Sooners Complete Second Day of Full Squad Practices

Aug. 10, 2002

NORMAN, Okla. - The OU football team completed its second day of practices as a full squad on Saturday. Although the morning practice was hot and humid, the Sooners enjoyed unexpectedly cool and breezy conditions in the evening under cloudy skies.

"This is great," said head coach Bob Stoops on the pleasant weather conditions. "We started practice a few minutes early because of the threat of rain but it turned out perfect."

Coach Stoops seemed pleased with how his team responded in its first day of two-a-day practices.

"It was good, solid work. The team had a lot of intensity and speed running around."

Sooners Ranked No. 2 in Preseason AP Poll
In the Associated Press preseason poll released Saturday, the Sooners were ranked second behind defending national champion Miami. The Hurricanes edged OU by 14 points for the top spot.

"Better than being twenty and not as good as one," quipped Stoops when asked about his thoughts on the ranking. "All of it is good, as I've said before. It's a positive and puts our program in a good light in front of a lot of recruits and a lot of people when you're one of those teams that has a good shot at it." We'll see if we can do it. Of course, we've got to earn our way."

AP Preseason PollPreseason Coaches Poll

Kicking Game Gets Look
Coach Stoops got a chance to evaluate the Sooners' kicking game with the squad working on field goals and punts.

"We've gone at it hard here. Our punting situation is really looking good. Our protection has been very good for just a couple of days' work. Ferg's (Blake Ferguson) hit the ball really well."

"I like what we're doing field goal-wise. We kicked 18 to start practice and made 14 of them. That's not all bad. Once we nail that down, I think it will even be better."

Punt Return Team
Coach Stoops listed several players that may see action on the punt return team.

"Will Peoples was awfully good at it last year. Derrick Strait has always been good. We'd like to get (Andre) Woolfolk out there but he's such a good protector that he'll probably stay in on our protection unit."

Wilkerson and Fagan Miss Evening Practice
Defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson and receiver Curtis Fagan missed the evening workout with cramping problems after the morning session.

The Sooners will attend meetings and conduct a short special teams practice on Sunday while the linemen hit the weight room. OU returns to the practice fields on Monday morning.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Complete Second Day of Full Squad Practices

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors