Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesBob Stoops Big 12 Media Day quotes:Opening statement: "It's great to be here again. The players we brought are Jon Cooper, starting offensive center, a senior and four-year starter for us; Manuel Johnson, senior wide receiver and also a four-year starter for us. Last year Manny was probably one of the most valuable players of the game three or four times and has consistently done a great job for us. And then defensively, senior safety Nic Harris, who is also a two-year starter and a part-time starter as a freshman. He was an All Big 12 guy a year ago and one of the leaders on our defense. "I'm excited to be starting my 10th season. I would also like to note that in those 10 years I've had the same president and the same athletics director and that's really special. I feel very fortunate to have had the success we have had and work with the people we have and a great group of players. You'll hear from three of them here representing the team at some point today. So thanks again."Q. On having three of his former assistants now being head coaches in the Big 12: COACH STOOPS: "It's exciting. Those guys are all good friends. As everyone knows, I've been one of those head coaches where I'm probably closer to my assistants maybe than some. I pull for them and I'm happy for them and they're doing a great job. It's exciting to see guys go on and have those kind of opportunities. It's challenging because they're all good coaches, but I'm still excited for them."Q. Would you like to see the Big 12 standardize the release of injury information?COACH STOOPS: It probably would be easier for everybody. You know, in the end, the other dynamic in that is the more you do that -- I'm always leery that we protect college sports from gambling and wagering. And in the end that's pretty much all that matters. That's why everybody wants to know. And in the end I don't know that we need to do that. And the other thing, I think we -- it's not professional sports. If the young guy was out there playing for his school and has no chance of playing in the NFL and he has a bad ankle, why should everybody know going into the game we're going to pick on this guy. They may figure it out in the first quarter, but make them figure it out. So, anyway, I don't know. You're trying to protect a young guy who is trying to play, so why broadcast how truly injured he is if he's going to be out there playing. I agree that if a guy for sure is not going to play, then I'm all for letting people know that.Q. What's DeMarco Murray's status and what he will mean for you guys this year? COACH STOOPS: DeMarco, he's recovered well, when I've seen him coming in the training room and rehabbing his knee, he says it feels great. I ask him, "How are you running?" He says, "Coach, I'm doing everything. I feel great running, I feel super." So according to him and our trainers, everything is on schedule and he looks great. For more Big 12 Media Day quotes CLICK HEREStoops addresses bowl games, Murray, the Internet: The OklahomanLabels: Big XII, Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesCotton Bowl to expand seating capacity to 92,000: New upper deck bowls being added to the Cotton Bowl's end zones will increase the stadium's seating capacity from 76,000 to about 92,000 this year, the highlight of a better than $50 million renovation project expected to be completed by October. That means on Oklahoma's side of the stadium, 8,000 more tickets will be available; they will be sold to fans based on the Sooner Club's point system. "We pushed the new seats as far forward as possible to maximize fan visibility,” said State Fair of Texas president Errol McKoy. "The end zone seats are really going to be great seats.” The Cotton Bowl also has added new restrooms and concession stands, particularly in the end zones, as well as three new entrance and exit gates to deal with long lines in and out of the stadium. "I think the renovations are going to create a huge positive in people's attitudes about the Cotton Bowl,” McKoy said. (The Oklahoman) Salaries for assistant coaches skyrocketing: The OklahomanOU defensive line deep, talented: The OklahomanRanking the Big 12's defensive lines: The OklahomanBig 12 assistant coaches' pay by job: The OklahomanBig 12 head coaching contracts: The OklahomanBig 12 buzz is heading North: Kansas City StarLabels: Cotton Bowl, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesBrahaney to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame: On his way to South Bend, Ind., this weekend, Tom Brahaney felt as if he was playing college football again. "It was like I was going to a football game," Brahaney said. "It made me feel real sentimental." Today, the two-time All-America center at Oklahoma is one of 