NORMAN — By John Shinn
Transcript Sports Writer
Sophomore receiver Jaz Reynolds has been indefinitely suspended from the team. Reynolds, who hasn’t played in a game this season, posted two remarks on his Twitter account Tuesday that could be contrused as derogatory comments toward Texas Tuesday. The tweets came the same day a student opened fire on the University of Texas campus with an automatic rifle before committing suicide in the university’s library.
Reynold’s first tweet read: “Hi everyone in Austin, tx…kill yourself.”
After a person who followed Reynolds’ tweets responded, “that tweet should make sportscenter,” Reynolds replied: “Everyone in austin, tx disregard that last tweet…y’all will mess around n do it lmao.”
OU coach Bob Stoops announced Reynolds’ suspension Wednesday.
“Because of his insensitive remarks on Twitter relative to Tuesday’s tragedy in Austin, we have suspended Jaz Reynolds from our team indefinitely,” Stoops said. “Our rivalry with Texas will not come at the expense of dignity and respect. We have great concern for what happened in Austin and I am incredibly disappointed that someone connected with our team would react so callously. We have taken immediate action and I hope by doing so have illustrated how seriously we view this matter.”
The Texas game won’t be the first Reynolds has missed due to disciplinary action. He was suspended for OU’s Sept. 18 game against Air Force. Stoops said the reason for that suspension was “academic issues.”
Reynolds, a Houston native, played in nine games last season and had 13 catches for 256 yards. He dropped down the depth chart heading into this season. He wasn’t in uniform for OU’s Sept. 17 against Air Force. Stoops said “academic issues” were the reason for Reynolds being left off the roster for that game. Reynolds was in uniform for last Saturday’s game at Cincinnati, but did not play.
EA Sports likes OU
According to a simulation on EA Sports “NCAA Football 2011” Wednesday, the Sooners will beat Texas 34-23 Saturday in the Cotton Bowl.
The simulation predicted OU would rally from a 23-21 deficit heading into the fourth quarter to pull out the win.
More Madu?
Senior running back Mossis Madu only has 22 carries and seven carries this season. He didn’t play in the season opener due to a suspension. But that works out to 9.6 through the last three games.
OU coach Bob Stoops said he’d like to get Madu the ball more, but no one is counting touches for any particular player.
“We’ve got good players and we work them in there the best we can. So we’ll see where that goes.”
Of course, wide receiver Ryan Broyles has been the Sooners’ best offensive player the last two season. He’s gotten the ball in his hands from scrimmage 10.25 times per game.
Not living in the past
OU running back DeMarco Murray’s breakout performance came in the 2007 OU-Texas game when he rushed for 128 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run. It was the highlight play of the game, but Murray said he hasn’t watched it since the Sooners reviewed the film after the game.
“Haven’t watched it since,” Murray said. “It’s old. In the past. Don’t live in the past. I live in the present.”
