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April 6, 2013 | Spring Football Central | Football Notebook | Roster | Twitter

Catching Up with Coach

Just one week and three practices stand between the Oklahoma Football team and its Spring Game on Saturday, April 13. While the Sooners are focused on finishing the spring strong, head coach Bob Stoops has been pleased with the 10 practices in the rearview mirror.

"I feel good," Stoops said. "Our guys have really done a good job coming to work every day and getting better in all areas. Guys that haven't played as much are getting good experience and are playing better and more consistently. It's what you'd expect."

OU's final week of preparation for the Spring Game will include a scrimmage on Sunday, a practice that should answer a lot of questions.

"I want to see who's going to be competitive," Stoops said. "Who is going to play when they're tired? Who can perform in tough situations? Who is going to make the plays and do it consistently? I'll be anxious to see how the quarterbacks react to everything and who is going to be the most consistent there."

Stoops didn't elaborate on the enticing quarterback competition between Blake Bell, Trevor Knight and Kendal Thompson, but said "They're all working hard and doing well. They're all showing a lot of positive signs."

Sooner fans will be able to see that for themselves in one short week. Advance tickets are on sale through Wednesday for just $5 before the price goes up to $10.

Spring Game Countdown

With the OU Spring Game set for April 13, make your plans today to join your fellow Sooners' fans at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. For details on the Big Boomer BBQ, the OU Spring Merchandise Sale and the OU Spring Game click here.

The scoring format for the OU Spring Game will replicate the system that the Sooners utilized in 2012. Instead of splitting the squad into two units, the offense will square off against the defense in next Saturday's contest. For a look at how to score the OU Spring Game, click here or the graphic to the right.

Unsung Specialists

While kickers, punters and return men are typically the focal points for fans on special teams, there are a group of unsung heroes on every team that are typically known as the club's core special teams players. These players typically anchor virtually every coverage, return, protection and rush unit. For the Sooners, one of those special teams ring leaders is junior fullback Aaron Ripkowski.

The Dayton, Texas, native has been a mainstay on special teams for the Sooners the past two seasons. Last season, Ripkowski was selected as the recipient of the Derrick Shepard Most Inspirational Walk-On Award. In fact, at the team's annual awards banquet, head coach Bob Stoops announced that Ripkowski had earned a scholarship based on his many contributions to the squad. An extremely appreciative Ripkowski has a great understanding of just how important the contributions of his special teamers can be in helping lead the team to victory.

"It can win or lose games," Ripkowski said of special teams. "It's a matter of, you never know when a touchdown is going to bust out of a kickoff return, or somebody is going to get a fumble off of a punt. It is a huge game changer."

Knowing that the Sooners have several return men who have the ability to bust a big return at any time only reinforces the importance of execution in the kicking game to Ripkowski.

"It is definitely a motivator and a confidence booster, as well," he said of OU's explosive return men. "Most of the time you can slip up a little bit and most of the time they can make you right with the way they move."

Ripkowski has also been impressed with the attitude of special teams coordinator Jay Boulware.

"I really like his enthusiasm. He likes to get everyone fired up. Everybody just likes to work for him so it's fun."

Punter Jack Steed echoed those sentiments.

"He definitely brings another outlook on the special team game," Steed said of Boulware. "He is incredibly serious about it. I think he is pushing us all in the right direction. I know that we are all getting better since we had coach come. He is a great teacher and knows a lot about the punting. I know he is pushing me by the competition and I know we are both getting better. I can feel it every day. I know that we are getting better as a unit."

And for young players like Steed, another important aspect of the Sooners' program has been the club's strength and conditioning program under the direction of Jerry Schmidt.

"It has been really important," he concluded. "A lot of people probably don't think specialists don't do the same workouts, but we have been doing the same workouts as everyone else. It definitely pushes us and gets us stronger and faster. I think it has helped out our special teams corps a lot."

SATURDAY'S PRACTICE
The Sooners practiced on Owen Field for the second consecutive day, marking OU's 10th workout of the spring. Here's the latest:

Photo Gallery (47 photos)
Video

  Spring Practice Report No. 10
  Coach Bob Stoops Interview
  Wideouts vs. Defensive Backs
  O-Line vs. D-Line

INSTAGRAM P.O.T.D.
The Sooners practiced on Owen Field on Saturday morning as the QB battle continued. 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:

SATURDAY NOTEBOOK
Saturday's practice is expected to feature several team situations as the club prepares for the OU Spring Game on April 13. The club is slated to conduct a scrimmage on Sunday with practice sessions set for Tuesday and Thursday leading up to next Saturday's contest on Owen Field.

Tiffany Byrd has joined OU in the newly-developed role of Director of Sports Nutrition. Byrd will be responsible for developing comprehensive nutrition programs geared toward improving training, performance and recovery of all student-athletes. She will consult with all OU teams and individual student-athletes providing direction and communicating the value of proper nutrition on promoting health and enhancing athletic performance.

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