University of Oklahoma Athletics
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May 20, 2013 | Athletics
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 As we approach the 100 day mark until football season begins in Oklahoma, check out the latest: Ikard on Rimington Trophy Watch List - 9:53 a.m. University of Oklahoma senior center Gabe Ikard was named to the 2013 Watch List by the Rimington Trophy committee on Tuesday. The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding center among FBS teams. An Oklahoma City, Okla., native, Ikard has played in 39 games (37 starts) on the offensive line for the Sooners. A two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, Ikard earned a spot on the Capital One Academic All-America First Team in 2012 and was also a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy finalist. The winner of the Rimington Trophy will be honored at the Rococo Theater in Lincoln, Neb., on January 11, 2014. The award's namesake, Dave Rimington, was a consensus All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982.
Once award watch lists begin to unveil, you know we're getting closer to another season of Sooner football. Colvin on Lott IMPACT Watch List - 4:18 p.m. Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin was one of 42 student-athletes named to the Lott IMPACT Award Watch List on Thursday. Student-athletes from 37 different colleges around the country represent players who have made the biggest IMPACT on their teams both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. An All-Big 12 First Team selection by AP and the coaches in 2012, Colvin led the team with 11 pass breakups, finished second on the squad with four interceptions and was third on the team with 61 tackles (47 solo). 
Happy Friday, Sooner fans! As you know, six Sooners were taken in this year's NFL Draft. But other former players to don the crimson and cream are signing NFL free agent contracts as well. Catch up on the latest: Sooners Sign NFL Free Agent Deals - 4:09 p.m. Several Sooners are signing contracts as NFL teams get their rosters prepared for training camp. Check out the list below:  Javon Harris - DB - Arizona CardinalsDemontre Hurst - DB - Chicago BearsTony Jefferson - DB - Arizona Cardinals R.J. Washington - DE - St. Louis RamsTress Way - P - Chicago BearsDominique Whaley - RB - Seattle SeahawksTom Wort - LB - Tennessee Titans
With just 121 days until we kick off the 2013 season vs. Louisiana-Monroe, keep it tuned here to the Sooner Football Notebook for the latest updates surrounding the program. Greatest RB of the BCS Era - 1:53 p.m. Athlon Sports named Sooner legend Adrian Peterson the best college running back since the BCS era began in 1998, beating out Texas' Ricky Williams (second). Peterson was one of three Sooner running backs on Athlon's Top 50 list, with Quentin Griffin ranking 19th and DeMarco Murray coming in 24th. You can view the complete list and analysis by clicking here or the photo of AD below: 
The Sooners have concluded spring football practice, but you can catch up on the last couple months in Spring Central. Madden Cover Vote Finals: It's Bedlam! - 11:52 a.m. With your help, Sooner great Adrian Peterson has won the "new school" side of the bracket and advanced to the finals of the Madden Cover Vote against former Oklahoma State running back Barry Sanders. Click here or the image below to vote for Peterson to grace the cover of the Madden NFL 25 video game: Cast your vote before April 24, when the winner will be announced at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN2's SportsNation. 
The Sooners are less than 48 hours from the 2013 Spring Game, which will kick off Saturday, April 13, at 2 p.m. Central. Adrian Peterson Needs Your Vote! - 2:51 p.m. 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. The winner is determined by fan vote. Peterson is currently in the semifinals against Houston Texans running back Arian Foster. The semifinal voting lasts until Wednesday, April 17. Click the image below to vote for Peterson to grace the Madden cover! 
While the current Oklahoma football team is gearing up for Saturday's Spring Game, one former Sooner just received big news: Lane Johnson Invited to New York - 5:38 p.m. Offensive tackle Lane Johnson is one of 23 players that have accepted an invitation to attend the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Johnson is also one of just three Big 12 players invited. Johnson is widely projected as a top 10-15 pick in this year's draft, which takes place April 25-27. NFL.com Story | All-Time Sooner Draft Picks | First-Rounders
The University of Oklahoma wasn't the only football team remembering the legacy of Chuck Fairbanks, who passed away on Tuesday. Here are what some other members of the football fraternity were saying: Remembering Chuck Fairbanks -9:23 a.m. New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft "As a Patriots season ticket holder, I remember the excitement that was generated by the hiring of Chuck Fairbanks from the University of Oklahoma in 1973. Coach Fairbanks gave the Patriots instant credibility. For Patriots fans of that era, Fairbanks was the Bill Parcells before Bill Parcells. Meaning, he did for the Patriots in the '70s what Bill Parcells did for the team in the '90s. He delivered the franchise's first 11-win season in 1976 and earned a home playoff game after winning the division in 1978. It was the first time in franchise history that we hosted a playoff game. He introduced the 3-4 defense to the NFL during his Patriots tenure, which remains a part of his NFL legacy. It is a sad day for a generation of Patriots fans who enjoyed his era of coaching. My thoughts and prayers are with the Fairbanks family and all who mourn his loss." New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (Sept. 2012) "Chuck has been a good friend for a long time and he's meant a lot to this (Patriots) organization. Really, at the time he came here, he did a great job in turning the Patriots around, making them into one of the top teams in the AFC. Also, some of the things he brought to the Patriots and the league in the '70s were things that stood the test of time and have been a big principle of this league for many, many years and the disciples and the people that were with him, such as the 3-4 defense, the way he organized the draft, personnel meetings, things like that and some of the great coaches that were here under Chuck." Former Colorado head coach Bill McCartney "When I got hired, I replaced Chuck and I had one meeting with him. He said to me, 'If I had it to do over again, knowing what I know now after three years, I would recruit California and Texas hard. That would be where I would put my recruiting emphasis.' I found that to be very enlightening, and over time, I realized that he was right. And that's really how we rose to the top. His words were wise and prophetic."
