Archives: November 2008

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Sunday, November 30

After a raucous, 61-41 win against No. 11 Oklahoma State in Stillwater, the Sooners (11-1) await the latest BCS standings to determine their fate. Will the Big 12 Championship Game on December 6 against Missouri in Kansas City be OU's next destination or will it be a bowl game? The all-important rankings will be announced between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Central on FOX.

Recap: OU 61, OSU 41 | Blog | Stats | Notes | Quotes

Current BCS Standings & Polls (latest yet to be released)

• Dennis Dodd of CBS: "Oklahoma has the early advantage in its Sunday BCS showdown with Texas. It is a significant one. The Sooners moved past Texas in the Sagarin Rankings, one of six computers used to determine the BCS standings. Jeff Sagarin was the first of the computer masters to post their updated rankings..."

• From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "...the first piece of public evidence used in calculating the BCS standings is not encouraging for fans of the Texas Longhorns. Jeff Sagarin has jumped Oklahoma over Texas in his updated computer rankings, which he releases through USA Today. It is one of six sets of computer..."

• Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World: "Sam Bradford went airborne near the Oklahoma State goal line, over one Cowboy defender before being completely spun around a couple feet off the ground by another, because, he said, "I felt like our team needed a spark." The Oklahoma Sooners, protecting a 30-26 lead at the time..."

Local and National Headlines for Sooner Football

Saturday, November 29

The Sooner Nation will be riveted on its football team today as OU battles Oklahoma State in Stillwater at 7 p.m. ABC has the national telecast. Big 12 Conference, BCS and Heisman hopes are on the line for No. 3 Oklahoma against No. 11 OSU in the Bedlam Game. We'll be updating our gameday blog live from Stillwater. It doesn't get much bigger than this. Boomer Sooner!

Live Gameday Blog | Sooner Gameday Central | Game Notes

• Dennis Dodd of CBS: "How brutal is the Bedlam Series? Bob Stoops is 60-2 at home in his 10 seasons. One of those losses was to an Oklahoma State team that finished 4-7 in 2001. This Cowboys team is much better. The doubt here is OU being able to get up emotionally two weeks in a row with its season on the..."

• Mike Jones of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "He

asked him what was wrong. "He just said, 'Do you know how blessed we are?' We both were trashed right after our [off-season] knee surgeries. We never thought we'd be back where we were," Brown said this week. He told Murray how right he was..."

• From FOX Sports: "One of two things will happen. Oklahoma will prove it's a national title-caliber powerhouse by blowing through Stillwater with a 30-plus-point win and yet another nuclear offensive display, or the team will come in overconfident, Oklahoma State will be well prepared, and this will be an epic..."

Local and National Headlines for Sooner Football

Friday, November 28

Cooler weather descended on Oklahoma overnight and temperatures are expected to be in the low 40s at kickoff for Saturday night's game in Stillwater. Rain chances should taper off and the winds will be light. Sounds like great football weather to us.

Sooner Gameday Central | Notes | Depth | Quotes & Video

• Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman: "On his way out," Renner said of Thrailkill, "he told someone, I'm not sure who, to `keep playing Boomer Sooner and don't stop until we take the lead.' So we did. Nonstop. For most of the second half." Then came the Sooners' great rally. Eighteen points in the final 11 minutes to win 21-20..."

• Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World: ""Jermaine's been awesome," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "He's just a great guy in everything that we've asked him to do, a great worker, a great guy going to class. And then on the field, he's really grown and has taken a lot of pride in being a good blocker. Everyone's known about his..."

• Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News: "He greets everyone with an engaging smile and affable personality. McCoy's standout play on the field and leadership away from it are big reasons the Sooners haven't fallen apart in the face of adversity. McCoy, who has a tireless work ethic, won't allow it. "As far..."

Local and National Headlines for Sooner Football

Thursday, November 27

Happy Thanksgiving Sooner fans. We're preparing for the trip to Stillwater by providing you a look at every snap of the past five OU-OSU games (see below).

Sooner Gameday Central | Notes | Depth | Quotes & Video

Gerald McCoy gives a shout out to the fans for their intensity Saturday night and looks ahead to this week's Bedlam matchup in his latest video journal. And with the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, McCoy shares what he is most thankful for this year.

