mr. Mixon would actually want to have the case litigated under the media’s microscope here in Oklahoma, but that is what he and his legal team wanted.”

2016-10-12

WBB: Sooners Picked Third In Big 12 Preseason Vote

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For the second consecutive year, the Oklahoma women’s basketball team was picked third in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, which was announced by the league office on Wednesday.

The order of finish was determined by the league’s head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Baylor was picked by the Big 12’s head coaches to win the league crown for the second straight season. The Lady Bears were followed by Texas (73 points; one first-place vote), OU (61 points), West Virginia (57 points), Kansas State (50 points), TCU (34 points), Iowa State (28 points), Texas Tech (28 points), Oklahoma State (23 points) and Kansas (15 points).

KSU Defensive Lineman: Mixon, Perine Are 'Pretty Easy To Tackle'

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Tackling Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon? That’s a piece of cake — at least that’s what one Kansas State defensive end told reporters Tuesday.

Reggie Walker, a 6-2 freshman, said he talked to fellow defensive end Jordan Willis about the senior's experience playing Oklahoma last season and came to the conclusion that tackling OU’s running backs wasn’t a tough task.

Charles Walker, Matt Dimon Likely Out Against Kansas State

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Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said on his Tuesday night coaches show that defensive ends Charles Walker and Matt Dimon are expected to be out for the game Saturday against Kansas State.

Walker did not play last week because of a concussion, and Dimon has not played since the first half of the Ohio State game with an Achilles injury.

Lane Johnson's 10-Game Suspension Upheld By NFL

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The NFL on Tuesday upheld the 10-game suspension for former Sooner and current Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy for a second time.

"We're very disappointed that Lane Johnson has been suspended 10 games. His actions have affected the entire organization," Eagles vice president Howie Roseman said in a statement. "We are all working under a clearly-defined set of rules and regulations set forth by the NFL in the collective bargaining agreement with the NFLPA.

2016-10-11

WR Dede Westbook Picks Up Another Weekly Honor

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One day after being named the Big 12's Offensive Player of the Week, University of Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook received another accolade Tuesday for his record-setting performance against Texas by being named the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week for week six.

Playing in his final Red River Showdown game, Westbrook caught a career-high 10 passes (the most ever by an OU player in the series) for a school-record 232 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Westbrook's scores came from 71, 42 and 47 yards out, and all 10 of his catches were made by the 5:39 mark of the third quarter.

The senior from Cameron, Texas, teamed with Samaje Perine to give OU its first ever 200-yard receiving and 200-yard rushing duo in the same game. Perine ran for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. The Sooners also became just the fifth team in FBS history to finish with a 300-yard passer (Baker Mayfield; 390), a 200-yard rusher and a 200-yard receiver.

Lincoln Riley: We Got To Quit Shooting Ourselves In The Foot

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Oklahoma totaled 672 yards of offense against Texas -- 282 on the ground and 390 in the air. WR Dede Westbrook caught three touchdowns, including a 71-yarder, and racked up 232 yards on 10 receptions. RB Samaje Perine went over 200 yards as well, for two scores.

The Sooners’ 273-yard third quarter ranked fifth all time for OU offensive production in a quarter.

Even so, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley isn't happy.

"We still make so many mistakes, and we're still a work in progress," he said Monday.

2016-10-10

Dede Westbook Named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

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University of Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after his record-breaking performance in OU's 45-40 win over Texas on Saturday in Dallas, the conference announced Monday.

Playing in his final Red River Showdown game, Westbrook caught a career-high 10 passes (the most ever by an OU player in the series) for a school-record 232 yards and a career-high three touchdowns as the Sooners finished with 672 yards of total offense, five shy of the program record against the Longhorns.

Westbrook's scores came from 71, 42 and 47 yards out, and all 10 of his catches were made by the 5:39 mark of the third quarter.

OU vs Texas Television Ratings Down 46% From 2015

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The Oklahoma-Texas Red River Rivalry drew a 2.0 overnight rating on FS1 (a 2.0 overnight = 2% of the TV households in the largest 56 Nielsen markets) down 46% from the 3.7 overnight rating the game drew last year on ABC, and the lowest national telecast dating back to at least 2006. (More at SportsTVRatings) NOTE: The 2.0 ratings represents roughly 2.8 million viewers. Locally in the Oklahoma City market, the game drew a 19.1 rating.


2016-10-08

Sooners Defeat Longhorns in Red River Showdown, 45-40

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The result of this year’s Red River Showdown -- Oklahoma 45, Texas 40 -- does precisely what we expect from rivalries of this magnitude: Oklahoma further saved its season and further spoiled Texas'.

