Untitled Article

April 11, 2013 | Spring Football Central | Football Notebook | Roster | Twitter

Mutual Excitement

Thursday afternoon's practice on Owen Field marked Oklahoma's final workout before Saturday's Spring Football Game at 2 p.m. As excited as the Sooner Nation is about getting its first glimpse at the team, the Sooners are just as thrilled for the opportunity to show fans what they've been working on all spring.

"I'm very excited to get out here and show the fans what we can do, bounce back from that loss against A&M and show people that we're a better team than we were last year," defensive lineman Rashod Favors said. "(We'll) put on a show."

While the pregame Big Boomer Barbecue at Noon will provide fans with plenty of flavor, the Sooners are hoping to put on a performance that leaves a good taste for what's to come this fall.

"I'm so excited to get some snaps with these guys, hopefully a bunch of snaps with the A-group going in there," center Ty Darlington said. "We're just focused one executing, no stupid penalties, missed assignments or turnovers. We want to make it clean and show the fans what we've been working on and improving on this off-season."

While the quarterback battle has been a hot topic of conversation this spring, fans will get to view position battles all over the field, something that's served the Sooners well this spring.

"It's been good," wide receiver Lacoltan Bester said. "A lot of guys are competing hard. Everybody is working and fighting for their positions. We have a lot of positions open where nobody knows who is going to fill that position. Everybody is fighting hard so it's made for a good spring for everybody."

Stoops on Early Enrollees, D-Line

Head coach Bob Stoops has seen plenty that he's liked on the field this spring, particularly from a pair of early enrollees, wide receiver Dannon Cavil and safety Ahmad Thomas.

"Dannon just shows a lot of strength and size and he catches the ball well," said Stoops. "He's a big guy. Dannon's 6'3" to probably 6'4", 215, strong for a young guy. Same with Ahmad Thomas. He's a big guy-6'1" or 6'2", already 200, 205 and very natural. I always say with safeties and linebackers, 'You shouldn't have to say much for them.' They are just instinctive in finding the ball and where to be, and Ahmad has shown a lot of that, making a lot of plays."

One of the many areas that fans will be watching closely on Saturday will be the defensive line. With a number of players in new positions and other inexperienced performers seeking a spot in the lineup, this weekend's intrasquad contest will provide an opportunity for numerous individuals to make an impression from the trenches.

"They're getting better, making improvement," Stoops said of the defensive front. "Some of those guys have to keep coming on. Jordan Wade is making some plays here lately, is really coming on. Jordan Phillips just has to be more consistent but shows a lot of ability. Chuka Ndulue is really doing well in there. The ends are doing a good job. Charles Tapper is coming around. Geneo Grissom's doing well.

"They have to keep getting better, but there is a lot of potential there. Rashod Favors is doing a good job in there at defensive tackle. Really powerful. He's one of the strongest guys on the team and has leverage, so he's worked out well there."

Banana Seat at Big Boomer BBQ

Make sure to get to campus early on Saturday to check out Banana Seat, who will be performing live from the Big Boomer Barbeque beginning at 11 a.m. According to Grant Wells, who keyboards in the band, get ready for an eclectic set list that will include something for just about any Sooner fan, no matter your musical taste.

"We like to do a lot of '70s, '80s and '90s pop and now we're adding some current stuff to it," he said." So, basically anything you can dance to, anything you can have fun to, we try to play that."

Banana Seat will be playing before the OU Spring Game for a second consecutive year. While that may be a ton of pressure for many acts, remember, this is a group that once opened for Australian '80s icons, Men at Work.

"We did this last year and it was a lot of fun," Wells indicated. "People are out there to have fun and watch the game and have a good time and we were there to make it that much better. If you can dance and hang out, that's what we're looking for."

A versatile group, they once performed in a barn at the Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City and have added some members from another group called MixTape, adding a few country tunes to their repertoire. While most of the group will be sporting OU colors, don't be surprised to see a little purple worked into the set list.

