Sooners beginning to get well

John Shinn

Oklahoma’s injury situation improved Monday for several players who were knocked out of the Kansas game returning to practice.

Wide receiver Travis Wilson, who was held out of action at Arrowhead Stadium with right foot injury, returned to practice on a limited basis. Cornerback Eric Bassey also practiced on a limited basis while returning from a quadriceps injury. Offensive tackle Davin Joseph, who suffered a neck injury against Kansas, also went through a light workout.

Sooner coach Bob Stoops expects Wilson and Joseph to be cleared for more participation throughout the week. Bassey’s injury could take longer to mend.

“He’s still questionable,” Stoops said of the cornerback’s status for Saturday’s game against Baylor.

The same can be said for running back Adrian Peterson, who has been struggling since suffering an ankle sprain Oct. 1 against Kansas State. He’s played in the last two games against Texas and Jayhawks, but has gained just 6 yards on eight carries.

The plan is to rest Peterson this week.

“We’re still feeling our way through that and trying to figure out what’s the best way to go through the week,” he said. “We’re trying to rest him more to see if that will get him over the hump. He’s been close, but I think when he goes and tries to get that game-type speed things change.”

Alexander honored

Oklahoma linebacker Rufus Alexander was named the Big 12 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week Monday for his efforts in OU’s 19-3 win over Kansas.

The junior amassed 10 tackles, three for losses, broke up one pass, was credited with one quarterback hurry and made an important interception during the game. 

The pick came in the third quarter when Alexander wrestled the ball away from Kansas’ Derek Fine at the Sooner 2-yard line. The play prevented the Jayhawks from closing in on a touchdown that might have knotted the game 10-10.

“Rufus has made a bunch a of big plays and a bunch of good tackles,” Stoops said. “That play the other night was a big-time play, but he had a bunch of other tackles and was really very good. He has been all year.”

Alexander helped key a defensive effort that stymied Kansas all night. The Jayhawks rushed 22 times for just 11 yards and gained only 86 yards through the air on 11 completions in 30 attempts with three interceptions.

Alexander is Oklahoma’s tackle leader (53) and tackles-for-loss co-leader (10, tied with Dusty Dvoracek). He also has six pass deflections, five QB hurries, one sack, one fumble recovery and the interception

Other Big 12 honors for the week went to Texas Tech quarterback Cody Hodges on offense and Missouri’s Adam Crossett on special teams.

Nebraska time set

OU’s Oct. 29 game at Nebraska will kick off at 11 a.m. and will be televised by ABC (KOCO5-8).

The two rivals, who will not meet again until 2008, as part of the Big 12 Conference’s scheduling rotation, are colliding for the 82nd time. The Sooners hold a 41-37-3 series lead, including last year’s 30-3 triumph in Norman.

The last time the two played in Lincoln was Oct. 27, 2001, when the third-ranked Huskers prevailed over the second-ranked Sooners, 20-10.

It will also be the 37th straight televised game for OU.