Notebook: May, 2011

Tuesday, May 31

Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "It's rare for an individual defensive player to demoralize an opposing offense. But on Sept. 1, 2001, that's essentially what happened. Play after play, like a missile fired out of the secondary, Oklahoma's Brandon Everage hammered Air Force's triple-option pitch back in one of the most..."

Everage a Devastating Hitter for Sooners - The Oklahoman

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Sooners Suffer Another Tragedy - Yahoo Sports

Sooner Softball, Baseball Honor Austin Box - Tulsa World

Stoops' Name Comes Up for Ohio State - Sporting News

How Much Improvement Can Texas Make? - FS Southwest

Stoops, Patterson Among Candidates - Dallas Morning News

Sittler: Austin Box Was More Than Number - Tulsa World

Friday, May 27

Sam Bradford, Rams Provide Smiles - Joplin Globe

Who Remembers the '83 OU-Ohio State Game? - Tulsa World

OU-Ohio State One of Top "Should be" Rivalries - ESPN

"Driven" McCoy Organizes Bucs' Workouts - Pewter Report

Thursday, May 26

From Yahoo Sports: "After getting a good look at Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford during a 2008 season in which he put up numbers most non-spread quarterbacks would find inconceivable and watching him recover from two 2009 shoulder injuries, I opined that if he stayed healthy and his work ethic matched..."

Bradford Running Workouts Like NFL Great - Yahoo Sports

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

With Lockout, Bradford Proving Leadership - Tulsa World

Why Alabama, Not OU Should be No. 1 - Sports Illustrated

Wilson Has High Hopes for Hoosiers - Yahoo Sports

Sam Bradford as Quality Control Coach - ESPN

Tuesday, May 24

From Yahoo Sports: "The Sooners won the BCS title with four wins over top-10 teams in 2000, and were back in the championship game in 2003, 2004 and 2008. As far as getting there, they've owned the Big 12, with four of the last five and seven of the last 11 conference championships. Jones gets back not only..."

OU Loads Up for Latest Shot at Championship - Yahoo Sports

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Bradford Runs the Show for Rams - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Big 12's Top Returning Touchdown Makers - ESPN

Big 12 Conference to Keep Name With 10 Teams - Big 12

Fans Speak Out on Big 12 Conference Expansion - ESPN

Monday, May 23

Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "McCoy, who recently returned from a humanitarian mission in Uganda and Rwanda with Pros for Africa, made a surprise visit Friday to Southeast High School, his alma mater, where during a school assembly he donated four bass drums and new uniforms for the band. McCoy, a member of the..."

Gerald McCoy: "Youth is My Passion" - The Oklahoman

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Sooners Rank Among Top Offensive Trios - Yahoo Sports

Oklahoma in Great Shape at Quarterback - FS Southwest

Big 12's Top Potential Running Back Duos - The Oklahoman

Broyles, Stills Among Big 12's Best Receivers - ESPN

Gerald McCoy Donates to Southeast High - The Oklahoman

Video: Sooners Found Answers in Secondary in Spring - ESPN

Friday, May 20

The OU Athletics Department encourages fans to leave their condolences for the Box family on OU's official Facebook page. Please post comments, memories and words of sympathy here.

Thursday, May 19

From ESPN: "The past two seasons, this has been one of the best pass-catch combos in college football. Broyles has 220 catches for 2,742 yards in the past two seasons, despite missing two games and nearly all of two others in 2009 with a fractured shoulder blade. In 2010, Jones made big strides as a passer, finding..."

Who's In, Who's Out and Who's Coming at OU - ESPN

Archie Manning High on Sam Bradford - Tulsa World

Wednesday, May 18

From ESPN: "A group of former Oklahoma players founded the group, "Pros for Africa" and colleague Bruce Feldman profiled the group, which provides water, food, medicine, schools and other humanitarian needs to the war torn continent, specifically Northern Uganda. The non-profit organization is based in Oklahoma City..."

Feldman: Former Sooners Impacting Africa - ESPN

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Thomas Inducted Into College Hall - Norman Transcript

Analyzing Oklahoma's 2011 Football Schedule - ESPN

Chat Recap: OU Football Beat Writer Trotter - The Oklahoman

Bradford Optimistic OU Can Win Title - USA Today

Comparing Big 12's TV Deal With Pac 12, Etc. - Yahoo Sports

Hall of Fame Inductee: OU's Clendon Thomas - ESPN

College Hall of Fame Adds Two Oklahomans - Tulsa World

Tramel: Congratulations Clendon Thomas - The Oklahoman

Monday, May 16

Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman interviewed Sam Bradford: "What do you think of the Sooners going into next season? "I think they've got a shot to be great. If you look at all the guys that have experience, experience playing in big games, they didn't lose a lot from last year. I think they've got a shot to be a legitimate national..."