"In the past month or so we've added about 15 new tunes," Wells concluded. "We have a couple new Prince songs and those are a lot of fun. We can play Prince wearing crimson, so don't be shocked to hear some Purple Rain at the end."

Hair-Raising Sooners

The departure of Kenny Stills from the Sooners' roster has certainly left a void. While there are plenty of talented receivers to take over that role, replacing Stills' signature Mohawk hairstyle may be more challenging.

Enter sophomore Nila Kasitati, who is currently sporting a coiffure that may meet the challenge. We recently asked several Sooners to give an accurate description of the look that the Sooners' new "mane man" is displaying and has been frequently been likened to a real live Chia Pet protruding from the cranium of number 54.

"It's so unique and different," said Corey Nelson. "The texture of it is really unbelievable. It's so fluffy. It's like a pillow mixed with cotton and a mattress. I like to call it Afro-Thunder."

"I'd name it Afro-Disiac," quipped Aaron Colvin. "His hair is almost perfect. He's got the nice curls in those locks - beautiful color, beautiful texture. It's hands-down the best hair on the team."

While impressive, Colvin does point out that even Kasitati's bird nest isn't as big as the look that 1978 Heisman winner brought to OU's Harlem Shake video.

"Billy's hair was about twice the size of Nila's," Colvin howled.

Of course, Trey Millard knows a thing or two about hair, himself. Routinely spotted in self-proclaimed 'calm dreads,' Millard concedes that Kasati's look is better than any beehive or fade.

"He's got a lot of versatility," Millard explained. "There's a lot more you can do with his hair. He can put mini Mohawks and ponytails in that mane. Other times he can straighten it out."

Other monikers suggested for Kasitati's headpiece have included "The Tongan Teepee." Gabe Ikard offered this perspective. "I'd just say that it's more of a 'native afro' than anything," OU's center offered. "He keeps it very cultural. It's a good look for him. He'll probably chop it off eventually once he sees his mom. She usually makes him cut. I think he's enjoying it until he sees her and then it will be gone."

While very popular in the locker room at the Switzer Center, apparently Kasitati's hairstyle hasn't drawn rave reviews from his mother.

"When I started growing it, my mom wasn't for it," Kasitati shrugged. "She always wanted me to cut it, and honestly, that was really the only reason that I cut my hair. For the average person, it would take a while to grow something like this. But for me it doesn't take that long. I could cut my hair today and tomorrow it would be back."

Perhaps he was just being coy, but Kasitati claims there is no magic involved in creating his unique look, just good genetics.

"There's really no technique," he admitted. "I come out of the shower, shake it dry and put on a headband. I promise you, I get asked all the time if there is a special product I use. Sometimes I do fluff it a little in the morning and then I'm out the door. I do use shampoo, just whatever shampoo is available, no special products - it's just the Tongan in me. But this will all fit in a helmet, I assure you. If Billy Sims can do it, I can do it."

While on the topic of follicles in the OU locker room, the question of the team's best facial hair was also raised.

"Gabe (Ikard) rolls out a pretty ferocious beard every once in a while," said Austin Woods. "Bronson Irwin and that 'chin-thing,' I don't know what you call that. It gets a little wild and talks to you sometimes. It's almost like a squirrel tail growing out of his chin, not the full squirrel mind you, just the tail."

Certainly Charles Tapper, Ikard and Irwin all merited consideration, but the final tally showed that J.P. Hughes is recognized for the best beard on the squad.

"I get compared frequently to Sabrertooth from comic book fame," Hughes deadpanned. "If I had to classify my beard, I'd put in in the prehistoric category."

