Jay C. Upchurch
8/11/2007, 02:51 PM
NORMAN — Oklahoma completed its first major scrimmage of the 2007
season Saturday before an estimated 7,000 fans in Gaylord Family -
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. OU head coach Bob Stoops termed the workout, which took place in temperatures in the high 90's, a success.
"It was good overall," he said. "Defensively we're just so much more
stable in the secondary. You have the potential there for giving up
plays or making plays. Defensively, we were solid.
"On offense, I was pleased for the most part. Our defense sees that
offense every day so the offense is at a significant disadvantage."
The Sooner offense punched in three touchdowns during the day. The
first came on a three-yard pass from Keith Nichol to Manuel Johnson. It
capped a six- play, 45-yard drive that included a 19-yard toss from
Nichol to Juaquin Iglesias and a pair of pass interference penalties.
Later, Joey Halzle hooked up with Malcolm Kelly on a 20-yard touchdown
pass. The drive, the longest of the day, included 13 plays and covered
65 yards.
The final score came on a 53-yard run by Jacob Gutierrez.
The three quarterbacks vying for the starting job, Halzle, Nichol and
Sam Bradford, had nearly even distribution of playing time in the
scrimmage, which included 19 offensive possessions and 89 plays. Halzle
hit on 12-of-21 passes for 85 yards, Nichol was 8-of-16 for 51 yards and
Bradford was 11-of-18 for 83 yards with one interception.
"It's obvious that our quarterbacks can make all the throws," Stoops
said. "They did a really nice job. I didn't see any forced decisions.
The drives that stalled didn't stop because of their play. The players
around them have to make plays."
Stoops also said that he has not established a timeline for choosing a
starter.
The defense was dominant for much of the day, especially in getting
pressure on the quarterback. Five sacks were credited, including three
to defensive end Alan Davis.
"Our pass rush has a chance to be better than it was last year," Stoops
said. "I'm not saying it is yet, but it has a chance to be."
Stoops also lauded the play of D.J. Wolfe, whose move to safety has been
positive.
"For the last week, D.J. Wolfe has played as well as any safety we have
had in practice," Stoops said.
Oklahoma goes back into normal practice sessions on Monday. The next
scrimmage is set for Aug. 18.
Notes
* Notables that did not play due to injury included OT Branndon
Braxton, CB Reggie Smith and RB Allen Patrick. Patrick is out with a
sprained ankle. Stoops said Braxton and Smith have minor ailments and
should be back soon.
* Of the young players, Stoops said DT Donald Stephenson, QB Keith
Nichol, WT Corey Wilson and LB Austin Box have been impressive in early
practices.
* The OU head coach cited the improved play of P Mike Knall, who
last year served as the punter in short field situations. Knall is
pressing Michael Cohen for the starting job.
* Stoops said K Garrett Hartley has still been putting some
kickoffs as much as five yards deep in the end zone despite the new
kickoff location of the 30-yardline.
* OU has sold out five of its seven home games. A limited number
of seats remain for the Utah State and Baylor contests. Tickets are
available online at SoonerSports.com, over the phone at 1-800-456-4668
or in person at the Athletics Ticket Office, located under the west side
of the stadium on Asp Avenue.
SCORING
Manuel Johnson 3-yard pass from Keith Nichol
Malcolm Kelly 20-yard pass from Joey Halzle
Jacob Gutierrez 53-yard run
RUSHING
Gutierrez - 7-68
Madu - 10-18
Murray - 6-25
Brown - 2-7
Tennell - 2-1
Gove - 2-0
Caleb - 1-(-2)
PASSING
Bradford -- 11-18-83, 1 INT
Nichol -- 8-16-51, 1 TD
Halzle -- 12-21-85, 1 TD
RECEIVING
Tennell -- 5-46
Iglesias -- 5-38
Finley -- 3-10
Kelly -- 2-27, TD (20 yards from Halzle)
Brown -- 2-18
Gresham -- 2-13
M. Johnson -- 2-12, TD (3 yards from Nichol)
Madu -- 2-12
Gove -- 2-5
Gutierrez -- 2-3
Broyles 1-19
Wilson -- 1-15
Caleb -- 1-2
Murray -- 1-(-1)
DEFENSE
Holmes - 9, 1 PBU
Harris - 8
Box - 7
Reynolds - 6
Crow - 6
Reed - 5, 1 sack
Carter - 5
Jackson - 4, 1 PBU
Franks - 4
Lofton - 4, 1 FR
Beal - 4
Baker - 3
Clayton - 3
Walker - 3, 1 26-yard INT return
Lamont Robinson - 3
Jonathan Nelson - 2
Wolfe - 2
Bowers - 2
English - 2
D. Jackson - 1
C. Carter - 1
Pleasant - 1
Alexander - 1
Davis - 1, 3 sacks
Williams - 1 sack
OU SID Report
season Saturday before an estimated 7,000 fans in Gaylord Family -
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. OU head coach Bob Stoops termed the workout, which took place in temperatures in the high 90's, a success.
