Stoops to hold his breath come Saturday's kickoff
Published: 8/29/2007 1:48 PM
Last Modified: 8/29/2007 1:48 PM
Everyone remembers the broken collarbone Adrian Peterson suffered near the end last year's Oklahoma-Iowa State game in Norman. Anyone recall the other major injury which occurred that day?
Bob Stoops does.
"I think back last year to Allen Patrick covering that kickoff against Iowa State, the big hit he had," the Sooner coach said this week. "I believe the young guy tore his knee."
The young guy, DeAndre Jackson, indeed suffered a torn ACL, and Cyclone coach Dan McCarney was as devastated over Jackson's injury as Stoops was over Peterson's.
Stoops revisited the play when asked about the rule change moving kickoffs back from the 35- to the 30-yard line. He likes the big-play potential of the decision -- you would too if you had Reggie Smith and DeMarco Murray returning kicks -- but worries about a costly side effect.
"I'm a little hesitant, not just for our team but overall," Stoops said. "Hopefully there won't be an increase in injuries. It's the highest impact play of the game."
Figuratively and literally. And because there will be more impact than ever with more kick returns than ever this season, Stoops says he'll continue his practice of using starters on coverage units, injury risks and all.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