14 men who will be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Brahaney anchored the OU offensive line in 1971 and 1972 as the Sooners transitioned to the wishbone offense, a dynasty that would last almost 20 years. In the 1971 "Game of the Century," which the Sooners lost to Nebraska 35-31, Brahaney squared off in one of the game's most memorable matchups against Outland Trophy winner Rich Glover, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. (The Oklahoman) No word if this event will be televised at a later date.OU's Brahaney to be inducted: Tulsa WorldTeam preview: Oklahoma: Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook on ESPN.comLabels: Former Sooner, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesSam Bradford named to Davey O'Brien Award watch list: Oklahoma's Sam Bradford is one of just 31 Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List that was announced today. The award honors the top quarterback in college football. Bradford, who will be a sophomore in the 2008 campaign, led the nation in passing efficiency last season as a redshirt freshman. He fired 36 touchdown passes, an NCAA record for freshmen, against just eight interceptions. On the season, the Oklahoma City native completed 237-of-341 passes for 3,121 yards. Watch List candidates were selected by a subset of the National Selection Committee and approved by the Davey O'Brien Executive Committee. Semifinalists will be announced October 27; finalists November 24. This prestigious award focuses on accomplishments both on and off the field. The Selection Committee is asked to evaluate all candidates on their quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship. (SoonerSports PR) OU releases scoreboard renderings: SoonerSports.com Stoops to speak at breakfast focusing on diabetes program: The Oklahoman Media pick Sooners' English for Big 12 honor: The Oklahoman Sooner is named preseason defensive player of the year: Tulsa World White enjoys new role as mentor: Tulsa World Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Watch List
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesBig 12 media names six Sooners in preseason all-conference team: Missouri senior quarterback Chase Daniel of Southlake Carroll was named Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Oklahoma junior defensive end Auston English was selected Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Colorado freshman running back Darrell Scott was chosen Preseason Newcomer of the Year in a Big 12 Conference media poll. (Big 12)2008 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team (Media Vote) Offensive Player of the Year: Chase Daniel, Missouri (QB, 6-0, 225, Sr/3L, Southlake, Texas) Defensive Player of the Year: Auston English, Oklahoma (DE, 6-3, 257, Jr/1L, Canadian, Texas) Newcomer of the Year: Darrell Scott, Colorado (TB, 6-2, 215, Fr/HS, Ventura, Calif.) Offense Pos; Name; School; Ht.; Wt.; Cl./Exp.; Hometown WR; Michael Crabtree*; Texas Tech; 6-3; 206; So./1L; Dallas TE; Chase Coffman; Missouri; 6-6; 245; Sr./3L; Peculiar, Mo. OL; Duke Robinson; Oklahoma; 6-5; 330; Sr./3L; Atlanta, Ga. OL; Phil Loadholt; Oklahoma; 6-8; 350; Sr./1L; Fountain, Colo. C; Jon Cooper; Oklahoma; 6-2; 285; Sr./3L; Fort Collins, Colo. OL; Louis Vasquez; Texas Tech; 6-6; 335; Sr./3L; Corsicana, Texas OL; Colin Brown; Missouri; 6-8; 325; Sr./3L; Braymer, Mo. OL; Cedric Dockery; Texas; 6-4; 315; Sr./3L; Garland, Texas WR; Jeremy Maclin; Missouri; 6-1; 200; So./1L; Kirkwood, Mo. QB; Chase Daniel; Missouri; 6-0; 225; Sr./3L; Southlake, Texas RB; Marlon Lucky; Nebraska; 6-0; 215; Sr./3L; North Hollywood, Calif. RB; DeMarco Murray; Oklahoma; 6-0; 191; So./1L; Las Vegas, Nev. PK; Jeff Wolfert; Missouri; 6-2; 185; Sr./2L; Overland Park, Kan. KR; Marcus Herford; Kansas; 6-3; 208; Sr./3L; DeSoto, Texas Defense Pos; Name; School; Ht.; Wt.; Cl./Exp.; Hometown DL; Auston English; Oklahoma; 6-3; 257; Jr./1L; Canadian, Texas DL; Ian Campbell; Kansas State; 6-5; 249; Sr./3L; Cimarron, Kan. DL; George Hypolite; Colorado; 6-1; 285; Sr./3L; Los Angeles, Calif. DL; Brian Orakpo; Texas; 6-4; 260; Sr./3L; Houston, Texas LB; Sean Weatherspoon; Missouri; 6-1; 235; Jr./2L; Jasper, Texas LB; Joe Mortenson; Kansas; 6-1; 250; Sr./3L; Concord, Calif. LB; Joe Pawelek; Baylor; 6-3; 236; Jr./2L; San Antonio, Texas DB; Nic Harris; Oklahoma; 6-3; 226; Sr./3L; Alexandria, La. DB; William Moore; Missouri; 6-1; 230; Sr./3L; Hayti, Mo. DB; Jamar Wall; Texas Tech; 5-10; 196; Jr./2L; Plainview, Texas DB; Jordan Lake; Baylor; 6-2; 206; Jr./2L; Houston, Texas P; Justin Brantly; Texas A&M; 6-3; 241; Sr./3L; Sealy, Texas PR; Jeremy Maclin; Missouri; 6-1; 200; So./1L; Kirkwood, Mo. * Denotes unanimous choice. Labels: Big XII, Oklahoma Sooners
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