Gerald McCoy on Bedlam, Fans and Thanksgiving

Oklahoma owns a 79-16-7 advantage in the all-time series with Oklahoma State and has won the last five meetings between the in-state rivals. Recent history, however, has included a string of tight games in Stillwater. Review every snap of the past five games:

Oklahoma 49, Oklahoma State 17
November 24, 2007 | Norman, Okla. | Attendance: 85,238

Complete Game Video

Oklahoma 27, Oklahoma State 21
November 25, 2006 | Stillwater, Okla. | Attendance: 42,819

1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter

Wednesday, November 26

Coach Stoops held his weekly press conference on Tuesday afternoon. View quotes and video here. OU's offensive players and coaches met with the media Tuesday evening after practice:

RB DeMarco Murray | RB Chris Brown | RBs Coach Gundy

Congratulations to sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford and junior running back DeMarco Murray. The pair were named Academic All-Americans by ESPN the Magazine. Not only have the two excelled academically, but they have been two of the most prolific two-year players in Oklahoma history.

Tuesday, November 25

Sooners Featured on SI Cover
OU is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated for the ninth time during the Stoops' era after handing previously-undefeated Texas Tech a 65-21 loss on Saturday night. Here's a closer look. It's the first cover for Sam Bradford and Chris Brown.

Coach Stoops and OU's defensive players and coaches met with the media Monday night after practice in the Big Red Room:

Stoops | Venables | Keenan Clayton | Adrian Taylor | Austin Box

Coach Stoops presented Sooner fans with a game ball in his press conference following Oklahoma's 65-21 win against Texas Tech Saturday night. "I've got a game ball for the fans," said Stoops. "That's what you hope a stadium would be like." Bring your game ball home by downloading free wallpaper for your computer:

Game Ball Wallpaper
Fan Appreciation: November 22, 2008
800x600 | 1024x768 | 1280x800 | 1280x1024
Need Instructions? | More OU Wallpaper

Watch Coach Stoops live in his weekly press conference at 12:05 p.m. today. Stoops will also be live tonight at 7:05 in his weekly radio show Sooner Sports Talk with Coach Stoops. Find your Sooner Network radio affiliate or listen online via our webcast schedule.

Coach Stoops Weekly Press Conference, 12:05 (Free Video)

We receive plenty of emails from fans and we thought we'd pass along this one from Emilie Bartel: "I stayed around after the game on Saturday night to see the players and coaches thank the fans. As I was close to where the College Gameday crew was setting up, I saw a great show of respect and being a true gentleman.

"Jermaine Gresham helped one of (the) Texas Tech woman trainers off the field who couldn't get through the crowd. Along with that, he helped her push this large crate on wheels up the ramp for Texas Tech. He is a class act along with all the Sooner football team. Thank you for a wonderful and memorable game on Saturday night."

Listen to Coach Stoops on the Mike & Mike This Morning ESPN radio show. Stoops says Oklahoma is already over its big win on Saturday night over Texas Tech. Also, he shares his message for his team

this week and explains how he makes the case for the Sooners to play for the national title:

Listen to Coach Stoops on Mike & Mike This Morning

Finally, in keeping with the fan impact theme, be sure to place your vote online for Sam Bradford for the Heisman. The athlete with the most votes from college football fans will receive one official vote in the Heisman Trophy selection process (no registration required).

Vote Sam Bradford for the Heisman Trophy

Monday, November 24

Time for thanks but not much time for rest as the No. 3 Sooners travel to Stillwater to play Oklahoma State on Saturday night. Once again, ABC will televise the clash to the nation at 7 p.m. and ESPN's College Gameday will be on hand to highlight the Sooners.

Sooner Gameday Central: Oklahoma at Oklahoma State

Review OU-Tech Blog | Recap & Multimedia

• Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "It's close. But Oklahoma appears to have the edge over Texas in the BCS, even though the Longhorns stayed ahead of the Sooners in this week's standings. OU moved up two spots to No. 3, after a 65-21 victory over Texas Tech; Texas bumped up one spot to No. 2. The Sooners..."

• Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News: "Even if Brown and his players aren't addressing it, one of Texas' most persuasive arguments is the 45-35 win over Oklahoma in the neutral territory known as the Cotton Bowl. Not so, Palm said. "That would be fine if it's a two-way tie, but it's a three-way tie," Palm said..."

• Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World: "Active doesn't begin to describe the Saturday night that Oklahoma's Travis Lewis had. The weakside linebacker made a game-high 13 tackles to give him 118 for the season, just 15 shy of Brian Bosworth's single-season record for Sooner freshmen. He accounted for the game's first..."

Local and National Headlines for Sooner Football

Sunday, November 23

Oklahoma's resounding 65-21 win against then-No. 2 Texas Tech was witnessed by a record crowd in Norman and across the nation via ABC. The Sooners are No. 2 in the latest Coaches Poll, No. 3 in the Harris, No. 3 in the AP and No. 3 in the BCS.

