Sooners Enter North Carolina Game Week Preparations

Aug. 18, 2001

NORMAN, Okla. - The third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners worked out for just over two hours on Saturday morning and the main focus of the practice was on the North Carolina Tar Heels, who visit Norman Aug. 25 for the Hispanic College Fund Football Classic. Head coach Bob Stoops and his staff met with the team before practice and outlined the gameplan for 2001's season opener.

"We got started with our preparations for North Carolina today," said Stoops. "They are a very talented team with a new coaching staff and Coach (John) Bunting has a great track record."

Stoops and his staff also have a good feel for the new coordinators at North Carolina. Gary Tranquill has taken over the offensive reins after two years at the University of Virginia, while Jon Tenuta will lead the defensive unit after five seasons at Ohio State.

"We know Coach Tranquill," said Stoops. "He was at Virginia and we figure a good part of their offense will resemble Virginia's. Also, Jon Tenuta was at Ohio State so we have a strong idea of what they did there."

Tenuta's Tar Heel defense features one of the finest athletes in the nation in junior defensive end Julius Peppers. Not only did he earn All-ACC and various All-American honors during the 2000 football season, but he helped lead the UNC basketball team to the second round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament. Stoops and his staff are well aware of Peppers' talents and are planning accordingly to defend against him.

"Peppers is an excellent athlete with great speed and size," said Stoops. "Whether we alter our blocking schemes, that's something we'll determine later."

The Sooners have the day off on Sunday and get back to work with a practice Monday afternoon.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Enter North Carolina Game Week Preparations

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