Bradford: OU Has Shot at National Title - The Oklahoman

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

LSU, Alabama Challenging Oklahoma for No. 1 - Tulsa World

What's the Big 12's Biggest Must-See Game? - ESPN

Sam Bradford's Heisman Statue Unveiled - Tulsa World

Murray: "I'm Not Injury Prone" - Dallas Morning News

OU Unveils Statue, Raises Money for Dorms - The Oklahoman

Clendon Thomas Voted Into Hall of Fame - Tulsa World

Bradford Latest to be Immortalized in Bronze - NBC Sports

Coach Stoops Takes Stage at Sooner Spectacular

Go Inside Saturday Night's Sooner Spectacular in OKC

Joe Castiglione on Impact of New Sooner Housing Center

Coach Stoops With the Media in Oklahoma City

Archie Manning Announces Induction of Clendon Thomas

Sooner Great Thomas in College Football Hall of Fame

Friday, May 13

Podcast: Should Oklahoma be No. 1? - CBS Sports

Lewis Leader for Big 12 Defensive Player of Year - ESPN

Video: Breaking Down the Big 12 Teams - Fox Sports

Broyles, Jones Among Big 12 Offensive Standouts - ESPN

Thursday, May 12

From the Sporting News: "I don't think there is any question," Stoops said earlier this spring, "that we have more players ready to play this year than maybe at any other time." They'll need it. Not only do the Sooners have the Big 12's toughest nonconference schedule (what's new?), they also could begin the season..."

What's New? OU Boasts Toughest Schedule - Sporting News

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Anyone Ready for Sooners vs. Seminoles? - Tulsa World

Which Big 12 Player is Toughest to Replace? - ESPN

Wednesday, May 11

The Sept. 17 Oklahoma at Florida State game will be a night game and will air either on ESPN or ABC nationally. The networks made the announcement today. Kickoff will take place at either 7:30 or 8 p.m. The final determination for the actual starting time and network will be made Sept. 6. The Sooners will open the season Sept. 3 in a home game against Tulsa and will then be idle on Sept. 10 before the game at Tallahassee, Fla. Oklahoma's players are completing finals this week. They report back for fall drills on Aug. 3.

2011 Oklahoma Football Schedule | Printable | Past Results

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Video: Coach Stoops on 2011 Football Season - Fox Sports

Questions About Oklahoma as Title Favorites - Yahoo Sports

Trotter: How OU's Draft Picks Fit In - The Oklahoman

How Do You Defend OU's Diamond Formation? - ESPN

Murray Competes for Share of RB Work - Dallas Cowboys

Barnhart: FSU in National Title Discussion? - CBS Sports

Tuesday, May 10

From CBS Sports: "Running back Brandon Williams is a talented running back out of the state of Texas who is expected to play right away with DeMarco Murray gone and the offense needing another player in their "diamond" formation with three running backs. Dodd notes that the class of 2010 has turned out very well..."

2010 Class Has Turned Out Well for OU - CBS Sports

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Analyzing OU's 36-Game Home Winning Streak - Tulsa World

Tramel: OU's Strange Thanksgiving Foe - The Oklahoman

2012 Mock Draft: Landry Jones, Lewis - Sports Illustrated

Monday, May 9

From CBS Sports: "It seems like Oklahoma is always No. 1 at something. It has won more Big 12 titles than any school by a large margin -- seven of the 15 in the conference's existence. No program has been No. 1 in the BCS more times (20). The Sooners led the country averaging 87 plays per game in 2010. The nation's..."

Dodd: Seems OU Always No. 1 at Something - CBS Sports

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Trotter: Analyzing OU's 2011 Schedule - The Oklahoman

Let the Landry Jones Debate Begin - Yahoo Sports

Sittler: Criticism of Heisman Park Unwarranted - Tulsa World

Sooner Family Loses All-American Crouch - NBC Sports

OU Has Components to Break Plays Record - The Oklahoman

"Rust" Fears Led OU to Fill Bye Before Bedlam - Tulsa World

Murray Start at RB for Dallas Next Season? - The Oklahoman

Illness Claims Former Sooner Standout Crouch - Tulsa World

Former OU All-American Crouch Dies - The Oklahoman

Friday, May 6

Using the 45-degree satellite function of Google Maps, fans can check out the city of Norman including all of OU's facilities from the air. The pass appears to have taken place in 2009 considering construction is evident on the football facilities under the south end zone. Coach Stoops is clear in the middle of team stretch:

Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated: "...the scary thing we learned this spring is that even some of the returning non-starters are pretty darn good. Bob Stoops at one point called sophomore linebacker Corey Nelson the best player on OU's defense, which is interesting considering Nelson began spring as the backup to ..."