"It was good overall," he said. "Defensively we're just so much more
stable in the secondary. You have the potential there for giving up
plays or making plays. Defensively, we were solid.
"On offense, I was pleased for the most part. Our defense sees that
offense every day so the offense is at a significant disadvantage."
The Sooner offense punched in three touchdowns during the day. The
first came on a three-yard pass from Keith Nichol to Manuel Johnson. It
capped a six- play, 45-yard drive that included a 19-yard toss from
Nichol to Juaquin Iglesias and a pair of pass interference penalties.
Later, Joey Halzle hooked up with Malcolm Kelly on a 20-yard touchdown
pass. The drive, the longest of the day, included 13 plays and covered
65 yards.
The final score came on a 53-yard run by Jacob Gutierrez.
The three quarterbacks vying for the starting job, Halzle, Nichol and
Sam Bradford, had nearly even distribution of playing time in the
scrimmage, which included 19 offensive possessions and 89 plays. Halzle
hit on 12-of-21 passes for 85 yards, Nichol was 8-of-16 for 51 yards and
Bradford was 11-of-18 for 83 yards with one interception.
"It's obvious that our quarterbacks can make all the throws," Stoops
said. "They did a really nice job. I didn't see any forced decisions.
The drives that stalled didn't stop because of their play. The players
around them have to make plays."
Stoops also said that he has not established a timeline for choosing a
starter.
The defense was dominant for much of the day, especially in getting
pressure on the quarterback. Five sacks were credited, including three
to defensive end Alan Davis.
"Our pass rush has a chance to be better than it was last year," Stoops
said. "I'm not saying it is yet, but it has a chance to be."
Stoops also lauded the play of D.J. Wolfe, whose move to safety has been
positive.
"For the last week, D.J. Wolfe has played as well as any safety we have
had in practice," Stoops said.
Oklahoma goes back into normal practice sessions on Monday. The next
scrimmage is set for Aug. 18.
Notes
* Notables that did not play due to injury included OT Branndon
Braxton, CB Reggie Smith and RB Allen Patrick. Patrick is out with a
sprained ankle. Stoops said Braxton and Smith have minor ailments and
should be back soon.
* Of the young players, Stoops said DT Donald Stephenson, QB Keith
Nichol, WT Corey Wilson and LB Austin Box have been impressive in early
practices.
* The OU head coach cited the improved play of P Mike Knall, who
last year served as the punter in short field situations. Knall is
pressing Michael Cohen for the starting job.
* Stoops said K Garrett Hartley has still been putting some
kickoffs as much as five yards deep in the end zone despite the new
kickoff location of the 30-yardline.
* OU has sold out five of its seven home games. A limited number
of seats remain for the Utah State and Baylor contests. Tickets are
available online at SoonerSports.com, over the phone at 1-800-456-4668
or in person at the Athletics Ticket Office, located under the west side
of the stadium on Asp Avenue.
SCORING
Manuel Johnson 3-yard pass from Keith Nichol
Malcolm Kelly 20-yard pass from Joey Halzle
Jacob Gutierrez 53-yard run
RUSHING
Gutierrez - 7-68
Madu - 10-18
Murray - 6-25
Brown - 2-7
Tennell - 2-1
Gove - 2-0
Caleb - 1-(-2)
PASSING
Bradford -- 11-18-83, 1 INT
Nichol -- 8-16-51, 1 TD
Halzle -- 12-21-85, 1 TD
RECEIVING
Tennell -- 5-46
Iglesias -- 5-38
Finley -- 3-10
Kelly -- 2-27, TD (20 yards from Halzle)
Brown -- 2-18
Gresham -- 2-13
M. Johnson -- 2-12, TD (3 yards from Nichol)
Madu -- 2-12
Gove -- 2-5
Gutierrez -- 2-3
Broyles 1-19
Wilson -- 1-15
Caleb -- 1-2
Murray -- 1-(-1)
DEFENSE
Holmes - 9, 1 PBU
Harris - 8
Box - 7
Reynolds - 6
Crow - 6
Reed - 5, 1 sack
Carter - 5
Jackson - 4, 1 PBU
Franks - 4
Lofton - 4, 1 FR
Beal - 4
Baker - 3
Clayton - 3
Walker - 3, 1 26-yard INT return
Lamont Robinson - 3
Jonathan Nelson - 2
Wolfe - 2
Bowers - 2
English - 2
D. Jackson - 1
C. Carter - 1
Pleasant - 1
Alexander - 1
Davis - 1, 3 sacks
Williams - 1 sack
OU SID Report