Tulsa World: Former Union standout Way shines at OU practice

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Former Union standout Way shines at OU practice

Tress Way

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 8/17/2009 8:00 PM
Last Modified: 8/17/2009 8:18 PM

NORMAN — Oklahoma's competition at punter, if there ever was one, appears to be over.

Tress Way, a redshirt freshman from Union, put on a kicking exhibition during an hour-long open session of practice at the OU rugby fields.

Way has been competing with junior college transfer Cameron Kenney, who also plays wide receiver. Way's time spent working solely at punter and placekicker may have allowed him to pull away from Kenney.

With a slight breeze at their backs and some 700 fans watching from just beyond the sideline, Way averaged 49 yards on his first seven punts, while Kenney averaged 43. Way then was allowed to kick five more times by himself, and averaged 62 yards, including a 70-yard directional kick inside the 5-yard line to end his day.

Fans applauded, then were asked to leave for the second half of practice.

Prior to the punting session, Way was among four placekickers attempting field goals. In order, Jimmy Stevens, Way, Bryce Easley and Tommy O'Hara each made kicks from 32 yards, 47 yards and 52 yards. Stevens and Way hit the ball consistently higher and longer than Easley and O'Hara.

It was the second of two preseason practices coach Bob Stoops partially opened to the public. Temperatures started out around 94 degrees but soon cooled off into the upper 80s. The team practiced in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts.

Senior Ryan Reynolds started the team session at middle linebacker, and freshman Tom Wort stepped in with the second unit, perhaps in anticipation that

senior Mike Balogun will be unavailable as Reynolds' backup. OU announced Friday that Balogun was academically decertified while the NCAA investigates his participation in a semi-pro league in 2004 and 2005. Balogun is allowed to practice through Wednesday.

Stephen Good again started at center as Ben Habern continues to nurse a back injury. Another lineman missing from the lineup was junior college transfer Tavaris Jeffries.

Reynolds turned in a defensive gem that drew applause when he read an underneath screen pass to Jermaine Gresham and delivered a big hit on Gresham that knocked the pass incomplete.

Among those in attendance was one-time OU assistant Larry Coker, the former University of Miami head coach and long-time Oklahoma high school and TU and OSU assistant. Coker, now the head coach at start-up Texas-San Antonio, watched from the sideline and spoke occasionally with reporters.

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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