Mandel: Oklahoma is Indeed Loaded - Sports Illustrated

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Sooner Nation Counting on Heupel - Sports Illustrated

Even With Change, Big 12 Stays Powerful - ESPN

Sittler: Stoops Get Wish With OU Schedule - Tulsa World

Oklahoma Spring Football Wrap - ESPN

Schedule Includes Thanksgiving Weekend - Norman Transcript

RB Brandon Williams Could Shine in 2011 - Fox Sports

Murray Could Be Starting for Dallas Sooner - Sporting News

Sooners Set Schedule, Thanksgiving Weekend - Tulsa World

OU Releases 2011 Football Schedule - The Oklahoman

Sooners Finalize 2011 Schedule - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Could be End of NFL Line for Clint Ingram - Tulsa World

If Healthy, DeMarco Murray Could be a Steal - NBC DFW

Is Landry Jones a Top-15 Draft Pick? - The Oklahoman

McShay Projects Jones, Lewis in First Round - ESPN

Thursday, May 5

Oklahoma announced its 2011 football schedule on Thursday. The 12-game slate features six home games. Due to the adjustment to the Big 12 schedule and ongoing discussions with television partners, the release of the schedule has been delayed by several months.

Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "OU is able to recruit to a lot of things. Tradition. The chance to win a national title. A track record of getting players to the pros. A stable coaching staff. Before long, OU will be able to recruit to its living quarters, too. Two months ago, OU countered, approving designs for a new $75 million dormitory..."

New Housing Center Should Help Recruiting - The Oklahoman

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Post-Spring Top 25: Oklahoma Still No. 1 - ESPN

Justice Department: Why No Playoff? - Associated Press

Aiming to Beat OU? Better Put Up a Ton of Points - ESPN

OU on Schedule Bad News for Jayhawks - The Daily Kansan

Looking Ahead and Behind at Big 12 in the NFL Draft - ESPN

Wednesday, May 4

From ESPN: "Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma: Lewis tops the list based on his history. In three years, he has 360 tackles for the Sooners, and has topped 100 in all three seasons. He's got a hungry youngster in Corey Nelson nipping at his heels, but he's one of the defense's leaders. There's no reason to think he won't have..."

OU's Travis Lewis Leads Big 12 Tacklers in 2011 - ESPN

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Murray: How I Can Help Cowboys - Dallas Morning News

Did the Pac-12 Upstage the Big 12's TV Deal? - ESPN

Broncos Go Safe at Safety With Carter - Denver Daily News

Bucs' Picks Bring Gerald McCoy Joy - Tampa Tribune

Spring Practice's No. 1 Breakout Player? Nelson - ESPN

Tuesday, May 3

Jon Berger of ESPNU interviewed Coach Stoops and the segment will air on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Central.

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

OU Could Have Another Special Draft in '12 - The Oklahoman

How Did Oklahoma Win It All in 2000? - Tulsa World

Murray: A Dream to Play for Cowboys - Dallas Morning News

Carter Welcomes Chance With Broncos - Las Vegas Review

Broncos Happy to Get Carter in Fourth - Denver Post

A Closer Look at DeMarco Murray - DallasCowboys.com

Undrafted Big 12 Players Picked Up by UFL - ESPN

Big 12 Coordinators Who Need Big Seasons - Fox Sports

Big 12 Network Reduce Non-Saturday Games? - Tulsa World

SOONER FANS IN UNITED KINGDOM
The Sooners welcomed a Twitter mention and link from the United Kingdom on Tuesday. The site ukamericansportsfans.com made our Sooner Football Notebook its featured blog on its front page. From the site: "Today's guest blog is the Oklahoma Sooners Football Notebook. The Sooners are the team of Crawley (Sussex) born Linebacker Tom Wort." Welcome and Boomer Sooner!

Monday, May 2

For complete coverage of the four Sooners selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, please visit OU NFL Draft Central.

Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "Back in August, Barry Switzer took in one of Oklahoma's two-a-day practices alongside Bob Stoops. Together, they began eyeballing quarterback Landry Jones. "He's sitting there for about a half-hour and says, `Bob, this guy is going to be a first-round draft pick,'" Stoops recalled Fiesta..."

Jones Stacks Up Against NFL First-Rounders - The Oklahoman

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Emig: Remembering a Quote from Coach Stoops - Tulsa World

How Schools, Conference Stacked Up in NFL Draft - AP

Oklahoma Players Selected in NFL Draft - The OU Daily

Wrapping Up the Draft for the Big 12 Conference - ESPN

Looking Ahead: Top 32 for 2012 NFL Draft - CBS Sports

Toughest Team on OSU's Schedule? OU - The Oklahoman

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