Oklahoma is still waiting for at least one of its three quarterbacks to separate from the pack. Thursday, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said it still hasn’t happened.

But he’s not punching the wall in disgust.

“Everybody says no one is separating. But it’s not because they’re all stinking. It’s because they’re all playing really good,” Wilson said. “I keep thinking it would be nice to decide, but I don’t have a problem with it because they’re all playing well.”

The Sooners conducted a mini scrimmage Wednesday and have their second major scrimmage planned for 6 p.m. Saturday at Owen Field.

Wilson said a lot Wednesday’s activities centered on goal line situations. Saturday’s scrimmage will also feature more of the running backs than quarterbacks.

The quarterbacks threw nearly 60 passes in last Saturday’s scrimmage. Wilson said that was by design, but the lack of balance took something away from his unit.

Running the ball is going to big part of OU’s game plan this season. Getting that phase of the game moving has taken precedence this week.

Still, the quarterbacks will get their fare share of attempts Saturday.

“We have to throw well,” Wilson said. “We’re not going to be a run-run-throw-on-third-down team. We’re not going to throw it 20 times a game and we’re not going to try to be 50-50. We have to be good enough to take what’s there. We need to be good to get the ball to our playmakers and we have playmakers on the perimeter. We’re going to get them the ball.”

Thursday’s practices were the final of the two-a-day segment of the preseason. The Sooners have one practice scheduled for today. It will be the final one before school starts Monday.

A third scrimmage is scheduled for Wednesday night. That could be the day the final decision on a starting quarterback is made.

Wilson offered no guess.

“All three of those guys are capable of playing,” he said, “and maybe they’ll all play … A decision is far from being finalized.”



Healthy scratch

Tight end Brody Eldridge has been cleared for full contact, but has been held out of every drill that involves tackling. Wilson said that will extend into Saturday’s scrimmage.

“I’m not worried about him getting tackled. It’s somebody else falling on him. I don’t want him in a position to injure an ankle or a knee,” Wilson said.

Eldridge, a sophomore, suffered a broken ankle in the spring. He was a vital part of the running game from both the tight end and fullback spots last season. His absence in the first scrimmage might have been part of the reason the offense struggled running the ball.

“When he’s out there there’s a different feel to the offense with that blocking game,” Wilson said. “There’s one whole side that moves significantly better when he’s out there. It’s a pretty big deal.”

But Eldridge will have to wait until the Sept. 1 opener against North Texas to go full bore.



Patrick healing

Running back Allen Patrick will also miss Saturday’s scrimmage with an ankle injury.

There still isn’t an exact prognosis for his return. Wilson said Patrick might return to practice next week or it could be closer to the end of the month.

The Sports Illustrated college football preview with Patrick on the cover was released Wednesday. Wilson doesn’t buy the SI cover jinx.

“We were jinxed last year, so I don’t buy the jinx,” he said. “I told everyone to go buy one because he (Patrick) was going to try to buy them all anyway. I’m sure they’ll be in every home back in Conway (S.C.).”

Running back Chris Brown said he’d seen the magazine, much like every player in the OU locker room. If the jinx did lead to the injury, it isn’t detouring Brown from the one day he’ll be on the cover.

When asked if he’d rather miss two weeks of practice with an injury or be on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Brown didn’t hesitate.

“I’ll take the cover,” he said.



Freshmen stepping up

If OU stays healthy this season, freshmen might have a hard time getting on the field. Wilson said several have a chance to play.

Wide receivers Tyler Stratford and former Norman High standout Ryan Broyles have caught the offensive coordinator’s eye the first two weeks of practice.

“Tyler is fast. He can flat out go and he has ball skills,” Wilson said. “Ryan Broyles has a little something to him. He just has a feel and savvy that you like.”

He also mentioned tight end Trent Ratterree, offensive linemen Alex Williams, Donald Stephenson and Jason Hannan.

“You hope those guys don’t have to play. But they look as good as some of those guys last year,” Wilson said. “I don’t know if they’re a bunch of five-star recruits, but they are quality offensive players that we’re really pleased with.”

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com