Young Sooners Shine In Scrimmage

NORMAN, Okla. -- Young players continued to garner many of the snaps in Oklahoma's spring scrimmages and several made the most of the opportunity Thursday. It was the second major scrimmage of the spring for the Sooners, who ran 101 plays.

A pair of redshirt freshmen sparkled on offense. Running back Tashard Choice led the rushers with 12 carries for 81 yards, while tight end Joe Jon Finley hauled in four receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

"It was a good scrimmage," said OU head coach Bob Stoops. "I like the intensity. It wasn't perfect, but it never is. We're making progress."

Choice ripped off an impressive 56-yard run, the longest of the scrimmage. Finley had TD catches of 69 yards and one yard. On the first, Finley caught the ball at midfield, broke a tackle and then outran several defenders to end zone.

"Those guys stepped up and made plays," Stoops said. "A lot of our younger guys are getting better."

April 8 Photo Gallery | 2004 Spring Football Central

TE Joe John Finley Audio
QB Jason White Audio
DT Dusty Dvoracek Audio
Coach Kevin Wilson Audio
Coach Bob Stoops Audio

April 8 Scrimmage Highlights
Head Coach Bob Stoops Post-Scrimmage

Junior quarterback Paul Thompson completed 20-of-28 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt freshman Tommy Grady hit on 16-of-25 for 202 yards and one TD, the 69-yarder to Finley. Neither quarterback was intercepted.

Just like the first major scrimmage, Heisman Trophy winner Jason White was held out of action to give the other quarterbacks more time on the field.

"I like what the quarterbacks are doing," Stoops said. "(Thompson and Grady) are getting great experience going up against our defense."

The only other touchdown of the scrimmage came on a 2-yard run by true freshman D.J. Wolfe.

The most impressive drive was led by Thompson, who took the offense on a 13-play, 70-yard drive that culminated with the one-yard pass to Finley. Thompson and Finley hooked up on a 19-yard pass earlier in the drive.

Middle linebacker Lance Mitchell was the top tackler with 11. Free safety Brodney Pool had eight stops and two pass deflections. Both Larry Birdine and Dusty Dvoracek notched a pair of sacks.

The Sooners are now until Monday. The Red/White Spring Game is April 17 at 2 p.m. Advanced tickets are on sale now. Adult tickets are $5, while youth tickets are $2. Those prices jump to $10 and $5, respectively, on game day.

Scoring plays
D.J. Wolfe 2-yard run
Joe Jon Finley 69-yard pass from Tommy Grady
Joe Jon Finley 1-yard pass from Paul Thompson

Rushing
Choice 12-81
Wolfe 6-16
Hickson 7-13
Tennial 4-9
Gutierrez 4-2

Passing
Thompson 20-28-0-184, 1 TD
Grady 16-25-0-202, 1 TD

Receiving
B. Jones 5-76
Gutierrez 5-34
Finley 4-100, 2 TD
Roberts 4-64
M. Johnson 3-21
Runnels 3-19
Ross 3-10
Zaslaw 2-14
Rankins 2-7
Townsend 1-16
Moses 1-15
Peoples 1-4
Choice 1-3
Hickson 1-3

Tackles
Mitchell 11
Pool 8
Pleasant 7
Bassey 6
Allen 5
Carter 5
Onyenegecha 4
J. Williams 4
Alexander 3
Birdine 3
Cade 3
Dampeer 3
Dotson 3
Poteat 3
D. Williams 3
Thibodeaux 3
Shelby 3
Dennison 2
Pendleton 1
Stephens 1

Sacks
Birdine 2
Dvoracek 2
Pleasant 1
Thibodeaux 1
J. Williams 1

Passes Broken Up
Pool 2
Coleman 1
Onyenegecha 1
Poteat 1

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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