OU Sports
Iglesias shines
Juaquin Iglesias was the leading receiver with five catches for 63 yards. It was a big improvement from the preseason’s first scrimmage when the freshman from Killeen, Texas, did not have a reception.
Stoops was asked if Iglesias’ play could mean he would play this season instead of redshirting.
“Special teams will matter with all those guys,” Stoops said. “But he has that ability. He has size, he’s got speed and he’s a tough guy. So he could definitely help on special teams.”
Peterson rests
Running back Adrian Peterson was in full pads Saturday, but didn’t play. He’s been nursing a tight hamstring for the last eight days and the Sooners won’t take any chances with last season’s Heisman Trophy runnerup.
“He could have went, but why take a chance,” Stoops said. “His leg feels good, but we’re going to make sure it’s 100 percent.”
It also gave the offense a different feel. The Sooners put the ball in the air 68 times.
Also on the sidelines
Several of OU’s top players were left on the sidelines; most of them from the defensive side of the ball. Tackle Dusty Dvoracek, end Larry Birdine, linebacker Demarrio Pleasant and cornerback Marcus Walker did not see action.
Dvoracek is recuperating from surgery on his left biceps. Birdine has missed the last three days of practice with an injury to his left arm. Pleasant broke a finger Thursday. Walker suffered a dislocated shoulder last Sunday, but has been practicing the last three days.
Kejuan Jones, Peterson’s backup at tailback, also had the day off due to a foot injury.
Smith moves to safety
Reggie Smith is one of several freshmen the Sooners expect to play this season. The question has been where. The heralded recruit from Edmond Santa Fe worked at cornerback and safety during the first week of practice.
Stoops said Smith’s future appears to be at the latter position.
“He gives you a lot of options at safety — his ability to play man and other things,” Stoops said. “It gives you a lot of options. It’s more because of the diversity he gives you in there.”
Kicking news
Garrett Hartley will be the Sooners’ place kicker this season and he showed he has a powerful foot.
Hartley was 9-for-15 on field goal attempts prior to the scrimmage. He was 6-for-6 inside 42 yards, but struggled from beyond the distance. Hartley, who came out of redshirt in OU’s final regular-season game last season, was just 3-for-9 from 47 yards or longer. Hartley did connect on attempts from 52 and 57 yards. His final attempt, a 62-yarder, had the distance but sailed wide left.
QB timetable?
Offensive coordinator Chuck Long said a decision the quarterbacks — Paul Thompson, Rhett Bomar or both — should come in the next two weeks.
The Sooners open the season Sept. 3 when Texas Christian comes to Owen Field. Long said he would like to have a decision at least a week before the game.
“I don’t believe it will go until game week,” he said. “It may go to the prior week and that’s still two weeks away.”
OU waited until two weeks before the season began to name a starting quarterback when Nate Hybl and Jason White were battling for the job in 2002.
Long said it isn’t the latest he’s seen a quarterback race go. Long played in the NFL for eight seasons and remembered a coach waiting until pregame warmups to make a decision.
Long wouldn’t say who the coach or the quarterbacks were. Only that he was not the starting quarterback and the unnamed team won the game.
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