Football Season Opens at Oklahoma

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma's football team completed its first practice of the 2005 season Thursday afternoon. Braving temperatures in the mid-90's, the Sooners polished off a two-hour workout in helmets, jerseys and shorts.

Head coach Bob Stoops missed the last 15 minutes of the practice so he could attend the Sooner Caravan stop in Oklahoma City, but had praise for his team before leaving.

“It was a good day, we were sharp,” he said. “The testing was real good in the morning. It looks like we're trained up and ready to go.”

Stoops cited several players for their testing efforts, including running back Adrian Peterson.

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“He's just big, fast and strong,” Stoops said. “He's up to about 218 pounds and just as fast if not faster than last year.”

Peterson averaged 43 seconds on a pair of 300-yard shuttle runs with only a 90-second rest in between.

Sophomore quarterback Tommy Grady missed the practice while attending an intercession class, a course he will take through Aug. 19.

“He has been in the meetings and we will give him as much as he can handle,” Stoops said. “It's not the best thing (for Grady to be missing practice), but it's not something that he can't overcome.”

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A much ballyhooed newcomer class did not disappoint on day one. WR Malcolm Kelly had a couple impressive grabs and defensive back Reggie Sander drew notice too.

“(The newcomers) looked awesome,” Stoops said. “We're really excited about them. It looks like they are every bit as good as billed.”

Of Kelly, Stoops said, “With his size and speed and ability to catch the ball, he looks like a guy that could play right away.”

Smith, a highly-recruited defensive back, worked at the cornerback position, Thursday.

OU returns to practice Friday at 5:30 p.m. Earlier in the day, the Sooners will meet with the media before attending Meet The Sooners Day, an autograph session for fans, at 10:30 a.m.

The team's first scrimmage is set for Monday, Aug. 8, at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Fans should enter through gates 1 and 12 (south end of the stadium) and may sit on either the east or west side.

Concessions stands and restrooms will be open on both sides. The practice is set to begin at 5:30 p.m., with scrimmage action to start shortly thereafter.

August 5 - Meet the Sooners Day
The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department will conduct its annual Meet the Sooners Day for the OU football team on Friday, Aug. 5, on the practice fields immediately south of Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Entry into the event will be through Gate 7 at the northeast corner of the stadium and the line will form from south to north under the east grandstand. At 10:30 a.m., security personnel will lead fans into the autograph area through gate 12 near the Switzer Center.

Complete Information

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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