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Highlights

If you weren't lucky enough to be at Owen Field Saturday night, view video for more perspective on Oklahoma's win:

SoonerVision Highlights | ESPN SportsCenter Highlights

Sooner Fans in a Frenzy | Stoops: Game Ball to the Fans

ABC Post-Game | Herbstreit & Musberger | ESPN Roadtrip

Sam Bradford | Chris Brown | DeMarco Murray | Austin Box

Gerald McCoy | Travis Lewis | OU Football Video Library

• Gil Lebreton of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "The empire struck back Saturday night. And struck. And struck. And struck. The Oklahoma Sooners, winners of more Big 12 Conference championships than anyone, are no strangers to well-hyped, late-season football contests with BCS implications. Head..."

• Matthew Zemek of FOX Sports: "In a nasty and evidently angry performance that unleashed a lot of pent-up frustration on the college football world, the Oklahoma Sooners -- owners of five conference titles this decade -- made a very loud statement to their doubters, while making the BCS race a whole lot more..."

• Mike Lopresti of USA Today: "Plenty of style points when you crush the No. 2 team in the nation, 65-21. Plenty of real ones on the scoreboard, too. As statement games go, this mashing of Texas Tech was as subtle as a tidal wave. From Sam Bradford needing only 19 passes to throw for 304 yards and four..."

Read Complete Local & National Media Reaction to Win

Saturday, November 22

After all the buildup and hoopla, Saturday is finally here. It's time for Oklahoma to host Texas Tech in a game heavy with conference, BCS and Heisman implications. SoonerSports.com will bring you all the action from Norman throughout the day. Boomer Sooner!

Live Blog | Football Video Library

Watch Complete 2003-2007 OU-Tech Games
Review every play of the past five games in the series between Oklahoma and Texas Tech...

Friday, November 21

We will continue to add content here throughout the weekend as Norman prepares to host one of the biggest Sooner games in years. For now, brush up on recent OU-Texas Tech history by watching every snap from the past five meetings (2003-07):

2003, '04, '05, '06, '07 OU-Texas Tech Video (Full Games)

Fans will begin streaming into Norman later today in

advance of Saturday night's showdown with Texas Tech at Owen Field. SoonerSports.com will cover all the action throughout the weekend.

Sooner Gameday Central | Live Blog | Football Video Library

OU Crew Preps Owen Field for Gameday
What does it take to get the field ready for the big game? Tory Kukowski takes us behind the scenes...

Friday Preparations for Big Game in Norman
ESPN's College Gameday set, ABC's cameras, SkyCam and the Outback Blimp converge on Norman.

Trev Alberts on the Battle in the Trenches
Greg Amsinger and Trev Alberts of CBS take a look at how the battle in the trenches will play out...

CBS Breaks Down OU-Texas Tech Game
CBS college football analysts discuss if the Red Raiders can stop Oklahoma's offense in this feature.

Be sure to register for a chance to win a panoramic image of Owen Field at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium autographed by Coach Stoops. The photo is on canvas and stretches 72 inches (6 feet!) wide by 24 inches (2 feet) tall.

Win Autographed Stadium Panoramic | OU Photo Store

Thursday, November 20

The buzz in Norman continues to rise as we move one day closer to Saturday. The Outback Steakhouse blimp was drifting overhead yesterday and will provide aerial views of the game. Technicians are installing SkyCam cables on the four light towers in each corner of the stadium. ESPN's College Gameday has the matchup online.

McCoy & Gresham: Perspectives on OU-Tech
Gerald McCoy and Jermaine Gresham discuss the OU-Texas Tech game after practice Wednesday.

Gresham & McCoy: Messages for Seniors
Gresham and McCoy provide special messages for the team's seniors who play final game at Owen Field.

Oklahoma students camped out on a cold Wednesday night for a shot at a few unclaimed OU-Tech tickets early Thursday morning at the ticket office. Check out interviews with those in line:

Students Sacrifice for Ticket to OU-Texas Tech Game

Meanwhile, OU's media relations office is busy trying to figure out where to house the overflow press contingent expected for the game. We've posted game notes from OU, Tech and the Big 12 Conference plus updated Oklahoma's depth chart. You can view complete quotes and video from Coach Stoops and the Sooners here.

Wednesday,
November 19

Football's offensive players met with the media last night after practice. View video courtesy Tory Kukowski and Luke Mildren:

Video Library

2008 Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech: "It's Time"
We whipped up a special video for the Tech game. Enjoy and rest your vocal chords for Saturday night.

