9,000 Watch OU's Third Preseason Scrimmage

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma football team ended the publicly-open portion of training camp with a 96-play scrimmage in front of an estimated crowd of 9,000 on Wednesday evening at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Head coach Bob Stoops was pleased with the effort and crispness of the scrimmage but again pointed out that a more thorough evaluation would come when the staff assessed the video tape.

“I was pleased, real satisfied with the scrimmage.,” said Stoops. “The defense was structurally very sound on all the deep balls. They tackled well and there were very few, if any busted assignments. That is what it ought to be.”

Beyond two early spurts and one drive in the later portion of the scrimmage, the session was dominated by the defense, which tallied eight sacks and two interceptions.

August 17th Scrimmage Photos | 2005 OU Preseason Central

Rufus Alexander was the leading tackler and a highlight performer. In addition to a scrimmage-high eight tackles, the senior had two sacks and a pass breakup.

Lewis Baker and Ryan Reynolds each contributed seven tackles, while Curtis Lofton was close behind with six. The trio of Chijioke Onyenegecha, Darrien Williams and Zach Latimer also produced five tackles apiece.

John Williams equaled Alexander in the sack department with two. Also recording unassisted sacks were Steven Coleman and Zach Latimer.

Despite all the defensive numbers, Stoops was encouraged by the offensive performance.

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“I think we are in good shape offensively,” said Stoops. “Unlike many teams we practice good-on-good everyday in practice. So our players on defense are used to our formations and plays from practice. If you are worth anything you should be able to keep up.”

The offensive backfield was missing standouts Adrian Peterson (coach's decision), Kejuan Jones (foot) and J.D. Runnels (coach's decision).

“It is easy to say we are a different team with Kejuan, Adrian and J.D. back there,” said Stoops. “Our play calling is affected, as is our performance.”

Paul Thompson threw for 154 yards on 15-29 passing and one touchdown. He connected with Quentin Chaney on a three-yard score.

Rhett Bomar was 8-16 for 118 yard and two interceptions. Bomar executed a 75-yard scoring drive on the offense's second possession.

The ground game was highlighted by Donta Hickson, who busted a 59-yard run on the fifth play of the scrimmage. He finished in style as well, scoring from one-yard out to finish a seven carry, 68-yard day.

Garrett Hartley hit 7-of-11 field goals prior to the official start of the scrimmage. Sophomore punter Cody Freeby put six balls inside the 10-yard line and had a 45-yard average when kicking for distance.

“Cody hit it well today and had a good scrimmage,” said Stoops. “Garrett was good too. I was a little unfair to him because I asked him to come out in the middle of the scrimmage, probably an hour and a half later, and attempt a field goal that he missed. He thought he was done.”

The remainder of OU's practices during the 2005 football season will be closed to the public and media.

Oklahoma kicks off its 111th season of intercollegiate football on Saturday, Sept. 3, against TCU in Norman. The game is set for 11 a.m. and will be televised by ABC.

Rushing
J. Gutierrez 9/16
D. Hickson 7/68 (TD, 1 yd)
P. Thompson 2/8
R. Bomar 3/11
J. Snell 3/1
L. Gibbs 3/-1
TEAM 27/103

Passing
P. Thompson: 15-29-154, 1 TD
R. Bomar: 8-16-118, 2 INT

Receiving
J. Finley: 2-19
J. Hardison: 2-30
T. Wilson: 3-47
J. Rankins: 1-10
Q. Chaney: 4-36 (TD, 3 yds)
D. Hickson: 1- (-5)
W. Roberts: 1-7
M. Johnson: 2-23
L. Holmes: 2-31
J. Iglesias: 3-33
D. Robinson: 1-35
J. Moses: 1-6

Tackles
R. Alexander: 8
L. Baker: 7
R. Reynolds: 7
C. Lofton: 6
C. Onyenegecha: 5
D. Williams: 5
Z. Latimer: 5
C. Ingram: 3
N. Harris: 3
J. Williams: 3
J. Carter: 2
K. Clayton: 2
E. Bassey: 2
D. Wolfe: 2
T. Cade: 2
C. Thibodeaux: 2
A. Davis: 2
R. Smith: 1
B. Jackson: 1
A. Patrick: 1
L. Robinson: 1
C. Pendleton: 1
S. Coleman: 1
A. Dotson: 1
D. Granger: 1
C. Ah You: 1

Sacks
R. Alexander: 2, 13 yards
J. Williams: 2, 7 yards
L. Robinson: 1, 8 yards
S. Coleman: 1, 7 yards
Z. Latimer: 1, 6 yards
C. Ah You: 1, 3 yards (assisted)
D. Granger: 1, 3 yards (assisted)
C. Pendleton: 1, 3 yards (assisted)
C. Thibodeaux: 1, 3 yards (assisted)

TFL
L. Baker: 1, 5 yards
C. Onyenegecha: 1, 4 yards
R. Alexander: 1, 2 yards
N. Harris: 1, 1 yard
R. Reynolds: 1, 1 yard
K. Clayton: 1, 1 yard
A. Dotson: 1, 1 yard

INT
J. Carter: 1, 40 yards
B. Jackson: 1, 0 yards

PBU
D. Wolfe: 3
B. Jackson: 1
C. Onyenegecha: 1
C. Lofton: 1
R. Alexander: 1
Z. Latimer: 1