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Box hurt early, but recovers

OU's Austin Box (left) makes a tackle on KSU's Logan Dold on Saturday. Box played middle linebacker and had nine tackles. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World
 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 10/26/2008  2:03 AM
Last Modified: 10/26/2008  2:50 AM

 MANHATTAN, Kan. — Austin Box's Oklahoma football career began with a bang Saturday. Then a blur.

The freshman playing his first nearly full game at middle linebacker hurt his shoulder busting Kansas State's wedge on the opening kickoff. He missed the first two plays, then checked in for Mike Balogun. From there?

"I don't even remember the first half," Box admitted with a laugh.

"He got knocked around pretty good," said OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Fortunately for both of them, Box settled down in the second half and got through OU's 58-35 win. He made nine tackles, second to fellow linebacker Travis Lewis' 15.

"Seemed like he did a nice job," coach Bob Stoops said.

"I thought he performed pretty good. He'll learn," Venables said. "It's just like Travis his first couple games. Fortunately for him, he was able to lean on Ryan."

Box leaned on Ryan Reynolds, OU's middle 'backer before injuring his knee against Texas on Oct. 11, as well. They talked constantly on the K-State sideline. Box and Lewis, meanwhile, communicated on the field, and helped each other through the Wildcats' 550-yard downpour.

Box gave up his share, most notably on the 29-yard second-quarter touchdown catch by tight end Jeron Mastrud. Box was a little late reacting to Josh Freeman's quick pass. Mastrud got behind him and scored easily.

"It's so much faster than what I'm used to," Box said. "You can't compare what happens out there to the reps you get in practice.

"There's so much I have to work on. I can't stress that enough. I feel like as the game went on, I got a lot more comfortable, though. It's something where I'm going to keep progressing as the season goes on."

Said Venables: "Austin's a sharp guy. He'll learn from his mistakes."



Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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5055567475852000, Euless (10/26/2008 8:06:27 AM)
Box played poorly yesterday, sorry.
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Rhymeister, Tulsa (10/27/2008 4:16:52 AM)
OU's defense, sorry, was very much overrated before the season and early on.
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Matt in BA, Broken Arrow (10/27/2008 9:39:21 AM)
I think Austin needs a little more seasoning before he gets another start, but its glad to see the best part of the defense is a quick scoring offense.
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Bird1, Tulsa (10/27/2008 10:16:21 AM)
The coaches are saying he will improve. Great, but how fast? I wonder how much of their words are psycological and how much of it they really believe? We really miss Reynolds.
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oldnorthroad, (10/27/2008 10:53:45 AM)
There is nobody else to start. Austin Box is the future at middle linebacker for Oklahoma. Also, he has already improved. This much was evident by his play in the second half against KSU. The next two weeks will provide valuable reps for Box before Texas Tech visits Norman.
 

 
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