Finally, be sure to register for a chance to win a panoramic image of Owen Field at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium autographed by Coach Stoops. The photo is on canvas and stretches 72 inches (6 feet!) wide by 24 inches (2 feet) tall.

Win Autographed Stadium Panoramic | OU Photo Store

Tuesday, November 18

OU's defensive players were available to the media last night after practice. The Sooners also hosted the team's annual Thanksgiving event at the Switzer Center. Let's go to the video:

Travis Lewis | Gerald McCoy | Quinton Carter | Jeremy Beal

Football Team Hosts Kids at Annual Thanksgiving Event

Watch Coach Stoops live in his weekly press conference at 12:05 p.m. today. Stoops will also be live tonight at 7:05 in his weekly radio show Sooner Sports Talk with Coach Stoops. Find your Sooner Network radio affiliate or listen online via our webcast schedule.

Coach Stoops Weekly Press Conference, 12:05 (Free Video)

This is your final day to bid on the ultimate fan experience to see the Sooners host Texas Tech. One lucky OU fan and a guest will have the opportunity to go down on the sidelines prior

to the Texas Tech game on Saturday, Nov. 22. | OU Athletics Auctions

Finally, be sure to register for a chance to win a panoramic image of Owen Field at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium autographed by Coach Stoops. The photo is on canvas and stretches 72 inches (6 feet!) wide by 24 inches (2 feet) tall.

Win Autographed Stadium Panoramic | OU Photo Store

Monday, November 17

No need to tell you how big this game is Saturday night in Norman (but I'm going to anyway). ABC is televising live to the nation, ESPN College GameDay is on site, the stadium has been sold out for some time and the atmosphere will build to a frenzied state by this weekend. Good luck focusing at school and work.

Sooner Gameday Central | College GameDay in Norman

Bid now on the ultimate fan experience to see the Sooners host Texas Tech. One lucky OU fan and a guest will have the opportunity to go down on the sidelines prior to the Texas Tech game on Saturday, Nov. 22. | OU Athletics Auctions

More interesting facts when considering QB Sam Bradford's stats this season: Bradford has missed 90 offensive snaps (that's more than a full game given the fact that Oklahoma averages 78.4 plays per game) and a total of 54:40 in possession time (significantly more than one game as averages 29:39 in possession time per game) after the Sooners built big leads. Twice he left the game before the fourth quarter began and two other times he missed at least 13:42.

Friday, November 14

We recently upgraded the Sooner award winners area of Oklahoma's history and tradition section at SoonerSports.com. Also new is a page detailing OU's BCS history with every week of standings. The page resembles our earlier work showing OU's complete history in the AP Poll since 1936.

Since the introduction of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 1998, Oklahoma has been ranked more weeks at No. 1, in the Top 5 and in the Top 10 than any other program in college football. No team has played in more BCS bowl games than the Sooners.

OU Football History & Tradition | OU Football Video Library

Interesting article from Gregg Doyel of CBS: "Texas Tech can be ranked No. 2 for the next 10 days, but to get to the BCS title game, the Red Raiders will have to beat Oklahoma on Nov. 22 in Norman. And that ain't happening. Oklahoma won't do to Texas Tech what Florida will do to Alabama, but my eyeballs tell me Oklahoma is the better team."

Thursday, November 13

OU's assistant football coaches hit the airwaves tonight in the latest installment of Coaches' Corner. Listen online or through your local Sooner radio affiliate beginning at 7:05 p.m. Central.

The OU Athletics Department has teamed up with Replay Photos for this unique gift idea. You can type in any name to appear on the back of a player's jersey in

a team huddle photo or you can have the band spell out the name on Owen Field. The photos are high-quality and extremely realistic. Check it out here.

Finally, we've just received the third OU football intro video from SoonerVision and posted it online. Remember, it's designed for play on the video board so the size is not optimal for online viewing:

2008 OU Football Intro Video No. 3 | OU Football Video Library

Wednesday, November 12

Coach Stoops met with the media on Tuesday during the bye week to review the win at A&M and look ahead to the November 22 game vs. Texas Tech. View a transcript of Stoops' comments here.

Watch Complete Press Conference | OU Football Video Library

We also posted the OU-Texas A&M full game video this morning provided by SoonerVision. An All-Access subscription is required to view live games and full game archives at SoonerSports.com.

Texas A&M Full Game Video (All-Access Subscription)

Tuesday, November 11

Some interesting facts about quarterback Sam Bradford:
• No. 1 nationally with 38 touchdown passes despite ranking No. 15 in pass attempts.
• No. 2 nationally in passing yards despite throwing 133 fewer passes than the national leader.
• No. 2 nationally (No. 1 in FBS) in passing efficiency.
• Ranks No. 4 nationally in total offense despite playing on a team that also averages 42.4 rushing plays and 194.3 rushing yards per game.
• Has thrown five touchdowns in four games this season.