THURSDAY'S PRACTICE
The Sooners practiced Thursday for the final time before Saturday's Spring Game. Here's the latest:

Photo Gallery (49 photos)
Video

Spring Practice Report No. 13
Video

The Best of Spring Mic'd Up

INSTAGRAM P.O.T.D.
Coach Stoops walked around with our special guest Maverick prior to today's practice to introduce him to the Sooners. Check us out on Instagram at @ou_football:

SPRING GAME SCORING
The offense and defense will go head-to-head in the OU Spring Game. Click the graphic below to find out how the game will be scored. Feel free to print it off and bring it with you:

**Regarding QBs and kickers: If a QB or K is wearing a white jersey, any points their squad scores while on the field will go to the white team. If they're wearing a crimson jersey, those points will go to the crimson team.

SATURDAY'S SCENE
Start your Saturday with a trip to McCasland Field House for the OU Spring Merchandise Sale, beginning at 8 a.m. The OU Bookstore and other OU fan shops will be selling officially-licensed merchandise at discounted prices. The OU Equipment Room will also sell a variety of jerseys and equipment. Also available will be some unique OU furniture from the stadium suites that will include barstools, fabric chairs and wooden chairs.

At 10 a.m., a number of free activities and events for the entire family will be available, including amusement rides such as Pirate's Revenge, Elephants, Apples, Hurricane and Castlemania. Gates for the Big Boomer Barbeque will also open at 10 a.m. with food service beginning at noon.

The OU Spring Game kicks off at 2 p.m, followed by a free 45-minute autograph session. The autograph session on Owen Field will be available only to those fans who attend the game.

ONLY ONE GEAR ON SALE
You chose it. Now you can wear it. The official There's Only One Oklahoma fan t-shirt and hat are now available for purchase at our Official Online Store.

Only One Shirt Home Page
Buy the Shirt: Crimson | White
Buy the Hat: Crimson | White

MADDEN COVER VOTE
Former Sooner running back and reigning NFL MVP Adrian Peterson is currently in the running to become the next cover athlete for the 25th anniversary of EA Sports' Madden video game, determined by fan vote. Peterson is matched up with Houston's Arian Foster in the semifinals:

Vote for RB Adrian Peterson

SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay in tune and go behind-the-scenes with Oklahoma football via our primary social media platforms on Twitter and Instagram:

Twitter: @OU_Football
Instagram: @OU_Football

SPRING CENTRAL
Track all of our spring football content from analysis to video and photos in Spring Football Central, as well as a practice schedule:

Spring Central | Schedule

QUOTABLE

Coach Bob Stoops
"(The quarterbacks) are very similar in frequency and how they are playing. We are really pleased with how these guys are working and progressing. I don't see them doing anything different than what I've seen from about any quarterback who just hasn't been starting for a year or two."

RS-Jr. LB Aaron Franklin
"We will be trying to prove to everybody what we can do as a linebacking corps. We
want to show people that we can play and that our defense is good and that we are not going to be dependent on just offense. We are going to have a good defense. I know everybody thinks that we are going to be down because we lost eight seniors last year, but we are going to try and prove to people that we can actually play defense."

RS-Jr. DT Torrea Peterson
"Whenever football season ends, it feels like it's
been years since it has ended. Whenever you get a chance to get out on the field and
see fans again and get that excitement again, it's always good."

So. C Ty Darlington
"I think we've made so much improvement. From day one to now, I think we've gotten a lot more in sync with Coach Bedenbaugh and what he's trying to do with the offensive line. As individuals, on tape you can see us getting better. We're still a long way from where we need to be, but I think we're definitely improving. We'll only be better when we get more reps and get some of these hurt guys back."

So. LB Eric Striker
"It's been awhile. We're ready to come out here for the fans, have a good time and show them our bounce back from last season. It's going to be fun and exciting (for us), but mroe exciting for the fans so I'm happy about that."

Players Mentioned

Lacoltan Bester

Aaron Colvin

Ty Darlington

Rashod Favors

Aaron Franklin

Geneo Grissom

Gabe Ikard

Bronson Irwin

Nila Kasitati

Trey Millard

Chuka Ndulue

Corey Nelson

Torrea Peterson

Jordan Phillips

Eric Striker

Charles Tapper

Ahmad Thomas

Jordan Wade

Austin Woods

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics