By John Shinn
Transcript Sports Writer
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Oklahoma defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger was sent home Sunday and will not play in Wednesday’s Fiesta Bowl against West Virginia.
Granger, a sophomore, was arrested at 10:20 p.m. Saturday for shoplifting at the Burlington Coat Factory located in Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe, Ariz.
According to a statement released by the Tempe Police Department spokesman Mike Horn Monday, “Granger removed an anti-theft devise from a jacket and then concealed the jacket in a bag. He walked past the cash registers without paying for the packet. Granger was stopped by store security, who then contacted Tempe police.”
Granger, 21, made admissions to the offense and was booked into Tempe City Jail for one count of shoplifting, a class 1 misdemeanor. He later bonded out of jail.
OU coach Bob Stoops confirmed Granger had been sent home to due disciplinary reasons Monday morning at the team’s media at University of Phoenix Stadium.
“He’s been sent home and won’t play. We’ll deal with his situation when we get back,” Stoops said. “If there’s anything further we’ll see.”
The absence of Granger means the third-ranked Sooners will be missing three defensive starters from the regular season Wednesday night.
Defensive backs Reggie Smith (broken toe) and Lendy Holmes (academically ineligible) were ruled out before the Sooners left for the bowl trip.
Losing Granger could be another costly blow. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound sophomore was a second team All-Big 12 selection by the conference coaches. He started 11 of OU’s 13 games and made 35 tackles, 8 1/2 tackles for losses and 3 1/2 sacks.
“He was playing better than anybody inside,” OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “It’s a big loss. You’re disappointed for the rest of your guys on defense. That’s three starters out that were awfully good players. Guys have to step up.”
Venables said redshirt freshman Adrian Taylor would likely start along with redshirt freshman Gerald McCoy at the defensive tackle spots.
It would be Taylor’s first start of the season. He’s played in 12 games, making eight tackles and one sack.
The Sooners typically rotate at least four defensive tackles during a game. Senior Steven Coleman and junior Cory Bennett will also see extensive action. Bennett and Coleman have combined for 19 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. Bennett has started in two games this season. Coleman has one start.
Stopping the run will be critical against West Virginia. The Mountaineers have a two 1,000-yard rushers in quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton.
West Virginia averaged nearly 293 yards a game on the ground this year. McCoy could have been a big help slowing the Mountaineers.
“They have a great run game. They’re quick, they’re fast, but it’s nothing that we haven’t seen before,” McCoy said. “We’re just going to go out there, play our game, keep our same game plan. Someone else will just have to come in.”
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Granger sent home from Fiesta Bowl
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