Tulsa World: OU's Balogun won't play against BYU, his attorney says

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OU's Balogun won't play against BYU, his attorney says

Oklahoma's Mike Balogun tackles Aaron Hernandez of Florida at the BCS national championship game in January. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World file

By JOHN E. HOOVER and GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writers
Published: 8/31/2009 11:07 AM
Last Modified: 8/31/2009 5:02 PM

Oklahoma linebacker Mike Balogun’s eligibility issues continue, and he won’t make the trip to Dallas for the season-opening football game Saturday against Brigham Young, his attorney said in an e-mail this afternoon.

“The NCAA has not made a decision and they will not have a decision before Friday,” Balogun’s attorney, Woody Glass, said in an e-mail. “Mike will not be able to travel with the team or participate in the game.”

In a depth chart released by OU today, Balogun is listed as the backup middle linebacker. Senior Ryan Reynolds, who is returning from his second serious knee injury, is the starter.

Glass said the investigation into Balogun’s eligibility has continued this week in Maryland.

“They are conducting an additional investigation, and we are currently in Baltimore,” Glass wrote in the e-mail. “They are trying to locate people that might have information about Mike's participation. I don't know anything else at this point.”

At issue is whether Balogun competed in semi-pro football games after the age of 21. If so, he would be ineligible for the Sooners.

Multiple Web resources indicate Balogun played after his 21st birthday, but his attorney countered that information with football league officials who said that information was unreliable and inaccurate.

The NCAA revoked Balgoun’s eligibility while it tried to determine his status. But the Sooner linebacker was granted an injunction against the NCAA in Cleveland County District Court that temporarily allowed him to practice. He had a court hearing scheduled for Aug. 24 to seek a permanent injunction against the NCAA. But that hearing was canceled, and now it’s unclear when the case might be resolved.

This morning, OU coach Bob Stoops was asked if he had an indication of when to expect a final decision. Stoops said he didn’t know. “I really don’t. I wish I could tell you something different, but I don’t.”

In other news relating to the Sooners today, the new depth chart had an interesting development on offense, where tight end/fullback Brody Eldridge is listed as the starting center. Eldridge was pressed into that position when projected starter Ben Habern strained his back during a summer workout.

Eldridge, guard Stephen Good and tackle Trent Williams all played center during OU’s camp as Habern healed his back. Habern was able to return to contact drills recently, but there remained concern over both his back and his overall physical condition.

By JOHN E. HOOVER and GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writers

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COMMENTS

Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Balogun won't play in opener," which was published on 9/1/2009. So far, 18 comments have been made.

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