Tulsa World: Practice Report Oklahoma

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Practice Report Oklahoma

Jon Cooper

By GUERIN EMIG, World sports writer
Published: 8/20/2008 2:09 AM
Last Modified: 8/20/2008 2:45 AM

Position update

Weakside linebacker

If it wasn't the most critical position on the OU defense heading into two-a-days, it certainly is now. There wasn't much depth to begin with, and the torn knee cartilage sustained by Austin Box depleted the numbers that much more. It also put some pressure on Mike Balogun, the junior college transfer thrust into the starting role when Box went down a week ago. Coaches indicated Balogun struggled during the Sooners' scrimmage last Saturday, although defensive coordinator Brent Venables leveled off when the topic came up again Monday.

Asked about issuing Balogun a challenge in the form of his post-scrimmage comments, Venables replied: "I really didn't. That's just me. I kick myself more than I kick him. It may have appeared that way. But Mike's been terrific. He in particular has handled things extremely well. He's handled the intensity, handled the urgency. He's come in every day with a go-for-broke, positive, upbeat attitude. When things haven't gone well on a particular series or a day, he's always come off the field with a positive, upbeat attitude."

News and notes

Kiddie corps: There are eight true freshmen competing on the offensive side of the ball for OU this preseason. Some, like offensive linemen Stephen Good as well as quarterback Landry Jones, are obvious candidates to redshirt. Other skill-position players, like running backs Jermie Calhoun and Justin Johnson and wide receivers Dejuan Miller and Jameel Owens, might be quicker to see the field.

Here and now: Left guard Duke Robinson is a candidate for both postseason All-America honors and the first round of next April's NFL Draft.

"I really don't read a lot of magazines and don't watch too much television," the 335-pound senior said. "I'm going for what's right here now, for the guys on my team. I'll worry about that later."

Bumps and bruises: Coach Bob Stoops said after practice Tuesday that backup safety Quinton Carter "has a similar deal to Austin Box," presumably meaning Carter has torn cartilage in his knee and will miss the next two to three weeks. Backup QB Joey Halzle is fighting a sprained finger on his throwing hand.

Get to know...

Jon Cooper

OU fans have known Cooper as the All-Big 12 Conference center who has started since coming on against Texas A&M and Texas Tech near the end of his 2005 freshman season. Now they will know him as one of the biggest dog lovers on his team.

Your house is on fire. You have time to rush in and save one thing. What is it?

My dog. I love my dog. He just turned a year. He's my prized possession for sure.

What kind of dog is he?

Bullmastiff. Like the dog in "The Sandlot." He's about 150 pounds. I've got a big king bed, and we sleep together. He's my best friend.

How did you come up with his name (Buster)?

It's a funny story. My dad wanted to name my oldest brother Buster Keaton Cooper. But that wouldn't fly with my mom. My brother I live with, the middle one, were sitting there trying to name the dog. We came up with all these big names, like Zeus. I asked my dad, and he said, "Buster. You've gotta name him Buster."

What is Buster's reward?

A cheeseburger from McDonald's. He eats a full double cheeseburger in about two seconds. If you ever say, "cheeseburger," his ears perk up.

Opponent watch

Washington

Like the Sooners' Auston English, Washington quarterback Jake Locker was back on the field to the delight of his coaches. "Jake's eager, anxious and ready to get involved," Huskies coach Tyrone Willingham told the Seattle Times.

Locker had been kept from practice since injuring his hamstring Aug. 7. He wasn't available for interviews afterward, although Willingham indicated he would not be 100 percent "for some time."

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, World sports writer

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