Watch Coach Stoops live in his weekly press conference at 12:05 p.m. today. Stoops will also be live tonight at 7:05 in his weekly radio show Sooner Sports Talk with Coach Stoops. Find your Sooner Network radio affiliate or listen online via our webcast schedule.

Coach Stoops Weekly Press Conference (Free Video)

Bid now on the ultimate fan experience to see the Sooners host Texas Tech. One lucky OU fan and a guest will have the opportunity to go down on the sidelines prior to the Texas Tech game on Saturday, Nov. 22. | OU Athletics Auctions

Monday, November 10

It's a rainy Monday in Norman and a chance for Sooner fans to catch their breath as OU enjoys a bye on Saturday. Anticipation will build for two weeks as Oklahoma prepares to host Texas Tech with national title implications on the line. When was the last time OU has hosted this big of a home game? 2000 Nebraska?

We have word this morning that ABC will televise the game in a national broadcast at 7 p.m. on November 22. | Gameday Central

OU was ranked No. 5 in the latest BCS standings. Although not part of the BCS, the AP poll was of note for the Sooners. Sunday's edition marked the 500th week ranked in the Top 10 for Oklahoma since the service began in 1936. No team in college football has been ranked more times at No. 1, in the Top 5 or Top 10 of the media poll.

OU in Latest BCS Standings | OU in the AP Poll | OU Tradition

Sunday, November 9

View reaction to Oklahoma's 66-28 win at College Station from OU beat writers, Texas A&M newspapers and national media.

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Video

Friday, November 7

View blog live during Saturday's game: view our commentary on the TV broadcast, observations from the field, notes from the media relations staff in the press box plus fan emails and reaction during the game.

Bid now on the ultimate fan experience to see the Sooners host Texas Tech. One lucky OU fan and a guest will have the opportunity to go down on the sidelines prior to the Texas Tech game on Saturday, Nov. 22. | OU Athletics Auctions

Thursday, November 6

Interesting read from Dennis Dodd of CBS this morning: "I'm a little biased. After sitting in on a film session with Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel earlier this season, I can appreciate Boomer Bytes

OU's assistant football coaches hit the airwaves tonight in the latest installment of Coaches' Corner. Listen online or through your local Sooner radio affiliate beginning at 7:05 p.m. Central.

2007 OU vs. Texas A&M Highlights
Jermaine Gresham matched a school record by catching four of Sam Bradford's five touchdown...

Wednesday, November 5

Several online auctions at SoonerSports.com are nearing their final day: four vintage football helmets, a helmet signed by Billy Sims and a Switzer Center mural poster signed by the King himself.

2000 OU at Texas A&M Highlights
Top-ranked Oklahoma rallied for 22 fourth-quarter points to silence the largest crowd ever to see...

Tuesday, November 4

ABC released its regional coverage map for the OU-Texas A&M game. The game will be carried by affiliates throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Colorado plus the majority of Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Nebraska and, for some reason, Montana...

ABC Regional Coverage Map (PDF)
View which ABC stations will carry the OU-Texas A&M game at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday...

Coach Stoops and select players met with the media on Tuesday afternoon during OU's weekly press conference: Quotes

Coach Stoops | Quentin Chaney | Alan Davis

Defensive players and coaches met with the media following practice Monday evening. We taped interviews with Nic Harris, Quinton Carter and defensive coordinator Brent Venables:

Nic Harris | Quinton Carter | Brent Venables | Video Library

Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman met with the media

on Monday and we have complete press conference quotes here. Remember to check Sooner Gameday Central for the latest.

We'll also tape interviews with offensive players this evening after practice as the Sooners prepare for Texas A&M.

Monday, November 3

Oklahoma travels to College Station to play the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ABC will televise the game. We'll have video interviews with defensive players following today's practice.

McBride Scouting Report | Sooner Gameday Central

You can also watch highlights and Coach Stoops' press conference following the 62-28 win against Nebraska from Saturday:

Highlights of Oklahoma's 62-28 Win Against Nebraska

Postgame Press Conference: Stoops Reviews Nebraska Game

Sunday, November 2

Oklahoma wasted no time in mincing Nebraska, 62-28, on Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd at Memorial Stadium in Norman. The evening was book ended for the fans by an explosive first quarter for the Sooners and a dramatic comeback for Texas Tech, which many of the OU fans exiting the stadium clustered around TVs to watch. Oklahoma is back in the thick of things. More...

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