Completed Event: Football versus Illinois State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 3
Final
Football
35
vs Illinois State
3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Stoops Likes First Scrimmage
August 11, 2007 | Football
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma completed its first
major scrimmage of the 2007 season Saturday before
an estimated 7,000 fans in Gaylord Family - Oklahoma
Memorial Stadium. OU
head coach Bob Stoops termed the workout, which took
place in temperatures in the high 90's, a success.
"It was good overall," he said. "Defensively we're just so much more stable in the secondary. You have the potential there for giving up plays or making plays. Defensively, we were solid.
"On offense, I was pleased for the most part. Our defense sees that offense every day so the offense is at a significant disadvantage."
The Sooner offense punched in three touchdowns during the day. The first came on a three-yard pass from Keith Nichol to Manuel Johnson. It capped a six- play, 45-yard drive that included a 19-yard toss from Nichol to Juaquin Iglesias and a pair of pass interference penalties.
Later, Joey Halzle hooked up with Malcolm Kelly on a 20-yard touchdown pass. The drive, the longest of the day, included 13 plays and covered 65 yards.
The final score came on a 53-yard run by Jacob Gutierrez.
The three quarterbacks vying for the starting job, Halzle, Nichol and Sam Bradford, had nearly even distribution of playing time in the scrimmage, which included 19 offensive possessions and 89 plays. Halzle hit on 12-of-21 passes for 85 yards, Nichol was 8-of-16 for 51 yards and Bradford was 11-of-18 for 83 yards with one interception.
"It's obvious that our quarterbacks can make all the throws," Stoops said. "They did a really nice job. I didn't see any forced decisions. The drives that stalled didn't stop because of their play. The players around them have to make plays."
Stoops also said that he has not established a timeline for choosing a starter.
The defense was dominant for much of the day, especially in getting pressure on the quarterback.Five sacks were credited, including three to defensive end Alan Davis.
"Our pass rush has a chance to be better than it was last year," Stoops said. "I'm not saying it is yet, but it has a chance to be."
Stoops also lauded the play of D.J. Wolfe, whose
move to safety has been positive. "For the last
week, D.J. Wolfe has played as well as any safety we
have had in practice," Stoops
said.
Oklahoma goes back into normal practice sessions
on Monday. The next scrimmage is set for Aug.
18.
Visit 2007
OU Football Preseason Central for complete official
coverage of Oklahoma's preseason preparations.
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SCRIMMAGE NOTES
• Notables that did not play due to injury included OT
Branndon Braxton, CB Reggie Smith and RB Allen Patrick. Patrick
is out with a sprained ankle. Stoops said Braxton
and Smith have minor ailments and should be back soon.
• Of the young players, Stoops said DT Donald
Stephenson, QB Keith Nichol, WT Corey Wilson and LB
Austin Box have been impressive in early practices.
• The OU head coach cited the improved play of
P Mike Knall, who last year served as the punter in
short field situations. Knall is pressing Michael
Cohen for the starting job.
• Stoops said K Garrett Hartley has still been
putting some kickoffs as much as five yards deep in
the end zone despite the new kickoff location of the
30-yardline.
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TICKETS GOING FAST
The OU Athletics Ticket Office announced
that tickets for Oklahoma's season opener against North
Texas on September 1 are sold out. A limited number
of single-game tickets remain for the Utah State and
Baylor games.
Tickets can be purchased
online at SoonerSports.com, on the phone at 1-800-456-GoOU
(4668) or in person at the ticket windows located in
the Asp Avenue Parking Facility immediately west of
the stadium.
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SCORING
Manuel Johnson 3-yard pass from Keith Nichol
Malcolm
Kelly 20-yard pass from Joey Halzle
Jacob Gutierrez
53-yard run
RUSHING
Gutierrez - 7-68
Madu - 10-18
Murray - 6-25
Brown - 2-7
Tennell - 2-1
Gove - 2-0
Caleb - 1-(-2)
PASSING
Bradford -- 11-18-83, 1 INT
Nichol -- 8-16-51, 1
TD
Halzle -- 12-21-85, 1 TD
RECEIVING
Tennell -- 5-46
Iglesias -- 5-38
Finley -- 3-10
Kelly -- 2-27, TD (20 yards from Halzle)
Brown --
2-18
Gresham -- 2-13
M. Johnson -- 2-12, TD (3 yards from
Nichol)
Madu
-- 2-12
Gove -- 2-5
Gutierrez -- 2-3
Broyles 1-19
Wilson -- 1-15
Caleb -- 1-2
Murray -- 1-(-1)
DEFENSE
Holmes - 9, 1 PBU
Harris - 8
Box - 7
Reynolds - 6
Crow - 6
Reed - 5, 1 sack
Carter - 5
Jackson - 4, 1 PBU
Franks - 4
Lofton - 4, 1 FR
Beal - 4
Baker - 3
Clayton - 3
Walker - 3, 1 26-yard INT
return
Lamont Robinson - 3
Jonathan Nelson - 2
Wolfe - 2
Bowers - 2
English - 2
D. Jackson - 1
C. Carter - 1
Pleasant - 1
Alexander - 1
Davis - 1, 3 sacks
Williams - 1 sack
Sooner Sports Talk - 9/8/25
Monday, September 08
Sooner Football With Brent Venables - 9/7/25
Sunday, September 07
FB Highlights: OU 24, Michigan 13
Saturday, September 06
Brent Venables Postgame vs Michigan
Saturday, September 06
