Tulsa World: Scrimmage Report Oklahoma

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Scrimmage Report Oklahoma

By GUERIN EMIG AND JIMMIE TRAMEL, World sports writer
Published: 8/17/2008 2:12 AM
Last Modified: 8/17/2008 3:05 AM

Position update

Center

Jon Cooper would have been one of the mainstays of OU's offense had he reported back for his senior season in the same shape he was in last year.

After all, he led Sooner linemen with 798 plays and 136 knockdowns in 2007, good enough to land him on the All-Big 12 Conference scroll.

Now, he's going through '08 two-a-days in much better condition.

"I think I'm playing a lot better," Cooper said. "I've gotten a lot smarter, a lot more physical. I've put on some weight and lost some body fat. I think I'm in the best shape of my life.

Cooper weighs in at 290 pounds, about 12 more than he played with last year.

It's a more streamlined layer, however, part of his line's commitment to fitness with OU's expected faster tempo.

For 2009 purposes, Cooper reports that redshirt freshman Jason Hannan and freshman Ben Habern are snapping behind him. Both freshmen have impressive credentials.

Hannan was the nation's No. 1 high school center according to Rivals.com in 2006, while Habern was the nation's No. 2 prep center last year as ranked by ESPN.

News and notes

Balogun struggles: Mike Balogun, the junior college transfer whom many expect to step in at weakside linebacker now that Austin Box will miss OU's opener with a knee injury, had a rough scrimmage Saturday morning.

Asked afterward whom he liked at linebacker, position

coach and defensive coordinator Brent Venables said: "I think all of them but Balogun. He didn't have one of his better days."

"Mike's still learning," head coach Bob Stoops said. "He's still at different times out of position due to mental (mistakes). But overall he's playing well. He made some nice plays.

"Those (linebackers) are all doing good. They just need to keep getting snaps and keep being more familiar with everything we do. Even when we try to simplify offenses anymore, with all the different formations and adjustments, it takes time to learn everything."

Asked about the weakside competition between Balogun and Travis Lewis, a redshirt freshman coming off an impressive spring, Venables said: "It's still playing out. I'd like it to be solidified right now. That would serve us best. But both have been inconsistent."

Franks stars: Dominique Franks, competing to start at one of the Sooners' cornerback positions, had a very active scrimmage.

Stoops thought he came up with "one or two" interceptions.

Fellow cornerback Brian Jackson guessed it was "two or three."

Either way, it was a performance in step with April's Red-White Game, when Franks intercepted three passes.

It was also encouraging given the fact that Franks started the preseason behind Lendy Holmes at field corner, the position manned by the cornerback on the wide side of the line of scrimmage.

"He made some really good plays, was very instinctive and showed up," Venables said. "I think you notice a difference in focus and consistency and overall effort and a willingness to improve. I would hope that (trailing Holmes on the initial depth chart) helped."

Feeling fine: Stoops reported the Sooners suffered no injuries Saturday morning. DeMarco Murray, coming off both offseason knee surgery and an early-preseason ankle injury, said he "got a lot of series" along with Chris Brown and Mossis Madu at running back.

The only bit of news came when Stoops was asked about DeMarcus Granger's place down the nose guards' depth chart.

"That's only because his back was a little bit sore. He missed a few practices," Stoops said. "He's working and doing well."

Opponent watch

Washington

Don James, the most successful coach in Washington history, dropped by a Huskies practice last week and had some interesting things to say to reporters, especially regarding UW's upcoming nonconference schedule.

"I don't like it at all," he told the Seattle Times. "I'd shoot my athletic director if I had that."

The Huskies play OU, Notre Dame and Brigham Young.

Key dates

Aug. 18: Preseason practice open to the public, OU Rugby Fields, 9 a.m.

2008 schedule

Aug. 30: vs. Chattanooga, 6 p.m.

Sept. 6: vs. Cincinnati, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Washington, 6:45 p.m.

Sept. 27: vs. TCU, TBA

Oct. 4: at Baylor, TBA

Oct. 11: vs. Texas, Dallas, 11 a.m.

Oct. 18: vs. Kansas, TBA

Oct. 25: at Kansas State, TBA

Nov. 1: vs. Nebraska, TBA

Nov. 8: at Texas A&M, TBA

Nov. 22: vs. Texas Tech, TBA

Nov. 29: at Oklahoma State, TBA By GUERIN EMIG AND JIMMIE TRAMEL, World sports writer

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