By John Shinn
Transcript Sports Writer
After four practices, it’s time for Oklahoma to move from the Rugby Fields to Owen Field. The Sooners will hold their first scrimmage of the preseason at 6:30 this evening.
And most eyes will remain locked where they have been since preseason practice began — at quarterback.
Tommy Grady missed practice for the fourth straight day Sunday and Paul Thompson and Rhett Bomar will continue to handle the chores tonight.
That has been the one thing that has changed with the quarterback race since the spring. Thompson and Bomar are doing their best to take advantage of Grady’s absence.
“I just want to be real productive offensively, make big plays and feel good about the offensive,” Thompson said. “It’s time to build a foundation to have something to build on.”
Thompson and Bomar will be trying to make a favorable impression on offensive coordinator Chuck Long. Tonight will be their first chance to show how much they’ve improved since the spring in a game-like situation.
“I’m looking forward to the scrimmage,” Bomar said. “We’re only going to have two guys and in the spring we had three guys. You had to really take advantage of your opportunities to make some plays then. (Tonight), we get more opportunities to make plays and I’m looking forward to that.”
Long said he will be looking to see who makes the best decisions and commits the fewest turnovers.
“They haven’t protected the ball like we want,” Long said. “They’re young and they’ll get better at that. In fact, (Sunday) they had their best day.”
The Sooners will start things with practice at 5:30 p.m. on their practice field and move over to Owen Field for the scrimmage an hour later.
“We’ll do about 15 minutes of individual work,” OU coach Bob Stoops said, “and then move on to some pass skeleton and kicking situations aside from the scrimmage. Then we’ll scrimmage an hour to and hour and 15 minutes.”
Both the east and west sides of Owen Field will be open for spectators. Fans may enter through the south gates on either side of the stadium. Restrooms and concessions will also be open on both sides.
Fans will not be allowed to enter with cameras.
Walker returns
Sophomore cornerback Marcus Walker returned to practice Sunday after suffering a dislocated left shoulder during practice Saturday.
When the injury occurred, it looked like another serious setback for the defensive back. He missed spring practice after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.
Walker didn’t go through any contact Sunday, but Stoops said the fact he was back at practice was encouraging.
“His status is day-to-day,” Stoops said. “He’ll probably be back fairly soon.”
Walker said the injury was not as severe as the one that forced him to have surgery.
“I’m good, perfectly fine,” Walker said. “We’ll just see how it feels (today).”
Walker wasn’t the only player held out of contact Sunday. Adrian Peterson didn’t participate in contact drills for the second straight day.
Stoops said Peterson is only sore and is only being held out as a precaution. Freshman offensive tackle Ben Baressi missed practice after suffering a knee injury Saturday.
Sunday, two more players suffered minor injuries. Freshman wide receiver Malcolm Kelly suffered a hamstring injury early in Sunday’s practice. Sophomore offensive lineman Akim Millington left practice early after suffering leg cramps.
Keith absent
Offensive lineman Brandon Keith missed practice for the second consecutive day and offensive line coach Kevin Wilson isn’t sure why he is gone.
Keith, a junior college transfer from Northeastern A&M;, was at team meetings Saturday morning, but did not attend a meeting later Saturday afternoon or come to practice that night.
Wilson said he received a text message from Keith Saturday night saying he had to take care of a family matter.
“Today, we called and it was my understanding he was coming over to see me and I haven’t seen him,” Wilson said. “I don’t know what the issue is, but I hope it’s nothing major.”
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
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