Tulsa World: Practice Report: Oklahoma

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Practice Report: Oklahoma

Oklahoma offensive lineman Trent Williams lines up during practice Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009. Photo by Jerry Laizure

By GUERIN EMIG AND JOHN E. HOOVER, World Sports Writers
Published: 8/15/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 8/15/2009 6:27 AM

Position update

Offensive line

The prevailing theory is that Oklahoma's O-line represents a sort of weak link.

"We don't look at ourselves as the weakest link, but we do hear a lot of that," said Stephen Good, the Sooners' sophomore guard. "That does make us step up and it does motivate us every day to prove everybody wrong."

While the players fight that mental battle, position coach James Patton will try to sort out positions over the next three weeks.

During the hour-long open portion of practice last Thursday night, Trent Williams and Cory Brandon started at left and right tackle, as expected. Senior Brian Simmons lined up at left guard. Jarvis Jones, who sat out last season after transferring from LSU, started at right guard. Good, expected to compete for a starting guard position, began at center, which has become the most intriguing position on OU's offense.

Ben Habern, Jon Cooper's backup last year before going down with an ankle injury, is listed as the starter on the depth chart. He has been slowed by a back strain, however, leaving Good, Williams and tight end/fullback Brody Eldridge all snapping the ball.

Patton indicated Friday that with Habern's expected return Monday, Eldridge will shift back to his old spot.

News and notes

Fan friendly: OU coach Bob Stoops' decision this week to open up two practices caught some by surprise. But Stoops on Friday admitted a soft spot for the legions of Sooner fans who are just dying to watch their team.

"We want them to watch to some degree," Stoops said. "But again, I just think there's so much more out there nowadays. I feel we're doing the right things, I just want to be able to let them enjoy it when you can here and there."

Crowd control: When Stoops waved his arms at the crowd at Thursday's practice, inciting applause following a 50-yard field goal by Jimmy Stevens, he had a purpose. A few minutes before, they had cheered Sam Bradford's long pass to Adron Tennell, and Stoops wanted to hear more.

"It's funny, they only cheer when there's an offensive play," he said. "If the defense intercepts the ball, they're all quiet over there, or if a kicker makes a 53-yard field goal — I was just kidding, just trying to get a little response out of 'em (to) just appreciate everybody, not just the fun plays to watch."

Injury bug: A handful of Sooners continue to miss practice for various reasons, most due to injury. Safety Joseph Ibiloye (knee), cornerback Jamell Fleming (back), defensive end David King (concussion), safety Kevin Brent (shoulder) and running back Jonathan Miller (undisclosed) are among those currently out. Stoops said defensive back Desmond Jackson "has an issue with academic misconduct that he's working through."

Opponent watch

Nebraska

As long as starting quarterback Zac Lee stays healthy, this shapes up as the trickiest road game on OU's conference schedule. If Lee goes down, the Huskers might be hard-pressed to move the ball against anybody in the Big 12, let alone the Sooners. That's because backup Kody Spano is out for the year after tearing his ACL for the second time since last spring. Spano's departure leaves Nebraska with the following players behind Lee at quarterback: converted linebacker Latravis Washington, true freshmen Cody Green and Taylor Martinez, and walk-on Ron Kellogg Jr., the son of the former Kansas basketball player from the mid-80s.

"We'll be OK," Huskers coach Bo Pelini said in the Lincoln Journal Star. "Those guys are all coming along. We wish Kody was still with us, but he's not. It's part of the deal. I'm not worried about us."

Key dates

Monday: Open practice, 6-7 p.m., OU Rugby Fields west of the Lloyd Noble Center

Aug. 24: First day of classes

Sept. 1: Bob Stoops press conference

Sept. 5: OU vs. BYU, 6 p.m., Cowboys Stadium

2009 schedule

Sept. 5: BYU (Arlington, Texas) ESPN-25 6 p.m.

Sept. 12: Idaho State TBA

Sept. 19: Tulsa FSOK-27 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 3: at Miami TBA

Oct. 10: Baylor TBA

Oct. 17: Texas (at Dallas) KTUL-8 11 a.m.

Oct. 24: at Kansas TBA

Oct. 31: Kansas State TBA

Nov. 7: at Nebraska TBA

Nov. 14: Texas A&M TBA

Nov. 21: at Texas Tech TBA

Nov. 28: Oklahoma State TBA

Dec. 5: Big 12 Championship KTUL-8 7 p.m. By GUERIN EMIG AND JOHN E. HOOVER, World Sports Writers

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