A Texas team whose defense is still in serious disarray attempted to engage the Sooners in a second-half shootout. Baker Mayfield, Samaje Perine and Dede Westbrook reminded everyone they’re the wrong guys to mess with in a scoring fest.

Safety Ahmad Thomas Injured Against Texas

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Oklahoma safety Ahmad Thomas left the field early in the second quarter of the Sooners' game against Texas with an apparent head injury.

Thomas was injured during a run by Texas running back D'Onta Foreman. Thomas appeared to get in the head by Foreman's knee when the running back jumped over Thomas.

2016-10-07

How Adrian Peterson Ended Up At Oklahoma Instead Of Texas

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College football great and former Oklahoma running Adrian Peterson spoke to Sports Illustrated about how he ended up in Norman after being a lifelong Longhorn fan.

In SI's oral history of the Red River Rivalry, Peterson remembers a very memorable conversation with Mack Brown.

Three-Star Defensive Prospect Verbally Commits to Oklahoma

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Three-star defensive end K'Jakyre Daley announced his commitment to the Sooners on Twitter Friday morning.

Daley, a weakside defensive end in the 2017 class out of Riviera Beach (Florida) Suncoast, had recently visited Wisconsin and Iowa State. His offers included Wisconsin, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Louisville, Iowa State and Mississippi State. (The Oklahoman)


2016-10-06

Jordan Woodard Earns Big 12 Preseason Honor

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Oklahoma senior guard Jordan Woodard was voted by the Big 12 Conference’s head coaches as a Preseason All-Big 12 Team honorable mention, the conference announced Thursday.

An All-Big 12 honorable mention in the 2015-16 season, Woodard is the Sooners’ top returning scorer after averaging 13.0 points, 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals (fifth in Big 12) last season. He shot .416 (151-363) from the floor, .455 (80-176) from 3-point range (seventh in Big 12) and .805 (99-123) from the charity stripe (second in Big 12). The senior put together 27 double-figure scoring performances, including six games of 20 or more points.

Brian Bosworth: It's Time To Move On From Bob Stoops

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Former Oklahoma All-American Brian Bosworth didn't hold back his opinion about Bob Stoops when appearing for an interview on FS 1's Speak For Yourself.

Bosworth called Stoops' coaching 'embarrassing' and 'unacceptable.'

You can watch the full interview tomorrow on Speak For Yourself at 4 p.m./CT on FS 1.

RELATED:
Brian Bosworth: The Problem with OU Isn't Bob Stoops.. It's the Players





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Switzer: Adding Houston To Big 12 Would Be 'Hell Of A Mistake'

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Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer voiced his opinion about adding Houston Cougars to the Big 12 conference saying the Big 12 would be only hurting itself if the Cougars were brought in.

"It'd be a hell of a mistake if the Big 12 allows them to come in," Switzer recently told the Austin American-Statesman. "They've got better players in Harris County than anywhere else in the United States. You give them credibility like you did TCU ... they'll be recruiting the same players Texas, Oklahoma, A&M, everyone else is recruiting -- and they'll get them, too.

2016-10-05

Charles Walker Out Against Texas With Concussion

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Oklahoma defensive end Charles Walker will miss Saturday’s game against Texas with a concussion, coach Bob Stoops announced Wednesday.

Walker is coming off one of his better games, batting down two passes at the line and pressuring TCU quarterback Kenny Hill on Saturday in a 52-46 OU victory.

“Charles is a really good player,” Stoops said Monday. “I thought (he) had one of his better games. He’s an active guy, he’s very talented, has got a lot of size, quickness to him, and it’s good to see him get that big reach up there and knock a few balls down.” (Tulsa World)

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Sooners Prep For Longhorns' Two-QB System

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On Saturday, the Longhorns will display their own one-two punch at quarterback with freshman Shane Buechele and senior Tyrone Swoopes. The pair has thrived under offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, who was at Tulsa last season.

The Sooners must be ready for both at the 11 a.m. contest inside the Cotton Bowl.

“Seeing the two guys and what they can bring, you have to study the film and make sure we get reps for both of the quarterbacks in the game,” OU linebacker Jordan Evans said. “We have to stay prepared and stay disciplined.”

2016-10-03

LB Tay Evans Retires From Football Due To Concussions

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Oklahoma linebacker Tay Evans has retired from football.

Sooners coach Bob Stoops announced Monday that Evans, a redshirt sophomore, has been medically disqualified due to concussions.

Evans, a starter in the first three games of the season, did not play in the Sooners’ win over TCU on Saturday. Stoops called the news “a heartbreaker.”

2016-10-01