Evening Football Practice Report

Aug. 5, 2002

Norman, Okla. - With day one of Oklahoma's newcomer workouts over, the net effect on the kicking game is zero.

Sooner head coach Bob Stoops announced following the morning drills that freshman Josh Roberts was not going to be part of the program. Monday night, Stoops said that Trey DiCarlo had joined the team.

DiCarlo, from Carrollton (Texas) Creekview High School, had been slated to attend the Naval Academy, but changed his mind. The left-footed soccer styler joined junior Steven Sarubbi and freshman Pete Cuva among the Sooner kickers for Monday's second practice.

"We went from a quarterback controversy to a kicker controversy," Stoops said with a smile. "I'm excited about it. We've got three guys out there hitting the ball really well. It may be a blessing in disguise. Either that, or we'll have a whole lot more trick plays this year.

"The guys are kicking it well. Steven Sarubbi and Pete Cuva were here this morning, then Trey DiCarlo got here tonight and hit the ball really well for getting out of the car and kicking out of some high grass. We'll be fine."

DiCarlo was a four-year starter as the placekicker at Carrollton's Creekview High School, where he split the punting chores with another Sooner freshman, Travis Wilson. His career long field goal was a 55-yarder. He made nine field goals and 45 PATs as a senior.

Oklahoma's newcomers will be back on the field for two-a-day drills again Tuesday. DiCarlo also was a four-year starter on the soccer team.

Stoops declined to go into detail regarding Roberts' situation.

"I don't know that there's a real good reason why (Roberts did not report) and I'm not going to sit here and be critical of young man that's not in our program where he doesn't have a chance to say something," Stoops said. "I'd just rather know today than the day before we're getting ready to tee it up with Tulsa or Alabama or anybody else. We'll be in great shape by the time we need to play."

Stoops continued on the special teams theme by again complimenting walk-on long snapper Jacob Rice, a product of Norman High School.

"I'm really pleased with Jacob Rice and the way he snaps it," Stoops said. "He has to do it in a game, but in practice he's sure good right now."

Stoops gave high marks to his newcomers.

"This is a great group of freshman," he said. "They can run, they have good size and they're really sharp mentally. In one day they picked up so much mentally. In one day, they did exceptionally well."

Oklahoma's newcomers will be back on the practice field Tuesday for another pair of preseason workouts.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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