Oklahoma held the first of two open preseason practices Friday morning at the OU Rugby Fields. Fans filled the south berm at the complex. The Sooners also put on pads for the first time this season.
The workout began with the traditional Oklahoma Drill. Wide receivers matched up against defensive backs, offensive linemen took on defensive lineman, and fullbacks faced off against linebackers while running backs were forced to hit a hole and make contact with a defender.
“It was great. It’s always energetic and it’s always fun,” Stoops said. “We like doing it and we’ll probably do it again here soon.”
OU’s only other open practice is scheduled for Aug. 18.
Light day for Murray
Running back DeMarco Murray didn’t do much on the field during Friday morning’s practice. Stoops said Murray’s light day was due to a sprained ankle the sophomore suffered a few days ago.
“He’s fine,” the coach said. “It was minor one. We just decided to limit what he did today. It’s no bid deal.”
The Sooners have plenty of running backs going through preseason camp. Veterans Chris Brown and Mossis Madu shared carries with true freshmen Jermie Calhoun and Justin Johnson.
Cincy QB loses appeal
The NCAA upheld a ruling denying Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk a sixth year of eligibility Friday. The Bearcats will visit Owen Field Sept. 6.
Mauk threw for 31 touchdowns and 3,121 yards last season after transferring in from Wake Forest. Cincinnati went 10-3 was ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25.
Without him, senior Dustin Grutza is slated to be the Bearcats’ starting quarterback.
Gresham not
thinking about NFL
Tight end Jermaine Gresham could be a high pick if he opted to leave for the NFL after his junior season. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound junior is considered one of the best tight ends in college football.
Wednesday he said an early jump is unlikely.
“My first goal here is to get a degree,” Gresham said. “I really don’t see that (leaving early) happening. The other reason is I don’t think I’m good enough.
“If I had (Adrian Peterson’s) talent, it would be a no-brainer. But I don’t have that kind of talent.”
Many would debate Gresham’s assessment of his skills. He caught 11 touchdown passes last season and OU is working on ways to get him the ball more.
He’s been working some at slot receiver in the spring and since training camp began.
Beal practicing with broken hand
Defensive end Jeremy Beal has been wearing a cast on his right hand since practice began. The injury hasn’t kept him off the practice field, though. He went through every drill Friday morning.
Beal, who had two starts last season after shifting over from linebacker, is considered a favorite to start at one of the defensive end spots along with Auston English.
OU Sports
Sooners put on the pads
- OU Sports
-
-
OU reeling from stunning loss to Texas Tech
As Oklahoma’s players headed toward the exit at United Spirit Arena on Saturday night, most had dazed looks on their faces. The 65-47 loss to Texas Tech was something they didn’t see coming....
-
Husky challenge
No time might seem like a good time to face Connecticut. The Huskies are always terrific and this season will enter Lloyd Noble Center likely ranked No. 2 following Notre Dame’s Sunday loss to West Virginia....
-
Sooners put finishing touches on perfect opener
Oklahoma capped off a perfect opening weekend of softball on Sunday with an 11-1 victory over Kent State. The Sooners were led by another strong outing from pitcher Keilani Rickets and an offensive explosion by Allee Allen....
-
Illinois halts OU’s upset
ITHACA, N.Y. — Oklahoma was not upset at the National Duals on Sunday. It did, however, leave disappointed....
-
Sooners fall flat against Raiders
LUBBOCK, Texas — All that progress Oklahoma believes it has been making didn’t make the trip to Texas Tech on Saturday. The Sooners moonwalked their way to a 65-47 loss at United Spirit Arena that easily qualified as the season’s worst ...
-
Sooners narrowly avoid handing Tigers their first win in Big 12 play
Morgan Hook hit the free throws and Kaylon Williams blocked the shot, grabbed the rebound, got fouled and made one of two from the stripe to put the game away....
-
Winning is only option
Every locker room in college basketball has the same topic floating around. It’s February. All are thinking about March Madness. Of course, some are thinking about their immediate future. Others are simply dreaming....
-
Sooners will test their mettle against country’s best at National Duals
Dual State is today....
-
Mizzou back on deck after another blowout loss to Baylor
Not again? Yes, again. For the second time this season, the Oklahoma women will have to put aside a disheartening and embarrassing loss to Baylor and get on with the rest of their season....
-
Sooners cruise past competition at Perfect 10
OKLAHOMA CITY — Compared to the rest of its schedule, Oklahoma was supposed to have a relatively easy night. Both Iowa State and Southeast Missouri are in the midst of down seasons. With little chance of losing, the fifth-ranked Sooners ...
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
OU reeling from stunning loss to Texas Tech






