Stoops Likes First Spring Scrimmage

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops was beaming after watching his team's first major spring scrimmage, Saturday, at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The workout included 95 plays and lasted for two hours. The Sooner offense punched in three touchdowns, while the defense accounted for two, both by defensive back Brandon Shelby.

"I feel great about both sides of the ball," Stoops said. "I really like what some of the guys with less experience are doing. We held out some of our veterans and the young guys stepped up."

Heisman Trophy-winning QB Jason White was one of those veterans held out. His back-ups, Paul Thompson and Tommy Grady, shared time. Thompson, a junior, hit on 17-of-23 passing attempts for 155 yards and one touchdown. Grady, a redshirt freshman, completed 12-of-19 for 115 yards with two interceptions.

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The offensive scores all came on short plays. The first was a 2-yard pass from Thompson to FB J.D. Runnels. True freshman running back D.J. Wolfe followed with a one-yard run, then Kejuan Jones wrapped up the scoring with a 4-yard burst.

Shelby's touchdowns came on a 28-yard fumble return and a 54-yard interception return. LB Zach Latimer had another interception that appeared destined for a long return, but that play was blown dead as part of the controlled scrimmage.

Jones was the top ground gainer with 14 rushes for 50 yards. Donta Hickson carried seven times for 39 yards, while Wolfe had 11 tries for 26 yards.

TE James Moses was the favorite receiving target with six grabs for 71 yards. Brandon Jones, Jejuan Rankins and Willie Roberts all had four receptions.

LB Rufus Alexander was the top tackler with 10, followed by Brodney Pool and Gayron Allen, both with seven.

Sacks were credited to Lawrence Dampeer and Steven Coleman, while fumble recoveries went to Shelby, Allen and Alonzo Dotson.

In the kicking department, Trey DiCarlo was impressive. He made six of 10 field goals, but two of the four misses were from 67 yards. He made kicks from 52 and 57 yards and reeled off a string of four consecutive makes from 42 to 57 yards.

The Sooners are approximately half-way through the spring practice sessions. The next scrimmage is set for Thursday, April 8. The Red/White Spring Game will be played on Saturday, April 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets for that event are on sale now. Advanced tickets are just $5 for adults, $2 for children.

April 17 Spring Game Info

Rushing
K. Jones 14-50
Hickson 7-39
Wolfe 11-26
Tennial 4-20
Choice 5-12
Gutierrez 5-11
Rankins 1-3
Thompson 1-3
Grady 5- (-8)

Passing
Thompson 17-23, 155 yards, 1 TD
Grady 12-19-2, 115 yards

Receiving
Moses 6-71
Rankins 4-37
B. Jones 4-36
Roberts 4-31
Ross 3-37
Robinson 3-34
Finley 1-10
Greene 1-7
Tennial 1-5
Runnels 1-2
Peoples 1-0

Tackles
Alexander 10
Allen 7
Pool 7
Baker 6
Dennison 6
Dotson 6
J. Williams 6
Carter 5
Pleasant 5
Thibodeaux 5
D. Williams 5
Ingram 4
Latimer 4
Onyenegecha 4
Bassey 3
Coleman 3
Dampeer 3
Dvoracek 2
Nicholson 2
Cade 2
Nixon 2
Shelby 1