We're three practices through spring football already, but today's ended a little differently than usual. Sooner Football Harlem Shake - 8:42 p.m. Sure, Oklahoma didn't create the first Harlem Shake. But how many of these videos have Heisman winners, The Boz riding a motorcycle and Coach Switzer in a fur coat? How many Sooners can you name in here? Check it out and enjoy:
Head coach Bob Stoops' pre-spring football press conference will be held today at Noon Central. Coordinators Josh Heupel and Mike Stoops will follow. Watch live on SoonerSports.tv. Pre-Spring Roster/Number Changes - 11:21 a.m. As we prepare for Saturday's opening practice of spring football, check out number changes, newcomer numbers and the most up-to-date Oklahoma Sooners roster: Updated Rosters (March 7, 2013): Online |  Printable (PDF)
Thursday kicks off Oklahoma spring football with head coach Bob Stoops' press conference, while coordinators Josh Heupel and Mike Stoops will also speak. But first, two of our newest coaches met with the media today: Boulware, Montgomery Meet the Media - 5:47 p.m. Tight ends and special teams coach Jay Boulware and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery met with the media Wednesday afternoon inside the Adrian Peterson Team Meeting Room. Check out what they had to say by clicking their photo or the links below:  Quotes: Coach Jay Boulware | Coach Jerry Montgomery
While snow carried the storylines outdoors around the state of Oklahoma, we were inside the Adrian Peterson Team Meeting Room listening to our newest assistant coach: Bedenbaugh Meets the Media - 5:27 p.m. OU offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, officially hired as the newest member of the Sooner staff on Sunday, met with the local media for the first time on Wednesday. Among other things, he discussed his desire to help return OU to a national championship: Transcript of Bill Bedenbaugh Media Availability
Here's the latest from the OU football office in Norman: Coach Stoops' Statement on James Patton - 11:04 a.m. University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops confirmed Monday that assistant coach James Patton has accepted a position on Kevin Wilson's staff at the Indiana University. "We appreciate the contributions that James made to our program over the past seven seasons," Stoops said. "He was a valued member of a staff that helped us win five Big 12 championships. We wish James and his family the best in this opportunity with Kevin Wilson at Indiana." Patton joined the Oklahoma staff in 2006 from Northwestern University where he spent seven seasons prior to his arrival in Norman.
While National Signing Day (Wednesday) gets fans excited about the future, we're also looking to dig up some cool items from the past: Donate Historic Sooner Football Items - 1:07 p.m. The University of Oklahoma Athletics staff is making additions to some of the historical displays located in the Barry Switzer Center, and is asking fans if they have an item that might be appropriate. Recently, we received a chin strap that was worn by Tommy McDonald, a piece of the goal post from the 1956 OU-Texas game and a vinyl recording of a song to honor Marcus Dupree. We're well-stocked in ticket stubs, game programs/publications and commemorative glasses, but if you're in possession of a unique piece of Sooner history and would be interested in making it a donation, we're interested in talking with you. All donations that are displayed will be described on a placard that will also include the donor's name. All donated items become the property of the University of Oklahoma. Contact Senior Associate A.D. Kenny Mossman via email to find out more information on how you can make a contribution.
As we wrap up the weekend and get closer to National Signing Day, check out how the Sooners did in Sunday's NFL Pro Bowl: Sooners in the NFL Pro Bowl - 10:16 p.m. Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson and Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy helped lead the NFC to a 62-35 win over the AFC in Sunday's NFL Pro Bowl. Peterson ran it five times for 13 yards, while McCoy recorded a tackle for loss. Cincinnati tight end Jermaine Gresham hauled in a 5-yard catch for the AFC.
While it's a big day for both Oklahoma basketball teams, the football program will be represented by Lane Johnson and Landry Jones in this afternoon's Senior Bowl. Here's the latest: Johnson Named Most Outstanding Lineman - 10:49 a.m. Sooner offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who played quarterback in high school and at Kilgore College before arriving at OU, was named the Senior Bowl's Most Outstanding Lineman after a week in which he impressed scouts throughout the NFL. Johnson has improved his stock to the point of being considered a first-round talent in the NFL Draft, which begins April 26.  The game will air on the NFL Network on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. CT as Johnson and quarterback Landry Jones look to impress.
It's a big weekend for Sooners in the NFL and Sooners pursuing NFL dreams. Check out the latest below: Johnson, Jones Set for Senior Bowl - 9:29 a.m. Sooner quarterback Landry Jones and offensive lineman Lane Johnson, integral parts to OU's success in 2012, will compete in the 2013 Senior Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 3 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on the NFL Network, which spoke with Jones and raved about Johnson on Thursday. Senior Bowl (NFL Network, Saturday, 3 p.m.) Coverage 
Make sure you stay tuned to the Sooner Football Notebook and SoonerSports.com for the latest on the team. Sandefer to Go Into Big Country Athletic H.O.F. - 4:24 p.m. Former University of Oklahoma running back Jakie Sandefer will be inducted into the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame on May 6 in Abilene, Texas. Sandefer lettered for the Sooners in 1956-58 under head coach Bud Wilkinson and was a member of OU's 10-0 national championship squad in 1958. |
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Sooner Sports Talk - 9/1/25
Monday, September 01
The Huddle - 9/1/25
Monday, September 01
The Huddle - 8/25/25
Monday, August 25
Joe Castiglione Press Conference
Tuesday, July 08
