By ERIC BAILEY Sports Writer on Nov 12, 2012, at 3:10 PM Updated on 11/12 at 3:10 PM
OU SPORTS
Bob Stoops’ appearance at the Sooner Caravan drew a lot of second glances on Monday night.
The Oklahoma coach had stitches ...
Tony Jefferson’s voice sounded somber on Monday, as if he was still stunned by not being selected in the NFL Draft.
Jefferson ...
Dallis Todd’s phone call has been hit hard with text messages and phone calls over the past 24 hours.
That happens when ...
A few highlights from Bob Stoops’ press conference on Monday heading into this weekend’s road trip to West Virginia …
--- Stoops said the offensive line should return intact this week, including Gabe Ikard.
The OU coach said Ikard was close to being available last Thursday. Stoops was pleased with Lane Johnson’s activity against Baylor in limited action and added that Bronson Irwin and Adam Shead are expected to be OK for the West Virginia game.
--- Center Ty Darlington, who played in place of Ikard, was named the MVP following the Baylor victory.
Stoops said he was nervous putting a true freshman into a game, but leaned on Darlington’s confidence.
“(He’s a) coach’s son, he was ready for the moment,” Stoops said. “His dad is a very successful high school coach, doing well. He didn’t flinch. Even before the game, I was excited to see his demeanor, and he was ready to play.”
--- Stoops was put on the spot and asked if OU's defensive line wasn’t as disruptive as years past.
After pausing a bit, he began talking about the times that OU had handled the line of scrimmage.
“We’ve had our games where we’ve been very disruptive,” Stoops said. “This style of play, a week ago, is just a little bit different. The way they play and the plays you have to defend …
"In the end, do I think, up there, we couldn’t played a little better? Sure. We’ve had our games where we’ve been very disruptive. This one, we needed to be a little bit more.”
Baylor ran for 252 yards on the Sooners.
--- Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith ranks fourth nationally with 31 touchdown passes and is averaging 337.8 pasing yards per game.
Stoops thoughts on the senior quarterback: "Geno’s a big guy, great in the pocket, got a great arm. He’s an excellent quarterback, an excellent passer."
--- Stoops said he’s never been to Morgantown, but he’s looking forward to it.
“It's always exciting going to a different stadium,” Stoops said. “I’m looking forward to a big challenge; that's what you want. Plus, I'm gonna have about 80 people from Youngstown coming. Got a couple buses heading that way.”
--- Just a reminder that the 2012 Bedlam Game between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma on Nov. 24 will have a 2:30 p.m. kickoff in Norman.
--- Player quoteboard:
“I think ever since Texas Tech, I’ve been playing pretty consistently and at a high level. Sure there’s been some throws I shouldn’t have made, but I think at this point in my career, I think I’m definitely playing the best I have been.” – Quarterback Landry Jones, on playing his best football right now.
“No. I will probably have on some long johns. Coach (Jackie) Shipp has this method of Vasoline. If you put it on real thick it clogs up the pores. You start sweating it helps the heat stay inside. We're gonna see how it works.” – Defensive tackle Casey Walker on staying warm in West Virginia.
“Definitely, especially when they are coming off of a losing streak. When you get a chance to come home and play in a really big game, they’ll go into the game trying to be really, really amped and get the crowd behind them. It’s going to be our job to go in there and take (control) on the road.” – Safety Javon Harris, on how focused he expects West Virginia to be on Saturday.
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